Press Releases

Five of the Most Expensive Campsites in the U.S.

10/30/2012
You won’t build up any backcountry cred at these posh spots, but even the most hardcore need a little time off. Here are our favorite places to camp in style.
By Eric Peterson
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Tents take on a whole new meaning at Paws Up in Montana.  (Paws Up)

The phenomenon known as glamorous camping (a.k.a. “glamping”) brings more than a little civilization to the edge of the wilderness. We’re talking about 1,200-count Egyptian cotton sheets, world-class chefs, seriously seasoned outdoorspeople running the place, and showers (hot, of course) in well-appointed baths. You don’t have to pack everything in and out. You don’t actually have to bring much of anything—except your credit card.

To wit: August sees the opening of the exclusive, all-inclusive Creston Ranch at Dunton Hot Springs in southwest Colorado. It features a handful of 800-square-foot tents with decks and style to spare, not to mention superlative fly-fishing in the backyard, three delectable meals a day, and access to soaking pools at the resort. The nightly rate of $1,400 for two puts this property well atop the list of the most expensive luxury camping spots in the United States. Here are a few more of our favorites.

1. Orenda, New York
Beside a babbling brook, in the middle of the pristine Adirondack Mountains, the 40-acre Orenda resort has canvas-sided cabins with one queen or two single beds, a wood-burning stove, and plenty of rustic charm. Meals are cooked over an open flame; dinner might include center-cut pork chops, arugula-and-radish salad, and fresh-baked pie. And the private outdoor shower is a work of cedar art, complete with a water tower. The wilderness is still right at hand, though: kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, and spelunking are just a few of the recreation options in the area. Rates: $135 per adult per night.

2. Paws Up, Montana
The 37,000-acre, all-inclusive Paws Up resort near Missoula takes glamping to unforeseen heights. Here, some of the country’s most luxurious camping is done alongside not only the Blackfoot River but also Lewis and Clark’s famed Lookout Rock. The tents have spot-on Western styling, premium beds, and either a private bathroom in the bathhouse or a full en-suite bath with a slate shower and heated floor. Camping butlers light fires, make s’mores, and offer planning advice. Each camp also employs a chef who prepares dishes like smoked trout cakes or baby-back ribs with chipotle barbecue sauce. Check out Away.com’s Paws Up Photo Gallery for a virtual tour. Rates: Starting at $1,055 per tent per night for two adults.