The Quirkiest Tourist Spots to Visit This Season

Did you road trip as a child and have to endure, or maybe enjoy, stops along the way to see some of America’s roadside oddities? Like the world’s largest ball of twine (located in Cawker, Kansas) or the 70-foot statue of the Jolly Green Giant of canned vegetable fame (located in Blue Earth, Minnesota). Yearning to go back to those days on your next road trip? We’ve got a few things that will have you stopping along the way to your next glamping trip to take a look.

Tuxbury Tiny House Village
Tuxbury Tiny House Village

The Paper House in Rockport, Massachusetts (near Tuxbury Tiny House Village) is made entirely of, yep, paper. Why? The builder, who was the same man that invented the machine that makes paper clips, thought paper would serve as good insulation for his summer home, and the project just grew from there. Even the furniture is made of paper! Open April through October, check the website for more details and hours of operation.

Wisconsin’s The House on the Rock is another interesting attraction that grew from one’s man’s desire to build himself the ultimate retreat. Located in Spring Green (near the Tiny House Container Village at Yukon Trails), The House on the Rock is a definite destination worth the trip. Back in 1945, Alex Jordan set out to build himself a house on Deer Shelter Rock. Again, things just grew from there and it is now one of Wisconsin’s biggest attractions. The House on the Rock consists of not only room upon room of interesting architecture full of a variety of collections but also gardens and one-of-a-kinds, like the world’s largest indoor carousel. For more information and details, visit thehouseontherock.com.

Vacation Cottage at Narrows Too Camping Resort
Vacation Cottage at Narrows Too Camping Resort

As the world’s largest producer of wild blueberries, it’s no wonder that Maine has a special little attraction known as Wild Blueberry Land (near our Bar Harbor resorts). Of course, you know what you will find here – all kinds of blueberry products from pies and scones to syrups and jams. Make sure to take pics of the giant blueberry pie, the blueberry shrine and of course, the building itself, which was designed to look like a big old blueberry. Open seasonally, check the website at wildblueberryland.com for operating hours.

Thousand Trails Palm Springs Cottage
Thousand Trails Palm Springs Cottage

California has many museums from LA’s renowned Getty Museum to the Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum just outside Joshua Tree National Park (and near to Thousand Trails Palm Springs). For all the Getty Museum offers, with its concrete and steel structures and its vast collections ranging from pre-20th century to modern day, the Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum is just the opposite. No walls, no buildings, no great masters – just a collection of art installations set right in the desert created from everyday stuff including broken glass, discarded tires and household items like chairs and TV sets! For directions and details, visit noahpurifoy.com.

We all know that Chucky and Annabelle are some of the creepiest dolls around, but have you met Robert, Florida’s Key West resident weirdo doll? Visit the Fort East Martello Museum on the island for an up-close and personal visit with this childhood pal of a man named Gene Otto. As the story goes, Robert mocked Gene’s friends, was responsible for any of the mischief Gene appeared to have caused and was actually so spooky, Gene’s wife made him lock Robert in the attic once they were married. Apparently only Gene understood Robert and vice versa! Visitors to the museum have said that when they are near Robert weird things happen – like breaking cameras or just feeling a general sense of being watched. Check him out next time you’re glamping at our Keys locations – Encore Sunshine Key or Encore Fiesta Key.

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Where to Stay in a Yurt for an Unforgettable Trip

Aside from being the ultra-hip accommodation as the glamping trend continues to gain popularity, a yurt offers so much for a glamping getaway. If you’re new to glamping, or a tried-and-true camper looking for something different, you will quickly find out that the yurt offers a very unique space that has all the amenities you could imagine. Cable TV, bathroom accommodations within the space, comfy bunks, a kitchenette, electricity and plenty of room for activities! Plus, you don’t have to duck when you stand up. This all goes without even mentioning the sense of well-being that is associated with the modern versions of these age-old dwellings. The circular shape of the yurt is said to provide a sense of connection as well as relaxation. So, booking a yurt for your next glamping trip would be an ideal way to get back to being connected with family, friends, nature and your well-being. Here are some options:

