Glamping in Upstate New York

Love the concept of camping but not quite ready to rough it? Try glamping!

Why Glamping?

The concept of camping sounds great, right? Sleeping under the stars, sitting by the campfire, disconnecting from the real world. But where do I go to the bathroom? How do I pitch a tent? What if it rains? I have no service to watch a YouTube video on "how to start a campfire." That's why glamping can be a great alternative. You still get the enjoyable aspects of being in nature, sleeping outdoors, and getting cozy by the campfire without the unfamiliar. Also, sometimes campgrounds can still feel too “people-y,” loud, and busy. For instance, one of our worst camping experiences was in a National Park. Most people would hear about camping there and picture a magical experience. It was convenient and beautiful, but the campsites were on top of each other, and we had the pleasure of being next to a group of 15 people blasting their music and partying. WOOF.

Hemlock Falls Parksville, NY

Summer, 2019. The Summer I sprained my ankle. So what does an injured nature lover do? Go to a glamping site with a private waterfall to float away from my worries, of course!

When we went to Hemlock Falls I was still in the early stage of my injury and wasn't very mobile. This place made it all better! Hemlock Falls has four private campsites on their privately owned property. They each contain a canvas tent built on a wooden platform. When you arrive, the owners meet you in the parking area and bring your bags to your site in an RTV. The walk to the sites is a quick, easy walk through the woods surrounded by a lush and beautiful fern forest and along a stream. If I can do it with a sprained ankle, you can do it too! There are two deluxe sites and two standard sites. The deluxe sites are a bit larger, have a deck with a bathroom attached, and a cassette toilet with a pump sink. I will start by saying how comfortable these queen-size beds are. As I type this, I am sitting in a hotel room thinking, "damn, that mattress at Hemlock Falls was way more comfortable than this 4-star hotel bed." The standard sites have a detached toilet with no sink and are a bit smaller, but they contain most of the same amenities So what are amenities when you're glamping? Hemlock Falls provides a fire-starter pack to make it easy to get a fire going on your first night. (All my fellow campers would appreciate that one) Each site also has a covered kitchen area with a propane stove and tank, cooking utensils, a sink, water, and an animal-proof cooler, In addition to the "kitchen" they also have a picnic table, camp chairs, and battery lanterns with USB chargers (we still like to unplug though). Did I mention that the canvas tents are all decorated like they are straight from Pinterest? Cozy AF. Each site is a bit different, but they are all spaced apart for complete privacy. We stayed at the Falls site so I could waddle my way down to the waterfall oasis, but every site has its perks!

Booking can be done through AirBnb from the Hemlock Falls Camping website.

Subscribe for recommendations on hikes, food, and drinks nearby!

Things to note: Hemlock falls requires a 2-night minimum stay. They do allow dogs for an additional fee. Human guests must be 21 and over.

Hemlock Falls: private waterfall and a very happy MK.

Firelight Camps Ithaca, NY

We first went here in 2016 for our "mini-moon" two days after our wedding. We recently went back, 6 years later, and it was just as great as we remembered! Both times, we went in the Fall toward the end of their season. I love New York camping in the fall for the temperatures, lack of crowds, and foliage. Sleeping accommodations at Firelight Camps are similar to Hemlock Falls. Each site includes a canvas tent on a wooden platform, a deck off the back with a couple of chairs, and electric or battery lanterns, and they also got their decoration inspo from Pinterest. There must be some sort of underground shop for glamping sites. While Firelight Camps has many more sites than Hemlock Falls, they still maintain their privacy. So what perks set them apart from other glamping sites? Drumroll please...bathrooms! Toilets! Hot water! Showers! A bar! Electricity! Oh, and it's nestled on the property behind a hotel with a luxury spa. (Now the "mini-moon" makes more sense, right?) (PS. Best massage of my life)

Ok, back to the camping aspects. One of the best parts of Firelight Camps is its proximity to Buttermilk Falls State Park. The campsite has its own trail that takes guests right into the park! It is a super-flat, easy-walking trail that is accessible to people of all mobilities. While all the sites are private, they do not include their own firepits. There is a communal space that has enough fire pits for guests to spread out and socialize. The space also has chairs, picnic tables, and some games, and is right behind the lobby tent. The lobby tent also has a bar in the evenings, some snacks for purchase, and a charging station. They provide a delicious continental breakfast and a food truck is open for dinner on certain nights as well. Firelight Camps is in the heart of Ithaca where there is no shortage of restaurants, wineries, and breweries, and is a 10-minute drive from downtown.

Firelight Camps has great recommendations for nearby activities and direct booking on their website.

Things to note: Tents with electric heaters are an option for a higher rate. In addition, pets are allowed, but not in the heated tents.

Firelight Camps Fall 2022. Ithaca, NY

Tentrr

So the easiest way I can explain Tentrr when asked about it is that it's like AirBnb, but for camping/glamping. Hosts put their property up on the Tentrr website for booking and the Tentrr team assembles a canvas tent on a wooden platform (are you catching on to the glamping theme yet?) Each tent comes with a wooden bed frame and an air mattress. They also provide two Adirondack chairs, a picnic table, a fire pit, and a wood-burning stove inside the tent for colder seasons. Because it is like Airbnb, hosts can choose to decorate and add additional amenities. Some have looked as nice as a bed & breakfast, and some have had nothing but an air mattress and stove. Compared to the previous glamping sites, you need to pack more camping gear for Tentrr. They are pack-in, pack-out unless you pay for garbage removal which some hosts offer for an additional charge.

Ok, now for the fun part, the bathroom situation. Every signature site comes equipped with a "Tentrr loo." This is essentially a bucket with a toilet seat on top inside a wooden box. They supply Clean Waste bags with an odor-absorbing powder (NASA uses it, so it's legit) to line the bucket with. Dispose of it after each use. In the trash can. Remember, it is pack-in, pack-out. That means we take our garbage with us when we leave. So, when we do this, we try to do our business when we are out in a public bathroom. But sometimes nature calls, and well, we are in nature. So the point of your glamping is to work up to camping, right? Now what? Dig a hole. But always go far enough away from your site. Do not bury it or leave it on the ground. Go deep into the woods and never near a water source. Remember, Leave No Trace.

Fancy a shower? Signature Tentrr sites also come with a Coleman Solar Shower. Just fill it up and leave it in the sun to warm up.

For booking on the Tentrr website, simply enter a location and browse different sites. There are filter options for what type of site you want, surrounding activities, and natural features. Similar to Airbnb, past guests can leave reviews and post photos.

NOTE: Not every Tentrr site provides “glamping” — there are backcountry campsites as well, so make sure you look for SIGNATURE SITES! PARTNER SITES are privately owned and the amaneties are similar, but vary. State park sites also have the minimal tentrr set-up. This will be the closest glamping to real camping.

One of our many Tentrr sites.

Feel free to ask any questions about these places and acivities in the surrounding areas! Happy glamping!