5 Reasons Why Glamping Should Be Your Next Family Vacation

Glamping is a new form of vacationing that will take any family trip to whole new heights. Glamping ensures you and your family will have a fun adventure in the outdoors with the luxurious amenities of hotels. Glamping is an opportunity for any vacation to be more than a vacation that takes family time to new heights, whether it be in a treehouse or in the mountains overlooking a valley. A glamping adventure will turn in to lifelong memories that any member of your family will cherish.

The top 5 reasons to take your family glamping:

Eco-resorts

nightfall wilderness camp
nightfall wilderness camp

Almost all Glamping Destinations are conservations that are invested in keeping the surrounding area preserved for both the nature and the wildlife that inhabits the area. In addition, the glamping locations like to preserve the land by taking precautions for both the guests and the wildlife. Also, most of the glamping destinations on our website feature locations that use solar power to preserve energy and make for an environmentally safe stay.

Locations

Patagonia Eco Domes
Patagonia Eco Domes

Most properties featured on Glamping.com are located on privately owned land, forests, mountains, beaches and even national parks which make for the most unique views and experiences. Each location, for the most part, is isolated from the urban cities offering peaceful serenity, fresh air and beautiful panoramic views, bringing guests back to nature in the most modern ways.

Inclusive Stays

Mustang Monument
Mustang Monument

A majority of the properties that offer glamping accommodations offer all inclusive stays. Each location offers unique and luxurious lodging, exquisite food and an abundance of activities that bring glampers back to nature and in touch with their inner selves.

Activities

Misool Eco Resort
Misool Eco Resort

All of the above reasons to go glamping have lead us up to this, what to do while glamping. When staying in one of the many remote locations, one must wonder what will I do all day? most locations offer an abundance of activities, depending on where in the world you are glamping, locations offer horseback riding, zip lining, fishing, kayaking, safari tours, hiking, biking and trekking through the wilderness. In addition to all these fun activities that can make your glamping trip the most memorable experience for you and your family, there are more extravagant activities to really bring your trip to the next level. Some destinations offer helicopter tours, hot air balloon rides, safari tours and more.

Pet Friendly

Kumsheen Rafting Resort
Kumsheen Rafting Resort

Because guests aren’t staying in urban areas or hotels, a large portion of glamping properties are pet friendly. That way every single member of the family can join in on the glamping experience!

Shash Dine’ Eco-Retreat: A Glamping B&B in Navajo Nation

Some 12 miles South of Lake Powell, deep into the red soil of Navajo Nation, lays an unassuming eco-retreat by the name of Shash Dine’. It is here that Baya, a native Dine’ (“the people” in Navajo), her husband Paul and their young daughter welcome you into the wild, desert beauty of northern Arizona, where simplicity rules by definition.

Born and raised on the land of the Bear People Clan whom she belongs to, as the property’s name derives from the Navajo language, Baya lives by her people’s traditions. The ranch on the premise – where sheep, goats, chickens and horses are roving about – is her home.

Photo Credit: Shash Dine Eco-Retreat
Photo Credit: Shash Dine Eco Retreat
Photo Credit: Shash Dine Eco-Retreat
Photo Credit: Shash Dine Eco Retreat

As natural building enthusiasts, Baya and Paul set out to welcome guests on site, in traditional Navajo log and earth hogans – the traditional dwelling of the Navajo people – canvas wall tents or tipis, providing an unique cultural experience, an appreciation for, and education as to how the Dine’ lived not so long ago.

It was pitch dark when we arrived. The only sign leading to our overnight stay was a bear claw sign leading up to the driveway, from which Baya picked us up. From then on, a dirt road eventually led to two secured, white canvas, wall tents shining in the night.

Tip: To avoid getting lost, it is highly recommended to arrive before dark. You should provide an approximate check in time. This is a remote location. It is imperative to let your hosts know as to your arrival time so you can be guided through.

In true off the grid nature, the only sound disturbing the silence came from the two watchdogs nearby. I can’t remember any other time when I felt more intertwined with nature. Sleeping under a bed full of stars, cowboy stories chanted by Navajos lingered in the air.

Tip: Be prepared with torches and headlights during the night, or ask the hosts for some. No other light exists.

Photo Credit: Monica Suma
Photo Credit: Monica Suma

Despite the vast wilderness, convenient items can be found inside the wall tents – a large canister of drinkable water, two comfortable camp beds, two sleeping bags, Navajo blankets, books and even theme board games. To set the décor, two large candlelights added the finishing touch. Outside each tent there was a large bucket filled with water, to make up for the lack of running water.

The morning after, we noticed a pastoral wooden veranda, which included a fireplace and basic tools to grill meat and vegetables. We skipped the Navajo porridge breakfast offered to us, but we were grateful for the quick breakfast to go – coffee and a generous basket with fresh fruit – that our host brought over.

Photo Credit: Monica Suma
Photo Credit: Monica Suma

Two nights later, we learnt more. More than a unique, off the grid glamping experience, Shash Dine’ hosts voluntourists and workawayers, in what has recently become an increasingly popular concept – the so-called working vacations. Volunteers from all over the world are welcome to stay on property, free of charge, as long as they pay for their own meals and transportation.

The self-sustaining ranch and bed & breakfast is in constant need of extra helping hands for farming, building earth structures and tending to animals, as well as assistance with projects such as teaching and language practice. While experiencing life on the Reservation, volunteers can also participate in the educational workshops provided, geared towards permaculture, natural building and Navajo culture.

We met one such volunteer the morning we left; she seemed content. And why wouldn’t she be? Free to explore nearby monumental sites nature created – Lake Powell, the jaw dropping Antelope Canyon and the awe inspiring Horseshoe Bend being some of the closest ones – Navajo Nation comes with many lessons to be learnt, and discovered.

Note: This April, Paul and Baya Meehan are starting construction on a cob Hogan to welcome guests in, in the hopes of educating visitors to northern Arizona, most of which are unfamiliar with Navajo culture. A crowd funding campaign has been set up for all those who wish to support.

Ghost Town Glamping

Dunton Hot Springs Resort in Dolores, Colorado is a unique and memorable glamping destination.

The Dunton Resort is a restored ghost town located just across the mountains from Telluride.

The resort’s guest will be pampered upon arrival and can rent one of twelve hand-hewn log cabins.

The cabins all have luxurious furnishings and high speed internet.

However, the cabins aren’t the only thing this resort offers the guest, the resort offers teepees.

The teepees stand 17 feet high and are 380 square feet, they offer a fur-clad bed, electricity and wifi.

At the resort, glampers can relax in 1 of the 6 hot springs or enjoy other outdoor activities such as fly fishing, skiing, horseback riding, yoga, pilates or a day at the spa.

In addition to all the activities, guest can enjoy world class dining against Colorado’s beautiful landscape.

Glampers can rent a cabin, teepee or the entire resort for a unique and unforgettable glamping trip.

For more information on this resort check out the GAC article, “Deluxe Ghost Town Glamping.”

Source: http://duntonhotsprings.com/

Fly-Fishing

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