Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape
Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - Glamping Gone Luxe: Luxury Tents and Yurts
For those who love the great outdoors but aren't ready to fully rough it, glamping (glamorous camping) offers the perfect compromise. At high-end lodges and ranches, guests can sleep in lavish, spacious tents or yurts that provide privacy and comfort without sacrificing a sense of adventure.
At Amangiri in Utah, the Camp Sarika experience features 10 palatial tents tucked away in a secluded valley. The 600-square-foot accommodations have king beds, private terraces, and ensuite bathrooms with deep-soaking tubs. Guests can lounge by the fire pits, stargaze on clear nights, and partake in guided hikes, rafting, horseback riding, and more. Rates start around $2,500 per night.
Dunton River Camp in Colorado takes glamping to new heights. Situated 8,600 feet above sea level, the property offers eight luxury tents with en-suite bathrooms along the Dolores River. Guests sleep on king beds draped in premium linens and unwind in their own private outdoor hot tubs. Activities range from fly fishing to horseback riding, followed by gourmet meals and drinks around the campfire. Nightly rates begin at $1,500.
At Triple Creek Ranch in Montana, groups of up to six can reserve a 1,200-square-foot Sioux-style tepee. The spacious dwellings contain wood-burning stoves, handcrafted log beds, Persian rugs, and private decks. Guests can explore the ranch's lush grounds via horseback or enjoy guided hikes, fishing, clay shooting, and more. Rates for the tepees start at around $1,750 per night.
In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, you can bed down in a fully appointed canvas tent at the Four Seasons Resort Ranch. The elegant tents contain king-size beds, antique furnishings, wood-burning stoves, and ensuite bathrooms with clawfoot tubs. Guests can cozy up around the campfire, go fly fishing, ride horses, and more. Nightly rates begin around $1,750, including meals and many activities.
At Primland Resort in Virginia, the treehouse-style Pioneer Cabins perch 12 feet off the ground and feature king beds, slate-tiled bathrooms with heated floors, private decks, and sweeping Blue Ridge Mountain views. Guests can access activities like golf, tennis, fly fishing, shooting, and stargazing. Pioneer Cabin rates start at $850 per night.
For a truly remote glamping experience, Sheldon Chalet in Alaska's Denali National Park provides the only privately owned accommodations within the park's boundaries. The luxury chalet features five guest rooms and a main lodge nestled at an altitude of 6,000 feet on Ruth Glacier. Guests sleep in cushy king beds and enjoy epic views of Denali and the northern lights from their rooms. Rates, including guided hiking and flightseeing, start at $2,300 per person per night.
What else is in this post?
- Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - Glamping Gone Luxe: Luxury Tents and Yurts
- Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - Five-Star Views: Lodges with Breathtaking Natural Surroundings
- Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - Rustic Chic: Cabins and Cottages with Modern Amenities
- Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - Lounging in Luxury: Lavish Common Areas and Facilities
- Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - Gourmet in the Great Outdoors: Fine Dining in Remote Locations
- Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - Adventure with Perks: Guided Excursions and Custom Itineraries
- Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - Solitude and Seclusion: Private Getaways for Families and Couples
- Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - The Great Indoors: Spas, Pools and Other Ways to Unwind
Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - Five-Star Views: Lodges with Breathtaking Natural Surroundings
There's nothing quite like waking up to a jaw-dropping view. At these remote lodges across North America, guests are treated to some of the most breathtaking vistas Mother Nature has to offer. We're talking floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, and panoramic outlooks over soaring peaks, winding rivers, lush forests and more. Even the communal spaces at these properties frame the natural surroundings in all their glory.
Nestled in the heart of Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park, Amangani provides front-row seats to the craggy, snow-capped Teton Range. The resort's suites feature huge picture windows and private balconies where you can soak up unobstructed views of the mountains. The main lodge also showcases sweeping vistas of the snake river valley and Jackson Hole basin from its dining room and outdoor infinity pool. Rates start around $1,600 a night.
