Glamping. It’s camping for those used to luxury hotels, or the majority of Americans who simply don’t own camping gear. It’s always in the great outdoors and almost always in the most coveted and beautiful natural destinations. You have your own private space, plus resort-like amenities, lots of activities, and when it comes to food, in most cases, you can order it or you cook it.
So...what is glamping? A combination of “glamorous” and “camping,” and it is definitely not a new concept. However, it is newer in this country. The model has long been used by top tier safari lodges in Africa, some of which have “tents” that outshine the Presidential suite at your local hotel. Most typically they are enormous canvas structures parked on permanent platforms with running water and often the kind of bathroom you’d expect at 4 or 5-Star hotel. They are basically houses that happen to be made of canvas, and most have fine linens, porches, firepits and often rustic touches. Other variations on the paradigm include yurts, the round Mongolian-style tents that are usually very large single rooms, cabins, fully featured “tiny houses” and oddities like fancy treehouses.
Where to glamp depends on where you are. There are small glamping-only spots and some glamping compounds within larger resorts or campgrounds, but in every case they combine not exactly roughing it with a camping ambiance that is accessible and enjoyable to even the most inexperienced outdoor person. Most are also pet friendly! Glamping has proliferated in recent years and is all over the country, but there are a couple of really notable, standout brand new examples this year, just as glamping is seeing a great increase in demand.
Here are some of the best options near, or in, Knoxville!
GlampKnox, where camping meets luxury! Private Glamping in East Tennessee 17 minutes from Downtown Knoxville $49/night. Our BRAND NEW canvas tent sleeps 2 comfortably charging stations for electronics, outdoor HOT and cold shower, INDOOR SPACE HEATER and private men's and women's bathrooms. Relax by the fire pit, and enjoy our LED lantern, ice machine, private parking, extended covered porch with rocking chairs, and views of the beautiful Cumberland Mountains.
Smoky Hollow Outdoor Resort provides Luxury Glamping Treehouses, Sioux- style Tipis, Conestoga Covered Wagons and Tiny Cabins, all provide a unique camping experience, unlike any in the area. All of our units have electricity, heat and air conditioning. Stay and experience what luxury camping is all about! smokyhollowoutdoorresort.com
Average Wagon Rate $199
Average Tipi Rate $185
If a boutique hotel and the home of your dreams made a lovechild, that’d be us. Let nature shine with a visit to GLAMP Dunn’s Creek, in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. We combine all the fun and adventure of camping with a few of life’s modern conveniences you just can’t live without while keeping the signature style and trendy interiors Stay Minty is best known for.
Prices range from $175 to $610/ night. stayminty.com
Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains is located just 10 miles from Gatlinburg and is set upon 182-acres of lush, wooded terrain, just minutes from the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Beckoning travelers to Tennessee’s ancient mountains and misty blue vistas, Under Canvas’ safari-inspired accommodations offer an unparalleled outdoor experience in “The Land of Blue Smoke”. Avg $249 night. undercanvas.com
Seth & Tori Bolt are the founders and creators of Bolt Farm Treehouse--The ultimate, nature-immersive travel experience on a mountaintop near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
A visit to Bolt Farm Treehouse is the ultimate getaway! Near or on property you can partake in yoga, kayaking, horseback riding, waterfall hikes, paddle boarding, massages, a private chef and more.
I mean, just look at this reviews! View all of their domes and treehouses here.
*All information from this blog was taken from each company's website.
