You love the great outdoors in theory, but you're still primarily indoorsy.
You love the idea of outdoor adventure, but not too much adventure — let's not get crazy.
And you really want to go camping so that you can properly stargaze and relish in all the universe's glory... but you also want to be comfortable.
If this sounds like you, you're not alone! You just might be more of a "glamper" than a camper.
A mashup of "glam" or "glamorous" and "camping", glamping is basically just a fun word for luxury camping. It's the type of camping you imagine is made purely of Pinterest dreams, where you're nestled in an idyllic outdoor landscape but still have all the comforts of home — and none of the bugs or dirt or sweat, presumably. We can't help much with that last part because, well, it's nature. And you'll have to pick your perfect campsite yourself. But that bit in the middle — the part about all the comforts of home? That's what we're here to help with: the best glamping gear to blend the coziness of an indoorsy lifestyle with the wonders of nature.
Glamping is awesome for people who appreciate the beauty and wonder of nature, but also really like creature comforts. We're talking about the stuff that we take for granted every day: a nice warm bed, a hot cup of coffee in the morning and, you know, modern plumbing.
Fortunately, there's lots of great glamping gear out there that can help make your campsite feel a lot more like home. Because you want to be in nature, but you don't need to be, like, fully immersed in it, y'know? So for those who prefer their outdoor recreation with a healthy dose of comfort and relaxation, there's glamping.
Glamping is also a really awesome way to enjoy stargazing, whether you're a total astronomy newbie or you're a pro at studying celestial bodies. This is especially true if you live in a city with lots of light pollution.
Most luxury camping locations are going to be pretty far from city lights, but you could even seek out a national park or monument certified by the International Dark-Sky Association, such as Death Valley National Park in California, Glacier National Park in Montana, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine, Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, or any one of Utah's five most famous national parks. This will ensure that your campsite — or "glampsite" — will offer you the best views of the stars up above.
You should be able to see a lot with the naked eye, but a telescope will make the whole experience that much more exciting. And if you time your stargazing right, you may even catch a spectacular view of the Milky Way. Our galaxy can be seen in the sky any night of the year, but it's generally imperceptible when you try to view it from just about any place that has even a bit too much light. But when you have a dark campsite, clear weather, the right camping tent, and a cozy place to lay back and relax, you'll be able to marvel at every last bit of its starry goodness in luxurious comfort.
Some people might consider car camping (i.e. setting up a mattress in an SUV, or the bed of a pickup truck, or even tricking out a camper van) a luxurious choice compared to a standard camping tent. Others, however, might deem a rustic cabin near a campground to be the closest they'll get to actual tent camping. These are two ends of the glamping spectrum, but falling in between them would be the general consensus that glamping most often involves some sort of tent-like structure. Sometimes this is a traditional yet oversized camping tent, while other times it's more of a yurt, dome, or bell tent.
There's been a rise in established glampsites that are set up for you; all you need to do is make a reservation and bring yourself there. They typically have large, cotton canvas tents draped in fairy lights (probably what you picture in your mind when you imagine the quintessential “glamping tents”), with actual bed frames and real mattresses inside. However, some people choose to go glamping at a standard campsite and bring all of their luxurious creature comforts with them. It takes a little more work to set up (and it might not be as "Pinterest perfect" in the end), but it guarantees that you'll have everything you like right there with you.
Your ideal glamping experience should be full of the things that make you feel comfortable and make you feel at home. What makes the list of “essential camping gear” will vary a little bit from person to person, of course. But generally speaking, we all kind of want the same things, like a comfy bed, a hot meal, and dry shelter. So, on your pursuit for the perfect outdoor gear for glamping, you might consider any or all of the following camping gadgets and cool camping gear:
Cot to lift the mattress from the ground
Mattress topper or sleeping pad
Cozy blankets or sleeping bags
Camping chair (like this one from Big Agnes(opens in a new tab) )
Pots, pans, cups, dishes, and utensils
Portable movie screen and projector
Portable power station (like this camping accessory from Goal Zero(opens in a new tab) )
Portable heater, depending on the season
The best first aid kit you can find — just in case
Many of these things would also be found on a list of the best camping gear, of course, but when it comes to glamping, the picks tend to be just a touch more luxurious. And, of course, it doesn't hurt if your glamping gear and camping gadgets look pretty good too. After all, what's a glamping trip without enviable photos to post all over social media?
Whatever your glamping preferences may be, we’ve rounded up a selection of cool camping gear that combines function and luxury camping so you can stargaze in style. We can almost guarantee they’ll help you have such a stellar camping experience that you’ll be planning your next camping adventure before you even get back home.
If you're going to glamp in style, you need to get your beauty rest — and there's no better way to do that out in the wild than with this air mattress and cot combo. No sleeping on sticks or rocks for you; this cot will lift you about a foot above the cold, hard ground so you can enjoy the luxe comfort (by camping standards, anyway) of the included queen-size air mattress. It even comes with a battery-operated pump for easy setup. This glorious thing even has side tables! You could get fancy with nice sheets, pillows, and a duvet, or you can just throw a Rumpl(opens in a new tab) on that baby and you'll be all set.
