For some, when thinking of camping, they recall memories of a long cold night in a tent. Only panels of thin nylon separating them from the cool night air, gusty wind, or even chilly rainfall. Spending hours freezing inside a not-so-adequate shelter when you should be slumbering is miserable.
So are glamping tents warm?
Glamping tents elevate the traditional camping trip to a luxurious experience within the outdoors. Since glamping tents usually have thicker walls, glamping tents are generally warm and can be heated in a variety of ways depending on their building materials, location, and amenities. Some glamping tents are warmed by wood-burning stoves while others are warmed by electric heaters.
You will have to check with your glamping facility to find out if they heat your tent for you or if you have your own glamping tent, you will need to provide a heat source for it.
If you would like to know what qualifies as a glamping tent and information for each type, try this article that we wrote. – What are Glamping Tents? ( List of types and prices )
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A Refresher on Glamping
Glamping is a relatively new term, but not a new idea. French and British royalty were hauling extensive caravans loaded with luxury items out into the barren landscape centuries ago. Today, glamping is considered a way to get out and experience nature without having to deal with traditional camping concerns.
Glamping usually involves a unique shelter or accommodation, a breathtaking natural setting, posh furnishing, and first-class amenities. There are varying degrees of glamping based on whether you want to DIY your own glamping experience or book a stay at an upscale glampground resort.
Glamping is the perfect way to connect with flora and fauna without having to forgo modern luxuries.
Are Glamping Tents Warm in General?
Glamping is a combination of the words glamorous and camping. When embarking on a glamping trip, it is relatively safe to say that you will not be “roughing it.” Because of the standards and expectations associated with glamping, glamping tents are usually warm.
However, there are caveats to this. Some glamping tents are designed solely with luxury and stylish furnishings in mind. These tents are often better suited to the warmer months.
Some tents, like yurts or canvas safari tents, are equipped with a chimney ventilation system. However, this means bringing your own wood-burning stove or similar heat source.
Glamping resorts generally can outfit their tents with the ultimate insulative and warming devices and amenities. Because their shelters are stationary, they can include raised heated floors, stoves, and indoor plumbing with warm water.
Glamping tents are usually warm in three out of the four seasons, in the winter months only a few are warm, and this depends on how you heat your tent and yourself. In truth, glamping tents don’t have anything on true expedition tents crafted to withstand extreme conditions.
Types of Glamping — DIY versus a Resort
- Glamping on Your Own
Of course, how you plan to go glamping directly influences the warmth of your tent. If you are going glamping on your own, and procuring items to turn your standard camping trip into a glamorous trip, then you will be responsible for maintaining the warmth of your tent.
If you are selecting a glamping reservation at one of the numerous glamping resorts or campgrounds located not only across the United States but all over the globe, then it is a pretty safe bet that your tent will be warm.
DIY glamping tents can be anything from a spruced up regular tent to a prefabricated model. If you are hoping to just make additions to your traditional tent, then you will need to warm it (or yourself) with whatever methods you previously used.
For generic nylon tents, this can include bringing blankets, using thermals, using a hot water bottle, wearing layers, and safely using a space heater during daylight hours. Choosing the correct sleeping bag with an appropriate temperature rating and using rugs in your tent can also provide some extra warmth.
Nylon tents typically do not accommodate wood-burning stoves as they are susceptible to heat and embers igniting their paneling. Due to this, it is best to keep your tent warm using a camping certified space heater, sleeping bags, or other non-flame producing options.
Store-bought glamping tents can run upwards of a thousand dollars. These tents are usually made from canvas or cotton materials. Some even feature a stove jack so that you can use an indoor wood burning stove right inside your tent.
These extravagant tents also feature mesh ventilation ports, rainfly, and awnings. Because they are typically larger in nature, there will be more open space to heat, meaning a wood-burning stove is often a great idea. However, some models of glamping tents are typically relegated to the spring, summer, and fall months as it can be difficult to procure and use your own heat source during the frigid winter months.
