Author
Ellen Eberhardt
Photo courtesy The Get Out
In 2022 the global glamping market was valued at 2.35 billion USD (according to Grand View Research), with an annual growth rate of 10.9% expected from 2023 to 2030. Its rising popularity can be attributed, in part, to consumers touting their glamping experiences on social media, and a growing appreciation for luxury camping in the wake of the COVID pandemic. Traditional high-end getaways are expensive, and in short, a bit boring, especially for Gen Z and Millennial consumers who are budget-minded and prefer to spend earnings on unconventional, memorable trips.
So, whether you're dreaming of glamping in your private backyard oasis, or hoping to host your own glampsite business one day, if you're feeling the call to glamp, you're not alone.
But where to start? Cabin stays and yurt rentals have traditionally dominated the space, but buying a whole cabin may not be the most accessible option. That's where luxury camping tents come in. They're temporary, portable, durable, and come in countless options to fit most any space and budget. They can range in size from 63 square feet to a very spacious 800 square feet. And yes, they even come in multiple stories. And multiple shapes, from the traditional wall tent, the tear-drop-shaped bell tent, dome tents, and even cabin tents—structures made with wooden framing and canvas walls.
What exactly makes a camping tent, a glamping tent?
For one, material. Glamping tents are most commonly made of heavy duty cotton canvas, often waxed for weather repellency, and frequently inspired by the safari-tents of old. Canvas creates a luxury environment for a variety of reasons. Including:
Breathability Moisture from breath, sweat, and cooking can escape easily through canvas, keeping the interior of your tent dry and mildew-free. If you've ever camped sans canvas, you know the feeling of waking up with everything slightly damp, and it's not the most pleasant experience.
Insulation Good news for winter campers or the perpetually-cold-some canvas tents are fire retardant, meaning, when placed correctly and safely, wood-burning stove can be installed inside.
Durability Quality canvas is rip-resistant, tough, and in many cases, is easily repaired with a needle and thread in the event of tears. It's also re-treatable, meaning, if you care correctly for the material, it can last you years.
Sustainability Unlike standard tents made of petroleum-based nylon or polyester, canvas is made of cotton and is biodegradable. Good for you, and the Earth!
Ventilation While most tents have ventilation flaps, some canvas tents can be zipped open to reveal 360 degrees of mesh wall, or convert completely into a shade canopy, meaning they're versatile and flexible year-round.
Perhaps the biggest (and dare we say, only?) drawback to canvas tents is their weight. These babies are heavy and are best used for longer stays or semi-permanent installation—making them excellent contenders for renting or your own semi-permanent escape.
Once you've picked out your tent, it's time to put the "glam" in "glamping." Whether you plan to rent your tent on a platform like Hipcamp, Tentrr, or Glamping Hub, or keep it as your own personal escape, think of decorating your tent like any other homey space. It's probably best to stick with a certain color scheme or style, and especially for renting, its worth purchasing quality pieces and linens to last you longer.
Depending on your climate and the fire resistance of your tent, you can add a mini wood-stove or mini fan for some temperature control. And last, you'll want to set up an outdoor space for guests (or you) to enjoy. A hammock is always a plus, outdoor seating around a fire pit is a must, and a wood-fired hot tub or outdoor sauna really, now you're talkin!
Below, we gathered the 10 best glamping tents to get you started.
The 10 Best Glamping Tents Available Now
The Get Out
The Get Out is glamping experts Shelter Co's new consumer brand and amongst boldly-colored camping gear, they're offering two tents. At $1,195 and 16' feet in diameter, their Classic Bell Tent is large enough to fit a queen-sized bed, made of cotton/polyester canvas, and is both mold and water-resistant. Learn More
Springbar
Established in 1944 in Salt Lake City, UT, Springbar combines the functionality of modern camping tents with the luxury and durability of canvas. Thanks to their patented Springbar system, pitching a Springbar tent takes about as much time as a standard nylon tent, although it's promised they'll hold up better in rough weather. And for cold climates, their Hot Tent line is specially designed to incorporate a tent stove. Cut and sewn by hand in factories in Salt Lake City and China, new tent sizes, models, and colorways are released monthly, so expect to buy something unique.
White Duck Outdoors
Designed for easy setup, White Duck Outdoors aims to provide products for the more inexperienced outdoorist, without sacrificing quality, ofc. While they offer common luxury glamping tents like canvas wall and bell tents, their Prota Canvas Tent series is particularly unique. Featuring tent-high windows and doors, they come in smaller footprints but still let in plenty of views.
Beckel Canvas
Makers of fine canvas tents since 1964, Beckel Canvas is known for their rugged and timeless style. They offer a variety of tent shapes, including a lean-to, but their EENA Canvas Wall Tents are particularly of-note. Made to order, an EENA tent is made of high-quality heavy-duty 10oz breathable, 100% cotton canvas that's been treated to be extremely water repellent and mildew resistant. Customizations like stove pipe holes, windows, ridge hole covers, and screen fronts are also available.
Lotus Belle
The quintessential canvas bell tent, Lotus Belle offers a variety of bell tents ranging from their 32 square foot Lotus Pearl tent to the 800 square foot Lotus Mahal, designed to host events or be the centerpiece of a bell-tent village. In between, there's the 20-ft Hybrid Deluxe, which has both PVC and mesh windows to accommodate the changing seasons.
Big Sky Canvas
Big Sky's standard Luxury Glamping Tent includes the works-a screen door, stove jack, rainfly, and 3 windows, amongst other offerings. For the ultimate luxury experience, a shower and bathroom enclosure and a porch can be custom-built as well.
Outstanding Tent
Outstanding Tents are for those really into the glam of glamping. Based in the Netherlands with agents worldwide, Outstanding is with you every step of the way, from initial advice to turn-key delivery. Specializing in luxury tents, the company offers Very Fancy Luxury Safari Tents ranging from their Safari Tent XS to their Royal Lodge tent, which is large enough to host a bathroom, kitchen, dining and living space, and several bedrooms. If that ain't capital G glamping, we're not sure what is.
Nordisk
Headquartered in Denmark, Nordisk not only offers canvas glamping tents, but host campers at their own Nordisk Village glampsites as well, meaning their tents are tried and true. While they offer canvas bell tents and their house-shaped Vanaheim Line, their recent Asgard 7.1 Denim tent is a stand-out, because well, it looks like denim.
Life in Tents
This Oregon-based company offers luxury canvas tents for both purchasing and rental. Their offerings are fairly straightforward bell tents in varying diameters, but all are attractive options. Of note is their Stargazer Bell Tents, with 360 degrees of transparent roof panels and sidewalls that roll up completely to create a gorgeous sun-shade.
Homecamp
Based in Australia, Homecamp aspires to construct long-lasting, durable products with simple utility so customers can get out to enjoy "the bush". Amongst other camping products, like awnings, cookware, and tools, they offer classic canvas tents and best of all—tent and wood stove bundles, to get your glamping experience started.
Published 03-16-2023