Yurt at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes
Yurt at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes

California: Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs in Oregon House has three yurt accommodations, one of which is pet friendly. Located at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, this location is excellent for hiking and trail-riding, plus there are onsite activities provided by the 120-acre private lake including boating, fishing and swimming. If you’re looking to get in some white-water rafting, consider a yurt stay at one of the two yurt options at Thousand Trails Snowflower in Emigrant Gap which is nearby to the Truckee River. The town of Truckee has some great historical museums, as well as dining and shopping opportunities. Planning to explore Yosemite National Park? If that’s on your getaway list, book a yurt at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes. With 5 yurts, choose your location of a meadow setting, hillside setting or riverside setting.

Yurts at Mt. Hood Village
Yurts at Mt. Hood Village

Oregon: Yurt accommodations in Oregon include coastal locations (Thousand Trails Pacific City and Thousand Trails South Jetty), near Portland in the beautiful Mt. Hood area (Mt. Hood Village Campground) and in the town of Bend, considered the “outdoor playground of the West” (Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver). Bend offers four yurt options, with one being pet-friendly; Mt. Hood has two, both of which are pet-friendly, while coastal locations Pacific City and South Jetty offer two and four, respectively. While Bend offers hiking, biking and craft breweries, the Mt. Hood area is known for the Timberline Lodge and outdoor activities as well as annual festivals like the Huckleberry Festival and Sasquatch Festival. Coastal adventures at both Pacific City and South Jetty include lighthouse tours, beachcombing and countless dune trails to explore.

Thousand Trails Circle M Yurt
Thousand Trails Circle M Yurt

Pennsylvania: The beautiful rolling hills of Pennsylvania’s Amish country, combined with a yurt accommodation at Thousand Trails Circle M sounds like a perfectly peaceful glamping getaway. Choose from one of the two yurts located here and explore Lancaster County. Bike trails range from easy rides (the Conestoga Greenway is 1.3 miles) to more strenuous (the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail is 14 miles), while hiking trails are numerous and varied as well. Of course, there is the option to immerse yourself in the Amish culture with traditional dinners and tours or take a ghost tour, shop the Lancaster Central Market, which has been operating for over 300 years or take a cool covered bridge tour of the 30 surviving covered bridges in the area.

Yurt at Thousand Trails Mt. Vernon
Yurt at Thousand Trails Mount Vernon

Washington: With five different glamping locations with yurt accommodations in Washington State, you can “yurt” your way through this fabulous Pacific Northwest destination feeling super connected to nature all along the way. Thousand Trails Grandy Creek is your gateway to Puget Sound and all things Mt. Baker while Thousand Trails Mount Vernon is great for nearby hiking trails and day trips to the San Juan Islands. Thousand Trails Long Beach is perfect for a glamping beach getaway and a stroll on the town’s historic boardwalk while Thousand Trails Paradise puts you in Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens territory. Looking to visit Seattle, consider a yurt accommodation at Tall Chief Campground and you’re less than 30 miles from Seattle attractions like the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and the Museum of Pop Culture.

Wisconsin: “Explore the Door” as they say when you visit the 75-mile-long peninsula known as Door County. The yurt accommodations at Tranquil Timbers Campground sleep five and are the perfect place to call home while you do all the exploring of this great area that has outdoor activities, art galleries, quaint towns, plenty of shopping and dining experiences, and “uniquely Door County” experiences like fish boils and goats on restaurant roofs (Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant). Peninsula State Park is great for hiking and biking while those in the know say the villages of Egg Harbor and Fish Creek are best for shopping. Take the ferry over to Washington Island for a change-up in the beautiful scenery and visit Nelsen’s Hall for a traditional shot of bitters!

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5 Things to Do in Pismo Beach, CA

Looking for a getaway with sand and sun? How about a glamping cottage at Pacific Dunes Ranch with access to the fabulous sand dunes as well as all the fun things to do in the area?

