Just because you love exploring nature doesn’t mean you also love spending hours trying to unsuccessfully pitch a tent, cooking meals over a roaring fire while the wind blows smoke in your face, carrying heavy water jugs on your back or sleeping on bumpy rocks among the creepies and the crawlies. If this sounds like you or you are simply curious about the perks and the trend of glamping, read on nature lovers – there is hope for all of us.
Get ready for glamping: Top 5 things you need to know.
1. What is glamping anyway?
Glamping is quite simply “glamorous camping”. Just like traditional hotels, glamping prices range from inexpensive to the most high-priced, luxurious accommodations. If you simply cannot be in nature without the comforts of home but love the idea of sleeping in a wooded forest or natural park near streams and rivers, glamping might be what you have been waiting for. Glamping accommodations can range from a treehouse, traditional teepee, rustic cabin, yurt or a permanent tent with actual beds inside
2. Go glamping at a Canadian National Park.
You definitely don’t need to leave Ontario to experience glamping. In fact, Parks Canada has some great options for all us glampers out there. Point Pelee National Park rents oTENTiks for you to lay your head at night. These are rustic, permanent tents that are a cross between a traditional tent and a cabin on a raised wooden floor. They come complete with beds and furniture, but you need to bring your own bedding and sleeping bags. There is no plumbing or running water inside your oTENTik though, so this may not be glamorous enough for everyone.
3. Bring on more glamour!
If you are craving more of a hotel experience that includes pampering, accommodations like Elements Luxury Tented Camp and Nature Spa in Renfrew (near Ottawa) are available for your glamping desires. Prices are closer to that of a bustling city hotel (roughly $400-$500 per night), yet you are surrounded by your own private forest retreat with nearby waterfall and a private beach. Like hotels, they offer a turn-down service, eco-friendly toiletries, indoor private facilities, fresh fluffy towels, Wi-Fi and even a wilderness butler upon request. You won’t have to forage for wild rice and berries here – glamp rates also include meals that are prepped and ready to be cooked by you.
4. Eco-lodges and rustic cabins.
Glamping options include eco-lodges and cabins and there are many to choose from based on your needs. Algonquin Eco-Lodge, just three hours from Toronto, has hot showers and indoor plumbing, but be prepared to stay off the grid. Not only will you not be able to hook up to Wi-Fi, but also there is no cell phone coverage. That means plenty of time to read a book or play board games with your loved ones. When the sun rises, you can spend your day hiking among the natural trails, swimming in the private lake or taking a guided canoe trip. But come nightfall, head back for a prepared meal and a cozy bed to sleep in.
5. Road trip glamping.
Glamping can also include trailers, RVs and motor homes. If you don’t have your own RV, you can rent one to glamp it up this summer on a multi-destination road trip where your overnight accommodations are always with you. Before you leave, you can stock it with your favourite foods, movies, books, linens and all the outdoor necessities and tools to make your trip not only comfortable, but stylish and glamorous. There are hundreds of RV campsites and you can choose where to hook up your RV by the amenities you’re looking for, like water, electricity and outdoor activities. To learn more about RV’ing in Ontario Parks visit their website.
Regardless how you choose to glamp this summer, one thing is for certain: being in nature around a campfire under the starry sky with family and friends is sure to create memories that last a lifetime.
