Amazing views and incredible experiences: The 10 best glamping destinations the U.S. has to offer

Maybe you once loved camping: nature all around you, marshmallows roasting over a campfire, a star-filled sky above, no chirping electronic devices. You’d like to experience that tranquility again, but the thought of sleeping on hard ground, swatting mosquitoes, and doing your business in the woods makes you shudder.

Enter “glamping”—aka glamorous camping. It’s basically like staying in a luxury hotel—plush beds, fancy soaps, a real bathroom, and other people cooking your food—except with canvas walls and nature at your doorstep.

Luxury camping is a descendant of the high-end African safaris of the early 20th century, but in recent years the glamping phenomenon has exploded. “People are looking for something unique, not just another hotel room,” says John Romfo, the chief operating officer of Glamping.com.

While glamping is popular with millennials, many glampers are seasoned travelers who have “gone through the gamut of vacationing,” Romfo says. They like the idea of camping—but not the idea of roughing it.

The level of “glamp” vs. “camp” varies, as do the prices. Some glamping experiences are hyper-luxurious—and hyper-expensive—while others are a bit closer to traditional camping and far more affordable.

These 10 glamping experiences — listed from least expensive to the biggest splurges — are some of the most notable ones you’ll find.

Offering both tents and 19th-century-style covered wagons, the vibe at Conestoga Ranch is Old West. But with bathrooms and electricity in some tents, guests can opt for Newer West (other accommodations are more rustic).

You can grab breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the ranch’s Campfire Grill Restaurant and pick up snacks at the General Store.

Other perks the pioneers wouldn’t recognize: yoga classes, spa services, water sports at nearby Bear Lake, and delivery of firewood and s’mores kits right to your tent courtesy of the Campfire Valet Service, which will also light your fire.

Price: $110+ per night

Learn more: Conestoga Ranch

Just two hours northeast of Anchorage, you can enjoy views of the breathtaking Matanuska Glacier and the valley forest from the covered porch of a hillside tent.

While the tents have queen-sized beds with down comforters and Adirondack chairs on the deck, this glamping spot is a close cousin to traditional camping: The tents have no heat or electricity, and no food is allowed given the nearby bears. Instead of showering, you can rinse off and soak in a communal cedar hot tub in the evening.

Still, you can’t beat the views, including moose sightings that past guests report.

Price: $132+ per night

Learn more: Alpenglow Luxury Camping

At AutoCamp’s three California locations — the redwood forests of Russian River, 90 minutes north of San Francisco in Sonoma’s Wine Country, Yosemite National Park, and Downtown Santa Barbara, minutes from the beach — you can rent a luxury Airstream, fully kitted out with pillowtop mattresses, Malin + Goetz bath products, spa bathrobes, and more.

At Yosemite and Russian River, you have a choice of fancy tents as well.

Price: $140+ per night

Learn more: AutoCamp

Located on the grounds of the La Tourelle Resort and Spa, these stylish tents have private balconies, hardwood floors, and fancy linens on king and queen-sized beds.

You’ll have to walk about 400 feet to the shared bathhouse, where there are two full private bathrooms in addition to unisex showers and bathroom stalls.

Ithaca is known for its abundant gorges and waterfalls, as well as the nearby vineyards of the Finger Lakes region. You can hike the trails in the surrounding Buttermilk Falls State Park from your tent or explore further afield.

At night, enjoy free tastings at the bar before grabbing s’mores by the campfire.

Price: $189+ per night

Learn more: Ithaca By Firelight Camps

Glampers can look out at Mount Rushmore right from the camp, and enjoy hiking and biking tours, rock climbing, horseback riding, and more, plus meals served around a campfire. You can book safari-inspired tents with king-sized beds, or suites with queen-sized sofa-beds, perfect for couples and families. The Deluxe and Suite tents include private bathrooms.

Other locations include Yellowstone, Zion, and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Price: $189+ per night

Learn more: Under Canvas

This campground in this popular seaside Maine community has traditional RV and tent camping sites, plus brand-new glamping tents decorated by different New England designers, all featuring king-sized beds, seating areas, air conditioning, and wooden decks.

Some tents offer an adjacent smaller tent with twin beds for families. Although the glamping tents don’t have private bathrooms, guests share a new bathhouse.

Completing the Maine experience: the saltwater pool, general store, shuffleboard, salt marsh beach just a mile away, and a snack bar that serves lobster.

Price: $200+ per night

Learn more: Sandy Pines Campground

The Serenity Luxury Tented Camp by Xperience Hotels, located 20 minutes from Playa del Carmen, Mexico, comes with everything you’d expect from a Caribbean resort: lush, tropical greenery, a private beach club, an outdoor pool, a yoga studio, and a restaurant and bar.

The difference is that you sleep in tents outfitted with king-sized beds, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and ensuite bathrooms. You might forget you’re in the middle of a jungle.

The resort’s BLISS tents come with Jacuzzis on the private terrace, perfect for honeymooners.

Price: $280+ per night

Learn more: Serenity Luxury Tented Camp08

If you’ve ever dreamed of staying on a private island, Little Raccoon Key is for you. A reef island off the coast of Georgia, Little Raccoon Key only hosts one reservation at a time, ensuring you’ll have the whole island to yourself.

With the island and surrounding waters home to abundant species of birds, sea life, and plants, it’s perfect for nature enthusiasts.

Inside your tent, you’ll find a memory foam mattress, coffee and tea kettle, and a wood-burning stove. You’ll have to bring your own food (or request groceries or chef-prepared meals for an extra charge), but gas grills, dishes, and pans are provided.

Price: $299+ per night

Learn more: Little Raccoon Key

A short ferry ride from Manhattan, this car-free island hosts concerts, festivals, and other events during the summer. Collective’s Summit Tent option boasts a king-sized bed (or two singles), electricity, a private bathroom, spa bath products, and complimentary breakfast and s’mores kit.

The cheaper Journey Tent has a queen-size bed and electricity, but guests must use the nearby shared bathroom facilities. Food is available for an extra charge. One caveat for those who like to imbibe: alcohol is not allowed on the Collective property (their liquor license is pending), but other restaurants on the island serve drinks.

Price: $150 to $800 per night

Learn more: Collective Retreats

One of the most famous (and expensive) glamping spots in the country, the Resort at Paws Up is situated on 37,000 acres of Montana wilderness, including the scenic Blackfoot River, unspoiled forest, and a working cattle ranch.

The 30 luxe tents have heat and air conditioning, large ensuite bathrooms, heated floors, and fine linens. Some boast clawfoot bathtubs and dedicated camp butlers.

Activities, from horseback riding and archery to cattle driving and river rafting, will keep you busy if you tire of your tent. You can dine at the two on-site restaurants and bar, or learn how to make the perfect s’more from the resident “s’moreologists.”

It’s pricey, but rates include three meals a day, drinks with meals (except liquor), round-trip airport transfers, WiFi, and many recreational activities.

Price: $500 to $1500+ per person, per night

Learn more: Paws Up