11 Offline Campsites for the Luxury-Inclined
Camping is typically thought of as pitching a tent in the woods, surviving on your own, and really roughing it. For those that like the idea of camping, but don’t want to deal with all the nitty gritty, then “glamping” might be for you. These 11 offline campsites send you camping with many of the luxuries of staying at a classic hotel or resort. This glamping round-up includes getaways with farm-to-table dining experiences on an Icelandic island; saunas and wood-fired hot tubs in the Welsh hills; and fully-furnished treehouses in Zambia.
1. Go Offline at Paperbark Camp
Perfect for glampers, the tents at Paperbark Camp are far from that of typical campsites. In addition to the hardwood floors, high quality linens, and bathtubs with a view, the canvas-style tents are built high among the trees. Sit on the furnished deck that wraps around each tent and looks out to untouched forest. The Gunyah is the site of candlelit dinners, fireside conversations, enticing nightcaps, and stunning sunset views.
2. Go Offline at Camp Kátur
Camp Kátur wants you to have the option to relax and unwind, or participate in one of the many offered activities. There are ten different lodging options at Camp Kátur. You can stay in a classic-style tent, teepee, unidome, hobbit hide, cabin, small pod, safari-style tent, or completely clear geodome. Each accommodation is unique and luxurious in its own right. In addition, the campsite has an outdoor hot tub and a sauna to let all of your troubles melt away. There are tons of activities here such as a wine tasting, craft lessons, yoga classes, and even burlesque workshops—and those are just the indoor options. Outside you can ride a Segway, drive an ATV, fly on a high ropes course or try out “footgolf.”
3. Go Offline at Sal Salis
4. Go Offline at Chamilandu Bushcamp Zambia
Built for you to reconnect with nature, Sal Salis definitely takes advantage of its surroundings, while still having a luxurious feel. Each tent at this beach-side safari camp is furnished with plush, 100% cotton sheets for handmade, jarrah-wood beds. Every tent has an ensuite bathroom. The entire camp has only 15 tents, so your personalized treatment is guaranteed. All guests dine together each night at the restaurant with exquisite regional meals curated by the chef. At Sal Salis you can swim with whales, snorkel near the lively reefs, or gaze up at the night sky filled with stars.
Wake up to animals prancing across the landscape, a flowing stream, and the sun rising over the Chindeni Hills at Chamilandu Bush Camp in Zambia. Chamilandu is just one of many offline campsites operated by the Bushcamp Company. Although it calls itself a camp, there are no tents here. One of three stilted treehouses will be your lodging at at this camp. Each treehouse boasts a wooden king or queen bed and an impressive view of the Luangwa River. The lounge and dining area includes cozy couches, woven hanging chairs, a thatched, palm-frond roof and open walls for possible animal sightings. The camp also has a viewing deck and an outdoor fire pit as open-air spaces for relaxing.
5. Go Offline at Green Acres
Located in the Texas Hill Country, just 24 miles from Austin, Texas, Green Acres is a haven for glampers. The 25-acre campsite hosts five yurts, an eco-cabin and two vintage trailers. Each accommodation is fully furnished and decorated with a woodsy-chic style. During your stay, you will have access to a communal barn, bathhouse, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, and picnic tables. In addition, Green Acres provides family games, such as horseshoes, cards, and ping-pong, in addition to an outdoor sound system. You can lay in a hammock at Green Acres for hours, forget about the world around you and just relax. The camp provides coffee, firewood, charcoal, towels and eco-friendly toiletries.
6. Go Offline at The Secret Yurts
The Secret Yurts is a three-yurt, six-acre glamping site nestled in the Welsh hills. Each yurt is extremely private and comes with its own deck, bathroom and barbecue. A bed frame made of reclaimed wood adds rustic-cool factor to each yurt. Plush mattresses with feather duvet and pillows ensure a good night’s sleep. Under-floor heaters and wood-fired stoves keep yurts nice and toasty. Sit in a wood-fired hot tub on your yurt deck; whip up a meal in the fully equipped communal kitchen, or partake in one of many local activities, including horse-riding, golf, kayaking and fishing.
7. Go Offline at Dunton River Camp
Equipped with almost all of the luxuries you’d find in a typical resort, Dunton River Camp is sure to please luxe seekers. Private bathrooms in each of the eight tents are outfitted with double vanities, towel warmers and six-foot soaker tubs. Plush kings beds, cowhide rugs, and thoughtful touches fill spacious tent interiors. You can sit out on your private tent deck, and observe either the San Juan Mountains or Dolores River – both equally spectacular. The restaurant at Dunton River Camp is family-style, so connecting with others, as well as your tent-mate, is all part of the fun.
8. Go Offline at Brook House Woods
When staying at Brook House Woods you can choose from three unique treehouses; a hobbit house right out of Lord of the Rings; and a tree tent hanging high above the ground. All accommodations are luxurious, but the treehouses stand out most in this regard. Each contains a king bed with Egyptian cotton linens, a private kitchen and a bathtub on the veranda. Brook House Woods proprietors, Penny and Will, are a fixture at their offline campsites, with a hands-on approach to providing the best-ever camp experience for every guest.
9. Go Offline at Bubbletent Australia
Sleep under the twinkling, starry sky in clear, inflatable bubbles at ultra chic and unique, Bubbletent Australia. The three bubbles are on separate offline campsites—each is in a remote and private location that is revealed to guests two weeks prior to arrival. Unending views of the rolling hills of the Capertee Valley and of the colorful sky as the sun drops below the horizon, are all around. Take it all in without so much as getting out of bed. A modern design with muted colors characterizes bubble decor, and matches the surrounding nature. Soak in the outdoor wood-fired bathtub, huddle around the fire with your loved one, explore the cosmos through the provided telescope, or take a nap in the hammock. One of the bubbles available is even climate controlled.
10. Go Offline at Mulino Pods
Ultra-sleek and modern pods are the substitute for tents at Mulino Pods. The inside of each pod is cozy and intimate with double beds, futons and basic kitchen appliances. Prepare a meal with your own barbecue and enjoy dinner with a dazzling view at the picnic table on your private deck. BBQ cooking not your style? There are “countryside style” cooking facilities in the communal area. The main area has a library, to keep bookworms happy. While bathrooms are shared, they’re private and luxurious—equipped with heated towel racks. Set on a farm, animals roam freely, and Mulino Pod’s store sells fresh eggs and honey.
11. Go Offline at Traustholtshómi
On a remote, private island off of Iceland lies the Mongolian-yurt-style campsite of Traustholtshómi. The owner, Hakon, cements this majestic place as one of the top offline campsites. Hakon will invite you on a tour of the onsite garden or teach you how to catch salmon using the same technique that local farmers use. Using these fresh fish and vegetables, Hakon creates heavenly meals for guests. The yurts are wool-insulated and have wood-burning stoves for 24/7 warmth. Explore the island and relax during the day, before taking in the the awesome aurora borealis light show.
featured image courtesy of Paperbark Camp
