WanderList: The Pure Joy of Glamping

January 19th, 2013 • BY Rachel Sturtz

The pinnacle of luxury came at 7 a.m. in the form of a hot towel. I didn’t leave my sleeping bag, but watched as one of my Far and Away Adventures guides, Tex, poured boiled water over a hand towel and set it in a bowl on the nightstand next to my cot. The first day, it wiped off a day’s worth of sweat and campfire soot. The second morning, it stayed draped over my face as I faced the bleary-eyed ramification of the previous night’s unholy duo of imbibing multiple gin and tonics while soaking in a hot spring. On the third day, it served as solace because after three days of not showering, at least my face was clean. By the time I was through wiping, I knew the breakfast table was set with linens; coffee, tea and orange juice was on the bar; and French toast was minutes away from being served and devoured. It was heaven.

So goes a day of glamping, or “glamorous” camping. Like safaris of yore, glamping means never lifting a finger to set up a tent or start a fire, which can make those of us used to doing that stuff a little itchy to help out. It’s the ultimate pampering and, in some cases, a far cry from camping. Case in point: Justin Bieber loves it, so did Matthew McConaughey’s wedding guests. According to the National Park and Recreation Association, 31 million people camp using tents each year, but the tents in glamping can range from low-key yurts to luxe canvas retreats with queen beds, rugs and nearly all of the hotel amenities (save for air conditioning) for half the price. It’s a way to experience the great outdoors if you’re not so great in the outdoors, and if the growing number of glamping spots available (70 and counting in North America) are any indication, glamping has some staying power.

Each morning on the secluded Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho our boats floated the river as we cast our fishing lines from either end. The guides stopped on occasion for us to walk the fields and hunt chukars, embodying our best Hemingway in Eddie Bauer brush pants and leather-patched sweaters. After a catered lunch and another sporting-filled afternoon, we pulled into the next night’s camping spot to find the tents set up, rugs laid neatly inside and at the entrance, and the white wine chilled to pair with our spiced shrimp appetizers. Over campfire grills, the chefs roasted corn on the cob and cooked mouth-watering duck breast.

On the third day of our trip, a plane flew in a second keg of beer. During the normal season, we would have also had an instructor leading sunrise yoga sessions while breakfast is prepared and massages at the end of the day.

Glamping’s hard to justify for short weekend trips—there’s something about getting dirty and doing it yourself that’s good for the soul. During a week-long excursion, however, it guarantees you don’t hit that dirty, exhausted slump that typically rears its head five days into a do-it-yourself camping experience. Your food is prepared, there’s a hot shower ready if you want it, and your only worry is enjoying your surroundings.

Glamping Outfitters:

Moveable: Far and Away Adventures focuses their river-based glamping on the Middle Fork, Jarbidge/Bruneau, and Owyhee rivers in Idaho. They serve organic, local food and each night is spent at a new, unexplored location.

High-End: Paws Up Montana Resort, Montana’s premier luxury ranch resort, does glamping like no one else: heated floors, butler service, and activities like rapelling and equestrian lessons.

Urban: Still want to enjoy somewhat-fresh air sans nature? Hotels like AKA Central Park, Hyatt 48 Lex, and Affinia Gardens in New York City offer rooftop and terrace glamping, complete with s’mores kits.

For more glamping ideas within the U.S. and beyond:

glampinghub.com

 

goglamping.net

 

 

glamping.com

 

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