Similarly ensconced in a national park, Glacier View Lodge in Montana's Glacier National Park treats guests to breathtaking scenery from every vantage point. The historic property's cozy log cabins feature views of wildflower meadows, evergreen forests, and the mighty Rockies. You can also take in the surroundings from the flagstone terrace, public lawn, and Main Lodge. Nightly rates begin around $199.
In Canada's Banff National Park, Moraine Lake Lodge seduces visitors with its picture-postcard setting on the shores of aquamarine Moraine Lake. The wooden lodge and its cozy cabins frame spectacular views of the surrounding Valley of the Ten Peaks. You can admire the scenery from the lakeside deck, lounge chairs on private balconies, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Rates start at around $500 CAD per night.
Down in Big Sur, the adults-only Post Ranch Inn lets you experience dramatic cliffside views from your own private sanctum. The Swiss Family Robinson-style dwellings - whether treehouses, cliff houses or ocean houses - all have floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor hot tubs or balconies overlooking the rugged California coastline. Nightly rates start around $1,275.
In contrast to Big Sur's rocky shore, Little Saint Simons Island off the Georgia coast transports you to a maritime forest fringed by sandy shores. The Lodge's spacious cottages feature porches that open up to pristine maritime forest or unspoiled beachscapes teeming with wildlife. Coastal activities range from kayaking to birding. Rates including meals, activities and excursions start at $625 per night.
No list of lodges with jaw-dropping views would be complete without The Ranch at Rock Creek near Philipsburg, Montana. This all-inclusive property frames the wild majesty of Montana's Big Sky Country. Your cabin comes with a secluded porch overlooking mountains, meadows and streams. You can also soak up the scenery on guided horseback rides, hikes and other outdoor adventures. Rates including meals, drinks and activities start at $1,100 per night.
Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - Rustic Chic: Cabins and Cottages with Modern Amenities
Who says roughing it has to actually be rough? At these remote hideaways across North America, guests can bed down in cozy cabins and cottages without skimping on creature comforts. We're talking plush bedding, spa-like bathrooms, state-of-the-art technology and other indulgent amenities seamlessly blended into rustic, woodsy interiors.
Nestled deep in the Ozark Mountains, Roark Bluff Cabins marry 19th century charm with 21st century conveniences. Hand-hewn log walls, stone fireplaces, clawfoot tubs and wraparound porches exude pioneer spirit. But you'll also find creature comforts like luxury linens, wifi, cable TVs and jetted tubs. Outside, swing in the hammock or soak in your own private hot tub underneath the stars. Cabins start at $245 per night.
At Twin Farms in Vermont, guests bed down in cozy cottages outfitted with effortlessly chic decor. Interiors blend antiques, Persian rugs, cast iron bathtubs and wood-burning fireplaces with modern artwork and amenities. Enjoy a soak in your standalone tub, then curl up by the fireplace with a bottle from the honor bar. Rates are all-inclusive and start at $1,500 per night.
In the California High Sierra, Rush Creek Lodge marries natural materials like timber, stone and leather with indulgent in-room amenities. Bask in your king bed's premium linens, lounge in a plush robe, browse the complimentary iPad, or unwind in your room's own fireplace. Nightly rates start at $379.
At Primland Resort's Pioneer Cabins in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, Treehouse-style dwellings are perched 12 feet off the ground and feature slate-tiled bathrooms with heated floors, stargazing decks, and sweeping mountain views. Rates start at $850 per night.
The Resort at Paws Up in Montana outfits its wilderness estates with the likes of clawfoot tubs, heated bathroom floors, goose down comforters, and rainfall shower heads. Nightly rates start at $1,500 and include meals, drinks and activities.
Meanwhile in northwestern Montana, The Resort at Paws Up's private island experience on Salmon Lake offers three thoughtfully designed cottages. Interiors blend natural elements like reclaimed wood and stone with indulgent amenities including luxury linens, standalone tubs, rainfall showers, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the surrounding forests and water. Rates start at $3,000 per night including boat transfers, meals and activities.
