Ditch the headache of setting up your own tent and lugging all your stuff. These rustic-meets-luxury, off-grid campgrounds offer the perfect to “glamping” opportunities for couples, families, and friend groups. Explore these 12 yurts, airstream camps, safari camps, and outdoorsy resorts!
GLAMPING RESORTS
Wrong Way River Lodge and Cabin Campground
Asheville, North Carolina
Wrong Way is an urban cabin campground comprised of 16 tiny A-frame cabins with all the creature comforts (except TVs!). Each cabin has a record player with vintage records, a hammock, books, and games. Visit the communal lodge and old-school canteen to ship and shop with other campground visitors — just like childhood summer camp days. Hear the co-owners talk about what the project means to them:
Wrong Way feels remote, but the cluster of cabins is right across from the French Broad River Greenway and super close to Asheville’s River Arts District. Image: Wrong Way Campground via Facebook
Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo
River Ranch, Florida
Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo is a 1,700-acre dude ranch surrounded by 400,000 acres of federally-protected Florida wetlands. This rustic, western-themed resort has everything from cozy suites and platform glamping tents to Conestoga wagons and luxe teepees. The property pays homage to Old Florida’s Seminole Indians, some of the country’s first cowboys and cattle ranchers. From archery and airboat rides to horseback trips and hayrides, there’s so much to explore here.
Glamping tents are all in the private, golf-cart-only Takoda Village. You get a golf cart, a concierge who tends to the fires each night, a “room service” picnic menu, and lots of hammocks hung throughout. Image: River Ranch Resort & Rodeo
Resort events include line dancing, hayrides, Saturday night rodeos, and more. Image: River Ranch Resort and Rodeo
Little Racoon Key
Jekyll Island, Georgia
Little Raccoon Key is a reef island off the coast of Georgia filled with abundant marine, land, and bird life. The unspoiled island — part of the Golden Isles of Georgia — has a history built on Timucua and Guale natives; French, Spanish, and English explorations; and the modern-day ecotourism and conservation efforts of today. This glamping island is a place to learn a lot, eat well, and immerse yourself in coastal wildlife.
The island only accommodates one overnight reservation at a time, making it a truly private glamping experience. Image: Little Racoon Key
Each stay comes with an ancient oyster reef lesson, a dolphin boat ride, and chef-made meals upon request. Image: Little Racoon Key
SAFARI-STYLE TENT CAMPS
Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains
Near Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Located just 10 miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the South’s famed Under Canvas resort sits on 182 acres of lush, wooded terrain near the entrance to the National Park. These stunning, safari-inspired accommodations are the best jump-off point to an unparalleled outdoor experience. Book a guided hike or rafting trip, and unwind at al fresco dinners and bonfire hangs with other campers.
Under Canvas is the perfect way to experience the most-visited National Park in the country. Image: Under Canvas
Sinya on Lone Man Creek
Wimberley, Texas
Inspired by the owners’ life-changing trip to East Africa, Sinya is a secluded and luxurious couple’s retreat perched atop a ridge overlooking the Texas Hill Country. This magical spot is the perfect home base for any hill country trip, from the covered wraparound porch to the hot “hippie” soaking tub. Once you’re relaxed and ready for some small-town fun, the area is filled with art galleries, wineries, shops, and cafes.
The custom-designed safari tent from South Africa brings a little piece of Africa to Wimberley, Texas. Image: Sinya
Sinya’s truly luxurious amenities include s’mores kits, robes, a king-sized bed, and this jet-powered hot tub with sweeping views of the valley. Image: Sinya via Facebook
Hidden Hillside Glamping at New Life Farm
Lenoir, North Carolina
This year-round, heated tent is the perfect escape to silent solitude and rustic comfort. The tent is on the working, wildlife-filled New Life Farm surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest in the foothills of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. In the tent, you’ll find a comfy queen bed, a cozy futon sleeper couch, and a heated indoor wood stove. Outside is a covered hot shower, a kitchen porch, and a cooking area for morning coffee and eggs. Lounge by the fire pit or read in the hanging hammock in the forest area below.