Cottage at Pacific Dunes Ranch
Cottage at Pacific Dunes Ranch

1. Pismo Preserve: At over 800 acres, this beautiful nature preserve is the place to go for outdoor adventures. There is roughly 11 miles of hiking to be found here on several trails that range from ¾ miles to over 5 miles in distance. Expect lovely coastal hikes with beautiful ocean views.

2. Hearst Castle: Believe us when we tell you this is worth the roughly 50+ mile road trip (plus you can’t beat the scenery along the way!) There are several ways to tour this magnificent estate built for publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst. From the spectacular indoor and outdoor pools, the lush gardens and room upon room of splendidly appointed furnishing, art and antiques, Heart Castle is a real treasure.

Hearst Castle

3. Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve: From the soaring dunes to the amazing sunsets, don’t miss this attraction. Fish, swim, walk the beach or just marvel at the amazing sand dune found here.

4. Pismo Beach Boardwalk: Who doesn’t love a boardwalk? The original pier was built in 1881 and has been rebuilt several times since, yet has maintained its attraction through the years. Great shops and eateries, fishing opportunities and of course great views of the ocean are the draws here!

Pismo Beach Boardwalk

5. The Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo: After all the touring and time outside, you might be in the mood to sit back and catch a show. No matter which performing art is your forte, there’s an upcoming show you’d love at this state-of-the-art performing center. And if you’re the dinner and a show type, be sure to check out the pre-show dinner options onsite! Head to https://www.pacslo.org/ to plan your visit.

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5 Things to Do in Myrtle Beach, SC

Why visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina? For one, there is more than 60 miles of wide beach peppered with charming beach towns to explore as you wind your way through the sand. Another reason is the fabulous glamping location that is Carolina Shores RV Resort where the vacation cottages provide the perfect accommodations for a beach vacation. On-site amenities include a swimming pool, a lazy river, mini-golf and beach access. And here are just a few don’t miss things when visiting the area:

Lazy River at Carolina Shores RV Resort
Lazy River at Carolina Shores RV Resort

1. Myrtle Beach State Park: Developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s, this 312-acre state park was the first state park to open in South Carolina. Since 1936, visitors have been fishing for flounder, mackerel and trout, to name a few, and catching glimpses of native wildlife. Several hiking trails will lead you to the beach while the Sculptured Oak Nature Trail will take you through a maritime forest. Swimming, birdwatching, geocaching and bike riding are also great activities that can be done here.

Beach at Carolina Shores RV Resort
Beach at Carolina Shores RV Resort

2. Broadway at the Beach: If you can’t find something you like to do at Broadway at the Beach, then you might not know what fun is. And if that is the case, you will definitely find the meaning of fun out here. The question here is not “what can I do here?” but more “what can’t you do here?” at this 350-acre entertainment venue that has everything from ziplining adventures to live theater. Shopping, restaurants, escape rooms, the Ripley’s Aquarium and more can be found here. Check out broadwayatthebeach.com for details.

Brookgreen Gardens in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, SC
Brookgreen Gardens in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, SC

3. Brookgreen Gardens: Initially built as a retreat for his ailing wife, the founder of the gardens, wealthy industrialist Archer Milton Huntington later turned Brookgreen Gardens into a place with a mission to exhibit and preserve American figurative sculpture; to exhibit and preserve the plants of the Southeast; and finally, to exhibit and preserve the animals of the Southeast. Visitors today can stroll through the Botanical Garden which features Live Oak trees dating to the 1700s, the Sculpture Garden with over 2000 works on display, and the Lowcountry Zoo. For hours of operation, visit brookgreen.org.

Charleston, SC -  The Historic District at Twilight
Charleston, SC – The Historic District at Twilight

4. Day Trips: A longer day trip would include the 90-mile drive to Charleston to see the historic Charleston City Market, Fort Sumter or take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city that highlights the antebellum mansions, the beautiful gardens and the city’s landmarks. A 75-mile drive will put you in Wilmington where the USS North Carolina, the World War II battleship that earned 15 battle stars, resides. The Wilmington Railroad Museum is also here. You could also take a drive to Pawleys Island, which is about 30 miles from Myrtle Beach and home to some of the best hammocks you can find at the Original Hammock Shop, which has been making comfortable hammocks for over 130 years. And even closer, and apparently, a seafood lovers’ haven, is Little River, which is great for fishing, eating seafood and visiting the La Belle Amie Vineyard, the local vineyard and winery.

