Glamping for Beginners: Going from Camping to Glamping

How to Turn Your Camping Trip into a Glamping One?

Glamping is still a relatively new concept, not yet in the mainstream as a viable option for getting out in nature and living comfortably. When people think about disconnecting and spending time in the outdoors, camping tends to be the first thing that comes to mind.
Nowadays, there are also glamping sites that offer vacation rentals, much like Airbnbs. These can be in the form of glamping tent, cabins, cottages or, really, almost any other kind of establishment.
Glamping doesn’t have to be an expensive activity, though. There are ways to turn your traditional camping trip into a glamping one with a few minor adjustments.

The Definition of Glamping

Glamping is a combination of the words, “glamour” and “camping”. It refers to the activity of getting out to spend time in nature, while still keeping many of the comforts you would in your regular life. At one end of the spectrum, there are websites and places that offer extremely luxurious experiences in cabins or other shelters.
On the other hand, there are ways to elevate your camping experience and turn it into a glamping one by adding a few things to make it more comfortable, for example, beds, electrical appliances or other furniture.

Camping vs. Glamping

Glamping combines camping with the modern amenities that so many of us enjoy having. There’s no right or wrong way to glamp and you’ll notice that people seem to have their own ways of doing it. The major differentiator from camping is the comfort you afford yourself while glamping by removing many of the more “survivalist” aspects of camping.
The great thing about glamping is that you get the opportunity to make it your own, so you can make the switch from camping to glamping at your own pace. Maybe you start small with bringing a blow-up bed with you, instead of sleeping in a sleeping bag on the ground.

Ways to Turn Your Camping Trip into a Glamping One

There are a few different changes you can make to your camping trip to make it a glamping one. Here are some ways to go about it.

Accommodations

Your first step may be upgrading your tent to a bell tent or wall tent to give you more room and more protection from the elements when closed up. Canvas tents are a great option for this; the double-stitched fabric stands up to harsh weather conditions, which is especially useful if you’re looking to set up a semi-permanent outdoor shelter for glamping. You can also view another post about best glamping tents.
Cotton, as a fabric, is also breathable, which means it’s a good option for staying warm in cooler weather but also cool in the summer months. You can also decorate tents in creative ways. Bring some pretty lights or items that will remind you of home.
If you’re not looking to put in the effort of setting up your own site, you can rent a location, just like you would a cabin or Airbnb. You can stay in a variety of different types of accommodations, such as tents, tree houses, yurts, among others. Even though you may not have personalized items decorating the area, you will still get to have control of just how much glamp and how much camp you have.
You can also continue to upgrade your sleeping spot, with many glamping rentals providing queen size beds for you to sleep on. Often, they give you the option of customizing your living space, whether that includes having another tent or even blow up beds in your area, which is great if you plan on bringing the family along or glamping with some friends.

Outside Space

Just like camping, glamping isn’t just about your sleep accommodations. Your outside space can be as close to roughing it as you’d like or set up with primarily comfort in mind. Many glamping sites have a seating area and a fire pit, in a way similar to camping sites.
It’s no surprise that people want to make the move to camping to glamping, instead of going to a hotel or other accommodations. With glamping you still have the choice of being out in the middle of nowhere, unplugging, and just taking life as it comes minute by minute.
For many, that is the biggest selling point with both glamping and camping. There’s something special about being able to be out in nature and get some fresh air. If you’re staying in an area with local activities, winding down by the fire at the end of a long day will help you relax before getting a great night’s sleep.

Personalization and Comforts

Even when renting a glamping site, you can still make it your own and bring personalized items to make it feel just like home, if that’s something that interests you. Most rentals have comfortable queen-size beds along with other comforts from home like a coffee maker, internet, and entertainment in the form of books, games, and puzzles.
Perhaps you have a favorite blanket or pillow that you want to have with you. You may even want to bring along pictures of your loved ones close by to feel the comforts of home. When it comes to glamping, the possibilities are virtually endless for customizing the space and making it as close to or as different from your usual lifestyle.
Many glamping rentals come with electricity so you can make coffee in the morning, not have to worry about your phone’s battery dying, and stay warm on the colder nights, allowing you to glamp all year long.

What to Bring with You on a Glamping Trip

If you’re going to be setting up your own glamping site, here’s a list of items to consider bringing with you from home to really make it your own and enjoy nature while staying comfortable.

• Bedding. This includes something to sleep on that isn’t a sleeping bag, like an air mattress or a camp cot, as well as sheets to stay warm overnight.
• Decor. This is a good idea, especially if your aim is to make your space your own with things that remind you of home. This could include some art, lanterns, a mirror or anything else to spruce up the place a bit.
• Lights. Lights can be crucial in making time in nature a little less intimidating, especially if you’re new to it. Candles are a quick and easy solution. It’s also worth thinking about flashlights or lanterns to light up your tent when it gets dark or a reading light for when you’re winding down before bed.
• Games. Entertainment is essential on a glamping trip so it’s important to bring it along with you. This could be in the form of board games, cards or any other games that are popular within your family.
• Cooking equipment. Ideally, when you’re on a glamping weekend, you won’t be resorting to canned food, which is more common on a camping trip. Since you’ll most likely be driving to your site, it shouldn’t be too much trouble carrying a stove, a cooler or a cast iron. This makes it easy to store food over a few days and also prepare gourmet meals.

Takeaways

Making the switch from camping to glamping can go as fast or slow as you’re ready for. Again, there’s no right or wrong way of doing it, and no specific schedule of how you have to go from one end of the spectrum to the other.
Just as there are no rules for the time it takes to make the shift from camping to glamping, there also are no rules when it comes to the types of accommodations you want to stay in. Some people like tents but you may prefer cabins or tents.
Just remember when switching from camping to glamping, you’re in full control. You may need to try out a few different setups before settling on one that you want to continue with. In the end, whatever you decide, will be the right choice, and you’re going to enjoy your time away.
Learn More:

9 Things To Do The Next Time You Go Glamping