Outside the tent, you will find the outhouse, lounge chairs, a gas grill, a picnic table, a fire pit area, and a hanging hammock. Guests also have access to fresh, organically grown produce year-round! Image: Hidden Hillside Glamping Tent via Airbnb
AIRSTREAM ADVENTURES
Shasta Camp
Sulfur Ridge, Tennessee
Step back in time and book one of this Tennessee campground’s three 2015 limited edition reissues of 1961 Shasta Airflyte campers. The campers sleep two adults and are nestled on a manicured lawn with individual cooking stations, a custom-designed stock tank pool deck, a life-size Scrabble game, horseshoes, corn hole, and more nostalgic revelry.
Peppermint Patty, Mellow Yellow, and Hot Tamale are the three campers’ names. They range from 16 to 19 feet! Image: Shasta Camp
Life-size scrabble board for the win! Image: Shasta Camp
JuneBug Retro Resort
Asheville, North Carolina
JuneBug is a 50-acre vacation and event venue nestled in a private valley just north of downtown Asheville. They have 10 restored 1950s campers that can be reserved for an event, reunion, or on your next mountain getaway. Across the half-mile of private river frontage is the JuneBug event center and one of the oldest organic farms in western North Carolina.
On the property, you can explore their magical treehouse, hiking trails, playground, fire pits, farm, and cozy creekside hammocks! Image: JuneBug Retro Resort
Airstream Island
Atlanta, Georgia
You won’t believe this mid-century tropical hideaway is just minutes from Atlanta! Glamp in this rare 1956 Airstream surrounded by lush banana trees, and you’ll feel half a world away. A pretty outdoor sitting and grilling area has a fire pit, mini wooden hot tub, pod sauna, garden, and more.
You will never want to leave the campground, as the hosts have thought of everything. Image: Airstream Island via Airbnb
FUNKY & FANCY YURTS
Jenny’s Yurt & Jamie’s Yurt
Fancy Gap, Virginia
This pair of cute, colorful yurts is perched in a peaceful private area off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. So many things bring you up and down I-77, so why not break up your trip with a night of luxe yurt camping? Nearby, find wineries, breweries, zip-lining, and famous hikes like New River Trail, Cumberland Knob, and the caves of Devil’s Den. You’ll likely see some mountain animal friends on the property, too.
Inside the spacious yurt, there is a fully functional kitchen, queen bed, spiral staircase, and clawfoot tub! Image: Jenny’s Yurt via Airbnb
After a day of exploring, a soak with this view sounds fabulous. Image: Jenny’s Yurt via Airbnb
Secret Garden on Lake Oconee
Eatonton, Georgia
This whimsical campsite has a bevy of options to book just minutes from pristine Lake Oconee. Two pioneers in the Tiny Home movement have opened this 16-acre homestead for small-space adventurers. Choose from three tiny houses on wheels, a school bus conversion, two geodesic dome homes, and two yurts. Each has full amenities and uniquely different luxuries. You also get access to the 2,000-square-foot community house, paddle board rentals, canoe and kayak rentals, a more.
There’s no wifi, but you will find a strong connection in this 14-foot boho yurt in the peaceful woods of Georgia. Image: Luxury Yurt at Lake Oconee via Airbnb
The yurt has a built-in skylight! Luxury Yurt at Lake Oconee via Airbnb
Peaceful Valley Rustic Yurt
Columbiana, Alabama
Located southeast of Birmingham, unplug and unwind under the clear Alabama sky in this pretty canvas yurt lifted up on a sturdy wooden platform. Wake up to a French press coffee and breakfast in bed before exploring the property’s private lake and hiking trails. An outdoor fire pit and in-tent space heater will keep you warm and cozy on chilly nights.
The yurt is about 100 feet from a cabin that you can also rent. Image: Peaceful Valley Yurt via Airbnb
Here’s to glamping over camping this year!
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