At Songbird Spa Resort in Oregon's wine country, cottages blend courtyard fireplaces, soaking tubs, and other cozy touches with ultra-modern bathrooms. Relax in your glass-enclosed rainfall shower or deep-soaking tub before winding down on your cottage's secluded patio. Rates start at $299 per night.
Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - Lounging in Luxury: Lavish Common Areas and Facilities
These days, true luxury means being able to lounge and dine in style even when you're miles from the nearest four-star restaurant or swanky hotel lobby. At premium wilderness lodges and ranches, common areas and shared facilitiesrival those found at the poshest urban hotels. We're talking great rooms with soaring ceilings, walls of windows and towering stone fireplaces, luxe lounges stocked with top-shelf spirits and cigars, world-class restaurants dishing up innovative tasting menus, and spa facilities that pamper from head to toe.
At Amangani in Wyoming, you can admire panoramic Grand Teton views while sipping cocktails by the heated outdoor pool. Later, indulge in seasonal cuisine showcasing local ingredients at the lodge's dining room. Or cozy up in one of the two living rooms anchored by imposing sandstone fireplaces. Down in Big Sur, the adults-only Post Ranch Inn lets you soak in dramatic ocean vistas and sample small-batch spirits at the Sierra Mar restaurant and cliffside bar. Burn off the calories at the fully equipped fitness center, then pamper yourself with massage and body treatments.
In Montana's wilderness playground at The Ranch at Rock Creek, days end with cocktails, appetizers and fine wines served fireside in the barn lounge or on the open-air porch. Savor fresh seafood and grill specialties at the Granite Lodge Restaurant while overlooking the grounds, then cap the night with dessert and digestifs in the prohibition-era speakeasy. Or hunker down in the Saddle Stools Saloon with pool, darts, and craft beers on tap. Over in Canada's Banff National Park, unwind from mountain adventures in Moraine Lake Lodge's cozy lounge warmed by a double-sided fireplace. Sip cocktails on the outdoor deck before indulging in elevated alpine cuisine at The Map Room & Bar.
Down south at Primland Resort in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, floor-to-ceiling windows in the lodge's great room frame a jaw-dropping panorama of the Dan River Gorge. Complement the views with wine tasting flights or regional brews before a farm-to-table dinner at Elements Restaurant. Work out the kinks at the spa with a hot stone massage or body wrap using indigenous minerals. Out west at The Resort at Paws Up in Montana, hang out in the Moonshine Shack stocked with specialty cocktails and local craft brews before grazing on smokehouse specialties at the Poacher's Kitchen. Cap the night in your own private wilderness spa tub under the stars.
Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - Gourmet in the Great Outdoors: Fine Dining in Remote Locations
Who says you have to sacrifice refined cuisine when vacationing in the wilderness? At premium lodges and ranches across North America, you can savor elevated dining experiences showcasing regional ingredients, without giving up the great outdoors. We're talking field-to-fork dining, innovative tasting menus, extensive wine cellars, and open-air restaurants with jaw-dropping views.
Nestled within California's Santa Lucia Mountains, the adults-only Post Ranch Inn treats guests to farm-fresh dishes at the on-site Sierra Mar restaurant. Sip craft cocktails on the panoramic cliffside terrace before indulging in tasting menus paired with local wines and microbrews. Dishes artfully incorporate herbs and produce from the inn's own organic garden. Down the coast at the Lodge at Little Saint Simons Island in Georgia, enjoy Lowcountry cuisine highlighting fresh seafood, heirloom vegetables and other coastal ingredients. Signature dishes at the on-site dining room might include crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and grilled catch of the day.
Meanwhile at Twin Farms in Vermont, the culinary program focuses on farm-to-table New England fare seasoned with herbs from the on-site gardens. Menus change daily based on what's sourced locally, and often incorporate products from the estate's maple sugaring and beekeeping operations. Enjoy seasonal dishes in the atmospheric 1796 Room or on the Garden Terrace. In Wyoming, Amangani showcases regional flavors at its intimate dining room framed by 40-foot floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on the Grand Tetons. Handcrafted dining tables double as pop-up farm stands displaying just-picked vegetables and herbs.
