12 Unforgettable glamping experiences around the world

Camping like you've only imagined

• Love nature but not sleeping on the ground? Glamping offers the best of both worlds.

• These 12 incredible destinations combine spectacular scenery with comfortable accommodations, exceptional dining, and unforgettable experiences.

• From Montana ranches and Utah's red rocks to Costa Rican rainforests, Australian deserts, and African safaris, these trips prove that "camping" can be downright luxurious.

  
  

Camping... but make it luxurious

Remember when camping meant wrestling with tent poles, sleeping on what felt like a pile of rocks, and wondering whether that rustling outside was a squirrel, or something that considered you dinner? My family camped a lot when I was a kid, and I loved it. But back then I wasn’t the one doing the planning, the packing, and the cooking.

Thankfully, someone came up with a better idea.

Imagine waking up on a comfortable bed as sunlight filters through the trees. You unzip your tent to discover towering red cliffs, a misty rainforest, or wildlife wandering across the savanna. Someone else is making breakfast. Your bed is impossibly comfortable. Your bathroom has hot water, fluffy towels, and maybe even a soaking tub.

Welcome to glamping.

Glamping combines everything we love about being immersed in nature with all the comforts that make a vacation actually relaxing. Instead of giving up life's little luxuries, you simply trade hotel hallways for hiking trails and city lights for spectacular sunsets.

If you've ever said, "I love the outdoors... as long as I have a nice bed," this list was practically written for you. Here are 12 great glamping options: six of them are right here in the US, and the other six are much more exotic!

1. Camp Sarika, Utah

There's luxury, and then there's Camp Sarika.

Hidden among the dramatic sandstone formations of southern Utah, this extraordinary retreat feels like you've landed on another planet. Spacious canvas pavilions blend into the desert landscape. Each tent has a private plunge pool, oversized soaking tub, outdoor shower, and a fire pit beneath impossibly star-filled skies.

During the day, explore nearby Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef, Arches, or Canyonlands National Parks (yes, you’re that close to them all!). Ride horseback through red rock canyons, hike to hidden arches, or simply sit quietly and watch the changing colors of the desert.

It's rugged scenery with absolutely none of the rugged accommodations.

Perfect for: Couples, luxury travelers, wellness seekers, photographers, and national park lovers.

2. The Resort at Paws Up, Montana

If you've ever dreamed about living on a luxury ranch without actually having to do ranch work, this is your place.

Set on 37,000 acres of Montana wilderness, The Resort at Paws Up practically invented luxury glamping in the United States. Amazing safari tents include heated floors, oversized soaking tubs, beautiful furnishings, and dedicated camp butlers.

Spend your days horseback riding, fly fishing, whitewater rafting, hiking, or trying your hand at cattle drives before returning to gourmet dinners around a roaring campfire.

You'll still roast marshmallows. They'll just be accompanied by an excellent dessert menu.

Perfect for: Families, couples, adventure travelers, and anyone wanting an authentic western experience.

3. The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana

Imagine combining a luxury resort, an all-inclusive ranch, and glamping into one unforgettable vacation.

That's exactly what you'll find at The Ranch at Rock Creek. How is it different from Paws Up? Paws up feels like a massive, adventurous theme park, and Rock Creek is smaller and all-inclusive rather than a la carte.

Luxury canvas cabins sit among rolling meadows with mountain views in every direction. Days are filled with horseback riding, sapphire mining, hiking, fly fishing, archery, and even winter sleigh rides.

Evenings bring farm-to-table meals, crackling fireplaces, and some of the darkest night skies in America.

This is where cowboy boots meet five-star service.

Perfect for: Active couples, multi-generational families, and western adventure lovers.

4. Dunton River Camp, Colorado

Colorado has plenty of mountain lodges. Dunton River Camp offers something far more memorable.

Located near Mesa Verde National Park, this intimate riverside retreat features only a handful of beautifully appointed safari tents tucked beside a peaceful river beneath the San Juan Mountains.

Guests can enjoy guided hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, rafting, fly fishing, visiting Mesa Verde, and relaxing in a streamside sauna before soaking in oversized tubs overlooking nature.

It's equal parts adventure and serenity.

Perfect for: Couples seeking peaceful luxury with outdoor adventure.

5. Under Canvas in Moab, Utah

The landscapes around Moab hardly seem real.

Towering arches, giant red rock formations, deep canyons, and endless desert skies create one of America's most dramatic playgrounds. I love Moab and this area.

Under Canvas Moab places you right in the middle of it all without sacrificing comfort. Safari-style tents include king beds, private bathrooms, wood-burning stoves, and surprisingly cozy accommodations after long days exploring Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

Every evening ends the same way: watching one of the best sunsets you've ever seen.

Perfect for: National park enthusiasts, hikers, families, and adventure travelers.

6. Under Canvas in the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

America's most-visited national park deserves more than a quick day trip.

Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains lets you experience misty mountain mornings, peaceful forests, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife while still sleeping in a comfortable bed. When my daughter and her husband returned from a Tennessee vacation, they said they wanted to move there.

