There’s plenty to be said for a traditional camping outing. After all, nothing beats the classic experience of setting up a tent, gathering around the fire, and sharing stories with loved ones. For some of us, however, pitching a tent and sleeping on the ground simply isn’t how we like to experience the outdoors—we’d rather appreciate nature from the comfort of a king-size bed. That’s where glamping comes in. Combining “glamorous” and “camping,” glamping swaps sleeping bags and cold mornings for plush linens, private bathrooms, and hotel-caliber service, all without sacrificing the views. If you’re searching for the best glampgrounds in the USA, these three destinations prove that roughing it and relaxing don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
What Is Glamping, Exactly?
Glamping is outdoor lodging with the comforts of a boutique hotel built in. Instead of a nylon tent and a sleeping pad, you’ll typically find a canvas cabin or safari-style tent outfitted with a real bed, electricity, and sometimes a private bathroom, fireplace, or air conditioning. Many glampgrounds also include perks you’d never find at a standard campsite, like nightly turndown service, chef-prepared meals, or a dedicated attendant to keep your fire going. It’s a great fit for travelers who want to disconnect and soak up scenery without giving up creature comforts, or for anyone introducing a camping-averse partner, friend, or family member to the outdoors.
1. Collective Retreats Governors Island — New York, NY
Where else can you pitch a tent with a front-row seat to the Statue of Liberty and be back in Lower Manhattan in eight minutes? Collective Retreats Governors Island turns the country’s densest skyline into glamping’s most unexpected backdrop. The retreat sits on 172 acres of car-free parkland in New York Harbor, and its 29 safari-style tents and private suites come with comfy beds, en-suite or shared spa-style bathrooms, heating and air conditioning, and private decks that open straight onto harbor and skyline views.
What makes this place genuinely different from anything else on this list is the setting itself: you can watch the sun set behind the Manhattan skyline, wander the island’s lavender fields and public art installations by day, then hop a ferry back to dinner in Brooklyn or Manhattan that same night. Guests get preferred rates at the nearby QC NY Spa for saunas, soaking pools, and massages, and the on-site Three Peaks Lodge serves dinner nightly, along with sunset cocktails and communal fire pits with s’mores. It caters to couples looking for a low-effort weekend escape, city dwellers craving a staycation without leaving the five boroughs, or anyone who wants a taste of the outdoors without giving up walkable ferry access to Manhattan and Brooklyn. The retreat is open seasonally, typically from May through October, so this is very much a warm-weather escape rather than a year-round option.
Check current rates and dates at collectiveretreats.com.
2. Paws Up Montana — Greenough, MT
Montana’s natural beauty is impossible to deny, but some of us just aren’t cut out for a full-fledged camping adventure under the stars. A stay at Paws Up Montana lets you experience the Blackfoot Valley’s wide-open scenery without any of the traditional camping trade-offs. Spread across six secluded camps on the ranch’s 37,000 acres, the safari-style tents come with king-size beds, heated bathroom floors, and a dedicated Camp Butler who lights the fire and delivers morning coffee before you’ve even opened your eyes…