Happy Glamping: an indoorsy person’s guide to the great outdoors
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.
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- The dress code for a weekend in the woods (hint: no cargo shorts).<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <strong>Filson Tin Cloth bush hat. </strong>$65. <em>The Canadian Outdoor Equipment Company. </em><strong>Klaxon Howl for Uncle Otis vest.</strong> $295. <em>Uncle Otis, 26 Bellair St., 416-920-2281.</em> <strong>Brutus trim-fit plaid shirt. </strong>$95. <em>The Future of Frances Watson, 1390 Queen St. W., 416-531-8892. </em><strong>Dunderdon Herringbone short.</strong> $155. <em>Uncle Otis.</em> <strong>Timberland Tackhead boot.</strong> $299. <em>Get Outside, 3456 Yonge St., 416-440-8880.</em> <strong>Filson XL cloth bag. </strong>$175. <em>The Future of Frances Watson.</em>
- (Image: Clothing by Carlo Mendoza)
- HIS LOOK
- HIS LOOK
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- There’s a reason they call them earth tones—they look good outside. (And dirt doesn’t show.) <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <strong>FWK Engineered Garments khaki twill shirt.</strong> $300.<em> Jonathan and Olivia, 49 Ossington Ave., 416-849-5956.</em> <strong>Hartford linen shorts.</strong> $184. <em>Lileo, 12 Trinity St., 416-413-1410.</em> <strong>Epperson Mountaineering multicoloured climb bag.</strong> $149. <em>Drake General Store, 1144 Queen St. W., 416-703-6518.</em> <strong>Hunter rubber boots.</strong> $150. <em>Get Outside, 3456 Yonge St., 416-440-8880.</em>
- (Image: Clothing by Carlo Mendoza)
- HER LOOK
- HER LOOK
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- The <strong>Semaphore Series paddles</strong> are fresh and local—made in Toronto from Ontario bass wood. $240. <em>Atelier 688, 688 Richmond St., 416-671-2537.</em>
- (Image: Daniel Neuhaus)
- STROKE OF GENIOUS
- STROKE OF GENIOUS
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- Langford has been building <strong>cedar strip canoes</strong> like this 16-foot Heritage version for 70 years. It’s a veritable Canadian icon, so watch out for rocks. $4,995. <em>Langford Canoe, 2839 Hwy. 60, Dwight, 905-877-4444.</em>
- (Image: Canoe by Tammy-Lynn Kaulback)
- SPLENDID FLOAT
- SPLENDID FLOAT
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- The<strong> Industrial Prospector tent</strong> is big enough for a family of full-grown lumberjacks, which makes it just the right size for a couple and all of their urban belongings. From $750. <em>The Canadian Outdoor Equipment Co., 199 Lakeshore Rd. E., 905-990-1750.</em>
- SERIOUS SHELTER
- SERIOUS SHELTER
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- Bay blankets are so 300 years ago. Try the <strong>Pendleton yellow striped blanket</strong> ($263) or the <strong>blue serape blanket</strong> ($216), two colourful alternatives.<em> Peaks and Rafters, 585 Dupont St., 647-350-3500.</em>
- (Image: Blankets by Liam Mogan)
- THE BETTER BLANKETS
- THE BETTER BLANKETS
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- You already know Hastens makes the world’s best (and most expensive) beds. Their <strong>hammock </strong>is just as comfortable. (Note that it won’t inspire getting up to stoke the fire.) $284. <em>Hastens Toronto, 18 Distillery Ln., 416-619-4480.</em>
- (Image: Hammock by Liam Mogan)
- NICE HANG
- NICE HANG
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- First introduced in 1954, the <strong>Coleman Steel-Belted cooler</strong> really does keep food cold and fresh longer than cheap plastic versions. $199. <em>Bass Pro Shops, 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr., Vaughan, 905-761-4000. </em>
- (Image: Cooler by Liam Mogan)
- THE COOLEST COOLER
- THE COOLEST COOLER
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- The Canadian woods could use a bit of Scandinavian design. Plus, the <strong>Gloster Solana canvas chair</strong> folds for easy transport. $610. <em>Fresh Home and Garden, 16 Eastern Ave., 416-367-3906.</em>
- (Image: Chair by Liam Mogan)
- TAKE THIS SEAT
- TAKE THIS SEAT
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- A <strong>teak ice bucket</strong> ensures you won’t be chilling champagne in the same cooler as frozen steaks. $385. <em>Morba, 665 Queen St. W., 416-364-5144.</em>
- (Image: Bucket by Liam Mogan)
- A BETTER BUCKET
- A BETTER BUCKET
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- The<strong> GSI espresso maker</strong> ($50) and <strong>cup</strong> ($5) mean you don’t have to settle for instant coffee. <em>Mountain Equipment Co-op, 400 King St. W., 416-340-2667.</em>
- (Image: Accessories by Liam Mogan)
- WHO NEEDS STARBUCKS?
- WHO NEEDS STARBUCKS?
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- Wood fires and gas stoves are camping staples, but the <strong>Bodum Fyrkat barbecue</strong> is for those who know food tastes best on charcoal. $60.<em> Bergo Designs, 28 Tank House Ln., 416-861-2861.</em>
- (Image: Bargecue by Liam Mogan)
- COOKING CLASS
- COOKING CLASS
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- Battery operated and water resistant, the <strong>Roberts Vintage-Look radio</strong> also has an auxiliary plug for an iPod (or iPad, or laptop, or whatever else you snuck into the woods). $299. <em>Drake General Store.</em>
- (Image: Radio by Liam Mogan)
- THE RADDEST RADIO
- THE RADDEST RADIO
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- Just because the <strong>Base Camp X Pioneer axe</strong> for Uncle Otis has a nice paint job, doesn’t mean it won’t chop wood. $235. <em>Uncle Otis, 26 Bellair St., 416-920-2281.</em>
- (Image: Axe by Liam Mogan)
- THE ONLY AXE YOU’LL EVER NEED
- THE ONLY AXE YOU’LL EVER NEED
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- Water bottles are outdoor necessities. This <strong>felted flask</strong> just looks better than most. $48. <em>Drake General Store.</em>
- (Image: Flask by Liam Mogan)
- RETRO CANTEEN
- RETRO CANTEEN
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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.
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?
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.