If you were setting up your own glamping retreat for paying customers — or even creating a semi-permanent glamping area in your backyard — you could go with a truly chic, cotton canvas tent (i.e. the WHITEDUCK Regatta Bell Tent(opens in a new tab) ). However, if you're traveling and setting up at a campsite, it would be more realistic to opt for a portable, water-resistant, easy-to-set-up option like this one from CORE. When it comes to tent camping, it’s pretty luxe in its own right, with space for two queen air mattresses inside. It's designed to sleep up to nine people (i.e., nice and spacious for a group of 4-6), making it one of the best camping tents for families. Best of all, when the weather is right and you don't need the rainfly, the mesh roof will allow you to lay back on your cushy air mattress, relax and watch the stars go by all night long.
You can't have a proper stargazing experience without a telescope, but they can be really heavy and cumbersome to travel with. Fortunately, this little guy only weighs four pounds so it's super portable and easy to take on the go. Sure, it's designed for children, but you don't need to be a kid to appreciate the wonder and awe of that vast universe twinkling above our heads — and you don't need to be a kid to use this telescope to get a better view of it all either. It's easy to use and great for beginners of all ages. It even comes with a moon map to help you spot craters and other lunar features! But if you’re looking for a more advanced telescope, there are other (albeit less portable) options.
If you're new to camping, this setup will feel a lot like cooking at home. While the best camping stoves are just that — a stove — this delightful combo is both a two-burner stovetop and an oven that goes up to 400 degrees. (Yes, that’s right, a whole-ass oven for your campsite.) Even better, its matchless, push-button ignition system makes it easy to get it going, and wind barriers around the stovetop ensure your flames keep burning. You can use a 1-pound propane tank to fuel it, or it can be adapted to accommodate a 20-pound tank if you're planning a week of feasts for a big family camping trip.
Long nights spent gazing at the stars call for mornings treated to your favorite, fresh cup of coffee. But how do you do that in the middle of the woods? Easy, with this ultraportable coffee press that serves up 1-3 cups of smooth, delicious coffee or espresso in just a minute. Or, if you don't have access to hot water, you can make cold brew in just two minutes! It includes 350 micro-filters for grit-free brews, and a 15-ounce drinking mug that conveniently doubles as its carrying case. Plus, it's easy to clean, even while on the go.
With a big enough glamping tent, you could set up a whole 1-bedroom apartment at the campsite — and this inflatable sofa bed would be the perfect addition to your living room/guest room. It has a water-resistant, velvety surface that's actually pretty cozy and two built-in cup holders. It can be set up as a couch for hanging out during the day and then transformed (i.e. unfolded) into a queen size bed for the night. It's made with three valves to ensure quick inflation (and deflation when it's time to pack up camp), and it folds down compactly for easy portability and storage. You can even plop it down in front of a portable projection screen(opens in a new tab) and enjoy a movie night under the stars!
Gathering around the campfire is one of the best parts of camping (and glamping), but it can be a ton of work to get started — and you may not even be able to build a fire depending on the weather conditions where you are. This ultraportable fire pit, however, makes it easy and keeps things well-contained without any smoke. It's just as perfect for keeping warm as it is for roasting marshmallows for s'mores. Basically, it's all the fun of a fire pit without having to smell like smoke for the next three weeks.
When you're glamping, your campsite should be a complete oasis. But if bugs are getting in your way when all you want to do is relax, then this genius hammock is the perfect solution. It's designed with a mosquito net to keep out all the creepy crawlies without sacrificing your view of the sky, which also makes it ideal for stargazing. It's made with a durable material that stays cool even when it’s hot out, and it’s available in a bunch of different colors as well as single- and double-hammock sizes. It's also easy to set up with the included tree-friendly straps.
This camping accessory is purely for function (not fashion), but if you'll be stargazing, then you'll also be contending with lots of darkness. Rather than stumble around your campsite and risk getting hurt, make sure you can see what you're doing and where you're going with a hands-free flashlight strapped to your head, basically. This convenient pack of two headlamps features adjustable headbands and super-bright, adjustable LED lights with seven lighting modes. They're also weather-resistant and shockproof, so you don't need to be too precious with them. Yes, you'll absolutely look like you're going spelunking, but it's way better than fumbling with a camping lantern or the flashlight on your phone (especially when you need to pee in the middle of the night). Plus, you can hang 'em up in your tent for some ambient lighting just like a camping lantern, too.
Aside from eating and sleeping, the one thing you'll have no choice but to do is poo. (We're just keeping it real here.) But if the thought of using a shovel and leaves has you clenching your cheeks with dread, allow us to introduce this award-winning, premium Porta Potti. It's about as close as you're going to get to a real toilet while out in the wilderness, and it even has an integrated toilet paper holder. It also boasts a sealed valve that prevents odors from escaping, and a rotating pour-out spout that makes it easy to empty the waste water tank at the proper receptacles. And if you're looking to create your own bathroom away from home, pair it with a pop-up privacy tent(opens in a new tab) (also great for setting up your own outdoor solar shower).