At the adults-only Triple Creek Ranch in Montana, meals celebrate local ingredients like huckleberries, elk, and regional trout. Savor innovative small plates, grilled meats and seafood alongside a 30,000 bottle wine cellar - one of the nation's largest collections of New World Pinot Noir. Or enjoy an intimate dinner for two at your own private campsite or log cabin. Over at The Resort at Paws Up in Montana, the gourmet Poacher's Kitchen infuses locally sourced ingredients into everything from smoked meats to vegetarian dishes to huckleberry creme brûlée. Sip regional wines and craft brews fireside or on the patio against the backdrop of Blackfoot River Valley.
Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - Adventure with Perks: Guided Excursions and Custom Itineraries
At premium lodges and ranches, your room rate often includes access to guided activities that immerse you in the surrounding wilderness. We're talking surfing lessons, stargazing expeditions, falconry displays, photography workshops - you name it. With expert guides at the helm, you can experience the area's natural attractions safely and come away with new skills.
Many properties offer popular mainstay activities like horseback rides, fishing, hiking and water sports that are appropriate for all ability levels. For instance, Primland Resort has instructors who can teach you to paddleboard on the Dan River, tee off on the Highland Course, skeet shoot on the sporting grounds, and more.
For a quintessential ranch experience, Twin Farms provides personalized horseback riding tailored to your ability, from gentle trail rides to lively trots across meadows. They'll even arrange catered picnic rides to take in the fall foliage. Over at The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming, you can wrangle cattle on a bonafide cattle drive through wide open country. Aspiring cowpokes first learn proper techniques before saddling up to gather and drive the herd.
Other properties showcase unique local offerings and customized experiences. Little Saint Simons Island's naturalist-guided expeditions range from kayaking through marshlands in search of dolphins to navigating wetlands shrouded in maritime forests. Guests can also crab off the dock or try their hand at casting with fly fishing lessons. Similarly, Post Ranch Inn provides guided hikes catered to all levels, including coastal walks, ridge climbs, and stargazing hikes to glimpse the Milky Way. You can also arrange photography hikes capturing Big Sur's epic landscapes.
Triple Creek Ranch designs personalized adventures based on your interests, like fishing, climbing, rafting, or archeological hikes to ancient petroglyphs. Upon request, they'll even set up a private astrophotography lesson capturing Montana's dazzling night sky. Or learn to work cattle ranch-style on an authentic branding experience. Custom options at The Resort at Paws Up range from visiting bison ranches to tracking wildlife, rafting class III rapids, and rounding up cattle horseback.
For the ultimate customized vacation, Amangani's Camp Amangani embeds you in Grand Teton National Park with a dedicated camp team. Tailored to your desires, days might include wildlife safaris, falconry, hot air ballooning, hiking to wildflower meadows, paddleboarding, or Via Ferrata climbing. You can even helicopter to remote fly fishing sites. At day's end, return to your luxurious camp perched on wooden platforms offering sweeping mountain and lake views. It's truly glamping gone luxury.
Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - Solitude and Seclusion: Private Getaways for Families and Couples
When it comes to relaxing vacations, nothing beats having a secluded sanctuary all to yourself. At premium wilderness lodges and ranches, families and couples can reserve entire private cabins, cottages and houses for the ultimate intimate escape. We're talking spacious dwellings with multiple bedrooms and living areas situated away from other guests. No crowded community areas or noisy neighbors - just your own little slice of paradise surrounded by nature.
For instance, at The Resort at Paws Up in Montana, groups can book a Wilderness Estate with multiple bedrooms, living rooms with stone fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, and furnished outdoor living spaces with hot tubs. Some come with private river frontage for fishing and floating, so you'll have the waterway entirely to yourself. Rates start at $2,500 per night including meals, drinks and activities.
