While the pandemic kept us in place, it also transformed travel, leading to a greater emphasis on outdoor activities, personal space, and nearby escapes. In the States, Colorado glamping perfectly fits the bill for all of the above. Forget sharing an elevator with a stranger or wondering about air circulation. Your tent opens to the mountain breeze, and dinner is served under the stars. The only time you have to socialize is if you choose to make s’mores around a communal campfire. And even better, considering the Zoom-filled months we’ve had? Some glampsites are free from cell service and wifi. Don’t expect to miss your digital life: The best glamping setups go above and beyond to make an outdoor excursion the exact opposite of “roughing it,” with in-tent breakfast and endless activities.
Whether you’re coming from Denver, Aspen, Vail, or Telluride, here are four of Colorado’s glamping highlights.
Located in Dolores, outside of Telluride, Dunton River Camp is situated along a rushing river lined with wildflowers. It’s home to six beautiful horses who canter in the pasture against the sunset. After a long and winding drive into a no-cell-service zone, you’ll be greeted by the property’s team (ideally along with one of their pet dogs). Your luggage is shuttled to your tent as the team goes over your dietary restrictions, preferred coffee delivery, and activity itinerary. The ultra-chic tents are complete with lush beds, Pendleton blankets, and large bathrooms with dual vanities. For anyone who needs to work from the road, each tent is equipped with wifi and outlets. Enjoy a ride around the property with the two mountain bikes provided per tent, then unwind after 4 p.m. at the happy hour hosted at the main lodge. Dinner is served in and around the lodge, using foraged ingredients and local fare. The day I arrived, Chef had foraged mushrooms on-property, turning it into the most delicious and hearty mushroom soup I’ve ever had. The next morning, the staff will drop you at a nearby trailhead for a hike, or you can relax in the riverside sauna before going fishing for trout. The possibilities feel boundless on this 500-acre property.
A former banker turned glamping resort owner and operator, Nabil Saweeres set out to create a special place where friends, families and solo travelers could get the ultimate camping experience. After years of planning, he opened up Black Tree Resort in Lake George in June 2019. After making the two-hour drive from Denver, you’ll be greeted by Saweeres himself at check-in, along with your very own golf cart (your main mode of transportation around the 80-acre property). Each tent has been carefully designed with sustainability and comfort in mind: the lighting is solar power, and wood burning stoves supply heat. While you get settled at your tent and kick your feet up on the porch with a glass of wine, Saweeres is personally cooking dinner. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and non-alcoholic drinks are included in your stay.) At your desired dinner delivery time, the Black Tree staff will set up the meal in-tent. Afterwards, cozy up in an Adirondack chair by the firepit and roast a s’more or two. The beauty here is being off the grid: There is no cell reception and no wifi in the tents. You fall asleep to the sounds of the wind and wake up to the light of the sun pouring into your tent. During the day, the resort offers a wonderfully curated activity menu that includes horseback riding, fishing, guided hiking, and ATV rides through the forest.
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