If roughing it in the woods isn\u2019t quite your jam or you left your sleeping bag days behind along with the relics of your college dorm room, good news. You can still enjoy an overnight or two in the great outdoors\u2014just with a little more d\u00e9cor and maybe even AC, a comfy mattress and a nice bathroom. \u201cGlamping\u201d is camping\u2019s trendier, more Instagram-able cousin. And it\u2019s not just tents with a bougie twist. From deluxe treehouses to tricked-out yurts to luxury cabins with full kitchens and indoor plumbing, a quick Google search will lead you to discover the many glamping experiences available in the mountains, at waterfront destinations and everywhere in between around Virginia.\n<\/p>\n
We decided to check out a handful of new ones, all opened (or with glamping options added) within the last year and mostly close to home, to give you a few ideas. Read on to learn about glamping tents on the Chickahominy River in Williamsburg and at Crabtree Falls in the Shenandoah Mountains as well as minimalist tiny homes oozing with small town charm on the Northern Neck and the Eastern Shore. Pack your bags and get glamping this fall.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\nTimberline Glamping. Photos By Leona Baker\/Courtesy of Timberline Glamping<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Timberline Glamping \u00a0<\/strong> It was a humid, mid-summer scorcher when I pulled up to my waterfront campsite at Timberline Glamping in Williamsburg<\/a>. I quickly began unpacking my bags and gear onto the wooden deck of my assigned tent,\u00a0situated facing Gordon\u2019s Creek, just off the Chickahominy River, and made of sturdy off-white canvas supported by a metal frame. I had seen the pics, so I could hardly contain my excitement as I unzipped the\u00a0tent\u2019s door, a rugged outer layer followed by a mesh screen.\n<\/p>\n As I pushed through the tent\u2019s opening, I was greeted by a delightful blast of cool air\u00a0courtesy of a small AC unit and a fan suspended from\u00a0the tent\u2019s ceiling.\u00a0The warm mood lighting afforded by the sun\u2019s rays softly beaming through the canvas and a pleasant earthy aroma coming from Timberline\u2019s signature diffuser fragrance set the stage for my first ever \u201cglamping\u201d experience. I was hooked\u2014fantasizing about coming back in the fall before I had even set my suitcase down. (Yes, I brought a suitcase. Hey, this is glamping, y\u2019all.)\n<\/p>\n Photos By Leona Baker\/Courtesy of Timberline Glamping<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Timberline\u2019s Double Safari Tents<\/a> feature two queen metal-frame beds with cozy memory foam mattresses and real, fresh linens, lamps, rugs, pillows, blankets, chairs,\u00a0electrical outlets, a\u00a0Keurig with Timberline branded K-Cups, a mini fridge, trendy decor and that all-important AC\/heating unit (depending on the season).\u00a0Timberline\u2019s website is quick to qualify that, while the heating and cooling are enough to take the edge off, guests shouldn\u2019t expect the same temps as at home. Yet, as long as the tent\u2019s door was kept zipped, I found it very pleasant\u2014even on an extremely hot day.\n<\/p>\n Sipping my freshly brewed cup of coffee outside the tent the next morning, I watched from an Adirondack chair as egrets took flight from their watery roost. Boats, kayaks and even a crew team passed by my tent\u2019s front door, rowing in unison as their coach called out commands. Also, outside the tent, campers will find a fire pit, picnic table and hammock. Optional add-ons like cornhole boards, Blackstone griddles,\u00a0and s\u2019mores kits are available for an additional charge. And be sure to bring your bike because the Capital Trail is directly accessible at the park\u2019s entrance.\n<\/p>\n Photos By Leona Baker\/Courtesy of Timberline Glamping<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A franchise with locations in Alabama, Georgia, Florida\u00a0and\u00a0now Virginia, the Timberline Glamping in Williamsburg is owned by husband-and-wife Megan and Ken Sanders, who decided to share their love of adventure and passion for the outdoors through this new venture. There are six tents available including a Deluxe Safari Tent<\/a> option that has one king bed and two sets of bunk beds. Prices start at $169 per night plus taxes, fees and a $65 cleaning charge.\u00a0Dogs\u00a0are welcome, but there is a pet fee.\n<\/p>\n The Accommodations: <\/strong> The Location: <\/strong> Things to See\/Do: <\/strong> Cape Charles Tiny Livin. Photos By Kelsey Thomas<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Cape Charles Tiny Livin\u2019\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> Simple meets scintillating at this hidden gem on the Eastern Shore. If you\u2019re looking for a glamping getaway with charm, character and history, then Cape Charles Tiny Livin\u2019<\/a> is for you. Their motto, \u201cless space, more livin\u2019,\u201d epitomizes the experience.