Not all glamping tents are created equal, however. While posh bubble tents and canvas tents sans heaters may not be the warmest options, some glamping tents can handle extreme conditions.
The Heimplanet Mavericks tent looks like something out of the future with its geometric design and insulated interior chambers. But this futuristic shelter can withstand extreme winds and freezing conditions to keep you cozy on your arctic adventure.
Booking at a Glamping Campground — or a Glampground!
Some glamping campgrounds are impervious to the colder months and use heated floors, cozy interiors, and stoves or heating units to keep their guests warm. Because many glamping tents at resorts or glamping destinations are stationary, they can afford to install lasting and effective heat sources.
Some glamping shelters are cabins, airstreams, or tiny homes. These sturdy shelters allow climate control units, stoves, and heated floors to be built into their frames or structures. If you are choosing a glamping shelter that is beyond a regular tent, then you won’t have to worry about staying warm through the night.
Other glamping structures are made from thick fabrics like safari tents or yurts. These tents may come equipped with wood-burning stoves, wood flooring, and cozy interiors. Not all glampgrounds in cooler climates are open year-round, however, if they are they are likely doing all that they can to ensure their guests don’t freeze.
If you are planning on booking a stay at an upscale glampground, you can likely forgo the long thermal underwear and sleeping bag liners. The owners and hosts should ensure that your stay is a toasty one.
Different Methods of Heating Your Glamping Tent
If you are more of a DIY’er than a resort guest, there are still plenty of ways you can heat your glamping tent and stay warm.
As previously mentioned, some tents can accommodate a wood-burning stove. These tents are usually made of canvas and have an access port for a flue or chimney. It is important to note that not just any tent can handle a wood-burning stove.
You should equip your glamping tent with proper safety measures and take extra precautions when using a wood-burning stove. The stove should be placed on a flame-resistant mat within your tent to catch any embers, the top of the flue should catch falling embers with a spark arrester, and you will want a fire extinguisher close by at all times.
When using your stove, you will want to keep any combustible items as well as children and pets away from hot surfaces. It is better to not use your stove during the night for safety reasons, including carbon monoxide issues (though rare with the use of a flue). Finally, make sure your tent is well ventilated so that it doesn’t trap any smoke or CO2.
A wood-burning stove operates by burning wood as fuel and whichever type you select should come with an instruction manual. A wood-burning stove is great for warmth, cooking, and giving your glamping tent that extra cozy feel.
You can also use a propane heater or an electric heater as a source of warmth for your glamping tent. Both types have their strengths and drawbacks.
Electric heaters are generally safer than propane heaters because they do not emit carbon dioxide. However, you must have access to an electrical outlet in order to power your heater; if your campsite has this, it will not be a problem. Electric heaters can quickly warm up a space, as with any heat source keep little hands away along with combustibles and do not use it during the night.
Propane heaters don’t rely on electricity, but they do emit CO2. Because of this, you will want to make sure that your tent is well ventilated; possibly even leaving open the door panel. A few companies, like Coleman, make propane heaters specifically for tents, these may be a great option.
Candle lanterns are another way to heat your glamping tent and provide a pleasant ambiance. Candle lanterns do use a flame, so you will want to take many of the same precautions listed above.
It is not a good idea to use an open flame candle not housed in a protective container in your glamping tent. Though candles can bring feelings of luxury and comfort, they pose a fire risk. If you want to keep the cozy atmosphere without the danger, consider battery-powered LED flameless candles.
One of the final and most resourceful ways to heat your tent involves rocks. Depending on what type of glamping tent you have, specifically the flooring system and its size, this method may or may not be suited to you.
First, you must some decently weighted rocks, between five and fifteen pounds, and smooth is best. To heat your rocks, place them near the fire or even at the base of the fire for a few hours. Once they are hot, pick them up with tongs or flame retardant gloves and set them aside to cool.
After they have cooled sufficiently, so that you can safely touch them, you can bring them inside your tent either wrapped in a thermal blanket or set on a mat. Depending on the size of your tent, the rocks should heat the space inside.
