10 Kid-Friendly Glamping Locations
Bonus: 5 ADDITIONAL Locations Added for 2024!!
“Teaching children about the natural world should be seen as one of the most important events in their lives.”
The Littles standing in front of the tepee where they slept in Moab, Utah
We had such a great time “glamping” at Under Canvas in Moab, Utah as a family. Once we returned home, we started to wonder what other great places across the US we could take our kids for a similar experience. From treetops to frozen tundras and deserts to rivers, we found lots of options where families can enjoy the great outdoors together while camping in style.
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10 Kid-Friendly Glamping Locations:
Under Canvas, Moab – Moab, Utah: We absolutely loved our stay at Under Canvas in Moab, Utah and would love to try some of their other locations (whether included as a feature on this list or not). Our visit to Moab treated us to one of the best sunrises and sunsets we’ve ever seen, all set in the red rocks of the desert! Under Canvas offers accommodations for families up to six, in various configurations. This location lies just a few miles from Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. With hardly any light pollution, you’ll have incredible views of the night skies. We chose a deluxe tent with a king-sized bed and private bathroom. We added an adjacent teepee with cots for all three of our girls. Amenities include complimentary coffee, onsite dining, and nightly campfires with s’mores.
Terramor Outdoor Resort – Bar Harbor, Maine: This resort, located near Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, offers families live entertainment, a nightly campfire, lawn games, and lots of amenities. A pool and hot tub are also onsite for family fun and relaxation. Tents sleep from 2 to 5 people and most have private bathrooms. A complimentary breakfast will start your day right and chef-prepared meals are available at the full-service restaurant. They will even prepare a picnic meal for you.
Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo – River Ranch, Florida: Located near Kissimmee and all the amusement parks of Orlando, this 1700 acre dude ranch offers a truly unique experience for families of up to six. There are several accommodations to choose from including a Conestoga Wagon, Luxury Tent or Teepee, or a primitive tent. A two night minimum stay is required and we recommend booking early for large families in order to find the dates you need.
Backland Luxury Camping – Williams, Arizona: This luxury camping resort location offers various accommodations for families of up to six. Free activities include nightly campfires with S’mores, nature trails, and the use of kayaks and fishing poles. Take a swim in the pond, or try a geocaching activity. Spa treatments and horseback riding are offered for an additional fee. This location grants guests access to some of Arizona’s best locations. The Grand Canyon is close and the resort offers guided tours. You can visit the beautiful red rocks of Sedona, the Grand Canyon Railways, Sycamore Falls, Canyon Coaster Adventure Park, and Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course during your stay.
Royal Gorge Cabins – Canon City, Colorado: Located just an hour from Colorado Springs and minutes from the Royal Gorge, there are abundant activities to enjoy at this resort that can sleep a family of two to four. Cabins include wifi, kitchens, bathrooms, a private patio, and a fireplace. They will even help you plan your outdoor adventures including ziplining or world-class white water rafting. Onsite dining means not having to leave the property to get a great meal.
Sandy Pines Campground – Kennebunkport, Maine: Harkening to decades past when families would vacation for the entire summer, this park caters to family fun. Amenities include a heated salt water pool, a Grand Lodge for guest services, laundry facilities, Kid Kraft sessions, a game shed, and plenty of classic board games and lawn games. Located within walking distance to Goose Rocks Beach and a 10 minute drive to Kennebunkport, your family will have endless entertainment and activities to keep you occupied throughout your stay.
Asheville Glamping – Asheville, North Carolina: Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this family-friendly getaway can accommodate groups as large as eight. All of their rentals require a minimum 2 night stay and bookings cannot start or end on a Saturday. Slide domes feature a sleeping loft with a stairway and a slide. The Hiker’s Heaven site includes a 2 bedroom house and a giant canvas tent to sleep your party of eight. Nearby attractions include Biltmore Estate, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and loads of hiking trails. If water activities are your thing, you can enjoy abundant kayaking and white water rafting in the French Broad River or even enjoy Sliding Rock, the area’s natural water slide.
Tobacco River Ranch – Eureka, Montana: Situated in Northwest Montana just a stone’s throw from the Canadian border, this town is known as the “Last Best Place” thanks to its unspoiled nature, abundant wildlife, solitude, and brilliant night skies. For families of up to 4, this park grants access to the wild outdoors. Rock climbing, mountain biking, and beautiful scenery, including breathtaking waterfalls, is abundant here. Enjoy a life-sized replica of Stonehenge, a stroll through downtown Eureka, or a meal in an old-fashioned diner during your stay. If you’re lucky, you might even catch sight of the Milky Way or the Northern Lights on a clear night.
Canopy Crew Tree-House Rentals – Red River Gorge, Kentucky: If you’re looking for a truly one-of-a-kind adventure getaway, this place fits the bill. Created by the Canopy Crew, (a team of arborists, climbers, carpenters, and designers), these tree-houses are built from salvaged wood and feature structures that are both suspended and perched on the upper sandstone cliffs of the famous gorge. Some of these tree-houses can only be reached by a strenuous hike and climb while others are much more manageable. Promising breathtaking views of the area’s surrounding landscape, most visitors bring all of the necessary food and supplies and never leave the treetop canopy during their stay.
