Stay Cool With These Great Water Retreats

Door County – WI

The perfect mix for summer fun in the sun is some glamping with a side of water! And when we say water we mean the rivers, lakes, and oceans just waiting for you to enjoy near your favorite glamping spot. Here’s a water-based itinerary to keep in mind:

Wisconsin Water: Like its northern neighbor, Minnesota, Wisconsin has plenty of lakes and waterways to explore via canoe and kayak as well as for fishing fun. A few glamping options include Tranquil Timbers in Door County. Up here on this beautiful Wisconsin peninsula, you’re surrounded by the waters of Lake Michigan and Green Bay. There are also several lakes in Door County including Kangaroo Lake in Baileys Harbor and Little Lake (named because it is the smallest) on Washington Island. Rent a cabin, cottage or yurt at Tranquil Timbers and explore the waters of Door County. Another fun Badger State glamping location with a lakeside location is Neshonoc Lakeside. Located on one of Wisconsin’s best fishing lakes for walleye, bass, northern pike, and perch, there are several glamping cabin rentals available here if you’re angling to fish this summer! And, you can’t forget the waterpark variety found in the Wisconsin Dells, aptly considered the water park capital of the world. The Tiny House Container Village at Yukon Trails is about 10 minutes from the action, and are a great choice for a unique and sustainable Dells getaway!

Neshonoc Lakeside – WI

Oceanside: If you’re wanting to spend your summer glamping oceanside, there are several options to choose from. The waters of the Atlantic can be easily accessed with a visit to our East Coast locations including Mt. Desert Narrows and Narrows Too (rent a glamping cabin at these great Bar Harbor spots); with a tiny house rental at Tuxbury Pond Tiny House Village in New Hampshire; and the idyllic resort towns of Cape Cod (check out the cottage rentals at Gateway to Cape Cod). Heading south for warmer Atlantic waters? Check out the Florida glamping cabin rentals at Miami Everglades and Sunshine Key Tiny House Village in Big Pine Key. Pacific Coast options include  Oregon’s Pacific City or Seaside (rentals include glamping cabins and cottages), where the beach is just steps from the campground.

Encore Sunshine Key

Running the Rivers: Can we really divide people into ocean, lake, and river people? If you feel more in tune with rivers, then consider these glamping locations, including the one where a river literally runs through it. That one is California’s Ponderosa, which has the South Fork of the American river running through it. A great place for rafting, tubing, and canoeing with great glamping cabin rentals. Head to Bend, Oregon to explore all the Little Deschutes River has to offer. Rent a glamping cabin, cottage, or yurt at Bend-Sunriver and paddle, tube, or canoe the scenic waterway and enjoy the view.

Thousand Trails Ponderosa

Lake Life: When you glamp with Petite Retreats, living the lake life while glamping is one sure thing. Countless glamping locations are located lakeside. So, if your mantra for your next glamping trip is “Sorry can’t. Lake. Bye.” then we have some choices for you. Lake Minden, located in California’s Sacramento Valley, has a 41-acre private lake onsite that is perfect for boating or fishing for catfish or largemouth bass. Lake life in the foothills of the Sierras? Texas has lake offerings too including Lake Conroe with its 22,000-acre lake world-famous for fishing and great glamping cabin rentals. Speaking of rentals, paddle boats, kayaks and canoes are also available for rent. Alabama’s Hidden Cove sits on Smith Lake known for its crystal clear waters and great fishing. Rent a glamping cottage or cabin and see for yourself.

Thousand Trails Hidden Cove

So much water, so little time! Check out petiteretreats.com and see what body of water can be found at your favorite glamping location.

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5 Things to Do in… Northern California

California is big – in fact, it ranks number 3 in terms of square miles, measuring 163,695 square miles, falling between Texas and Montana in terms of size. And yet for as big as the Golden State is, most people tend to refer to it in terms of either Northern California or Southern California (although the residents trying make Central California a thing may disagree). Northern California is considered pretty much anything north of San Francisco. Yosemite National Park is in Northern California as is the Napa/Sonoma Wine Country and several national forest lands that are home to California’s famed giant sequoias. Northern California is also home to four great campgrounds with each offering its own bit of Northern California charm and fun rental accommodations. So, we’ll round up the campgrounds, highlight the best there is to see near each and throw in a fifth highlight for additional fun in the North!

Cabin at Ponderosa in Lotus, CA
  1. Ponderosa is in Lotus, California, on the South Fork of the American River, which means plenty of water sports including kayaking and rafting right onsite. An interesting day trip would be to visit the historic town of Folsom, which is about 20 miles away. If Folsom sounds familiar, it is the same Folsom made famous by Johnny Cash’s song “Folsom Prison Blues” written about the Folsom State Prison. Visitors can check out the Folsom Prison Museum which has exhibits and artifacts about the 100-year-old-plus facility. There is also the Johnny Cash Trail, which is a Class I bike and pedestrian trail. The town is also home to the Folsom History Museum, the Railroad History Museum and plenty of shops and restaurants. Ponderosa offers a number of cabin options, perfect for a glamping vacation.
Cabin at Tahoe Valley in South Lake Tahoe, CA
  1. Tahoe Valley is in beautiful South Lake Tahoe, which is a mix of towering pine trees, sandy beaches, and of course beautiful Lake Tahoe. Things to do include the Heavenly Ski Resort, with its non-snow summer fun that includes a gondola ride and a mountain coaster, several casinos, and the South Lake Tahoe Beer Trail. Emerald Bay State Park is great for hiking, scenic views of Eagle Falls and to see Vikingsholm Castle, a California landmark that is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture outside of the Nordic countries. Enjoy a cozy cabin surrounded by towering pine trees and nature and you’re set for a Tahoe adventure.
  1. Lake Minden has its own 41-acre lake, perfect for fishing for catfish and largemouth bass. This is a great home base camp if you want to check out California’s capital city of Sacramento. Sacramento highlights include the State Capitol building with its beautiful gardens, the Capitol Museum, and the California Automobile Museum which has over 150 vintage autos on display dating from 1885 to 2011. Don’t miss the Crocker Art Museum which is the oldest art museum west of the Mississippi and has collections that include California art and other American works dating from the Gold Rush to current times. Check out a cabin or cottage rental while at Lake Minden.
  1. Lake of the Springs is in Oregon House, California, and sits at the foothills of the Sierra Mountains. The 120-acre private lake is the jewel of the campground and is great for fishing, boating, and swimming. The area offers several wineries, the Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, and lots of outdoor fun. A great photo op would be at the historic Bridgeport Covered Bridge in South Yuba River State Park, which also has great hiking and private swimming spots! Lake of the Springs offers cabin rentals and adorable yurts!
  1. Lodi, California, is a charming town that could serve our Northern California glampers very well as a day trip adventure. There are 85 wineries in the area, plenty of bike trails, and hiking, as well as rafting and kayaking opportunities. Visitors to the town of Lodi are welcomed by the Lodi Mission Arch, which was built in 1907 and topped with a gold-leafed covered bear – which is the state’s official animal. Once you pass through the gate, the Lodi adventure begins. Check out the Lodi Murals, a serial of murals painted around town to commemorate Lodi’s centennial. Or, visit the World of Wonders Science Museum where science provides the entertainment. There are also galleries, shops, plenty of dining options, plus wines, and ciders and craft brews to sample! Add Lodi to your Northern California glamping trip for the ultimate adventure.
Yosemite National Park

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