5. Stroll the Boardwalk: While the original boardwalk dating to the 1930s is long gone, a casualty of age and weather, the new boardwalk was completed in 2010 and has been ranked #3 in the country by National Geographic and #2 by Travel and Leisure. Running a little over one mile along the ocean with lovely views and plenty of shops and restaurants, a stroll on the Boardwalk is a must. And there is also the SkyWheel, which stands 187-feet tall featuring 42 glass-enclosed, temperature-controlled gondolas and a spectacular vantage point!

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Where to Stay for a Butterfly-Watching Getaway

Did you know that there are more than 20,000 types of butterflies worldwide or that butterflies taste with their feet? If you didn’t know these fun facts, you might be interested to know that March 14 is National Learn About Butterflies Day. In addition to reading up about butterflies or watching the documentary “Wings of Life” to celebrate the day, you may also consider visiting some of these wonderful butterfly sanctuaries located near our glamping locations.

Vacation at Encore Miami Everglades
Vacation at Encore Miami Everglades

Butterfly World, located in Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, Florida has thousands of live butterflies for visitors to see among six aviaries filled with tropical plants and flowers. Butterfly World is considered the largest butterfly park in the world and has tropical birds and lorikeets there that visitors can feed! Choose your glamping accommodations from cabins, bunkhouses and lodges at Encore Miami Everglades and visit butterflyworld.com for more details on hours of operations and exhibits.

Cockrell Butterfly Center
Cockrell Butterfly Center

Set within the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Cockrell Butterfly Center is a beautiful immersive walk-through butterfly habitat in a rainforest setting complete with a 50-foot waterfall! More than 1500 butterflies make their home here and in the Chrysalis Corner visitors can see butterflies emerge from their chrysalis and take their first flight. Book a glamping cabin at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe and visit hmns.org/cockrell-butterfly-center for more details for your visit.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Hidden Cove
Cabin at Thousand Trails Hidden Cove

At the Huntsville Botanical Garden in Huntsville, Alabama, the Purdy Butterfly House, is a lovely open-air butterfly habitat home to more than 1000 butterflies unique to the southwest. Plan a stay at a glamping cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Hidden Cove and visit hsvbg.org for more details or plan ahead for a spectacular butterfly release event coming in May!

Cabin at Carolina Shores RV Resort
Cabin at Carolina Shores RV Resort

In Moncks Corner, South Carolina you will find Cypress Gardens which is home to the Butterfly House, a large greenhouse filled with live butterflies as well as birds, an arthropod exhibit and an observation beehive. If you’re glamping at Carolina Shores RV Resort in nearby Myrtle Beach, take the drive to learn about the amazing pollinators that can be found at Cypress Gardens and the Butterfly House.

If you are glamping in the Florida Keys (book a colorful cottage at Encore Fiesta Key or a perfect tiny house at Sunshine Key Tiny House Village), the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory in Key West has roughly 60 varieties of butterflies, numbering in the thousands flying freely in a rainforest-like setting. Plus, the Learning Center not only has an interesting 15-minute video full of butterfly facts, but there are also other exhibits that detail interesting information about the world of butterflies. For details, go to keywestbutterfly.com.

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Best Stays for Spring Festival Season

Get out your day planners, open your calendar app and get ready to glamp where the action is act over the next couple months. We’ve rounded up some great festivals and events happening near our glamping locations so you can be smack dab in the middle of all the fun and excitement.

Two of the most anticipated music festivals each year are Coachella and Stagecoach, both held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California which is less than 20 miles from the fabulous colorful cottages at our glamping location, Thousand Trails Palm Springs, in Palm Desert. Coachella will run April 11 through April 20, while Stagecoach is set for April 25-27. Coachella headliners include Lady Gaga, Green Day and Post Malone while Stagecoach country stars scheduled include Jelly Roll, Zach Bryan and Shaboozey.

