Happy Glamping: an indoorsy person’s guide to the great outdoors
The woods are supposed to be romantic. Our collective national identity depends on it. Remember those youthful summers at camp, where we learned how to do the J-stroke (and how to make out)? Or the northern lights? Or those Coureur de Bois Heritage Moment commercials? For urbanites whose idea of roughing it is ordering rare venison at a restaurant or looking in the windows of Mountain Equipment Co-op, Mother Nature can be a hard sell. But glamour and camping don’t have to be mutually exclusive—there’s a host of products available to make the woods just a little bit friendlier. What follows is an urbanist’s guide to not roughing it in the bush.
WHERE TO GO: When you prefer not to lift a finger (or dirty your new gear)
Long Point Eco- Adventures Norfolk County This is as luxe as camping gets: king-size beds on barnboard flooring and hot showers in private bathrooms. $179/night.
Northern Edge Algonquin Campers sleep in wood-framed canvas cabins (with cozy linens and feather duvets), eat chef-prepared meals and practise yoga. $229/night.
Misabi Adventure Company Temagami Guides lead canoe trips, set up tents and cook customized meals using local, organic ingredients. From $200/night.
Cyprus Lake Bruce Peninsula National Park The campsites are great (especially the views from 228, 229, 232 and 233), but for a more pampered experience, ditch the tent and rent a yurt. They come with a deck and full-size beds (though no personal chef). $120/yurt.
WildExodus Boreal Forest This one’s far, but worth it. Eat outside, on tablecloths, with good wine in real glassware. Sleep in well-appointed tents that could be mistaken for hotel suites. And be otherwise in the middle of absolutely nowhere. From $250/night.
NEVER MISS A TORONTO LIFE STORY
Sign up for This City, our free newsletter about everything that matters right now in Toronto politics, sports, business, culture, society and more.
