Sunshine + Stargazing at America's Best Glamping Resorts - Full-Time Travel

Sunshine + Stargazing at America’s Best Glamping Resorts

Sunshine + Stargazing at America's Best Glamping Resorts

Creature comforts in the wilderness...

Camping feels like the ultimate respite for these times: fresh air, nature sounds, and nothing but canvas between you and the great outdoors.

These glamping spots put you in the heart of some of America’s most jaw-dropping landscapes, at a comfortable distance from others, while also offering resort-worthy amenities.  

Under Canvas Moab | Photo by Bailey Made

Under Canvas (National Parks Nationwide)

Situated in some of the country’s most beloved national parks, from Zion to Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon to the Smoky Mountains, Under Canvas is one of the biggest glamping companies in America. Safari-style tents come decked out with West Elm furniture and wood-burning stoves, and the higher-end tents have en suite bathrooms. Don’t miss nightly s’mores around the fire with your fellow happy campers. 

Sandy Pines Campground (Kennebunkport, Maine)

Sandy Pines Campground offers an accommodation option for every type of camper, from 430 sq-ft tents with themed decor and mini-fridges, to glistening airstreams, old timey wagons, cozy cabins, and clear plastic domes for prime stargazing. Located in Kennebunkport, Maine, Sandy Pines is nestled in a beachside forest, fringed by a salt marsh. Spend your days on nearby Goose Rocks Beach – a 3-mile stretch of pristine white shoreline – or take a canoe out on the marsh.

North Bank Camp at Paws Up

Paws Up (Montana) 

Billed as “roughing it, redefined,” Paws Up’s spacious safari tents are divided into six distinct camps, offering doorstep access to different features of the Montana landscape, from a secluded forest to the banks of the Blackfoot River. This truly is resort-style glamping. Expect tents with multiple bedrooms, claw-footed bathtubs, and butler service included.

Conestoga Ranch

Conestoga Ranch (Utah) 

Pitched on the glittering shore of Bear Lake, Utah, and conveniently close to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Conestoga Ranch offers tents and wagons, custom-designed for comfort and luxury. It’s Old West ambiance all the way here, with 1800s-era interiors and sweeping views best appreciated on horseback (which the ranch can arrange for you).  

Mendocino Grove (California) 

A short way from historic Mendocino Town, and dotted with dramatic redwoods, this modern glampsite boasts 60 comfortable tents separated into eight “neighborhoods.” The spa-like communal showers are beautifully tiled and equipped with fancy products, and there’s even a wash station for dogs (many of the tents are pet-friendly). Wake up with complimentary coffee and yoga in the meadow, then spend the day hiking with Mendicino Grove’s resident naturalist.  

Westgate River Ranch Resort

Westgate River Ranch Resort (Florida)

An hour south of Orlando, in the untouched Florida wilderness, you’ll find Westgate River Ranch Resort – an authentic dude ranch with onsite glamping. Pick from four-person safari tents with private bathrooms and stacks of board games, or a 651 sq-ft teepee with a fireplace and distinct sleeping and dining/lounging areas. Don’t miss the award-winning Saturday Night Rodeo held inside a 1,200-seat arena. 

Asheville Glamping (North Carolina) 

Asheville Glamping’s whimsical assortment of accommodation options – from vintage trailers and domes to yurts and treehouses – are ultra Instagram-friendly, so don’t be surprised if you see quite a few photoshoots going on during your stay. Personally, we love the look of Dome 8, an enormous 1300 sq-ft space with a 20-ft high ceiling that sleeps up to eight people. Its defining feature? A 9-ft slide that takes guests from the raised sleeping loft back down to the living room.

Firelight King Tent | Photo by Audrey Spears

Firelight Camps (New York)

Firelight Camps in Ithaca, New York aims to provide an elevated camping experience to revitalize guests and enhance connection. Stay in a safari-style tent with a private balcony facing acres of upstate woodland, and gather with the other campers around the central fireplace for sundowners – perhaps local wine? Situated in the Fingerlakes, Firelight Camps puts you close to some of the best wineries in the region.  

"This sculpture is called "Transmission" by artist Daniel Popper. Its a reminder that we are all rooted in love, unity and the divine. She stands a towering 28 feet tall and is located on Mojave Moon Ranch in Joshua Tree. The land is private property, so you can see it from the viewing platform off of Sunfair Road. And take it from me, it's best viewed at sunset."

