Unsung Glamping Destinations: The Best Spots You’ve Never Heard Of

It is true that nothing beats the first time you set your eyes on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Or, the sandstone cliffs outside of Sedona are absolutely breathtaking. The problem is, it feels like all 7 billion people in the world, no matter what season it happens to be, have the same idea. These are fantastic locations for a reason, and because of that, they are often overrun with visitors. They are world-class, and the views are unbeatable. But they have also taken decades and billions of dollars of infrastructure to ensure that they can accommodate hundreds of thousands of people. There are many other places in this majestic country of ours that are equally as beautiful (at least, some would argue); it just takes a little research to find them.

If you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path glamping, then you’ve come to the right spot. This guide will provide some insight into the best hidden glamping destinations so that next time you head to the wild with your family, friends, and a canvas tent, you won’t have to fight the crowds the whole time. Keep reading for some key locations. But tell no one. They’re a secret.

What Makes a Unique Glamping Experience?

When it comes to glamping and finding the right location, so many of us do it by word of mouth. It’s a pretty solid strategy. If 10,000 people talk about it and post it all over their social media, it might be worth the trip. But let’s separate what is so incredible about places like Yosemite and figure out how we can parse those attributes out.

​We are looking for glamping sites, and they all have a few things in common.

First: they put nature front and center. Yes, you want a comfortable setting, but we don’t want that next to a highway or a sewage plant, do we? The setting does much of the lifting for you. Look for waterfalls, rivers, dramatic skies, majestic ponds and lakes, a forest canopy or open desert, anything that makes you feel driven deep into the outdoors, while still feeling safe.

​Second, the site should offer an outdoor experience without sacrificing comfort. You want the bristle of wind through the aspen leaves while at the same time sitting in an Adirondack chair, a beautifully balanced cocktail in hand. The idea is to be comfortable in the wild. That balance is really the best part, and the main motivation, behind a good glamping setup.

​When it comes to outdoors and comfort, nothing strikes the balance better than a canvas tent, and to be precise, a bell tent, and to be precise and specific, a bell tent from White Duck. These tents are stylish, comfortable, and easy to set up. Constructed from durable canvas, they’ll hold up to wind, rain, or anything else that tries to dampen your glamping experience. Not to mention the material breathes well in hotter weather to keep condensation from gathering inside your tent. They are perfect for the ideal glamping setup.

​And lastly, try to find a glamping site that focuses on smaller groups and feels more intimate than a loud RV park. Maybe avoid places with a snack counter or a convenience store nearby. Once you’re settled in your glamping tent, you don’t want any distractions.

​Now that’s settled, let’s take a look at some of the sites for the best glamping in America.

​Broken Bow, Oklahoma: The Best Kept Secret in the South

For starters, we’re gonna head south. Ask most glampers about glamping in the south, and they’ll tell you about Tennessee or Texas. Almost no one knows about Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and that’s exactly why it should be on your list.

​Broken Bow is located in the Ouachita Mountains in southeastern Oklahoma on the edge of Hochatown State Park, right near Beaver’s Bend Resort Park. The forests are thick and green, the rivers run clear, and the pitch-black sky draws forth stars unseen on a moonless night. This place has become a legitimate glamping hub with dozens of legitimate private retreat operators running canvas tent setups (they must know what they’re doing). There are also numerous luxury cabins and dome accommodations around the wooded hillsides. There’s kayaking in the Mountain Fork River in the morning, plenty of time to hit a local winery in the afternoon, and be back at your bell tent in front of a fire before it’s too late.

This is a popular spot for folks in Oklahoma, but the rest of the country hasn’t caught on yet. Book ahead for fall when the trees are changing, and the brilliant colors ignite the trees in the Ouachitas. It’s one of the most underrated foliage experiences in the country. Put this one at the top of your list of off the beaten path glamping spots.

Coopers Rock State Forest, West Virginia: Stargazing at the Edge of Appalachia

If you don’t have West Virginia on your glamping radar, you’re missing out.

To continue our tour of the South, Coopers Rock State Forest is located right outside of Morgantown, one of the darkest sky corridors on the entire East Coast. The forest itself covers more than 12,700 acres of rugged Appalachian terrain with dramatic overlooks, sandstone cliffs, and hiking trails that are surprisingly remote when you consider you’re only a two-hour drive from Pittsburgh.

The area recently added a series of A-frame cabins built specifically for stargazing. These folks are passionate about looking up at night. They were designed by architect Adam Krason of ZMM Architects. They feature floor-to-ceiling windows, retractable skylights, and working telescopes on site. It’s glamping designed around the night sky, and if you’re into gazing up at the heavens, this is a no-miss.

