Happy Glamping: an indoorsy person’s guide to the great outdoors

By Meaghan Binstock | August 10, 2012

By Meaghan Binstock | 08/10/2012

By Meaghan Binstock | Illustration by Brett Affrunti

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.

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HIS LOOK — (Image: Clothing by Carlo Mendoza)

HER LOOK — (Image: Clothing by Carlo Mendoza)

STROKE OF GENIOUS — (Image: Daniel Neuhaus)

SPLENDID FLOAT — (Image: Canoe by Tammy-Lynn Kaulback)

THE BETTER BLANKETS — (Image: Blankets by Liam Mogan)

NICE HANG — (Image: Hammock by Liam Mogan)

THE COOLEST COOLER — (Image: Cooler by Liam Mogan)

TAKE THIS SEAT — (Image: Chair by Liam Mogan)

A BETTER BUCKET — (Image: Bucket by Liam Mogan)

WHO NEEDS STARBUCKS? — (Image: Accessories by Liam Mogan)

COOKING CLASS — (Image: Bargecue by Liam Mogan)

THE RADDEST RADIO — (Image: Radio by Liam Mogan)

THE ONLY AXE YOU’LL EVER NEED — (Image: Axe by Liam Mogan)

RETRO CANTEEN — (Image: Flask by Liam Mogan)

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.

6 thoughts on “Happy Glamping: an indoorsy person’s guide to the great outdoors”

mystified says:

August 10, 2012 at 11:45 am

Isn’t luxury camping an oxymoron? What would possess anyone to go camping in a $400 cotton shirt? If someone is so afraid to detach from luxury “things”, here’s a tip: just stay home.

This from someone who doesn’t go camping, but also gets that “glamping” is a stupid idea. The whole point of camping is to commune with nature, take a bath in the lake, spend time with people…or have I got it all wrong?
Husky says:

August 14, 2012 at 2:13 pm

No, you have it right. If you don’t like to be in nature, stay home. Our family loves camping, we do the tent, only sleeping bags, no mattress, we cook with fire etc. etc. My only “sin” I bring all my white china, white tablecoth, glasses and cutlery. Can’t stand plastic to eat or drink from, less garbage also.
ZipLineGuy says:

August 14, 2012 at 4:33 pm

Some people of the older demographic, love the outdoors, however have a hard time,or no time to get out into the elements. This is a luxury that connects them back to what makes them feel good! If we can facilitate these dreams than so be it! We are Long Point Eco Adventures mentioned in the article, and trust me, if you have not been glamping before, come try it for yourself.
I also canoe/portage with my wife all through central Ontario’s Algonquin Park, I like both! There are also some people that do not feel comfortable in those situations dealing with tents, fire pits, cooking on the open flame. We take care of all that for our guests and they still get the ambiance of being outdoors in nature!

Think of new family traditions, 30 years from now when you have your grand kids with you, I think that you may produce a different tone in your post! Hope to see you soon!
Dini! says:

August 15, 2012 at 7:47 pm

I glamp for my two week historic reenactment each year. Queen size bed, chic sheets and duvet, fabulous wines and food. And I enjoy the outdoors very much without sharing my bed with tickscand earwigs, thank you.
Shay says:

August 25, 2012 at 11:29 pm

Oh yes please! This sounds lovely! Try not to judge people. There are many out there who would love to be in the great outdoors and camp but we do not all own all of that equipment or know how to be safe etc. Also, for people with limited mobility and other health issues places like this sound great. It’s also nice for singles who may not feel comfortable camping alone.

Thanks for this article!
@Todd Lucier says:

August 18, 2015 at 2:22 pm

Hey Meaghan, glad you featured glamping at Algonquin Park. Not everyone enjoys sleeping on the ground, but most people enjoy a day of adventure if it ends with an inspired chef-prepared meal, a sip of Ontario wine, or locally crafted ale and cozying up under a feather duvet listening to the haunting call of a loon. Algonquin Park is for anyone.