Are you wondering whether you should try glamping? The answer is a resounding yes. This experience combines the allure of the great outdoors with more luxurious amenities for an upgraded camping experience.
Let’s explore how this camping style differs from the more traditional version, along with eight reasons why you should go glamping for your next trip.
Glamping vs. Camping: What’s the Difference?
Before discussing why a glamping excursion should be at the top of your vacation bucket list, it is important to understand the key differences between glamping and more traditional camping.
Camping, at its core, is rustic. It means spending the night outdoors and cooking on a campfire. Most people who go camping do not take fancy gear, and basic amenities like electricity or running water are not guaranteed.
Glamping takes camping to the next level. The term combines glamorous and camping together for a one-of-a-kind, curated experience. Essentials like running water, a toilet or even a comfortable mattress offer vacationers peace of mind while surrounded by nature. While amenities differ depending on where you stay or the type of accommodations you choose, glamping is designed to give you all the joys of an outdoor adventure with many of the comforts of home.
Kampgrounds of America has a glamping experience for every kind of camper, from Deluxe Cabins with luxury essentials to unique lodging options like a real train caboose.
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The Top 8 Benefits of Glamping
Whether you are planning a family vacation, a girls’ getaway or a romantic retreat for two, here are the top eight reasons to try glamping.
1. Comfort and Conveniences of Home
Traditional camping is not for everyone. The idea of resting in sleeping bags on the cold ground and having to use communal restrooms and shower facilities is enough to make some people ignore the call of nature.
This is where glamping truly shines — it provides a comfortable connection to the great outdoors. When you go glamping, you have complete control over your must-have amenities. Need a ready-made sleep structure? Check. Want a full or partial kitchen for cooking delicious food and storing leftovers easily? You got it.
You can find cozy beds that provide a comfortable night’s sleep and your own private bathroom. Some glamping locations even offer TV and Wi‐Fi for relaxing and watching your favorite shows.
2. Natural Beauty of the Outdoors
Glamping allows you to truly appreciate the beauty of nature. Whether you stay among the high mountain peaks or along the ocean sand dunes, the wild and wonderful are just around every bend, providing a stunning backdrop to your vacation.
Away from the bustle of cities, a retreat in the outdoors offers an oasis where you can breathe, relax and unwind. Admire the scenery from your tent flap or front porch, and relish the freedom of sitting outside with a warm drink and a cozy blanket, watching the sunrise or the sunset.
Is there a beautiful location beckoning you? KOA offers glamping opportunities from coast to coast at more than 500 locations across North America.
3. One-Of-A-Kind Experiences
Glamping facilitates new and incredible adventures. From the comfort of your cozy lodgings, you can try out immersive experiences, like hiking the trails or an adrenaline-pumping activity. While glamping, by definition, relishes its luxurious amenities, it also serves as an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and try something new.
When you choose KOA, you will always find something new to do. Each campground features a calendar chock-full of planned events and themed weekends like movie nights under the stars and fall festivities.
4. Affordable Vacation Option
Looking for a more budget-friendly vacation destination? One of the many reasons to go glamping involves saving money. Campgrounds are often far more affordable than hotels or pricey resorts. Plus, they offer creative money-saving opportunities, like:
- Being able to cook meals at a fire pit, charcoal grill or inside a kitchen to reduce food costs.
- Using campground activities as a source of free entertainment instead of going out.
- Going on free hikes in nature instead of shopping.
- Making memories with free or inexpensive adventures such as swimming, fishing, kayaking and more.
5. Zero Set up Required
You do not have to be a tent expert to go glamping. Glamorous accommodations help comfortably introduce you to outdoor living without forcing you to learn a new skill set. Campgrounds like KOA have options that take care of your essential needs — no rustic tent or tarp required.
When glamping, you have a comfortable place to eat, sleep and use the restroom. Some luxury lodgings come with linens, dishes and other items you need. These additions allow you to pack less camping gear and make you feel well taken care of throughout your stay. There is usually plenty of storage space, so you can bring your favorite comfort items and activities to make your stay all the more enjoyable.
6. Pet-Friendly Accommodations
What is a family getaway without your favorite four-legged friend? Many glamping options allow you to bring your pets. However, always check the guidelines about registering your furry pal.
Bringing your dog can also save you time and money since you will not need to arrange a pet sitter or boarding option. Plus, your fluffy family member will be right there for all the memory-making moments. Many KOA locations include dog parks or beautiful trails for walks on leashes.
7. Unique Places to Stay
Glamping is anything but average. While luxury tents and cabins are more standard ways to stay, the sky’s the limit when it comes to lodging possibilities. Imagine waking up in a latticed wood yurt or Native American teepee. Maybe you’ve always wanted to stargaze from your very own tree house. From repurposed railroad cabooses to Airstreams, your glamping adventure can be as unique as you want.
8. Allows for Longer Trips
Whether you are retired or taking your remote job on the road, glamping is a great way to extend your adventure indefinitely. Many campgrounds offer extended stays with everything you need provided, such as:
- Laundry facilities: Pack how you would like for any number of days and clean your clothes as needed.
- Camp stores: You can purchase basic items you may need while camping, such as water, snacks, firewood, propane and more.
- Discounted rates: Some KOA Campgrounds offer special rates for extended stays.
With benefits like that, you can feel comfortable vacationing for any duration.
Start Planning Your Glamping Adventure
With all these reasons to go glamping, it is time to start planning. KOA makes it easy to create your ideal glamping experience. Various lodging options offer accommodations for trips with friends and family. Plus, you can enjoy a comfortable stay in the outdoors with everything you need at your fingertips.
From seaside vacations to mountaintop cabins, find a KOA near your destination and reserve your glamping excursion today!
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
