Wild West Glamping at Dunton Hot Springs

Dunton Hot Springs is tucked in the San Juan Mountains in Colorado’s southwest corner. Dunton Hot Springs is a restored, historic ghost town originally established in 1885. Today, this luxury resort embodies a romantic vision of the American West and is open to guests year-round.

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Adventure Honeymooning North America

We traveled around the world for our adventure honeymoon but we have barely scratched the surface of our own country. We’ve stayed everywhere from five-star resorts in Asia to tree houses in South America and found we gravitate toward properties that embrace the great outdoors (especially when there is a Jacuzzi involved.) We dream of continuing our endless honeymoon throughout North America, and when we do these five Glamping properties are at the top of our list!

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Moab Under Canvas, Utah

Southern Utah has some of the most extreme landscapes in America, but Moab Under Canvas has smoothed its rough exterior for unfettered bliss. Adjacent to the geological wonders of Arches and Canyonlands National Park, this luxury camp has a front-row view of the red plateaus and craggy canyons. Its deluxe and suite tents are perfect for honeymooners with more sheltered locations, spectacular views, en suite bathroom, and fireplace. The Under Canvas team can arrange nearly any desert adventure or cultural outing you crave from walking in the footsteps of dinosaurs to river rafting the Colorado.

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The Resort at Paws Up, Montana

A ranch that doesn’t involve roughing it, Paws Up treats honeymooners to the pampering they need in the wild west. Built with newlyweds in mind, their Honeymoon Tents and Homes have ultimate privacy and romantic amenities. Book one of the homes and it comes with welcome champagne, a couples massage, a private wagon ride, and a candlelight picnic for two. Take advantage of the rivers, mountains, and their endless list of summer and winter activities like hot air ballooning, horseback riding, skiing, dog sledding, and more.

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Primland Resort, Virginia 


If Virginia is for lovers, Primland is their romantic escape. Set on 12,000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the landscape is made for relaxation and invigoration. Soak at the spa, horseback ride, enjoy a round of golf, stargaze from the observatory, or lounge in your chic cottage. Named one of Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 100 Resorts in the World, they are sure to give honeymooners the five-star treatment.

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Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado

A truly unique destination, the resort is a restored Rocky Mountain ghost town, from the days of miners and covered wagons. Using existing historic buildings and period-inspired architecture, Dunton Hot Springs and River Camp marry its rugged past with modern enhancements, like a holistic spa, screening room, vineyard, and fine dining restaurant. Their Mountain Romance Package pulls out all the stops with a luxurious cabin adorned with flowers, chocolate-covered strawberries, and champagne, a 75-minute massage, unlimited use of the hot springs and sporting equipment from mountain bikes to cross-country skis. If your heart is racing at Dunton, it’s not just the altitude.

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Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort, Canada


If North America seems too close to home for a honeymoon, try Nimmo Bay. Only accessible by air or water, this swath of British Columbia is where rainforest and glacier meet for untouched beauty and sophisticated adventure. Wake up with an outdoor rain shower and breakfast in bed…helicopter to a secluded island for a champagne picnic…kayak alongside humpback whales and sea lions…hike atop a 6000′ glacier to enjoy oysters on ice…your wildest wish is their command.

Anne and Mike Howard are creators of the around-the-world honeymoon blog HoneyTrek.com and Trip Coaches for anyone looking to travel the world safely, affordably and off the beaten path. You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @HoneyTrek.

Contributing Writer Review: Dunton Hot Springs in Colorado

Located 4 miles up the road from Cresto Ranch is Dunton Hot Springs, which is a 5 star, yet funky resort. Dunton was once a mining ghost town, until it was lovingly restored into a very special resort that manages to maintain the town’s original charm while satisfying the needs of today’s travelers. This place is special and the staff top notch, which is why Dunton Hot Springs regularly winds up ranked as one of the top ranked all-inclusive resorts in the USA.

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At the center of Dunton Hot springs is an authentic 1885 saloon, which serves as the resort’s social hub and town center. Inside the saloon, some of the building’s original fixtures remain– including the bar where Butch Cassidy’s rumored to be authentic signature is carved into the original wood. A pool table, screening room area, and games make the saloon come alive during meal times and in the evenings.

The saloon building features an open kitchen, and guests can dine communally or individually if they prefer. The resort’s Executive Chef, Carrie Eagle, manages the resort’s strong regional cuisine program, and Dunton Hot Springs has won awards from Bon Appetit as one of the best resorts for food lovers.

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Dunton‘s guests stay in 13 whimsical one and multiple bedroom cabins, and each has it’s own personality and idiosyncrasies. There’s a canvas-topped cabin called Christy’s Tent, built with reclaimed materials from the 1830’s. Well House has it’s own private hot springs and plunge pool. Major Ross has divine old west décor, while Bjoerkmans has a great view of the waterfall and a bohemian vibe. It’s easy to see why repeat guests like to stay in different cabins each time they visit.

Guests can enjoy Dunton’s natural hot springs at the source, in an outdoor pool, or in the restored 19th century bathhouse originally used by the miners. The bathhouse is an incredibly atmospheric building, and now has an indoor hammock and loft space that can be used for relaxation or meditation. Unlike other hot springs I’ve visited, Dunton’s don’t smell overly strong due to the low sulphur content.

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An old Pony Express station has been converted into a spa and modern mountain Zen yoga studio. There is a cozy two-story library stocked with everything from fiction to books on fine art and history. An outdoor chapel- complete with a view of a cascading waterfall is used for weddings on the property.

During the winter months (when Cresto Ranch’s tents are closed for the season) the waterfall freezes over and guests use it for ice climbing.  Other winter activities include dog sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and cross country skiing.

After seeing Dunton Hot Springs rustic luxe charms and meeting the warm and attentive staff, I can see why guests often come back to this unique all-inclusive cabin property.