Glamping: A Posh Means of Enjoying the Outdoors

First posted on 07-20-2010

In the Ozarks, our idea of camping is usually something like pitching a tent beside a lake or a stream, maybe a few hundred feet off a main trail, unrolling the sleeping bag, gathering up firewood and cooking over the campfire. But in some parts of the world, a twist on the roughing it theme has resulted in “glamping.”

Luxury craving campers who want to enjoy the great outdoors but not leave so many of their creature comforts at home, combine glamour and camping into glamping. And a growing segment of the travel industry is rolling out the green prairie grass to meet them.

Accommodations can range from yurts and teepees to carvan tents and even refurbished Airstream campers. Some are even equipped with electricity and a few must-have appliances like coffee makers and wi-fi, plus private bathrooms and showers. A bit more like renting a cabin than pitching a tent.

The concept is relatively new to North America, Europe and England, but has been practiced for decades in Africa and Thailand where Western travelers enjoy life in a pre-pitched tent in the middle of the desert or jungle with a freshly brewed latte.

While everyone’s tastes varies in how much they want to commune with nature, and in what manner, the important idea is that people are finding ways to enjoy the outdoors and see what nature has to offer. Even if it is while having a full breakfast served on the veranda just off the main tent flap while housekeeping makes up the Posturepedic bed.

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