Cabin at Thousand Trails La Conner
Cabin at Thousand Trails La Conner
Vibrant fields of colorful tulips carpet the Skagit Valley during the annual springtime festival.
Tulips in Skagit Valley

If you’re into flowers and we mean lots of them, consider a visit to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival and a glamping getaway to Thousand Trails La Conner. A 15-mile triangle of fields of blooming tulips is a sight to see and come this April, that’s what you’ll find at this Washington location. Visit tulipfestival.org for all the details but this month-long celebration promises not only the fabulous tulip fields but also a Tulip Parade, art exhibitions, and the Tulip Festival Street Fair.

Leavenworth Tiny House Village
Leavenworth Tiny House Village

It’s Apple Blossom Time in Wenatchee, Washington as they host the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival April 24-May 4. Complete with a Food Festival, a beauty pageant, live entertainment and the Blossom and Brews Beer Garden, this event is the perfect way to celebrate spring blossoms while enjoying the accommodations of a tiny house at the Leavenworth Tiny House Village in nearby Leavenworth.

Glamping Cabin at Lakeland Campground
Glamping Cabin at Lakeland Campground

May does really kick off barbeque season and there may be no better place to celebrate than at Madison, Wisconsin’s World’s Largest Brat Fest, set for May 24, 2025. It’s everything you would expect from a festival celebrating bratwurst including brat-eating contests, cooking demonstrations, live music and carnival rides. Book a glamping cabin or cottage at nearby Blackhawk Campground or Lakeland Campground to take a bite out of this event!

If you want to really get to know Beale Street, Memphis’ top destination, then perhaps the Memphis in May International Festival, another month-long celebration that is guaranteed to immerse visitors in the culture, history and culinary delights that is Beale Street, should be on your list. A glamping cabin accommodation at Thousand Trails Cherokee Landing puts you about 60 miles from all the fun (and promises peace and quiet after a day’s events on Beale Street). The festival features a World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and the Beale Street Music Festival with local and international artists performing.


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Forest Bathing – No Water Required!

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was a boom in technology that plunged the average, everyday person into the digital world, resulting in what could be called screen-time addiction. During that time, the use of home computers, hand-held video games, and portable pocket-sized devices for our viewing and listening pleasures became the norm rather than the exception.

So, it’s no wonder that in the early 1980s, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries began to promote the practice of shinrin-yoku to encourage people to spend time in nature. Shinrin-yoku translates to “forest bathing,” which is fast becoming a popular way to go off grid and absorb the benefits of nature.  ­

Studies have shown plenty of positive health benefits of forest bathing. It reduces levels of cortisol, also known as the stress hormone. It also has been proven to lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, boost energy levels, and provide more sound sleep.  Plus, you don’t necessarily need to do anything strenuous – simply bathe in the natural surroundings and be present in the very moment!

Come stay with us and enjoy the nearby forests and take the plunge (no bathtub necessary) to see why forest bathing is making such a big splash these days.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver
Cabin at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver

The Deschutes National Forest is just minutes from the yurts and cabins at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver. Bask in the beauty of the soaring trees, which include Douglas firs, Ponderosa pines, Western larch, and White pines. There are roughly 76 moderate trails in the 1.8 million acres that comprise the forest. Waterfalls, wildlife, and mountain views add to your bathing pleasure!

The Tuxbury Tiny House Village

The Tuxbury Tiny House Village in South Hampton, New Hampshire, has two nearby options for forest bathing: Cowden State Forest and Powwow River State Forest. While a short drive away, about an hour and a half to be exact, this puts you smack dab in the middle of the White Mountain Forest with plenty of hemlock, pines, and spruce trees to bathe in. Fun fact, the state of New Hampshire is the second most forested state in the US with roughly 81 percent of forest land, so everywhere you look, there’s an option to forest bathe!

Cabins at Tranquil Timbers in Sturgeon Bay, WI.

