25 Tips to Glamp On a Budget

If your idea of camping is a stay at the Holiday Inn, you may want to consider a fancier type of outdoor travel. "Glamping," as it has become known, is a term used to describe classier, cleaner, more luxurious camping with more creature comforts and amenities. Check out these tips the next time you feel inspired to get your glamp on:

If you're worried about figuring out this glamping thing on your own the first time, book a stay with glamping experts Under Canvas. This glamping company offers glamping experiences that are entirely planned out for you. Simply book a luxury tent or yurt and show up.

Currently, Under Canvas offers locations in destinations like the Grand Canyon, Moab, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park. Each location offers luxury tents and accommodations; some luxury tents even have king-size beds and private bathrooms. How's that for fancy?

Under Canvas locations let you avoid doing the cooking and cleaning if you want. Many locations offer on-site dining with yummy options like veggie burgers and tacos. Vegans and vegetarian tummies are also catered to, along with children.

If you don't want to camp in an area with glamping readily available, look for a campground with luxury cabins. Sleeping in a cabin is a lot more luxurious than a traditional tent, and you will likely have your own bathroom and a small kitchen to cook in.

Another glamping strategy involves renting an RV. With a rental RV through a company like GoRving.com, you can drive to your campground and sleep in a clean space with real beds, your own private bathroom and shower, and a small living area that will have you feeling fancy in no time.

If you can't rent an RV, a cabin, or a glamping spot with a private bathroom, you'll want to check out the bathroom situation anywhere you plan to camp ahead of time. Make sure there are clean, accessible bathrooms nearby each campsite or you could be in for an unpleasant surprise.

At the very least, you'll want to get off the ground while you sleep. There is nothing luxurious about sleeping on a cold, hard forest floor where bugs, snakes, and who-knows-what-else might find you. Splurge for a cot or a tree tent so you can sleep a few feet up.

Glamping Hub is a crowdsourcing site that connects eager luxury campers with accommodations all over the world. Use this website to find luxury cabins, repurposed shipping containers, yurts, and other unique lodging options that offer the amenities and privacy you would expect in any glamping situation.

Glamping is more about steaks and black bean burgers than it is about hot dogs and Spam. Plan to bring a cooler of foods you love so you aren't stuck piecing together sad meals you won't enjoy. Trade Pop Tarts for smoked salmon bagels for breakfast and you won't regret it.

If you're glamping in an area where food delivery is available, remember that you're not above whipping out your smartphone to put in an order. We don't think there's anything wrong with some pizza or Jimmy John's next to a campfire, and neither should you.

Camping is about getting away from our phones and technology for a while, but glamping can be whatever you want it to be. Make sure to bring portable chargers so you aren't stuck without your phone and other important electronic devices.

As you begin searching for campsites, don't forget to vet and compare all campsites carefully to see what amenities they have to offer. While many upscale campgrounds have on-site stores, dining halls, and swimming pools for kids, some more natural campgrounds don't offer anything special.

Whether you're camping in a tent, a cabin, or a yurt, you'll need a cozy bed if you want to get a real feel for glamping. In addition to sleeping bags, sheets, and pillow cases, pack your most luxurious blankets and the most comfortable pillows you own.

A nice flashlight can get you around the campground at night, but what about the lighting at your camping spot? Bring a stash of candles and even Christmas lights to decorate your space and add some much-needed cheer to your camp spot.

Sleeping bags and luxury bedding can keep you cozy when the temperatures drop at night, but you should also consider bringing an air mattress along if your camping situation lacks a bed. An air mattress may take a while to blow up, but it will mimic the feel of a real mattress and improve your glamping experience tremendously.

A true glamping experience involves plenty of noshing on high-quality food and drink. Whether you're in a traditional campground or a scenic National park, make sure to bring plenty of fancy booze along with luxurious snacks like dried fruit, vegetables with hummus, chocolate-covered anything, and a cheese plate.

Don't be afraid to pick up all the cool camping gear you can buy at stores like REI. Splurge for items like a mobile internet device, a portable speaker, snazzy hot dog poles, or a set of pots and pans created specifically for camping.

Regular ol' smores are for campers, not glampers! If you want to glamp in style, make sure to jazz up your smores with something extra. Add a flat brownie or a layer of caramel and definitely splurge for the larger square marshmallows.

The best way to ruin any camping or glamping trip is going when it rains, just rained, or is getting ready to rain outside. Make sure to plan your glamping trip during a dry spell, or at least check the weather before you go. There is nothing fancy about getting rained on while all your belongings get soaked.

Camping may be the best way to get back to nature, but you are free to jam out to your favorite tunes if you're glamping instead. Make sure to bring portable chargers like we noted above, but also bring your iPod, a portable speaker, or some other music listening device.

Hopefully you're planning to glamp in a luxury yurt, rental RV, or cabin that has a private bathroom oasis. If not, you should absolutely check to make sure your campground has shower facilities on-site. Glamping is only enjoyable if you are able to stay clean.

Make sure you're prepared to fight off all kinds of bugs if you're planning to glamp in the great outdoors. Bring citronella candles along, but pack plenty of bug spray, too. Also make sure you have appropriate clothing to ward off the worst bug offenders, such as long pants and long-sleeve shirts.

While it's possible to get your glamp on in the middle of nowhere, trying it out near town may work better. If you book a campground or RV resort close to civilization, you'll be able to run out and pick up anything you forgot - even if what you "forgot" is more beer and Taco Bell.

Drown out the late-night yelling and annoying sounds of nearby campers while you sleep if you hope to awaken from your glamping slumber with a positive attitude. You can do this with a noise machine or download a white noise app to your smartphone.

Choose a pet-friendly resort if you're an animal lover who hopes to get the most out of your glamping adventure. Life is a lot more fun and luxurious when you're able to bring your feline friends or dogs along. Your pets love luxury too, and you'll feel more at home and content if they're there.