Putting the glam in camping

By Julia Dimon

The Resort at Paws Up, Greenough, Mont.  A luxury ranch located a half-hour northeast of Missoula, the Resort at Paws Up offers accommodations and outdoor activities across some 37,000 acres of Montana wilderness. In June, this working cattle ranch reveals its newest luxury camp called Cliffside Camp. Located on the banks of the Blackfoot River, this camp has romantic one- and two-bedroom tent suites that come with ensuite bathroom, air conditioning and personal camping butler to get the ol’ bonfire blazing.

Free Spirit Spheres, Vancouver Island, B.C.

Set among the pristine rain forest of Vancouver Island, Free Spirit Spheres offers one-of-a-kind accommodations in free-hanging spherical rooms. Suspended with rope some 15 feet above the forest floor, these handcrafted wooden orbs made of yellow cedar and Sitka spruce come fully equipped with plush beds, hot showers and saunas. As the wind blows, the pendant-like pods gently sway in the breeze, making guests feel as if they’re one with the forest.

Dunton Hot Springs Resort, Dolores, Colo.

Dunton Hot Springs Resort is a ghost town turned high-end hideaway just an hour’s drive outside of Telluride, Colo. With fancy amenities, decadent dining, private massage services, original LaChapelle art and natural hot springs, this exclusive resort of just 12 restored cabins serves up the luxury ranch experience with a twist of authentic Americana and rich Wild West history.

Yellowstone Under Canvas, West Yellowstone, Mont.

Experience the iconic Yellowstone National Park from the modern comfort of a luxury camp. Yellowstone Under Canvas, just a few minutes from the park entrance, offers canvas Tipi tents and large cabin-style safari tents complete with king-size beds, wood burning stove, patio and private ensuite bathroom. By day, explore the geothermal features of the country’s first national park before comfortably communing with nature under the stars.

Sequoia High Sierra Camp, Giant Sequoia National Monument, Calif.

After a day of hiking California’s Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, outdoor enthusiasts can find comfort at Sequoia High Sierra Camp, a wilderness lodge that offers 32 deluxe canvas-tented cabins. At 8,500 feet, this hike-in camp promises plush-top beds, premium linens, artisan furniture and sweeping mountain views.

TreeHouse Point, Issaquah, Wash.

Embrace your inner 9-year-old and reconnect with nature from the cozy comfort of a specially designed tree house. Located some 20 miles from Seattle in Issaquah, TreeHouse Point offers several playful accommodations in the magical setting of the Snoqualmie Valley.  Meander along fern-lined trails, through soaring moss-covered trees to your romantic cedar crash pad — a traditional treehouse complete with handmade beds and vintage furnishings.

Sinya on Lone Man Creek, Wimberley Texas

Sleep amid the treetops in a secluded safari tent overlooking Texas Hill Country. Sinya on Lone Man Creek, a romantic eco-friendly cabin for two, is located in Central Texas, just a few miles northeast of the charming town of Wimberley. This rustic hideaway offers a king-size bed, feather-cushioned sofa, century-old claw-foot bathtub, Turkish cotton towels, comfy spa bathrobes, Wi-Fi and wine tasting tours nearby.

The Martyn House, Ellijay, Georgia

The Martyn House, a unique B&B in the north Georgia mountains, offers beautifully decorated and environmentally friendly “Gypsy Faire Sleeping Tents.” With private baths and a covered veranda overlooking the Chattahoochee Forest, these luxurious tents set a whimsical tone. When not relaxing in their open-air gypsy-style tents, guests may enjoy the many outdoor activities offered in the region, from kayaking, to fly-fishing, hiking and biking.

Fireside Resort, Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Located near Grand Teton National Park in the heart of Jackson Hole, Fireside Resort offers upscale rustic ski cabins and glamping tents all year round. Centrally located for all your outdoor adventure needs, Fireside Resort provides luxury linens, rain showers, heated floors and, most importantly, an on-call “glamping butler” if you need more s’mores supplies.

Kokopelli’s Cave, Farmington, N.M.

Cavemen were the ultimate outdoorsmen…the original hardcore campers. Channel your inner Neanderthal and live like our ancestors at Kokopelli’s Cave, a fancy cliffside home carved from 65-million-year-old sandstone. Located in Farmington, N.M., near the Mesa Verde National Park, Kokopelli’s Cave is a 1,650 square foot, one-bedroom paleo-pad with a hot tub, waterfall style shower, washer/dryer and Southwestern style luxury décor.