What is Glamping?
Simply put, glamping or a glamper is (someone) bringing together glamour and camping to create a more upscale camping experience. It can be as simple or as extravagant as you want it to be. On one end, you can book a stay in a glamourous treehouse or a glass dome in the forest; bedding supplied, no gear to set up, just pack your food and clothes. On the other hand, it can be car camping with fancy bedding and hanging string lights from the trees – glamping exists in many forms. It can even be used as a tool for introducing new campers. With the extra comforts and welcoming ambiance, your set-up will feel cozier, homier and easier to adjust to.
Does this sound like you? If you identify with the glamper persona or are interested in some upgrades to your camping kit, Coghlan’s is here to help kickstart your glamping set-up.
1. Invest in Your Sleep
Gone are the days of sleeping on ground, feeling every twig, rock and tree root beneath you. Now you have plenty of choices between sleeping pads, air mattresses or even ultra-portable cots to put your sleeping pads and air mattresses on. All these options will keep you off the ground to provide greater comfort and warmth, even on those chillier nights.
If you’re looking to replicate the feeling of your bed at home, we’d recommend opting for an air mattress (make sure your tent is appropriately sized!) And with that air mattress, do not forget to pack an air pump – otherwise you’ll spend less time exploring, and more time huffing and puffing into the mattress.
2. Start Your Day Right
If you’re a morning person, you probably want a nice cup of coffee to enjoy as you bask in the sunrise. If you’re not a morning person, you probably need a cup of coffee to be lured out of the tent, but not just any coffee. You deserve better than gritty, burnt-tasting instant coffee. A French Press is the perfect lightweight solution for getting a better brew, without the hassle of bringing along extra gear. Pack your favourite medium-coarse grounds, a means of heating up water, and a mug. Now you’re all set to make a fresh cup of joe.
And hey, since you’ve got the car with you, go crazy! Bring along the flavoured coffee creamers and sweeteners and let your inner barista run wild. Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of good coffee.
3. Beat the Heat
As much as we all love the sunny, hot days of summer, a nice cool breeze is always a welcome relief. Whether you’re hanging out at the beach, in the tent, or around the campground, the heat and humidity can take a toll on anyone. A portable camping fan is perfect for cooling off you and your camp crew – and we mean one that blows air that’s actually cool, not just ambient, hot air. Coghlan’s Camping Fan offers three different fan speeds, as well as a built-in kickstand and hook so you can keep your cool wherever you go. We all know sleeping in the tent can sometimes get stuffy and a bit too toasty for our liking, adding a luxury such as a camp fan to the mix can be the key to a good night’s sleep, or a way to convince newer campers to give tenting a shot.
4. Wash the Day Away
Nobody wants to go to bed when they have sweat, sunscreen and bug-spray caked on from their day of adventure. A nice, hot shower is exactly what’s needed to get rid of any grease and grime – so it doesn’t wind up in your sleeping bag. Not all campgrounds are equipped with showers, or maybe you forgot your coins at home. With a solar-heated shower, you have the luxury of hot water right at your campsite with the ability to rinse off whenever you want.
For guaranteed hot water, set the shower up early in the day to give lots of time for it to soak up the sun and heat the water. Then, once you’ve made your way back to camp, you’ll be able to enjoy a relaxing, refreshing shower.
PRO-TIP: Make sure you’re using biodegradable soaps and hair products when you wash up!
5. Keep the Outdoors Outside
You wouldn’t wear your dirty hiking boots around your house, so why would you wear them in your tent? This is your home away from home while you immerse yourself in nature, and it should be treated as such. Besides, everyone deserves a cleaner camping experience, and a sand-free sleeping bag.
Often overlooked, a doormat can be a great addition that lives inside or outside of your tent. They’re a perfect place to leave your hiking boots when you head to bed, or when you’re swapping them out for camp shoes, IYKYK. Forget the balancing act of sitting halfway out of the tent and keeping your feet in the air so your socks don’t get dirty. We’d recommend one with anti-slip backing, especially for inside the tent. The last thing you want is for the mat to be sliding around the tent, getting dirt everywhere, all while you only have one shoe on.
6. Bring the Entertainment
Who doesn’t love a little friendly competition? Bring game night to the campground to keep the good times going all day long. Tabletop games such as Jenga or cards are always a crowd-pleaser for all ages. Or, go bigger and pack lawn games such as bocce ball or lawn darts. Car glamping means you’ve got loads of cargo space, bring along whatever you want (as long as you have the space for it!)
Before You Go:
Glamping is all about enjoying the best of both worlds: immersing yourself in nature while keeping the comforts that help you relax and recharge. No matter your set-up, glamping should make connecting with nature simple and convenient.
As with any outdoor adventure, remember to respect wildlife, be mindful of the environment around you, and always follow Leave No Trace principles. With a little planning and some fun gear, you’ll be ready to hit the road and kick off your glamping trip anytime.
