If you’re looking to make some memories in the Great Outdoors this summer, but aren’t ready for the financial investment that comes with purchasing all the gear required to go rustic, glamping can be a great middle ground between roughing it and room service.
From Walla Walla to Wenatchee, Washington State is a perfect place to get to know Mother Nature. Here are five great glamping destinations in the state to add to your bucket list.
Spanning north from where the mighty Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula is known for 28-miles of drivable beaches, fresh seafood, and vibrant coastal towns that cater to visitors no matter the season.
A short distance from the waterfront, glampers looking to blend the comforts of home with the traditional camping experience will love the quaint cabins and cottages at Long Beach Rv & Camping Resort in Long Beach. Private bathrooms, flat screen televisions, modern kitchens, laundry facilities, internet access, and a swimming pool are among the many amenities you’ll enjoy after a long day of biking, hiking, horseback riding, surfing, sailing, or beachcombing your way up and down the peninsula.
History buffs and nature lovers will find many reasons to visit nearby Cape Disappointment State park (don’t miss the picturesque Cape Disappointment and North Head lighthouses located two miles apart within the park), as well the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Canby.
Approximately a two-hour drive from greater Seattle, the mountain village of Leavenworth is a popular tourist destination modeled entirely after an Alpine village. The Leavenworth experience, by design, is intended to bring you into the heart of central Europe. From street performers donned in lederhosen to Maypoles, cuckoo clocks, beer steins, and even live mountain goats, Leavenworth has created a unique niche worth a road trip.
For the full experience, guests of the Leavenworth RV Campground can reserve one of the brightly decorated faux Bavarian cabins, complete with flowers in the window box. Glampers will enjoy access to tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool, and breathtaking terrace views with 300 acres of forests and meadows nearby for exploring (in the winter months, snowmobiling, skiing, and sledding are popular activities). Pop into the main lodge for social activities and dances, do a load of laundry, or catch a show on television from the comfort of your room.
Nestled in the heart of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, outdoor enthusiasts staying at Leavenworth RV Campground have no shortage of options to fill their days, from mountain biking, mountain climbing, and hiking to white water rafting, kayaking, zip lining, golfing, and horseback riding.
When you’re ready for civilization, venture back into Leavenworth for shopping, wine tasting, Bavarian dining, a carriage ride, or one of the many festivals held around the gazebo at Front Street Park.
An hour’s drive from downtown Seattle, Thunderbird RV & Camping Resort in Monroe is an ideal destination for folks seeking an easy weekend retreat in the direction of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Located on the banks of the Skykomish River, load up your canoe, kayak, or raft and fish or float the day away (avid fishermen know the river is an excellent place to land steelhead and salmon).
Make memories on the playground equipment, playing miniature golf, shuffleboard, volleyball, or swimming in one of the resort’s three swimming pools. Comfortable cabins feature private decks, air conditioning, modern kitchens, televisions, and bunk beds. Glampers will also enjoy WiFi and laundry facilities.
Popular nearby activities range from stock and drag racing at the Evergreen Speedway to antique shopping, hang gliding, and hot air ballooning.
From platform tent sites to rustic cabins, Beach Front Family Tent Camping On The Strait Of Juan De Fuca in Port Angeles charges a small price for million dollar views. Nestled on the shores of Whiskey Creek Beach NW, glampers are literally a stone’s throw from a pebble beach perfect for some of the best tidepooling, fishing, and crabbing in the Pacific Northwest.
Each site features BBQ pits and picnic tables for mealtime and offers guests access to fresh water and a shower house; a boat launch can be used for those folks traveling with watercraft. Prepare to be lulled to sleep by the sound of waves breaking on the shore.
During the day, find outdoor adventure in every direction. Pack your America the Beautiful Pass and explore Olympic National Park and the surrounding region. Start at Cape Flattery and stand on the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States. Have a picnic on the shores of the pristine Lake Crescent or take a long soak at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. Take in sweeping views of the park’s interior at Hurricane Ridge or hike on the verdant network of trails in the Hoh rainforest.
From atop the bluffs overlooking the mighty Columbia River, guests at the Crescent Bar RV Resort in Quincy can soak in the sun that shines nearly year round in Central Washington. Near the intersection where the Cascade Mountains meet the high desert, resort guests can recreate on land or water by day and relax in a private cabin at night.
Cool off in the comfort of air conditioning or take a dip in the swimming pool. Private BBQ grills are perfect for grilling; enjoy your meal indoors or at one of the tables in the picnic pavilion, complete with sweeping views of the river below.
For sports enthusiasts, pack a tennis racquet or water skis. Fishing is another popular pastime, as is bird and nature watching. At night, an absence of city lights is a perfect reason to spot falling stars and gaze at the Milky Way—even better if you do both while soaking in the oversized outdoor hot tub.