Book by: ASAP
Travel by: October 4
The deal
Camping trips are a summer tradition many of us can live without. Back-to-basic facilities and bugs? No thanks! Fortunately, you don't need to rough it to enjoy a scenic retreat in the great outdoors.
For a wildly stylish escape, we suggest you give "glamping" (glamorous camping) a try. We've found six packages that offer the best of camping without skimping on upscale comforts. Discover Texas Hill Country eco-retreats, elegant tented suites in California and Montana, Lake Powell houseboats, and more, with rates from $180/night.
Wimberley, Texas: Romantic Eco-Retreat from $180/Night
Just 40 minutes southwest of Austin, a Southern-style eco-retreat awaits in Texas Hill Country — an area praised for its crystal-clear rivers, wide-open wildflower fields, and up-and-coming wineries. Overlooking Lone Man Creek near the town of Wimberley, the brand-new Sinya Resort has just one secluded canvas-style tent unit perfectly-suited for a romantic weekend away.
Inside, guests will find hardwood floors of longleaf pine Roche Bobois furniture; there’s also a 900-square-foot deck made of reclaimed wood and both indoor and outdoor heated showers. Head out to trek along the ridge for majestic views, or unwind with a dip in a nearby swimming hole or a fabulous meal at a local vineyard. Rates start at just $180/night from Sunday through Thursday, and $200/night on the weekends (a 2-night minimum stay is required).
Surrounded by the Santa Ynez Mountains and the picturesque Pacific coastline, El Capitan Canyon provides a premier beach camping experience just north of Santa Barbara. Nestled between groves of sycamores and ancient oak trees, this 300-acre resort has 26 safari-style canvas tents outfitted with fine touches like willow beds, bedside lanterns, and individual outdoor fire pits (modern shower facilities and a solar-heated outdoor pool are conveniently located in nearby buildings).
Guests can opt for guided hiking and kayaking excursions, not to mention horseback riding and yoga lessons. For the best value, we suggest the Family Picnic Package. Available through August 27, this special offer includes two nights’ lodging in a spacious platform tent, a complimentary blanket, snacks and enough Smore’s for four, plus a coupon for a picnic-style lunch to be enjoyed on the lawn or patio. Rates start at $365.
Put a lavish nautical twist on the traditional campout on the shores of stunning Lake Powell — one of America’s premier houseboating destinations, this man-made oasis-in-the-desert (straddling the border of Arizona and Utah) serves as the centerpiece to Wild West landscapes reminiscent of the nearby Grand Canyon and Monument Valley.
Leave the hassle of pitching tents back at the dock in favor of rounding up the gang for an adventure in a state-of-the-art rental houseboat (3-day rentals from Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas — with enough beds for six to 12 people — start from $1,295).
Anchor on one of the lake’s scenic beaches where the simple pleasures of a campfire or casting your rod in the water are yours for the taking, without having to sacrifice an ounce of back-home comforts, thanks to houseboat mainstays like barbecue grills, hot-water showers, flushing toilets, and private staterooms — not to mention upgrades like rooftop hot tubs and waterslides.
Note that while no licensing is required, boating experience is recommended. Act now to take advantage of the Gas on Us package, which offers gas credits of up to $100/day for houseboat rentals. Book online and use promo code GASONUS09.
Surrounded by dazzling glaciers and snowcapped Andean peaks, pristine Patagonia is arguably one of the wildest and most scenic landscapes in the world. Located on the shores of Chile’s expansive Lake Toro, Patagonia Camp is a plush choice for outdoor lovers in search of wilderness-style lodging.
Nestled among the beach trees, resort guests stay inside 17 upscale yurts — white canvas dome tents equipped with private bathrooms, terraces, and locally handcrafted furniture. Stay here and you’re only 20 minutes away from the entry point of Torres Del Paine National Park and its natural wonders. Rates for a yurt rental for three nights start at $1,410, a price that covers all meals and local reserve wine, park entry, and the services of a bilingual-speaking guide.
Experience an authentic backcountry adventure in Montana, among the rolling hills, teeming rivers, and majestic mountains that once captivated Lewis and Clark. Located in a picturesque valley along the Blackfoot River, The Resort at Paws Up provides guests with an unrivaled luxury Western-style experience with a range of activity choices from horseback riding to fly-fishing and whitewater rafting.
Stay in a secluded “tent-suite” and experience glamping (glamorous camping) at its finest. The Last Best Glamping Package includes 3 nights’ accommodation for the entire family in a posh 2-bedroom tent, all meals, including a chuckwagon dinner cookout, plus fly-fishing lessons, visits to nearby Garnet ghost town, and all transfers, taxes, and gratuities. The offer is available through the end of September and costs $3,255 for a family of four.
Inspired by the illustrious backcountry camps of the 19th Century, the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort offers a flawless mix of sumptuous safari style and soft adventure in the remote wilds of British Columbia. Guests arrive on a 60-minute seaplane ride from Vancouver to the luxurious outpost, situated on the banks of the Bedwell River.
The secluded site is home to 20 white canvas tents outfitted with Adirondack-style beds, down duvets, propane wood stoves, plush rugs, oil lamps, and even heirloom china. There’s a spa complex with wood-fired hot tubs, a cedar sauna, and yoga studio. All-inclusive rates cover all your meals, massages, and wilderness activities, like fishing, horseback riding, whale-watching, and mountain biking. The resort is open through October 4; a 3-night summer stay starts at $3,695.
The dollars
Taxes and fees are additional.
The catch
Beware of mosquitoes on any outdoor outing, no matter how luxurious! Bring bug repellent.
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