Take a trip to Wisconsin’s Door County and you’ll find yourself surrounded by forest lands, including Baileys Harbor Boreal Forest and Wetlands. A stay at Tranquil Timbers is a great way to get your daily dose of forest bathing. Baileys is home to spruce, cedar, birch, and hemlock trees as well as a bevy of birds including warblers and merlins who can add the soundtrack to bath time.

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5 Things to Do Near Houston & Lake Conroe

If you know anything about Texas you know the summer months can be a bit steamy. Actually, February is considered a good month to visit Houston, the most populous city in the Lone Star State. The mild temps (daytime highs average 67 degrees) allow both indoor and outdoor exploration of this city whose attractions are as diverse as the population. As you plan your stay, book a cabin stay at either Thousand Trails Lake Conroe or Lake Conroe/Houston North KOA Holiday.

Cabins at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe
Cabins at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe

Have you ever visited the birthplace of a state flag? Now’s your change since you’re close to the town of Montgomery, which is, in fact, the birthplace of the Texas state flag. That little fact became history when the president of the Republic of Texas asked a Montgomery resident to create the Texas flag. This charming town has lots of shops, restaurants and Fernland Historical Park which has a museum, an educational center and several examples of pre- and post-Civil war homes.

This one is a bit odd but could be as life-affirming as it is interesting – the National Museum of Funeral History (nmfh.org). The museum, owned by a funeral company, of course, has historic hearses, memorabilia from famous funerals, including Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy, and traces the history of funerals in the US.

Cabins at Lake Conroe/Houston North KOA Holiday
Cabins at Lake Conroe/Houston North KOA Holiday

Ok, you can’t come to the Lake Conroe area without doing something focused on this amazing 22,000-acre lake. Boat, swim, ski, fish, take a cruise on a floating tiki hut, or just enjoy a sunset or two by the water. The lake is known for its population of largemouth bass – in fact, the Big Bass Tour fishing tournament is scheduled for February 28-March 2. Sunsets are best viewed from the water so check into the long list of dinner and sunset cruises available.

Be a Tourist: Check out viator.com for one of the many tours they offer including a Walking Food Tour, an official city tour aboard a double-decker bus, a Private Houston Brewery Tour by Cart, or a Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston. Of course, the main attractions in the city include the Space Center Houston, beautiful Buffalo Bayou Park and the Houston Zoo. If you’re planning ahead, check out tickets to the biggest event in town come March which is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo scheduled for March 4 through March 23. This major event will feature not only livestock and the rodeo events but also a wine show, a BBQ contest, live entertainment, and trail rides, to name a few!

Family Trip at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe Campground
Family Trip at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe Campground

Lions and tigers and bats, oh my! Nope, not a typo, we said “bats” referring to the roughly 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats that make their home in the city’s Waugh Drive Bridge. Viewing is free from the bridge, sidewalk and platform and there are special “Bat Chats” and bat boat tours (check out pwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/bats/bat-watching-sites/waugh-drive-bridge.phtml). As for the lions and tigers, head over to the Houston Zoo, which has over 6000 resident animals, and offers several animal encounters to get up close and personal!

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Cleansing Escapes for Your Mind, Body, and Spirit

February comes from the word februa, meaning purification. Februa is derived from Februus, the god of purification. We thought it might be a good month to look into locations around this beautiful country that cleanse the spirit and will leave you with a positive outlook and a renewed sense of energy and peace.

Washington State – Mt. Adams: Native Americans believed that this mountain has spiritual energy and an energy vortex. Climbers and visitors to the mountain have said they have come away from the visit with a sense of peace. Book a glamping cabin or yurt at Thousand Trails Paradise in Silver Creek, and you’re less than an hour’s drive from Mt. Adams, which is one of five volcanoes in Washington’s Cascade Mountains.

Glamping Cottage at Encore Bulow
Glamping Cottage at Encore Bulow

They didn’t call it the Fountain of Youth for nothing. Did you know that St. Augustine, Florida, the alleged site of the alleged fountain that Ponce De Leon was looking for is considered a “hotbed of spiritual energy?” Book a stay at Encore Bulow and roam the streets of this historic town, feeling younger with every step.

