Sometimes what you need most is a breath of fresh air, a closer look at our National Parks, and some time in the great outdoors. And when you want to combine those needs with a bit of luxury? There’s only one clear answer: Glamping. Bob and Stacey wanted it all- wide open spaces, an adventure in nature and the luxury of a warm comfy bed by the fire at night. Inspired by this post, they were ready to try luxury camping. They enjoyed a traditional stay in Jackson Hole and a more adventurous stay with Under Canvas Yellowstone while they visited the park. Read on below to hear a first-hand account of their glamping experience!
“First thanks for another well planned trip. We had a great time! Here are my 2 cents while this is fresh in my mind (literally just unpacked from the trip).
Jackson Hole
I can’t imagine what this town looks like in the winter with all of the skiing around! (and how crowded everything must also be!). This is a great little town. We made the best of breweries and a distillery while on the trip. All very good beer and reasonable pricing. We also walked around town and went into the various shops etc. We also ate pretty well at what I thought were reasonable prices (Roadhouse Pub, StillWest Brewery, Café Genevieve, Silver Dollar Bar (in the Wort Hotel-reminded me of an old Vegas hotel in the dining room) and The Local (which was the highest end eating and very good and not terribly priced).
[Photo Credit: Karsten Winegeart via Unsplash]
Horseback Riding was great. 2 hours and great price for the value. Good people at the ranch. Other than that, if it weren’t for the stores and the beer interests didn’t seem like there was a ton to do. But we did fine for us.
The Hotel (Hotel Jackson) – wonderful and SUPER friendly hotel. Great rooms and amenities, very pretty. We used the hot tub and went to the bar a couple of times. The staff was young, good looking articulate and almost TOO friendly (chatty and helpful). The breakfast was delicious but rather pricey as I know you have already heard. As I recall Boutique Hotel tends to equate to breakfast pricey but I wouldn’t have changed anything there.
[Photo Credit: Holly Mandarich via Unsplash]
You should know that the Hertz location is “off campus” (not my favorite but happens) AND the location is not updated on the WAZE etc! This was almost a disaster as we left town yesterday. The people there were somewhere between oops sorry (ie I could give a crap) and “gee we have been trying to update with google and has been quite the fight (really?). If Stacey hadn’t remembered how to get back there we may have had some drama leaving town yesterday. I booked the rental so not on you in the least but I would be very careful on advisories on locations etc.
Under Canvas Glamping/Yellowstone
As I reminded Stacey (and myself) Glamping is still Camping just a little easier!
We were very happy with the Stargazer tent, even though there were no stars to be seen due to weather. Because of its size and the plastic window, looking up from the bed provided a great light source which helped a lot for night reading (light out until 9;30 or so) as well as a general light source (no electricity, a couple of battery packs for small lanterns; no electricity in tents nor wifi anywhere – as prepared to be off grid but an added fyi).
[Photo Credit: Bob & Stacey via Shared Adventures Travel]
There was plenty of well-chopped wood as well as kindling and fire-starting “balls of wood” which worked well. I have not lit a fire in dozens of years and yet was a pro in no time. The shower was not very warm (someone else said they were having issues with some of the water heaters?) So we showered usually in the afternoon or early evening.
The bed was VERY good and warm. Our fire from when we went to bed was likely out within the hour and even with the cold temps at night we were nice and warm with the bedding.
[Photo Credit: Bob & Stacey via Shared Adventures Travel]
Also, this facility is one of the only Under Canvas facilities that has a restaurant building that served a wonderful breakfast and dinners (we walked there and ate every breakfast or dinner but were never displeased and we can be picky!)
[Photo Credit: Bob & Stacey via Shared Adventures Travel]
There may have been other activities to do through them and we canceled our boating trip (was very cold and that day called for rain and it was pouring in the am- the place was understanding completely but I did not request a refund but obviously was hoping to get one?)
So we went to Yellowstone and drove for all of our days in that area. It was good. Old Faithful/Thermal Basins one day, driving across the lower side through a couple of Valleys known for animals. Saw plenty of deer, bison, and 1 bear (at a long distance so sort of disappointing but oh well). We stopped briefly in Mammoth for ice cream etc which looked like a neat little place. In hindsight with better weather booking some hikes may have been an option for us but between the weather and people chattering about the bears and our reluctance to drop $60 on Bear Spray to hike in sleet or rain didn’t appeal so we didn’t.
[Photo Credit: Missmushroom via Unsplash]
I would be happy to tell you more (and Stacey I am sure will chime in) if we can give more specific color on anything.
Thanks again and look forward to our next trip!
– Bob