\n<\/p>\n You can\u2019t miss the bold cottages as you enter the grounds, each painted its own unique, bright color and given a special nickname to match its interior theme. I had the privilege of staying overnight in \u201cHoney,\u201d which has a pastel, sage green exterior and a quaint porch. The inside features modern artwork and furniture with a colorful flair. Its sister house, \u201cMilk,\u201d looks identical\u2014a homage to the term \u201cmilk and honey.\u201d While my mind went straight to the popular poetry book by Rupi Kaur, owner Eric Hawkins explained that the inspiration for this dynamic duo actually stemmed from the church in Texas where his daughter serves as pastor.\n<\/p>\n Photos By Kelsey Thomas<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Other cottages include \u201cStay Awhile,\u201d a granola yellow tiny home with wood accents and a similar set-up to \u201cMilk\u201d and \u201cHoney\u201d; \u201cVintage,\u201d which takes you back in time with classic, antique d\u00e9cor; \u201cMermaid,\u201d a blue beauty that makes you feel like you\u2019re lodging under the sea; \u201cFisherman,\u201d their coastal themed cottage; \u201cRed House,\u201d the eye-catcher with an interior entirely inspired by Jimmy Hendrix; and \u201cTiny House Hideaway,\u201d a two-story barn where rustic meets cozy comfort. And there are more tiny houses in the works.\n<\/p>\n Know someone getting married who has dreamed of an intimate micro-wedding? They\u2019ve also got a tiny house event rental decorated with vivacious plants that make a great backdrop for a small ceremony. While the cottages are the perfect invitation for relaxation, their simplicity also motivates you to get out and explore, whether it be venturing to Kiptopeke State Park, sunbathing on the beach, shopping and dining in downtown Cape Charles or lounging on their lawn by the fire with a competitive game of cornhole on the side.\n<\/p>\n Photos By Kelsey Thomas<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Aside from the aesthetic qualities that make Cape Charles Tiny Livin\u2019 so distinctive, the history of the property also provides a new perspective on the space. The houses were originally built in 1939 as part of the Esso Auto Court, which served as a recreational spot for auto-travelers\u2014most commonly fishermen, hunters and tourists ready to explore the Eastern Shore\u2014and featured a gas station, restaurant and 14 tiny cottages. Fast forward to April 2021 and Eric and Sylvia Hawkins decided to move in and reimagine the old Auto Court, turning it into a lively lodging location that allows travelers to connect with nature and explore the Shore with maximum livability in a minimal space. The idea stemmed from their love of Cape Charles, which they had frequented for more than 25 years before making the move, and their passion for tiny living, which they did for more than 14 years before turning the lifestyle into a short-term rental experience for others.\n<\/p>\n Rental prices for the tiny homes start at $180 a night before taxes. Dogs are welcome in select rentals.\n<\/p>\n The\u00a0Accommodations:\u00a0<\/strong> The\u00a0Location:<\/strong> Things to\u00a0See\/Do:<\/strong> Bathroom Situation:\u00a0<\/strong> Food & Cooking:\u00a0<\/strong> Refuel Irvington. Photos By Leona Baker<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Refuel Irvington<\/strong> Full disclosure: I\u2019m automatically over the moon about any place to stay that serves up a free moon pie with raspberry drizzle and a sprig of mint for guests who leave their cars parked and commit to walking or biking around the nearby small town during their visit. It\u2019s a sweet reward at a creatively repurposed new spot on Virginia\u2019s Northern Neck, not to mention a tasty way to motivate visitors to eat, shop and play local. Here, \u201clingering is encouraged.\u201d\n<\/p>\n And that\u2019s just what I did during my recent stay at Refuel Irvington<\/a>, an L-shaped cluster of six tiny rental cottages with an industrial minimalist vibe, opened in mid-2022 on the site of what was once the dilapidated remains of an old petroleum transfer station. Like nearly everything in Irvington, it\u2019s located a stone\u2019s throw from Carter\u2019s Creek and the Rappahannock River and around the corner from the town\u2019s main intersection.\n<\/p>\n Photos By Leona Baker<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cI wanted to inspire people about what you can do with the old and how you can live in a smaller footprint,\u201d says owner Albert Pollard, a nonprofit energy consultant and former state legislator. Pollard worked with the Department of Environmental Quality to safely transform the site into an asset for this small but thriving waterfront community, also known as a destination for its luxury inns, restaurants, wineries, shops and quaint Chesapeake Bay charm.