Cabins at Thousand Trails Verde Valley
Cabins at Thousand Trails Verde Valley

Arizona – Sedona: Sedona’s spirituality comes from the many vortexes that are found here, seven of which are considered some of the most spiritual. Those include Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock which can be reached via a beautiful hike in the Red Rock State Park found here. Book a stay at Thousand Trails Verde Valley and cleanse your spirit in this beautiful Arizona desert.

Vacation Cottages at Thousand Trails Palm Springs
Vacation Cottages at Thousand Trails Palm Springs

It’s no surprise that California’s Joshua Tree National Park is on anyone’s list when it comes to spiritual quests. The Joshua tree itself is a symbol of faith, determination and spiritual growth so that tracks! Other reasons to head here for a spirit cleanse, is the awe-inspiring landscape and of course, the 18 known vortexes found here. Glamp at Thousand Trails Palm Springs to be near Joshua Tree National Park.

Yurt at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes, California
Yurts at Thousand Trails Circle M, Pennsylvania

Yurts: An easy way to find a spiritual retreat is to book a stay in any one of our yurts, which you can find at our glamping locations in California, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin. In many cultures, yurts are considered spiritual, in part due to their circular shape, which is considered sacred geometry. The domed roof of the yurt is also considered as a nod to spiritually as it is said to be built in the shape of the Wheel of Dharma, which symbolizes the path to enlightenment.

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Celebrate Black History Month with a Visit to These Top Attractions

Black History Month, celebrated every February, evolved from Negro History Week, which was first observed in February 1926. It was created to recognize the triumphs and tribulations to the African American community throughout US history. There are many ways to support Black History Month from supporting Black owned businesses reading books by Black authors and learning about their history in our country. Here are some spots to check out as you travel:

The National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, which is considered the first and only museum of its kind, is one place to honor and celebrate the contributions of the African American community to our country’s music history. The amazing exhibits include Wade in the Water, which features the history of African American religious music from 1600 to present day and Crossroads, which examines how blues music came to be and how it influenced musical history. Plan your visit at https://www.nmaam.org/.

Nearest glamping location is the Natchez Trace Tiny House Village.

San Francisco’s Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) is another location that celebrates Black culture through its contemporary art collection. MoAD’s Education Lab is a great place to get super creative through the multitude of materials available here. A special exhibit entitled “Love + Basketball” will run February 5 to March 2. Learn more about the exhibit at https://www.moadsf.org/.

Cottage at Pacific Dunes Ranch
Cottage at Pacific Dunes Ranch

Nearest glamping location is Pacific Dunes Ranch.

One of the most influential Black musicians in the history of rock and roll was Jimi Hendrix, a Seattle native, who has a special exhibit at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (https://www.mopop.org/). The exhibit, entitled “Wild Blue Angel: Hendrix Abroad, 1966-70”, features rare interview clips and artifacts pertaining to Hendrix, who is widely considered the greatest guitarist in the history of popular music.

Cottage at Tall Chief Campground
Cottage at Tall Chief Campground

Nearest glamping location is Tall Chief Campground.

St. Augustine, Florida has two sites to recognize the contributions of African Americans to our history and those include Fort Mose Historic State Park (https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fort-mose-historic-state-park) which is the site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in the country and Lincolnville, https://www.visitstaugustine.com/thing-to-do/lincolnville-neighborhood, which is St. Augustine’s historic African-American district featuring beautiful Victorian homes.

Nearest glamping location is Encore Bulow.

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, https://buffalosoldiersmuseum.org/, located in Houston, celebrates the history of the African Americans who proudly served in every American war, who were called Buffalo Soldiers due to their “combat prowess, bravery and tenaciousness.” Through several exhibits and plenty of artifacts, the story of these men, and women, who fought for the US is depicted. For information, visit buffalosoldiersmuseum.org.

Cabins at Lake Conroe/Houston North KOA Holiday
Cabins at Lake Conroe/Houston North KOA Holiday

Nearest glamping locations are Thousand Trails Lake Conroe or Lake Conroe/Houston North KOA Holiday.

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