Seeking an outdoor adventure without sacrificing the luxuries of a cabin in the woods? Glamping could be the perfect experience for you. Glamping — a portmanteau of glamorous camping — provides adventurers all the beauty of the outdoors alongside the amenities of home, whether that’s electricity, a bed or just the pleasure of not having to set up your own lodgings.
Bear Spring Eco Retreat
Fall asleep beneath the stars in the comfort of one of Bear Spring Eco Retreat’s glamping tents. Owned and operated by Solita Work — a former Calgarian who used to operate ReWorks Eco Store — this property in the Selkirk mountains of the West Kootenays features an outdoor shower, a communal cooking and campfire area, scenic walking trails, a recreational gaming spot, and a vibrant garden. From May to October, guests stay in canvas Stargazer tents featuring plastic skylight windows and furnished with cozy pillows on a queen bed with natural cotton bedding, side tables and more.
Guests can also buy a glamper meal kit filled with recipes and locally sourced ingredients, taking the hassle out of meal prep, plus reducing waste as the kits come in reusable containers.
Elevated Escapes in Bragg Creek
Elevated Escapes features a few destinations, including the Riverside glamping domes situated on an Indigenous-owned family campground. Accessible year-round, the six domes along the Elbow River are only five minutes from Bragg Creek, offering a convenient and accessible respite for urbanites. Fully equipped with a firepit, solar lights and a private portable toilet, the domes now allow for winter glamping with wood stove heating (though packing layers and water are a must). For those after a more authentic camping experience, Elevated also offers a few rustic, canvas-walled riverside tents during the warmer seasons.
Bridgeviews Retreat
Located in a valley beside Bridge #1 to Wayne, Bridgeviews offers a themed variety of fully furnished geodomes and glamping yurts for guests to enjoy. This private, scenic campsite is complete with hot showers, outdoor portable toilets, a hand-washing station, a breakfast area and an outdoor game station. During the warmer months, visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the creek and enjoy the Badlands landscape.
Just a 10-minute drive from Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell Museum, retreat visitors can enjoy an outdoor vacation and a trip back in time all in one excursion.