Do you ever wish you could post up at your favorite campsite and enjoy nature without the crowds? Winter glamping allows you to do just that! Modern technology has made it more comfortable than ever to experience the outdoors in any weather.
Learn why we love winter glamping and why you should give it a try this winter!
Why Glamp in the Winter?
Glamping in the winter is one of the most comfortable ways to experience nature in the snowy season. Rather than battle the crowds during the summer, you can get an intimate look at popular campsites in the peace and quiet of the winter months.
Along with the quiet you get when winter glamping, you’ll also have the chance to see wildlife that may be shy in the warmer months.
Winter glamping is actually one of the best ways to camp in warmer climates, like the American Southwest. In fact, in many locations in the south, you won’t even need to use your generator for heat—or for a/c!
As long as you pack appropriately and prepare, you’ll be just as cozy at a chilly winter glampsite as you are in fairer weather!
How to Choose the Perfect Winter Glamping Location
There are several factors to consider when selecting your perfect winter glamping location.
First, consider the type of climate and weather conditions you’d like to experience. If you’re someone who loves to enjoy a steady, cold rain from the comfort of your RV, you might be happy to post up along, say, the Oregon coast, where you can also enjoy the powerful waves of the Pacific crashing into the rocky coastline without getting drenched.
On the other hand, typically warmer climates are perfect if you want equal time between indoor relaxing and outdoor adventuring. As we said, winter glamping may actually be ideal if you live in a warmer part of the country where outdoor exploration is downright dangerous in the warmer months.
Or maybe the thought of being nestled amidst the evergreens on a blanket of snow (in your cozy RV or yurt, of course) is your idea of the perfect vacation! If snow sports are in your glamping daydreams, don’t forget to look at a campsite’s proximity to skiing, tubing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, or whatever activities you enjoy!
If you choose to go the snowy (or potentially icy) route, make sure to check accessibility along the way. Are there some routes that are safer than others in the winter? It may be that the safer route increases your travel time—are you okay with extra time on the road?
Consider personal accessibility options, as well. If you or someone in your party has limited mobility, really check out the area to make sure it’s suitable for someone with mobility concerns.
Types of Winter Glamping Accommodations
This is where glamping gets fun! You’ve already committed yourself to glamping, but have you considered all the possibilities out there? In recent years, winter glamping has grown in popularity, making it fairly easy to find a unique place to stay.
Campers and RVs
When you think of glamping, you probably think RV. RVs and campers are popular choices to get that camping feel without having to sleep on the cold, hard ground in the middle of winter.
If you’re renting an RV to glamp, check out RV resorts, which offer more amenities than a run-of-the-mill RV campground.
If you already own an RV or camper, your glamping trip just got easier (and cheaper)!
Luxury Cabins and Cottages
Staying in a luxury cabin or cottage may seem like it’s pushing the term “glamping,” but we say, if it’s a beautiful natural wonderland outside, it counts!
Websites like TripAdvisor are perfect for finding and booking your winter glamping vacation. Check out the myriad luxury cabins and cottages you can find in your preferred location. And be prepared to make a bucket list, because you’ll likely find more than one that catches your eye.
Yurts and Tents
Yurts and heavy-duty tents make for good winter glamping digs, as well, and have more of a rustic, roughing-it feel than a luxury cabin.
Yurts (year round universal recreational tents) are circular tent-like structures that are made by draping a heavy, waterproof fabric, like wool felt, over a wooden frame. As winter glamping has grown in popularity, so have yurts, increasing their availability as well as their luxury.
Treehouses
Remember dreaming about and planning your perfect treehouse escape during childhood? One of the benefits of adulthood is now you can rent a treehouse with all the amenities you ever imagined!
Treehouses are perfect for a memorable winter glamping trip! You can book these accommodations on TripAdvisor, as well as read tons of reviews from other glampers.
Domes
Geodesic domes are becoming another popular choice among glampers. These structures are similar to yurts in shape but are constructed of galvanized steel frames and mildew- and UV-resistant vinyl, which makes them sturdier than the typical yurt.
These structures vary from simple and private to big and glamorous! Vinyl windows allow winter glampers to easily gaze upon snowy landscapes within their cozy dome bubble. Many of the fancier domes even have a dip pool or hot tub, too.
Glamping Near National Parks
Although you can find great winter glamping spots across the country, glamping near a national park is advantageous if you’ve been dying to visit one of these national treasures without all the crowds.
Yellowstone/Grand Teton
Wilson, Wyoming is a top-notch winter glamping location. Glampers to this area have the benefit of being within driving distance of both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Here, you can find all kinds of winter glamping locations, like tiny homes, luxury cabins, yurts, and decked-out AirStreams.
