When most of us hear the word “camping,” we envision a crowded tent filled with sleeping bags, heading to the pond each morning with fishing poles and a can of live worms, an afternoon of hiking through the woods, and the all-important nightly ritual of roasting marshmallows for s’mores over the roaring campfire.
But all of that’s old-school.
Though those treasured memories from our childhoods are still an important, valuable part of the camping experience, camping has evolved to include so much more.
Upstate New York is a camper’s paradise. Whether you want the simplicity of the tent experience or all the comforts of home in your custom RV, there are more options than you can imagine. Here are five unique camping experiences sure to inspire your next vacation.
Camp Orenda
Explore everything a backcountry camping experience should include: hiking, horseback riding, walking paths, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fly-fishing, beautiful sunsets, crackling campfires and more. Located in the Adirondack Park near Lake George, campers can also take in wildlife sights such as grazing moose on the grounds and eagles soaring overhead.
Camping twist: This is glamping!
Never pitched a tent? Don’t own your own sleeping bag? Not necessarily fond of “roughing it” yet love the outdoors? Glamping — a merging of glamor and camping — is a newer trend that has been popular in Europe for many years. Camp Orenda offers full-service lodging in private canvas cabins, completely furnished in the Adirondack style, and varying in size to sleep two to four guests — on fluffy pillows and plush linens, of course. At the camp’s open-air Rustic Kitchen, enjoy gourmet coffee each morning while a fresh breakfast is prepared for your enjoyment. Paninis made with locally baked bread and fresh fruit are packed for those guests who would like to picnic during their walk on a trail, or partake in any other adventure they have in mind that day. In the evenings, guests can dine on healthy farm-to-table meals such as barbecue chicken, fire-roasted pizzas and rosemary-infused pork chops while watching the sun set over the lush forest. Luxury found, deep in the woods. Oh, and they have wi-fi.
