Girls Glamping Trip: 10 Glamping Ideas for an Unforgettable Trip

For all our high-maintenance friends out there who want to try camping but aren’t quite ready to sleep in a bag on the ground, we’ve got the solution for you. It’s called glamping, and it’s going to be your new favorite way to unwind and relax with the girls. Here are 10 tips to take you from camping to glamping. But first…

What is glamping?

You guessed it—glamping is the love child of the words “camping” and “glamor.” Basically, glamping is what you do when you want to explore the great outdoors … but you're not into the idea of roughing it. Glamping is elevated camping, so you can enjoy the serenity of nature with the comforts of modern living—all at once.

10 ideas to glam up your glamping experience

1. Find the perfect tent

For the perfect glamping tent, you want something a little more special than your basic Girl Scout setup. For starters, look for something spacious. High ceilings go a long way in making things feel more luxurious. (After all, nobody wants to develop a hunchback after spending a few days in a cramped tent.) 

Also, consider tents with multiple windows and entrances. This boosts the airflow in your tent for better breathability—and seriously helps if you ever feel a little claustrophobic. Plus, it makes way for more natural light inside your resting quarters. And who doesn’t want that?

2. Consider upgrading from a tent to an RV

If camping really isn’t your style but you’re determined to give it a go, know that you have options besides the traditional tent. Today, many glampers are turning to RVs to upgrade (and glamorize) their camping experience. With an RV, you can get up close and personal with Mother Nature—without having to sacrifice the modern comforts you love.

If this is your first RV experience and you’re feeling clueless, don’t worry—you don’t have to buy one. Instead, you can find fully tricked-out RV rentals no matter where you are in the country from RVShare. Just schedule where you want to pick up and drop off your ride (and when), and RVShare will take care of the rest. Think of it like the Airbnb for RVs, so you can cruise to your destination and camp in comfort—no tents required.

3. Trick out your glamping setup with warm lighting

Remember how you totally transformed your tiny college dorm room with just a couple of string lights? Well, some trends never fade. You can use the same trick on your camping trip to upgrade your campsite from rustic to cozy. 

Save energy by shopping for solar-powered lights; they’ll charge up during the day and turn on automatically once the sun sets. You can mix and match with different colors or go all-classic and au natural with warm or cool white. For some more sophistication on the campground, you can even bring along faux candles to set the mood while still keeping things fire-safe (because fire safety is sexy).

4. Get cozy with luxe bedding

Nothing spoils a fresh, summer morning like waking up after a miserable night’s sleep. And just because you’re spending the night in a tent or an RV, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your beauty sleep. For your next glamping trip, swap out your old, raggedy sleeping bag for warm, snuggly bedding that’ll make your campsite feel like home sweet home. (Warning: Be prepared to feel a little extra.) 

Start by bringing an elevated cot or air mattress to give your back some much-needed support—and give you a boost from sleeping on the ground. Next, get cozy with a fresh pair of sheets and soft, cushiony blankets. Top it all off with pillows galore and you’ll feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud.

5. Upgrade to gourmet-level meals

If you’re a foodie, one of the major downsides of a camping trip is sacrificing fresh, good-quality meals. But it doesn’t have to be that way! To take your experience from camping to glamping, it just takes a few tweaks to upgrade your sandwiches and s’mores from basic to gourmet. 

For example, swap out the standard cold cuts for something a little more tasty, like smoked fish and capers or hummus and pita bread. Ditch the instant coffee by bringing fresh coffee grounds and a French press to experience a barista-style cup of Joe even when you’re in the middle of nowhere. Finally, make your childhood-favorite s’mores a little more sophisticated by using dark chocolate instead of Hershey’s and gourmet cookies instead of graham crackers. 

Sound like a lot? When it comes to glamping, the motto is “More is more.” Plus, if you’re traveling with an RV instead of a couple of backpacks, then the weight isn’t a problem. So feel free to load up!

6. Channel your inner interior decorator

Feel like you have a little Martha Stewart energy within you? Now is the time to bring it out. With just a few simple touches, you can transform your basic camping experience into an inviting nature retreat that looks like it’s straight out of a magazine. 

For example, hanging a small mirror inside your tent or RV not only makes the space feel bigger but gives it an elegant, homey touch. The same goes for small pieces of artwork and other sentimental baubles and knick-knacks. We also love to bring along a vase, so when you spy fresh flowers you can scoop them up and brighten up your campsite. 

Pro tip: Avoid bringing anything too precious or fragile with you. Instead, hit up your local flea market before your glamping trip to look for small, cheap accessories you can bring for decoration.

7. Get snug like a bug with a couple of rugs

Looking for a way to capture that home-sweet-home feeling even when you’re road-tripping halfway across the country? One of our favorite glamping tips is to bring along a rug or two. 

Not sold yet? Consider this. You wake up in the morning and take your first step onto the rough nylon of your tent or on the hard floor of your RV … oof. Or you wake up and take your first step onto the soft plush of a chenille rug. Sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it? 

Besides just feeling extra cozy, lining your tent and/or RV with a couple of rugs lends an element of style and sophistication to truly put the “glam” in “glamping.”

8. Luxuriate with self-care products

Spending time in nature is one of the best ways to relax, rewind, and give your mind, body, and soul some much-needed TLC. And while you’re focused on feeling good, there’s no reason why you can’t look good, too! 

In addition to camping staples like bug spray, travel sunscreen, and toothpaste, why not bring along a few more-luxurious self-care products so you can indulge and rejuvenate during your camping trip? For example, fuzzy slippers spoil your tired feet while relaxing in your tent or RV at night. We love a good face mist to freshen up and keep the skin hydrated while out in the sun. And sweet-smelling lip balm and hand lotion always make us feel soothed and relaxed before heading to sleep. (Trust us—your skin will thank you later!)

9. Elevate your essentials with a bedside table

Sleeping on the ground is arguably one of the most rewarding annoying parts of camping. So if you’re a glamper, you’ve probably already elevated your sleeping arrangement with a cot, mattress, or RV. The next step is to elevate (literally and figuratively!) your essentials. And it doesn’t have to be complicated. 

Turn a wooden milk crate on its side to DIY your own bedside table. This is a great place to store your flashlight, water bottle, book, or any other self-care products you want close at hand. Bonus: The milk crate also doubles as storage when it’s time to pack it all up and head home.

10. Level up your entertainment

If you and the girls aren’t the fishing, hiking, or hunting type, there’s no judgment here. You have full license to ditch camping 101 for glamping 101 with leveled-up entertainment for you and your high-maintenance tribe. 

Instead of fishing gear, why not go bougie with classic lawn games like croquet, bocce ball, or badminton? For those who would rather chill out than sweat it out, opt for low-intensity activities like yoga or meditation. Or use the time for self-reflection by journaling or working your way through your summer reading list.

Wrapping up

Camping isn’t for everyone—and that’s okay! For all our more-is-more girls who are tired of being judged for their over-packing tendencies, welcome to the glamping crew! We pack in RVs instead of backpacks and bring face masks and pillows for extra comfort. Because why not.

So ditch your sleeping bag and tent for an RV upgrade, and then hit the road for a girls’ glamping trip. All over-packers are welcome. Just don't forget to charge your lithium batteries!