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This article is reprinted by permission from The Escape Home, a newsletter for second homeowners and those who want to be. Subscribe here. © 2021. All rights reserved.
This summer, America is glamping it up.
First, what is glamping? Glamping is outdoor camping and connecting with nature — but with more amenities than traditional camping. There’s an element of glamour with the addition of connected bathrooms, comfortable beds and wood-burning stoves.
The data: Glamping has grown nearly 300% among first-timers since the pandemic took hold of the U.S last March. In 2019, approximately 1.2 million newbies began their experience glamping, according to the 2021 North American Camping Report, conducted annually by Kampgrounds of America. That number skyrocketed to over 4.7 million in 2020. And more than 50% of first-time campers and those with children say they want to have a glamping experience in 2021.
Glamping’s growth is fastest in the dense northeastern part of the U.S., according to Acumen Research and Consulting. Many people who traditionally favored five-star hotels with views of nature want to leave the lobbies and shared elevators behind for wide open spaces.
Have you already booked your summer travel? If you’re hoping for a traditional vacation rental — think the Jersey Shore or Cape Cod — it’s possible you may be too late. Hot spots for May are nearly completely booked, and what’s left is going for a premium.
Enter glamping: Thanks to numerous online booking sites, there is now a greater availability of private, well-situated and relatively unused land open for leisure travelers looking for some peace and quiet and the added benefit of a nearby bathroom.
According to CHM Government Services, as of December 2020, private-sector campgrounds make up over 53% of the campground supply in the U.S. Of the approximately 13,900 privately operated campgrounds and RV parks in the U.S., the states with the highest concentration of establishments are California (8%), Texas (6.7%) and New York (5.6%).
From safari tents to yurts, to tipis and conestoga wagons, there are many setups that potential glampers can choose from. The one thing they all have in common? Already pitched tents and bedding!
Here are some sites to make your search easier. You won’t break a sweat because … glamping.
Hipcamp
Perhaps the most well-known destination for booking glamping sites, Hipcamp, also known as the Airbnb of the camping world, was founded by now-CEO Alyssa Ravasio back in 2013 after one of her camping trips. During the trip, she noticed that there were such great waves along the coast, but her preliminary research hadn’t told her about the possibility of surfing at the site, so, as a surfer herself, she was extremely frustrated.
If you have tried booking camping sites recently, you may have had trouble because of the complicated, convoluted state websites that make it frustratingly difficult to acquire spots at the national parks, many of which are free, open to the public and highly coveted.
Traditional-style campsites also tend to lack amenities (or occasionally surprise you with additional amenities, but that’s rare) and it’s hard to be certain what to expect since the websites aren’t always informative enough.
That’s where Hipcamp comes in. With efficiency and customer satisfaction in mind, the platform was created to provide people with the most information and easiest access to booking. Travelers can filter out locations by those that allow pets, have campfires, water and toilets available or are near lakes or beaches.
For hosts, this site easily allows people to list their private property for rental space, which can be a great source of additional income.
Tentrr
This particular booking site is unique in that it also provides hosts with the ability to set up a Tentrr Signature, or an all-inclusive Tentrr glamping site. These hosts then become listed as a “Partner Site” on Tentrr. On the other hand, locations where travelers still have to bring their own tent and gear are listed as “Backcountry Sites.”
As of 2020, Tentrr Signature constituted 70% of the 860 sites Tentrr rents out and made up 90% of its bookings. Turns out not having to lug around heavy equipment and the ability to sleep on a comfortable mattress are enough to convince a lot of people to go glamping.
Founded by Michael D’Agostino, a former New York Stock Exchange managing director, Tentrr strikes a deal with private landowners, as per TechCrunch. The landowners pay for the installation of the everything-in-a-box set up and earn 80% of the revenue. Tentrr provides the Adirondak chairs and outdoor sun shower for 20% of the revenue.
Tentrr’s site offers customers the option to partake in nearby activities such as rock climbing, water skiing, biking and access to farmer’s markets and wineries.
GlampingHub
With more than 12,500 locations outfitted with log cabins, cabins and luxury domes, GlampingHub is another site that a budding glamper can look to for inspiration. Founded in 2013 by Ruben Martinez, also the founder of the American Glamping Association, GlampingHub pays special attention to what it calls “sustainable tourism.”
Essentially, a lot of the locations they partner with are eco-friendly, use sustainable construction and serve locally sourced meals.
Besides the usual filters of being pet-friendly and offering wi-fi, this site specifically filters out their locations based on the type of glamping they provide, from tree houses to igloos to private islands, all listed under the “Truly Unique.” Don’t worry, though, if you aren’t so interested in living in a cave, caboose or caravan for a night, there are the more plain vanilla, options of staying in a cabin or villa.
Feeling apprehensive about glamping because it’s one letter off from camping and you’re used to the luxury lifestyle afforded by five-star hotels and resorts?
Leila Narisetti, 19, felt the same way. Until she realized what exactly glamping entailed.
“I was used to the fabulous destination vacations my mom planned since her birthday and my sister’s birthdays were within days of each other in the summer. I was very wary of anything outdoorsy since I hate bugs,” she said. “But, the glamping in the Hudson Valley was great because we had a huge tent, king sized bed, sofa bed, wi-fi, wood-burning stove, attached bath, marshmallows by the fire and a big breakfast every morning.
The only downside? A frog that hung out near the bathroom.
“I stared him down every night.”
This article is reprinted by permission from The Escape Home, a newsletter for second homeowners and those who want to be. Subscribe here. © 2021. All rights reserved.
