Does sitting around a bonfire roasting marshmallows, cozying up in a glam canvas tent or a treehouse, or exploring Mother Nature with the love of your life sound like the perfect honeymoon? Then, you should consider a glamping honeymoon in the US.
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Is Glamping a Good Way to Spend a Honeymoon?
Glamping is an excellent way to spend a honeymoon if you love camping and exploring nature but still want resort-like luxuries that ensure you are both pampered.
Unlike regular camping, you’ll have the luxury of a comfy bed, electricity, ensuite bathrooms with hot showers, soaking tubs, and luxe toiletries. Other amenities may include a swimming pool, spa, a bar, a chef to whip up tasty meals, high-end furniture, or even a butler available at your beck and call.
What Activities Can You Do While Honeymoon Glamping?
- Explore nature: Take advantage of the beautiful natural surroundings by hiking, walking, or guided tours to explore the local flora and fauna.
- Wildlife spotting: Depending on your location, this might involve birdwatching, going on a safari, or searching for local wildlife like deer, foxes, or even bears.
- Campfire and stargazing: Glamping often includes access to a campfire area. Spend your evenings cozying up around the fire, toasting marshmallows, and enjoying each other’s company. This is also the perfect opportunity for stargazing, as you’re away from city lights.
- Spa treatments and massages: Many glamping sites offer spa facilities or partner with local wellness centers. Pamper yourselves with couples’ massages, facials, or other relaxing treatments.
- Water activities: If your glamping site is near a lake, river, or beach, engage in activities like swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, or even fishing.
- Local adventures: Consider visiting local towns, historical sites, and vineyards, or participating in adventure sports like ziplining, rock climbing, or horseback riding.
Is a Glamping Honeymoon Expensive?
A glamping honeymoon costs from $60 per night to over $2000 per night, depending on your desired experience. The more high-end the amenities and experiences, the more expensive the glamping vacation will be.
For example, a low-budget site with a more back-to-nature experience may have a basic tent with a bed, battery-operated lanterns, a simple campsite with communal bathrooms for all guests, and an option to prepare your meals.
A higher-priced vacation site which could be anything above $1000 a night, may include more intimate lodging options like a tent, private treehouse, log cabin, wagon, yurt, or teepee.
The luxurious experience may include all-inclusive accommodation with a king-size bed, a television, air conditioning, expensive rustic furniture, a private bathroom, a private deck, a heated swimming pool, saunas, a personal chef and butler, WI-FI, etc. The options are virtually limitless.
In addition, the cost of outdoor activities and adventures can drive up the cost.
How to Plan a Budget-Glamping Honeymoon
- Look for a suitable all-inclusive package. It includes accommodation, food, unlimited drinks, tips, taxes, airport shuttles, etc. Knowing your upfront costs will help you stick to your budget and removes the stress of carrying money around and planning where to eat and what activities to do during your honeymoon.
- Choose a glamping site closer to home. Go for ones that don’t require you to book a flight to avoid airfare costs that can eat up your honeymoon budget. It will also remove the stress of planning logistics like airport transfers.
- Book early. The early lovebirds catch the best honeymoon rates! Early means anywhere from three to 6 months before your honeymoon vacation. This applies to both accommodation and flights, where applicable.
- Take advantage of discounts. Stay updated on discounts and any promotions your favorite glamping destination may have by following the resort or campsite on social media or checking their website frequently. This will ensure you grab a deal as soon as it presents itself, saving you some money.
- Be open to booking off-season. Perhaps you can adjust your honeymoon dates and choose to go for your fantasy glamping vacation during the off-peak season. You’ll not only be saving money, but you’ll practically have the place all to yourselves, meaning a more intimate experience.
Top 7 US Glamping Honeymoon Destinations
Dolores, Colorado
Dolores is a small, charming town located in a valley, surrounded by the Dolores River on one side and stunning rock formations on the other. There’s something for every honeymoon couple, whether you are looking for a laid-back romantic or full-on adventure-packed vibe.
Enjoy the scenic Dolores River while fishing, rafting, or biking along the trails beside the river. You can also catch some fish at the second-largest body of water in the entire state- McPhee Reservoir. If you want something more adventurous, go hiking or rock climbing the red rock cliffs.
It has a fabulous historical Native American culture which you can learn by visiting the Ancient Pueblo Museum. For a romantic outing, picnic at one of four town parks and later enjoy a beer at the local brewery.
How to arrive: Take a flight to Cortez (CEZ) Airport and drive about 13 miles to Dolores.
When to visit: Visit between May and September. June and September have the best weather.
Accommodation options: Tents, yurts, cabins, domes, teepees, and airstreams. For an unforgettable honeymoon, try the Dunton River Camp.
Big Sur, California
Imagine waking up to the stunning views of the beautiful Pacific Ocean, enjoying a walk on the beach, or exploring redwood forests. Big Sur offers all these and more.
One of the most popular activities in Big Sur is hiking in the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The Park features seven trails in the redwood forest that snake their way along creeks.
The showstopper is the Waterfall Overlook trail, which leads to a secret cove where you can watch the McWay Falls drop 80 feet into the Pacific Ocean below.
Other activities in Big Sur include birdwatching, touring the picturesque towns, picnicking, and stargazing.
How to arrive: Take a flight to Monterey Regional (MRY) Airport, then drive 22 miles to Big Sur.