In Big Sur, the adults-only Post Ranch Inn has houses secluded on cliffsides and ridges for utmost privacy. The spacious accommodations have panoramic windows, outdoor hot tubs, and some even come with infinity pools cantilevered over the Pacific Ocean. Nightly rates start around $2,400. Little Saint Simons Island off the Georgia coast offers exclusive use of two private 4-bedroom cottages ideal for families and groups. Enjoy 7 miles of private beaches, marshlands and maritime forests without another soul in sight during your stay. Rates are all-inclusive and start at $4,450 per night for up to 10 guests.
For a private island experience, novelists and honeymooners alike adore triple Creek Ranch's Hideaway House in Montana. This secluded log cabin with floor-to-ceiling windows has its own kitchen, riverside hot tub, and is only accessible by suspension bridge. Enjoy meals delivered to your door while soaking up solitude. Rates start at $3,285 per night.
At Amangani resort in Wyoming, families and groups can reserve Camp Sarika's Cliff House. This palatial four-bedroom retreat clings to a butte overlooking the Snake River and soaring Grand Tetons. With 2,500 square feet of living space, private pool and Jacuzzi, you'll feel like you have the dramatic mountain landscape all to yourself. Nightly rates start around $7,500.
For a socially distanced escape, Primland Resort's Pioneer Cottages in Virginia provide ultimate seclusion within 12,000 acres of mountain wilderness. The spacious cottages accommodate groups and come with floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor fire pits, stargazing decks and miles of private trails. It's ideal for getting away from it all and enjoying the stillness of nature with your nearest and dearest. Rates begin at $1,050 per night.
Roughing it in Style: 3 Luxury Wilderness Lodges & Ranches for Your Next Escape - The Great Indoors: Spas, Pools and Other Ways to Unwind
After days filled with rugged outdoor adventures, guests at premium wilderness lodges can retreat to relaxing sanctuaries indoors. We're talking world-class spas, yoga studios, heated pools with epic views, and other ways to indulge in some pampering and rejuvenation.
At Amangani in Grand Teton National Park, the spa's signature Ritual of the Grand Tetons incorporates locally inspired wellness practices and ingredients from nearby Yellowstone. Following a medley of massages, facials and body scrubs, retreat to the heated outdoor pool or cliffside Jacuzzi to soak in panoramic mountain vistas. Or unwind in the yoga studio offering daily Vinyasa flow and restorative classes.
Down in Big Sur at the adults-only Post Ranch Inn, the spa specializes in custom treatments incorporating indigenous plants, sea salts and essential oils. Signature experiences include shamanic energy work and a Sound Healing treatment using Tibetan singing bowls. Afterward, lounge by the clifftop infinity pool or relax in the outdoor hot tub while taking in dramatic ocean views.
At the secluded Triple Creek Ranch in Montana, the spa taps into the healing powers of nature with organic facials, herbal wraps, hot stone massages and other holistic treatments. Continue unwinding in your cabin's riverside hot tub, or take a dip in the swimming pond fringed by pines. Daily activities range from yoga and meditation to arts and crafts at the ranch's Activities Barn.
Primland Resort's spa in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains utilizes indigenous minerals and botanicals in signature scrubs and wraps. The tranquil, lodge-style facilities feature men's and women's lounges with steam rooms, saunas and whirlpools. Outside, enjoy panoramic mountain scenery while swimming laps in the infinity pool or soaking in the spacious hot tub.
In Wyoming at Brush Creek Ranch, the Sage Lodge Spa specializes in natural treatments utilizing locally sourced ingredients. Following your massage, facial or body scrub, take a yoga class in the movement studio or unwind by the heated outdoor saline pool and hot tub. Serenity Pods suspended over sagebrush steppes provide an alternative place to nap, read or meditate.
At The Resort at Paws Up in Montana, the equestrian-themed spa incorporates botanical extracts into facials, body treatments and massages tailored to your needs. Continue relaxing with a swim in the glass-enclosed pool and hot tub, or sign up for art classes in the Potting Shed. For ultimate seclusion, retreat to your Wilderness Estate's private six-person soaking tub nestled in nature.