Glamping has become a popular trend for those who want to go camping, without roughing it. A combination of the words glamorous and camping added to Webster’s dictionary in 2018, glamping can include any combination of amenities that optimize comfort such as a mattress, running water, and electricity, to start. 

Basically, glampers desire the feel of a warm June night in the woods, without being eaten alive by mosquitos, or kept awake by a rock beneath their tent and sleeping pad. And the options for shelter are numerous and creative: Yurts, rustic cabins, safari tents, and treehouses. 

As for what to bring, think about items that are both practical and luxurious. Obviously, you’ll need bug spray, hiking boots and a comfy pair of pajamas. But because glamping is cushier than camping, why not bring that adorable swimsuit and cover-up, with your wide-brimmed sun hat, and Audrey Hepburn-esque cat eye sunglasses? If you want to bring your makeup, do that too. And if you love cooking outdoors, that’s definitely easier with the addition of electricity in a well-appointed kitchen, so, plan some decadent meals if that’s your thing. 

You’ll also want to bring a first-aid kit, your cell phone charger, and consider purchasing travel insurance, because the outdoors is filled with unknowns. An Allianz Travel Insurance plan with Emergency Medical benefits can reimburse for certain costs (such as hospitalization) for covered medical and dental emergencies, as well as medically necessary transportation to the nearest healthcare facility. And our emergency medical benefits may cover you in ways your existing health insurance may not. If you have an accident on the trail that causes you to be hospitalized for more than a week, we will ensure that a friend or family member receives transportation to your bedside. And if you are hospitalized for more than 24 hours during your trip, we can help transport unaccompanied minors in your care, or people who depend on you for full-time supervision, back home. 

There are amazing glamping destinations throughout the U.S. on the East Coast, West Coast and everywhere in between. Here are some of the best destinations for glamping:

1. Bar Harbor, Maine

On its website, Terramor Outdoor Resort in Bar Harbor, Maine is described as “Refinement. Unpaved.” The venue’s opulent, safari tents offer large private bathrooms, plush king beds, and pour-over coffee makers. If you forgot to pack your hair dryer don’t worry, your tent will have one, too. Lounge around your personal firepit or at Terramor’s hot tub or pool. As of 2022, Terramor is a designated stop for the Island Explorer free shuttle service, which goes to Acadia National Park, downtown Bar Harbor and other destinations on Mount Desert Island. The Island Explorer operates seasonally, from mid-June to mid-October.

2. Lutsen, Minnesota

The modern, Scandinavian, and striking, partially glass dome lodges at Klarhet, in Lutsen, Minnesota evoke the resort’s name, which translates to clarity in Swedish. You’ll find plenty of calm and clarity gazing at the pristinely bright stars in the night sky. The impressive windows offer panoramic views of the surrounding forest on the North Shore of Lake Superior. There’s plenty of privacy, intimacy and romance to be had on the property of just four guest structures.  The domes feature rainfall showers, kitchenettes, bathrobes and slippers, and local Fika coffee. Borrow a pair of snowshoes at the resort and explore the property or several local state parks and the Superior Hiking Trail.

3. Big Sur, California

Alila Ventana, Big Sur, California is located in the stunning Big Sur section of California’s Central Coast. Bordered by Pacific waves to the west and the Santa Lucia Mountains to the East, Big Sur is largely natural and only accessible via the two-lane State Route 1. The resort’s luxurious safari tents are tucked away in a 20-acre redwood canyon. Guests can experience the convenience of electric lamps, power outlets with USB ports, running water, wood-burning fire pits and picnic tables. Showers and restrooms are available in a shared bathhouse.

Enjoy fine dining at the resort’s restaurant, or purchase the Spa Alila Day pass, which offers a 50-minute massage or facial, a poolside entrée and pool, hot tub and sauna access. Some parts of the grounds are reserved for hotel guests, and are not accessible to glampers. 

4. Asheville, North Carolina

Enjoy the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains at one of the three sites offered by Asheville Glamping, near Asheville, North Carolina. Its offerings are some of the most versatile: Safari tents, treehouses, and domes, some of which sleep up to eight people and have an indoor slide. The resort’s most basic accommodations – safari tents – are still fairly plush. Guests who stay in safari tents can enjoy a queen-sized bed and a futon, an outdoor propane grill, fire pit, picnic table, air-conditioning and a shared bath house. Asheville Glamping is also located near the nation’s most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountain National Park. 

5. Branson, Missouri

Glamp waterside at Camp Long Creek, Ridgedale, Missouri, which is named for its proximity to Table Rock Lake, on Big Cedar Lodge near Branson, Missouri. The resort’s safari tents are the epitome of luxury; the canvas dwellings feature wood floors and chandeliers. Guests can enjoy a private outdoor bathtub, fire pit, table and chairs, small fridge, and coffee maker. The spaces, which sleep two, are perfect for a romantic getaway. There’s also plenty to do at Camp Long Creek including golfing, horseback riding, hiking, boating or fishing. Visit the nearby Silver Dollar City, rated one of the top 16 amusement parks in the U.S. by the U.S. News and World Report. 

As a leader in travel protection, millions of people annually rely on us for help when they need it most. Let us be there for you, too. Get a quote to find out how Allianz Travel Insurance can help keep your travels stress-free.

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