Glamping. Have you heard about it yet? Well, I'm here to fill you in. Glamping is camping, but fancy. It might sound counterintuitive, because the point of camping is to rough it, right? Well, not necessarily. As far as I can tell, the point of camping is to recuperate from the stresses of life while in nature. And you can definitely do that while being a tiny bit fancy.
If you're like me and you love being in nature, but you also really appreciate sleeping in a bed (with your 36-year-old mom body that just doesn't recover all that easily from sleeping on the ground anymore), then you're in luck. Glamping has arrived, and it's the trend to get in on in 2021.
I just went on my first-ever glamping trip, and I'm here to say, it's the perfect vacay for single mamas looking to get away for a quick weekend.
Here's why.
1. It's easy to find a place to glamp.
First off, no matter where you live, there's probably a spot where you can glamp. You can find tents to rent on Airbnb and Vrbo, but if you're looking for an all-inclusive spot that offers food and drinks, you may have to do a bit more research.
I ended up at a brand-new glamp site in western Maryland called Hideaway Co. While they were still working out the kinks as far as the luxury experience goes, it was worth the stay just to be in nature and in a beautiful tent, too. Extra points because the bed was super comfortable and I slept like a baby (not my second baby … he didn't ever sleep).
2. You barely have to pack.
When I started to pack to go on my trip, I had absolutely no idea what to bring! When you stay in a hotel, you just have to bring your clothes. When you go camping, you have to bring everything from clothes and shoes to your entire room (your tent). But the thing about glamping is that you really don't need a lot at all. Aside from clothes and hiking shoes (if you plan on trekking around, which I did), there's really not anything else you need. This was especially true for me since I was staying at a glamp site that had meals included in my reservation. I ended up just bringing one bag of clothing, a refillable water bottle and a backpack for hiking, and a camp chair. Easy peasy.
For a person who hates to pack, not having to spend a lot of time doing it was a pretty great perk.
3. You get to feel immersed in nature.
Usually when I take a vacation alone, which is something I've started to do a couple of times a year (and I think all single mamas should do), I end up in a hotel. I love a good hotel for so many reasons that I won't go into. But there is something really special about sleeping right out in the middle of nature. It's actually the best way to unwind, but it's also easy to stay active rather than end up staring at the TV in a new location. Instead of flipping on the morning news with my coffee (yes, I do that even while on vacation), I could step out of my tent and be outside, then walk a few paces to a trail. It gave me the opportunity to escape my four walls and just be in nature.
4. You get to sleep in a bed!
A lot of people say they love nature but hate camping. Why? Because when you camp, you have to sleep on the ground. Even with a good pad under your sleeping bag, it's just not the same as sleeping in a bed. Trust me — it's not. And it's especially annoying when there are kids sleeping right next to you.
Glamping takes away all of those annoying issues because you get to sleep in a bed. Lucky for me, the one I slept in at Hideaway was super comfortable. The first night, it rained throughout most of the night, which was incredibly peaceful to listen to while I drifted off.
5. It's made for adventure.
Glamping isn't your regular vacation. It's one built for having fun, adventurous experiences. Whether you plan to hike a trail or float down a river, being in nature provides plenty of opportunity to try something new. The glamp site I stayed at was situated pretty perfectly between trails, rivers, and mountains. There was a ton to do nearby, which made it convenient to find a really awesome trail and have an amazing hike. No matter what you choose to do, when you're already out there, nature calls to you, and it's hard not to answer.
6. And it's made for relaxing!
Coming back to your cozy, breezy tent, complete with an awesome bed, is the pretty perfect way to relax after a day of adventure. I snuggled down with a book and had a great nap. That's saying something, because I never nap (hello, mom brain that never turns off!). There is truly something special about the mix of nature and a comfortable, fancy tent that goes a long, long way in making the glamp experience pretty incredible.
7. You really don't have to worry about much.
I've thought about going camping, like real camping, on my own. The reason I haven't ever done it is because there's so much to do. From setting up the tent to making all of the meals to godforsaken cleanup … I don't wanna do it!
With glamping, you really don't have to worry about any of that, which is part of what makes it great for single mamas who just want to chill. If you stay at a glamp site that offers food and drink, like I did, you literally just have to show up and be taken care of. It's pretty great.
8. There are real bathrooms.
Hooray for peeing in a toilet! Seriously, this is such a huge perk. I like nature as much as the rest of 'em, but I also really appreciate using a toilet. Call me fussy or whatever, but real bathrooms with showers, fresh towels, and sinks are key to my glamping relaxation.
If you're planning to go glamping, you totally should. There are just so many reasons to embark on this adventure! I have to say, it's been one of my favorite single-mom trips because I really just got to do exactly what I wanted. I hiked, I read, I napped, and I enjoyed a few drinks. It was a great mix of everything I needed.
Every glamp site is different, so definitely do your research before you book something. Above all, go with the flow and enjoy yourself. It's not every day that you get to sleep under the stars while in a cozy bed. Ammirite?