If you want to take your rock heating system to the next level and have the correct terrain, you can bury your rocks. Heat the rocks on the fire in the same manner. While they are heating, find a sandy area and dig a hole about a foot deep.
Once the rocks have warmed for a few hours place them into the hole using a shovel, tongs, or gloves. Then bury the rocks and move your tent directly over the hole. The rocks will warm the sand and in turn, your tent, just be sure they are deep enough to not burn a hole in your tent floor.
Other Ways to Stay Warm While Glamping
There are various ways to heat your glamping tent with different types of heaters. However, there are a few small scale changes you can make to keep yourself warm while glamping.
One way to stay cozy is by using rugs or an elevated flooring system. Nothing says roughing it like sleeping on the cold hard ground. Thank goodness you are glamping!
Pack an area rug or two to use as an insulative barrier between you and the ground. As a bonus, they can provide an elevated style to your tent. If you want even more of a barrier, consider using a flooring system.
This may be a raised platform if you are planning a more long-term stay or thick connecting panels for transportability. Many times these portable mats are made from interlocking, durable foam pieces, sometimes even crafted to resemble elegant wood flooring.
Once you have your ground cover, add some furniture and a type of mattress to keep you up off the ground. Large glamping tents can accommodate a queen size mattress, and many can comfortably fit an air mattress. By sleeping on an elevated surface, you will have a thick barrier between you and the ground to prevent heat loss.
Camp chairs, bean bags, or even hammocks, will provide the same protection from the ground when you are just lounging around. Add in a few extra throw blankets and some pillows, and you will be warm and cozy in no time.
If you are still feeling the chill bring a hot water bottle or chemical heating pack. A hot water bottle can be heated just before bed and placed at your feet to keep you toasty while you sleep. Or, you can snuggle up with it in a chair or on a couch.
Though typically single-use, chemical heat packs can come in handy. Much like a hot water bottle, you can keep them in your bed, on your lap, or even in a sweatshirt pocket for instant warmth.
Layers may also help you to stay warm when glamping. Consider thermal base layers that wick away perspiration but trap in heat to keep you insulated. Wool is also another awesome material that can be used to keep you warm in the form of sweaters, hats, and gloves.
To truly stay warm in your glamping tent, you will have to bring quite a few items. Be sure that you follow all instructions and manuals on any heaters that you bring into your tent. Also, it may be beneficial to measure your tent or perform a trial run at home to ensure you can comfortably and safely fit everything into your given space.
Reconsider Your Camping Season or Stay at a Glampground
If you have your heart set on glamping, yet you want to stay warm, you might want to consider camping only during the warmer months. Most glamping tents are designed for luxury and style appeal and not for arctic expeditions.
Some, like yurts or canvas tents with a chimney vent, can be outfitted to keep you cozy during the winter months. However, most glamping tents that you will be able to procure and set up on your own will be best suited to moderate or warm temperatures.
If you are going glamping during the snowy season, consider choosing a glamping resort and let the owners worry about the heating issues. Here are just a few options.
The desert can get pretty cold at night, especially during the winter months. Off the grid yurts, located in Southeast Utah, are insulated from top to bottom and even have a wood-burning stove included. These yurts are sure to keep you cozy even during the chilly winter months.
Luxury tents in British Columbia are the ultimate cold-weather glamping getaway. Each tent is equipped with a chromotherapy bathtub, propane fireplace, and heated slate floors. You will be warm from the moment you roll out of bed in the morning.
Eco pods in the Swiss Alps are designed to keep the snow and ice at bay. They are furnished with wood floors, cozy rugs, and a pellet burning stove. The bathroom is even hooked to a system that provides warm spring water. Take in views of the snowy Alps from your balmy oasis.
Staying at a glampground during the winter months can take the hassle and worry out of glamping. You won’t have to worry about how to stay warm or how many items you will need to pack to heat your tent.
No matter the type of glamping or season you are glamping in, with all the tips provided, you are sure to find a way to stay warm and cozy on your luxury camping expedition.
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