Welcome
to Camp
Lots o’ Luxe
High-end camping lures travelers
out of hotels and under the stars
IF YOUR IDEA OF roughing it is a
hotel sans room service, camping
hasn’t been on your wish list. Until
now. “Glamping”—glamorous
camping—combines the splendor of
the great outdoors with indoor com-
forts. Here’s how luxe trips compare
with traditional outings.
linen tablecloths, and wines are pre-selected by a company sommelier.
Camping: Roasted hot dogs
Glamping: Grilled rack of lamb
prepared by a campside chef
Forget fiddling with your pocketknife to pry open that can of beans.
At average rates from $300 to $500 a
day, glamping trips include delicious,
chef-prepared meals. For instance,
Far and Away Adventures (800-232-
8588; far-away.com) offers Idaho
trips that feature five-star fare such
as Kobe beef tenderloin salad or pork
tenderloin. Dinners are presented on
Camping: Unguided forays into
the wilderness
Glamping: Escorted excursions
You won’t fear getting lost, since
glamping trips include experienced
guides. For example, Abercrombie &
Kent’s Cataract Canyon River Rafting
(six days from $2,415; 800-554-7094;
abercrombiekent.com) takes travelers on routes that go deep into Utah’s
Canyonlands National Park, so you
can explore Pueblo ruins and hike secluded canyons. Then board a private
plane to return to your starting point.
Camping: Struggles with your tent
Glamping: Preset shelter with
comfortable sleeping quarters
No need to fumble with the canvas;
you’ll find your tent already set up.
Boundless Journeys includes roomy
tents on its kayak trips off Vancouver
Island (six days, $2,995; 800-941-8010;
boundlessjourneys.com). If you
“glamp lite”—provide and cook your
own food and create your own trips—
you can still find luxury at Falling
Waters Adventure Resort ($84 a
night; 877-247-5535; fallingwaters
resort.com). Eight yurts featuring
queen beds are spread across the five-acre camp, located near the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park in
western North Carolina. —Laura Daily