It also boasts one of the necessary glamping features: moving water, as it is located near the Cheat River. Close by is the college-town energy of Morgantown if you’re feeling a little lively and in the mood for people. Or, stick to camp, and you won’t be disturbed. This area has a growing camping scene, but it is yet to be overrun like more popular destinations.

Salmon River, Idaho: Remote Canvas Glamping in the Heart of the Rockies

Idaho’s Salmon River corridor is one of the most unique and spectacular ecosystems in North America. The River of No Return runs through one of the deepest gorges on the continent, and the canyon country around it is pure, breathtaking wilderness.

The glamping options here are small and independently operated. This is precisely the kind of experience that the big chain resorts can’t replicate. The Salmon Gypsy Bed and Breakfast is a custom-built gypsy wagon on the banks of the Salmon River that won a Glampy Award from The Dyrt in 2024, and yet it still flies under most travelers’ radar.  

For the adventurous glamper, it’s also possible to float sections of the Salmon River on multi-day trips where you can break camp in canvas tents on the banks of the river. Goldbug Hot Springs is a short hike from several camping areas, making a soak in a natural hot spring (some call them thermal pools) part of the evening routine.

This is also a great spot to get some solitude, away from it all, with a dramatic landscape as your backdrop. It truly feels like being away from it all, without having to sleep on the dirt. The Salmon River region delivers in a way that few places can.

Beaver Island, Michigan: An Island Glamping Experience on Lake Michigan

Beaver Island sits in Lake Michigan about 32 miles off the coast of Charlevoix, MI. Getting there requires a ferry or a short flight on a small plane. It’s because of this extra step in the trip that most people skip this destination.

The island is quiet, forested, and surrounded by some of the clearest freshwater on the planet. The small permanent community gives it a genuine and connected feeling that can be found only in a small town with a rich history. Beaver Island Retreat earned recognition in USA Today’s 10 Best Glamping Spots in 2025, which tells you this place is the real deal.

Glamping out here means you are truly away. The ferry ride ensures you’ll be away from the crowds, and the locals leave the visitors to themselves. It’s a wonderful tradeoff. The only thing keeping you and your crew company is the calm lake breeze, forest trails, and the kind of peaceful disconnection that all of us cherish from time to time. Come in September, when the summer ferry tourists are gone, and the island practically belongs to you.

Firelight Camps, Ithaca, New York: Upstate’s Canvas Tent Classic

Ithaca is known for its waterfalls, gorges, and Cornell University. What it is less known for is being one of the most truly thoughtfully designed glamping locations in the Northeast.

Firelight Camps sits on a wooded hillside outside Ithaca and offers canvas wall tents outfitted with hardwood floors, plush beds, rocker-chair porches, and writing desks. The setup feels like a well-appointed basecamp, or a keen location for someone to write the next great American novel. There is enough comfort here to truly relax, while still being firmly staked in the outdoors. It’s the perfect balance of keeping close while getting away.

A locally sourced complimentary breakfast will keep you fueled for the nearby Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park and the Cayuga Lake waterfront. The Finger Lakes wine trail is a short drive away for those lazy afternoons when you want something different but still relaxing.

Firelight has earned its following in the Northeast outdoor community, but nationally, it’s still not on most people’s lists. It’s an oversight worth correcting.

Big Bend, Texas: The Glamping Scene the Park Deserves  

Big Bend National Park itself isn’t a secret. It’s one of the most remote and dramatic parks in the lower 48, covering nearly 80,000 acres of Chihuahuan Desert, but the glamping scene that has developed around the park is genuinely underappreciated.

BaseCamp 37 in Kanab, Utah, is a gateway stop for Big Bend Road trippers hitting the Southwest circuit. It sets the standard for what a well-run canvas glamping site looks like in desert country. Similar operators around the Big Bend region offer canvas tent and dome setups that put you face-to-face with the park’s incredible dark skies, volcanic mountain ranges, and Rio Grande Canyon views.

Big Bend records some of the lowest light pollution readings of any park in the country. If you’re looking to make the Milky Way your next-door neighbor, this is the park to do it. It is visible with the naked eye and is absolutely breathtaking. The surrounding towns of Terlingua and Study Butte have developed a laid-back, artsy energy that pairs well with the backdrop of a relaxed canvas glamping trip. Eat well, wake up early for a canyon hike, and let the desert be your guide.

Go where Nobody Goes

The most rewarding glamping adventures aren’t always the most photographed ones. There are millions of photos of the same majestic peak taken over and over on Instagram. That’s fine, but it’s important to keep in mind that with all of those individual photos also came individual experiences. The photos are nice, they will last for some time, but the most important thing to remember is the memories and those experiences.

Find some place that is all your own, a place you will always remember, and a place you’ll always want to come back to. Grab your bell tent, hit the road, and find the best glamping spots you’ve never heard of.