Let’s face it: camping is great, but we don’t all want to sleep on the ground or cook over an open fire. An actual bed with sheets would be welcome, as would four walls, or at least some strong canvas. Luckily, glamorous camping, a.k.a. glamping, has taken off across North America in recent years, including here in Hastings County. From a riverside yurt to an off-grid cabin in the woods, here are five spots to get your glamp on.
Four Seasons Getaway
Nestled along the peaceful Moira River just south of Madoc, this unique canvas structure has everything you need to comfortably get up close to the great outdoors: two double cloud beds (extra soft sheets, duck down feather mattresses, cool gel pillows, natural down duvet), hammock, outdoor kitchen, outdoor hot shower, fire pit, woodstove (in the fall and winter), dock, and paddle boats. The site can accommodate up to four people, and no doubt everyone will feel refreshed after falling asleep to the tickle of the river and experiencing a slower, quieter pace of life.
Forest Yurt
You’ll find this glamping yurt down a rocky path in a secluded, 20-acre forest property near the hamlet of Ivanhoe, where you can walk to the famous Ivanhoe Cheese Factory. Inside the cozy yurt is a queen bed, couch, woodstove, fully equipped kitchen, and half bath (a shower is available in the main house). Outside: a firepit, barbecue, patio area, and an herb garden — all surrounded by dense, old-growth forest. There is a large Amish and Mennonite community in the area, and so nearby there are plenty of farms and produce stands to buy fresh eggs, fruits, and vegetables.
Off-Grid Cabin
Five minutes west of the town of Maynooth sits this charming cottage with its own semi-private lake. Although it is completely off-grid, some of the comforts of home are delivered through a wood-burning fireplace, propane, solar power, and rainwater collection. There are two bedrooms here — one with a queen bed, the other with two singles — as well as a fully-stocked kitchen, bathroom with tub, outdoor shower with granite floors, sunroom, and a firepit area behind the cabin. Down by the lake, there is a walkout dock and floating dock, while the rest of the 28-acre property is lined with trails and paths to explore.
Kings Mill Cider Yurts
Margaret and Kees have been perfecting their hard ciders on their beautiful rural property north of Stirling for the past several years. Now, they’ve added three 400-square-foot glamping yurts to the mix so that everyone can stay and sample their award-winning craft brews. The simple warm-weather canvas yurts come with a queen bed, and the price includes a wood-fired pizza for dinner with a flight of five ciders. For breakfast, fresh-baked croissants with coffee or tea. Walk off all of that delicious next door at Kings Mill Conservation Area.
Ride the Wilderness Cabins
Famous for their horseback riding, dogsled, and snowmobiling tours near Algonquin Park, the folks at Ride the Wilderness recently built a number of 10 by 10 cabins on their 130-acre property. Completely private and secluded in the woods, each simple pine cabin comes with a front porch, barbecue, furnishings, sleeping loft, and private outdoor toilet (remember to bring your sleeping bag and pillow). The property is about a half hour drive from Algonquin Park and five minutes from Maynooth, and there is a beautiful lake and swimming spot nearby.
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