Borealis Basecamp – Fairbanks, Alaska: Sleep under the Northern Lights in the Alaskan wilderness! Accommodations include clear domed fiberglass igloos or Cubes. The Cubes have space for the whole family, allowing you to memories that last a lifetime. Each unit has a “treehouse” bed, giving your kids a snug area to play, sleep, and view the night sky. Experiences here include snowmobiling and sled dog rides (with gear provided) and even an Alaskan reindeer meet and greet. Be sure to check out the craftsman-built yurt which acts as a 24-hour “home-base” for all Borealis Basecamp guests where they can enjoy a cup of coffee or play a board game. It also houses Latitude 65, their restaurant which features fresh, locally-sourced Alaskan seafood and produce. While this location is certainly pricey, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
BONUS: 5 Additional Locations Added for 2024:
Can-U-Canoe Riverview Cabins – Eureka Springs, Arkansas: Escape to the tranquility of the Ozark Mountains at Can-U-Canoe Riverview Cabins. Situated along the banks of the White River, these charming cabins provide families with a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature. Spend your days canoeing down the river, fishing for trout, or exploring nearby hiking trails. With comfortable accommodations and scenic river views, this glamping destination is perfect for families seeking outdoor adventure with a side of relaxation.
Fillenwarth Beach on West Lake Okoboji – Arnolds Park, Iowa: The Fillenwarth family has operated this summer vacation destination for over 100 years! Open from May to mid-September, this lakefront property gives guests access to one of the cleanest lakes in the midwest and all the experiences offered in the Iowa Great Lakes Region. Four beach areas provide a huge selection of accommodations from boardwalk apartments, to cottages, to chateau suites, you will be able to find the right match for your family. Each stay comes with complementary activities, including water skiing, Sun Runner cruises, sail boat rides, indoor and outdoor heated pools, paddle boats and canoes, and a recreation program that encourages guests to meet and mingle with other families. If you wish to leave the property during your stay, you’ll find several fun things to do in the area. Arnold Park Amusement Park has been a tourist attraction for more than a century. In addition to rides and attractions, the park hosts live entertainment and movie nights.
Tiki RV Park – Saint Ignace, Michigan: This family owned park has been in operation for over 50 years! It’s nestled among the white pine forests within walking distance of the Mackinac Island ferry docks. Tiki Hut Yurts offer a great glamping with kids experience. You’ll have a comfortable queen bed and electricity. Additional beds can be brought in for an added $3 fee (kids stay for free). Each site comes with 2 Adirondack chairs, a picnic table, and a fire pit (firewood bundle provided). Yurt guests share a community bath house. Local attractions include Mackinac Island, Tahquamanon Falls, Oswald’s Bear Ranch, several cruise options, parks, and museums.
Sea Pirate Campground – West Creek, New Jersey: This fabulously fun family campground is located on the Jersey Shore just minutes from Long Beach Island. Here, you’ll find several air conditioned cottages and cabins available to suit your family’s needs. You’ll have a private bathroom and a kitchen but you will need to bring your own linens as they are not provided. This is a pet-friendly campground so bring your furry family members along for the fun. Onsite activities include hiking and biking trails, recreation fields, and courts for basketball, volleyball, soccer, etc. The whole family will enjoy the heated swimming pool or a visit to the LBI beach. Fishing and kayaking are also favorites among guests. Weekends bring even more fun activities for families to enjoy with themes including Armed Forces Weekend, Death by Chocolate, a Craft Beer Bash & Chili Cook Off, and Christmas in July.
Skamania Lodge – Stevenson, Washington: For a quintessential Pacific Northwest experience, you’ll want to check out Skamania Lodge. Nestled inside the Douglas Fir trees of the Columbia River Gorge, these unique accommodations will provide your family with a stunning and memorable outdoor adventure. Mom and Dad will reclaim their childhoods, alongside their kids when they arrive at their tree house. Tree house amenities include a small kitchenette, coffee maker, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, bath robes, s’mores kits, Yeti cooler with ice, board games, and a tree house “survival guide” with instructions and information. The Alder, Alpine, and Noble Tree Houses sleep 4 guests. Safari-style tents are furnished with either a king-sized bed or two queen-sized beds, a private fire pit, and an exclusive bathroom with a soaking tub. Luxury cabins feature two queen-sized beds, a full bathroom, kitchen, living room with TV and gas fireplace, and a covered patio with grill, firepit, and dining area. No matter which option you choose, you will be living in luxury, even as the great outdoors awaits you just steps away. Onsite amenities include wireless internet, fitness center, indoor swimming pool, hiking trails, sports courts, and an outdoor hot tub with a stunning view!
Ever since our first cross-country journey in 2017, we have looked for interesting and unique experiences to share as a family. We’ve added these to our list of future adventures and we hope that we’ve inspired you to take a new adventure with your family as well. Let us know your favorite places for Uncommon Family Adventures!