Rocky Mountain
The town of Estes, Colorado, which sits just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, is as charming as they come, with unique shops and restaurants. Winter glamping here gives visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty and solitude of Rocky Mountain National Park, with the option of exploring nearby civilization.
Great Smoky Mountains
Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the off-season on your winter glamping getaway. Many areas that border the park offer unique glamping opportunities, either in Tennessee, Georgia, or North Carolina.
On the North Carolina side, you can stay in a mountain-top treehouse, a luxury or rustic cabin, yurt, or lodge.
Yosemite
For a more warm-weather glamping experience near a national park, consider checking out one of the many glamping rentals near Yosemite National Park. From upscale tent cabins in the High Sierra to full-service luxury cabins, to RV campgrounds with all the best amenities, winter glamping in and around Yosemite has something for everyone.
Grand Canyon
Under Canvas Grand Canyon in Valle, Arizona, is one of the most spectacular glamping sites you could find yourself at in winter.
However, it’s not the only glamping option with access to Grand Canyon National Park. You can find more luxurious tent camping locations, as well as beautiful cabins and lodge options, within close proximity to the Grand Canyon.
Winter Glamping Activities and Adventures
Winter glamping activities go beyond skiing and snowboarding (though, those activities are equally worth trying out if you’re glamping nearby)!
Other activities to look for at your ideal glamping destination, beyond wildlife viewing from your yurt, dome, or cabin, include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, ice skating, and ice fishing. Whatever winter outdoor activities you choose, you can look forward to defrosting and relaxing afterward in your winter oasis!
Preparing for the Winter Glamping Experience
Preparing for winter camping, in general, requires a bit more planning and preparation than in other seasons to ensure you have a successful trip.
Making Reservations
First and foremost, once you decide on a location, make sure you book early! Some spots fill up fast, even in the off season. Try to be flexible, if you can, on specific dates. Websites like TripAdvisor and Campspot are great for booking reservations and reading guest reviews.
Learn about your glampspot’s amenities, both private and shared, to get a good idea of what you’ll be needing to pack (for example, a glamping rental with a shared shower area might require you to pack more clothing to get from the shower back to your private quarters).
What to Pack
Speaking of packing, be sure you pack enough warm clothes and layers for those times that you do venture out of your shelter. It’s also important to have plenty of warm clothes on hand in case of an emergency.
You should also have a basic first aid kit with you and, if you’re driving, sufficient emergency supplies in your vehicle.
Check out our list of 18 camping essentials when preparing for your trip.
Cooking and Dining
If you’ll be doing your own cooking, check to see if the property has any supplies you can use, like pots and pans, and if there’s any kind of cooking implement. Otherwise, you’ll need to bring your own camp stove, fuel, and cookware. Don’t forget to bring a mess kit for each person, too, if the property doesn’t provide plates, bowls, and utensils.
Many glampsites offer dining options like upscale canteens and even luxury restaurants on-site, so you may not even need to worry about feeding yourself!
Safety
In addition to having essential emergency gear on hand, follow other basic rules for staying safe on your winter glamping trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the challenges of glamping in winter?
Depending on where you’re headed, the act of getting to your winter glamping location may be difficult. Not only are icy roads and other driving hazards a concern, but, if your destination requires airplane or train travel, be aware of potential delays and cancellations.
Also, amenities that you may count on taking advantage of on fair-weather trips—like convenience stores, gas stations, and rest stops—may not be available on your route. Take this into account when planning and make sure you always have back-up fuel and supplies, just in case.
What are some environmental impacts of glamping in the winter?
Winter glamping is not without potential environmental impacts, and you should weigh these considerations before deciding to take a trip.
Light pollution is a growing problem around the country, and when daylight hours are scarce, any extra light you may require in an unpopulated area can be harmful to the native wildlife.
Similarly, your very presence in nature in winter can disturb wildlife and have an impact on the habitat.
In general, use best camping practices when winter glamping, like limiting your use of electricity, respecting wildlife and habitat, and, of course, leaving no trace.
Wrapping up Winter Glamping
Winter glamping is an ideal way to experience nature in a way you may never have had the chance to before. With planning and preparation, your winter glamp-cation can result in ultimate rejuvenation in an otherwise often gloomy season.
Learn more camping and glamping tips and tricks in our glamping posts!
- About the Author
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Ronda Lindsay is a professional writer and editor who has worked in government communications for nearly two decades.
Growing up in Portland, Oregon, she fostered her love of nature and the outdoors by exploring the Pacific Northwest’s many natural playgrounds before moving to the Washington, DC, area to see what the eastern side of the country had to offer. She’s also spent plenty of time camping, hiking, and floating around central Texas, where she now lives.
With a bachelor’s in English and a master’s in professional writing, Ronda loves to learn and write about the latest trends in outdoor adventuring and share that information with Beyond the Tent readers.