When to visit: You’ll have a pleasant trip between April and October, but the best weather is from September to November.
Accommodation options: Yurts, vintage airstreams, treehouses, cabins, and tents. Try out Ventana Big Sur.
Greenough, Montana
Greenough is in the heart of the Blackfoot Valley and offers newlyweds an escape into the wilderness.
You’ll never get bored thanks to the lake excursions at Salmon Lake, nature walks, trout fishing, spa treatments, and horseback riding. After an adventure-filled day, relax around a campfire, enjoying s’mores.
How to arrive: Take a flight to Missoula International Airport, rent a car, and drive to Greenough.
When to visit: Visit between May to early October. Peak season is between June and August.
Accommodation options: Safari-style tents, cabins, barns, and farmhouses. Try the Paws Up resort for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Springdale, Utah
Springdale is a spectacular desert honeymoon glamping destination with natural wonders like the red rock formations that form the Zion Canyon and sandstone cliffs. It’s also home to the Zion National Park and the Virgin River.
The most popular activities are hiking and canyoneering, with over 100 miles of trails, like Angels Landing, some of which are not for the faint heart. The hikes are worth the trouble, as you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Canyon. You may also want to try the guided Zion Canyon Scenic Drive on a shuttle bus.
Other activities include a cycling tour, horseback riding, rock climbing, rappelling, mountain biking, campfires with s’mores, star gazing, and jeep tours.
How to arrive: Take a flight to Salt Lake City International Airport. Connect your flight to St. George Regional Airport. Afterward, rent a car and drive to Springdale.
When to visit: Between April and November.
Accommodation options: Uurts, safari-like tents, and carriage wagons. Try Under Canvas Zion.
West Yellowstone, Montana
West Yellowstone is a small town with breathtaking natural beauty and the perfect place for a laid-back back-country vibe. It acts as an entryway to the world-renowned Yellowstone National Park. So you can be sure of an exciting outdoor adventure experience on your honeymoon.
West Yellowstone is perfect all year round. In summer, you can look forward to hiking to the geysers at Monument Geyser Basin, fly fishing, river rafting, mountain biking, watching wildlife, and start-gazing. In winter, you can snowmobile, ski, snowshoe, and tour on snow coaches.
How to arrive: Fly to the Bozeman/Yellowstone International Airport. Rent a car, and drive to West Yellowstone for about one and a half hours.
When to visit: All year round. Off-season falls in April, September, and October.
Accommodation options: Tents, teepees, yurts, and treehouses. Try out the Collective Yellowstone for a luxurious experience.
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a scenic town surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and French Board River. Enjoy a romantic boat ride on the French Board River during the day and later take a tour of downtown Asheville for a scrumptious dinner and shopping.
Other fun activities include kayaking, rafting, biking, mountain hiking, bird watching, nature walks, and skiing.
How to arrive: The nearest airport is Asheville Regional Airport. Rent a car and head to your destination.
When to visit: Visit between March and May and September to early November.
Accommodation options: Cabins, canvas tents, and yurts.
Wimberley, Texas
Wimberley is an ideal glamping destination for couples who want a more relaxed and peaceful honeymoon.
Popular activities include swimming at a local swimming hole—the Blue Hole and Jocob’s Well, an underground spring. Soak up the incredible views by taking boat rides on the Blanco River and Lone Man Creek. Also, take a walk along the various nature trails and city parks.
How to arrive: Take a flight to Austin (AUS) Airport. Drive 29.6 miles, and take a bus or taxi to Wimberley.
When to visit: Visit between April and October
Accommodation options: Canvas tents, yurts, and cabins.
What to Pack for a Glamping Honeymoon in the US
Find out what amenities and accessories the glamping site provides to avoid carrying unnecessary stuff.
Here is a list of essential items you should consider for your trip. The list is not exhaustive because the season, location, level of luxury, and activities you and your partner will do impact what you should pack when luxury camping. So, feel free to amend the list based on these factors.
- Clothing: Apart from your lingerie and sultry clothing, consider packing clothes that are comfortable, you can layer, or serve multiple purposes, such as leggings, a waterproof light jacket, shorts, jeans, or activewear bottoms. Don’t forget to pack some socks and a sweatshirt for extra warmth at night.
- Shoes: Pack a pair of sandals or flip-flops to wear around the glamping site, sneakers for outdoor activities, and hiking boots if you plan hiking.
- Toiletries: Double-check what toiletries the resort provides, but don’t forget to pack some sunscreen and deodorant.
- Medication and bug spray: Pack any prescription meds required during your vacation, antihistamine, painkillers, bug spray, and a mini first-aid kit with bandages, disinfectant wipes, gauze pads, and tweezers.
- Others: A camera to capture memorable moments, a phone and a charger if electricity is available at the resort, a flashlight, swimming gear if you plan to swim, and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s glare.
Is Glamping Safe?
Glamping is safe. But that does not mean you should not exercise caution outdoors. Below are general safety precautions you need to know when you are out in the wild:
- Always notify someone where you are going and when you’ll be back if you want to wander off and explore your environs.
- Know the fire safety rules of the glamping site or resort.
- Always apply insect repellant to protect yourself from ticks, mosquitoes, and other bugs.
- Apply sunscreen and stay hydrated throughout the day.
- If you are glamping in a remote, woody, or bushy area, stay aware of your surroundings and any dangerous encounters with wild animals.