Spend the day hiking scenic trails, chasing waterfalls, exploring nearby mountain towns, or enjoying scenic drives before returning to your private tent beneath towering trees.

The hardest decision you'll make is whether to go hiking, or enjoy another snack on your deck.

Perfect for: Families, couples, leaf-peepers, and first-time glampers.

7. Naviva, a Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico

Think of this as glamping for people who don't think they like glamping.

Naviva blends jungle, ocean, and luxury into one spectacular adults-only retreat overlooking the Pacific Ocean, not far from Puerto Vallarta. Private tented suites include plunge pools, expansive outdoor living spaces, and personalized service that's signature Four Seasons.

Wellness experiences, beach walks, forest trails, and chef-led dining create an atmosphere that feels wonderfully unhurried.

You may arrive thinking about the excursions you’re going to plan. You may decide not to leave your private sanctuary instead.

Perfect for: Honeymoons, anniversaries, wellness escapes, and luxury couples.

8. Nayara Tented Camp, Costa Rica

Imagine soaking in your private hot spring plunge pool while watching Arenal Volcano rise above the rainforest.

That's just another afternoon at Nayara Tented Camp.

Luxury safari tents are surrounded by tropical gardens where sloths, toucans, monkeys, and colorful birds regularly make appearances. Adventure is everywhere, from hanging bridges and ziplining to waterfall hikes and wildlife tours.

Then you return to one of the most luxurious "tents" you'll ever experience.

Nature has never looked so comfortable.

Perfect for: Wildlife lovers, adventure travelers, couples, and families.

9. Longitude 131°, Australia

Some vacations are unforgettable because of what you do.

This one is unforgettable because of where you wake up.

Longitude 131° overlooks the iconic sandstone monolith of Uluru (Ayers Rock), placing guests in Australia's breathtaking Red Centre. Luxury tented pavilions feature floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor daybeds, and spectacular desert views.

At night, Indigenous-guided stargazing reveals skies unlike almost anywhere else on Earth.

You'll quickly understand why people travel halfway around the world for this experience.

Perfect for: Bucket-list travelers, photographers, and cultural explorers.

10. Shinta Mani Wild in Cambodia

If Indiana Jones had fabulous taste in hotels, this might be where he'd stay.

Hidden within Cambodia's lush rainforest, Shinta Mani Wild combines extraordinary luxury with meaningful conservation.

Guests arrive by zipline, stay in beautifully designed tented suites, and spend their days kayaking rivers, hiking jungle trails, spotting wildlife, and learning about rainforest protection efforts.

It feels adventurous, remote, and wonderfully exclusive. Indiana Jones style for sure!

Perfect for: Adventure travelers, eco-conscious travelers, and luxury explorers.

11. Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai

The Arabian Desert is stunning.

Experiencing it from your own private luxury tent makes it unforgettable.

Located inside Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Maha features elegant Bedouin-inspired suites with private pools overlooking endless golden dunes. Wildlife such as Arabian oryx and gazelles often wander nearby while guests enjoy camel rides, falconry demonstrations, desert drives, and world-class spa treatments.

Who knew sand could feel this luxurious?

Perfect for: Couples, photographers, and anyone wanting a completely different kind of desert vacation.

12. Sal Salis in Western Australia

This might be one of Australia's best-kept secrets.

Sal Salis sits directly beside Ningaloo Reef, where you can literally step from your luxury safari tent onto one of the world's most spectacular coral reefs. Fly into Perth, then take a domestic flight to this area.

Spend your days snorkeling, kayaking, hiking through Cape Range National Park, or, if you're visiting during the right season, swimming alongside majestic whale sharks and humpback whales.

Evenings are blissfully simple: incredible meals, ocean breezes, and sunsets that seem to last forever.

Sometimes luxury isn't about having more.

Sometimes it's about having nothing between you and nature.

Perfect for: Ocean lovers, snorkelers, wildlife enthusiasts, and couples.

Which luxury glamping vacation is right for you?

Whether you're drawn to the red rocks of Utah, the rainforests of Costa Rica, the deserts of Australia, or the wildlife of Australia, luxury glamping offers something traditional hotels simply can't.

It's waking to birds instead of traffic.

It's watching the stars without city lights getting in the way.

It's reconnecting with nature without giving up a comfortable mattress, exceptional meals, or a hot shower.

Turns out you really can have your adventure... and Egyptian cotton sheets, too.

Ready to try glamping?

The best glamping resorts often have a limited number of accommodations, and many book months, sometimes a year or more, in advance.

If one of these awesome destinations has sparked your imagination, I'd love to help you find the perfect fit. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, planning an unforgettable honeymoon, or simply looking for a vacation that's a little different, I'll help match you with a luxury glamping experience that feels like it was designed just for you.

Because the only things better than sleeping under the stars are knowing someone else has already handled all the planning, AND that your bed will be one of the best you’ve experienced.

If you'd like to read my article about glamping near national parks, click here.