By Linda Rodgers and Alicia McGowan
Grab a friend and gear up for a glamorous outdoors overnight trip this summer. Instead of struggling to pitch a tent in the sticky summer heat, dealing with bug bites, and going to the bathroom in the great outdoors, try something the complete opposite: glamping.
If camping under the stars sounds appealing, but you can’t do without the little luxuries—a hot shower, say, or a soft bed— then glamping is definitely for you. And there’s no better place to enjoy nature with some upscale necessities than the Hudson Valley, where all sorts of options await. Here are a few of the best ones we’ve found this season. Courtesy of the Brigham Group Luxury Safari Tent The Nest, Woodstock
Courtesy of the Brigham Group
Set on two acres, this private tent has a carpeted sleeping quarter with a queen-sized bed and sitting area. There are board games if you get tired of listening to the birds and plenty of blankets for cool nights. Steps away, you’ll find a kitchen and netted dining area, plus a porta-potty, outdoor shower, and a fire pit. If you hanker for civilization, you’re a short drive from Woodstock, Saugerties, and Kingston.
Other Amenities: Propane grill, mini fridge, coffee maker, cookware and kitchen utensils, dishware, water cooler with hot and cold H2O, lanterns, bedding.
Sleeps: 2 to 4 (extra twin mattresses included).
What You’ll Spend: $150–$300 for 2; $25 per extra person.
Pet Policy: Fur babies welcome for an extra $50.
How to Book: Glamping Hub, Airbnb, or thebrighamgroup.com The Tent on the Farm Riverside Farm, Walden
On this 50-acre working hay farm, you can stroll along the Wallkill River. Or just plop down on one of the Adirondack chairs in front of your tent and gaze at the rolling fields. The tent is set on a platform and comes with a queen-sized bed. There’s a sun shower (a solar-heated bag that holds 5 gallons of H20 and hangs from a tree) and a Tentrr loo (a toilet seat atop a box with a bucket lined with biodegradable bags) in a smaller tent nearby. Angry Orchard’s Cider House and City Winery are a few minutes drive—as are many wineries along the Shawangunk Wine Trail.
Other Amenities: A fire pit, camp table and benches, a grill, grilling utensils, lanterns, and flashlights. For an extra fee, you can rent linens and pillows (otherwise, bring your own), pots and pans, dishes for 6, and a cornhole set. You can also buy fresh farm eggs.
Sleeps: 2 (in the main tent) to 8 (additional tent provided for larger groups)
What You’ll Spend: $99–$115/night.
Pet Policy: Dogs welcome, no extra fee.
How to Book: Find them on tentrr.com The Boutique Campground Treetopia, By Christopher Funk Treetopia, Catskill
This isn’t your parents’ campground. Instead, the 40-acre Treetopia gives you plenty of luxe glamping options, including AirStreams kitted out with full baths and kitchens and A/C, as well as A-frame cabins and canvas tents. Swim in the pool, hike, or walk your dog on 25 acres of untouched land, or just relax in front of your lodgings. You can hook your own RV at Treetopia, too. Their season ends in October, so act fast!
Other Amenities: Public restrooms with indoor/outdoor showers and toilets; small grocery store that carries typical campground sundries (including ice cream, coffee, and firewood), local eggs, honey, and fruit; a game room with a pool table, arcade games and sofas for TV watching. Plus, you’re close to Catskill, Olana, and Catskill Park.
Sleeps: Depends on what you book. The Jumbo RV is good for a family of 5 or 4 adults; the standard, a family of 4 (or 3 adults); the tents, a max of 3 people.
Pet Policy: Accommodates most pets.
What You’ll Spend: Ranges from $60–$400. Discounts offered for week-long stays.
How to Book: treetopiacampground.com The Tipi in the Catskills Bellfire, Courtesy of Greene County Tourism Bellfire Farm, Roxbury
Bellfire, Courtesy of Greene County Tourism
Is there anything cooler than sitting on a cedar floor in front of a free-standing fireplace? That can be your experience by booking the Bellfire Tipi. Or stay at the covered wagon (Cosmic Nomad) or the tiny house (the Birdhouse). All are located on 10 acres near state land, which make them perfect for stargazing. There’s also a floating deck on the property for picknicking or yoga sessions, and a 4-person sauna that you can rent.
Other Amenities: Kitchenettes, fire pits, composting toilets, solar showers, bedding and toiletries.
What You’ll Spend: $175–$195/per night.
How to Book: Airbnb or bellfirefarm.com
Related: Where to Go Camping in the Catskills and the Hudson Valley The Chic Retreat Gather Greene, Coxsackie
Head up to Coxsackie for a peaceful and serene visit to Gather Greene. The small cabins come with a king-size bed, outside deck area, bathroom, and mini fridge. What’s more, each cabin is in the middle of the woods with utmost privacy. Guests can take a stroll on the grounds, which boast over 100 acres, plus a pond, a field of wildflowers, mountain views, wooded paths, and more serene spots to highlight the space’s harmony with nature. The Phone-Free Escape A comfortable setup from the Getaway / Photo by Anna Tullis, courtesy of Getaway Getaway, Eastern and Western Catskills
A comfortable setup from the Getaway / Photo by Anna Tullis, courtesy of Getaway
Can you imagine setting aside your phone for a day or two? Locals can do just that at Getaway, the phone-free retreat that promotes renewed connections with nature. If the need to contact someone arises, the house does have an emergency phone in the tiny cabin.
Otherwise, guests can savor the feeling of the sun beaming down in the morning in this tiny and quaint cabin in the great outdoors. The whole space includes books to read, a full-size window, and more camping essentials. Getaway boasts two locations in the Hudson Valley, so feel free to pick from the Eastern and Western locations as you see fit.
Related: Getaway Tempts With Tiny Cabins and No Wi-Fi in the Catskills Choose-Your-Own Glamping Adventure Glamping Hub
Glamping Hub is like an Airbnb for glamorous getaways. You name it — small wood cabins, tents, A-frame homes, and places that look straight out of Pinterest — the the website has it. With something for everyone, browsers can book local stays at locations like Woodstock, Saugerties, and Catskill, to name a few. The Camping/Glamping Hybrid Photo courtesy of Tentrr Tentrr
Thanks to Tentrr, glampers can book a getaway near a farm, smack in the middle of the woods, overlooking a mountain, or in a tent near a lake. With over 270 locations in New York state alone, many of Tentrr’s locations come with a fire pit outdoors, access to hiking trails and the grounds, and glamping amenities like beds, chairs, and cooking supplies. Depending on the site, Tentrr locations can be ideal for solo travels or getaways with friends.
Related: Go on a Self-Care Retreat in a Hudson Valley Forest
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