Reel: @johnofah
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There's more to Greece than the white and blue buildings and the surrounding Mediterranean Sea. If you're planning a visit, check out these places below!

📍Kokkinopilos. Preveza
📍Verliga Dragon lake, Thessaly
📍Ithaca island, lonian Sea
📍Aoos springs lake, Epirus
📍Lake Prespes, Macedonia
📍Balda di Stringa waterfalls, Epirus
📍Meteora, Thessaly
📍Pelion, Thessaly
📍Lake Zorika, Epirus
📍Mt Lakmos
📍Crete island, Aegean Sea
📍Gistova Dragon lake, Macedonia

Reel: @farawayfarers
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Swim or kayak through the limestone cliffs of the Twin Lagoon, a must-visit destination for those traveling to Coron, Palawan, Philippines. It is called "twin" lagoon because it consists of two lagoons separated by a limestone cliff, with one lagoon on top of the other. The water in the inner lagoon is warm and clear, with a stunning turquoise color that makes it popular for swimming and snorkeling.

Reel: @travelifejournal
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Take a dip in a series of seven saltwater lagoons located in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The Lagoons of Baltinache are known for their beautiful turquoise waters and unique geological formations. The high concentration of minerals in the water gives it a unique buoyancy that makes swimming in the lagoons a unique experience.

Reel: @everchanginghorizon
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Watching the sun rise above the clouds at Haleakalā National Park is one of the most memorable experiences you could have. Haleakalā is a Hawaiian name that means “House of the Sun” and is an awesome place to watch the clear night sky and stars fade away as the sun lights up the sky and the earth.

Reel: @girlchill_sunset
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Just 1 hour from Shanghai by train, Cherry Blossom Valley is a popular tourist destination, particularly in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The valley is named after the thousands of cherry blossom trees that cover the area and create a stunning display of pink and white flowers. The trees were originally planted in the 1980s by a group of Japanese experts who were invited to China to help with reforestation efforts. The best time to visit is typically in late March or early April. Get there early to beat the crowds!

Reel: @cyncynti
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New Zealand is unbelievable. See it for yourself:

1. Fiordland National Park
2. A classic backcountry hut trip
3. Blue Pools walk
4. Hooker Lake
5. Milford Sound
6. Lake Pukaki

Reel: @kylekotajarvi
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Surrounded by lush greenery, towering karst mountains, and the river flowing through, the Detian Waterfall is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the close relationship between China and Vietnam. It is the largest waterfall in Asia and the fourth largest cross-border waterfall in the world.

Reel: @sophoebelous
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Escape to a serene and peaceful oasis away from the bustling city of Marrakech at Le Jardin Secret—a beautiful and historic garden where visitors can escape the noise and chaos and enjoy the beauty of nature. The garden was originally built in the 16th century and is home to many different species of plants, including exotic flowers, citrus trees, and palm trees.

Reel: @hypermiggzz
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For a magical moment and bucket list travel experience, visit the end point of the annual monarch butterfly migration. Starting in August, the monarchs travel 2,800 miles south from Canada, making a temporary home amid the towering trees of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, where the two most popular sanctuaries to view them are el Rosario in the state of Michoacan and Piedra Herrada in Estado de México. Standing in silence while thousands of delicate wings beat in unison is something you'll never forget.

Reel: @juliiathompson
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There's just something beautiful about snow covered landscapes like this popular attraction in southwestern Utah. Known for its unique geology, @brycecanyonnps_gov consists of a series of natural amphitheaters, called "hoodoos," formed by erosion of the rock layers.

Photo: @nathanleeallen
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As we experience a couple more weeks of winter, we can't help but dream of tropical destinations like Hawaii. The warm water, sunny skies, and consistent waves make it an ideal destination for surfers. Hawaii has a vibrant surf culture and community and is also a beautiful place to explore outside of the water, with lush green mountains, stunning beaches, and unique cultural experiences.

Reel: @christopherballadarez
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5 PLACES IN THE U.S. THAT FEEL LIKE ANOTHER PLANET:
1. @sequoiakingsnps, California
2. @canyonlandsnps, Utah
3. @olympic_nps, Washington
4. @whitesandsnps, New Mexico
5. Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
6. Knik Glacier, Alaska

Reel: @nathanleeallen
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