\n<\/p>\n Arranged like a mini village around a central courtyard with pebble pathways, stainless steel planters, a gurgling fountain, patio, fire pit, hammock and crisscrossing Edison lights, each 390-square-foot Refuel cottage has a covered front porch and all the creature comforts and free wifi you need without the fuss. After pedaling around town on one of Refuel\u2019s black beach cruisers and stopping at Camp (a popular new outdoor food, drink and event venue) and\u00a0The Tides Inn\u2019s Fish Hawk Oyster Bar, I made myself a simple dinner in the efficiency kitchen before tucking into the cozy queen size with a good book. The next morning, I walked to The Local, a cute coffee shop serving yummy breakfast sammies, chia\u00a0bowls, sticky buns and more.\n<\/p>\n Photos By Leona Baker<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Refuel would be a perfect place for a small family reunion or friends\u2019 getaway for those who want to rent multiple units. The adjacent \u201cBrake Room\u201d is a refurbishment of one of the fueling station\u2019s original structures, now an open-air party space with table games, darts and a TV.\u00a0Refuel recently opened a self-checkout\u00a0caf\u00e9 offering beer, wine, baguettes, cheese, empanadas, salads and select desserts. With nightly rental rates starting at $170, Refuel is also\u00a0a more affordable alternative to the inns nearby, which are delightful but pricy.\n<\/p>\n The Accommodations:<\/strong> The Location:<\/strong> Things to See\/Do:<\/strong> Bathroom Situation:<\/strong> Food & Cooking:<\/strong> The Retreat at Crabtree Falls. Photos By Jenny Davis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Retreat at Crabtree Falls<\/strong>
1350 John Tyler Hwy.,\u00a0Williamsburg. <\/em>
Williamsburg.TLGlamping.com<\/a>, @timberlinewilliamsburg<\/em> \u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n![\"Photos](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/1693690811_248_Glamp-It-Up-This-Fall-Coastal-Virginia-Magazine.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1\")
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Safari glamping tents\n<\/p>\n
Within the Chickahominy Riverfront Park, on the banks of the beautiful Chickahominy River, along the Capital Trail and about a 10\u201315-minute drive to Colonial Williamsburg or Jamestown\n<\/p>\n
Biking, hiking, kayaking, fishing, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, The Capital Trail, Williamsburg Winery, Busch Gardens\n<\/p>\n![\"Photos](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/1693690811_911_Glamp-It-Up-This-Fall-Coastal-Virginia-Magazine.jpg?resize=800%2C635&ssl=1\")
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22102 S. Bayside Rd., Cape Charles.
CapeCharlesTinyLivin.com<\/a>, @capecharles_tinylivin\u00a0<\/span><\/em>\n<\/p>\n![\"Photos](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/1693690811_416_Glamp-It-Up-This-Fall-Coastal-Virginia-Magazine.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1\")
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Tiny cottages\n<\/p>\n
In a partially wooded community on Virginia\u2019s Eastern Shore, right off Lankford Hwy toward Cheriton and a 5-minute drive to downtown Cape Charles\n<\/p>\n
Biking\/hiking\/kayaking in Kiptopeke State Park, beach, shopping, restaurants, Buskey Cider on the Bay, Cape Charles Brewing Company, Cape Charles
Distillery, Chatham Vineyards\n<\/p>\n
Small private bath with sink, stand-up shower, towels, shampoo, conditioner and soap provided.\n<\/p>\n
Sink, mini fridge, microwave, stovetop, toaster, coffee\/tea maker all provided, but you\u2019ll need to bring your own food.\n<\/p>\n![\"Photos](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/1693690811_283_Glamp-It-Up-This-Fall-Coastal-Virginia-Magazine.jpg?resize=800%2C480&ssl=1\")
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73 Seafood Ln., Irvington.
ReFuelIrvington.com<\/a>, @refuelirvington\u00a0<\/span><\/em>\n<\/p>\n![\"Photos](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/1693690811_155_Glamp-It-Up-This-Fall-Coastal-Virginia-Magazine.jpg?resize=800%2C583&ssl=1\")
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Tiny cottages\n<\/p>\n
In the charming town of Irvington (also home to The Tides Inn and Hope & Glory Inn) on Virginia\u2019s Northern Neck, built on the site of a former petroleum transfer station, hence the name\n<\/p>\n
Biking, paddleboarding, boutiques, farm markets, specialty food, restaurants, Camp, Dog & Oyster Micro-Vineyard, The Tides Inn, Steamboat Era Museum\u2014all in walking or cycling distance\n<\/p>\n
Small but full private bath with shower (no tub) in each cottage, towels, bathmat, shampoo, conditioner and soap provided.\n<\/p>\n
Kitchen has basic cookware, plates, utensils, a two-burner stove, microwave, toaster oven and full-size fridge. Or order from the caf\u00e9, but it is closed seasonally November-March.\n<\/p>\n![\"Photos](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/1693690811_814_Glamp-It-Up-This-Fall-Coastal-Virginia-Magazine.jpg?resize=800%2C498&ssl=1\")
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11100 Crabtree Falls Hwy., Tyro.
CrabtreeFalls.com<\/a>,\u00a0@theretreatatcrabtreefalls\u00a0<\/span><\/em>\n<\/p>\n
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