Category: Destinations

Glamping Guide to Big 2026 Events

Don’t be left out of some of the biggest celebrations and events set for 2026. Make your plans ahead of time to make sure you’ve got the best glamping spot location nearby: 

The Daytona 500 is scheduled for February 16, 2026. This 500-mile race officially opens the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series calendar and promises plenty of high-speed excitement. (Reserve a glamping cottage at Encore Sunshine Holiday Daytona.) 

The Innings Music Festival can be considered the opening pitch for Major League Baseball’s Cactus League Spring Training which begins in late-February. This year’s festival, which runs February 20-22 and February 27-28, includes headliners such as Mumford and Sons and Dierks Bentley. (Reserve the glamping cottage at ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort.) 

Glamping cottage at ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort
Glamping cottage at ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort

Speaking of spring training, catch some of your favorite teams as they train and prepare for the 2026 regular season with Cactus League inter-league games that include some of 2025’s best including the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and the World Series winning LA Dodgers. Check out mlb.com/spring-training/cactus-league for schedules. (ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort, Monte Vista RV Resort, or Encore Mesa Spirit can be glamping options.) 

South by Southwest, the fabulous festival for the meeting of the minds for all things film, music and television is set for March 12-18, 2026. See what’s new and hot this year and mark this great event off your bucket list! (Reserve a glamping cabin at Thousand Trails Colorado River.) 

Vacation Cottage at Thousand Trails Palm Springs

Everyone who is anyone flocks to California, or more specifically, Indio, California for these two great music festivals annually in April. We’re talking about Coachella – set for April 10-12 and April 17-19 and Stagecoach set for April 24-26. (Reserve a colorful glamping cottage at Thousand Trails Palm Springs.) 

The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be held at Saratoga Race Course in New York, June 3-7, 2006. Opened in 1863, Saratoga is considered to be the oldest sporting venue of any kind in the US and will be the setting for the last horse race in the iconic 2026 Triple Crown. (Reserve a glamping cabin at Lake George Escape Campground.) 

Cabin at Spring Gulch Camping Resort
Cabin at Spring Gulch Camping Resort

Soccer fans, get ready—the 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to North America, and Houston is set to host several thrilling matches throughout June and July. As some of the world’s best teams take the field, the city will be buzzing with fan festivals, viewing parties, and international excitement. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this global celebration—secure your spot early and enjoy a relaxing glamping retreat just outside the city. (Reserve a glamping cabin at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe for easy access to all the Houston action.)

Major League Baseball’s annual All-Star game is scheduled for July 1, 2026 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Come see your favorite players face off against some of the rest of the best in the MLB. (Reserve a glamping rental at Spring Gulch Campground.) 

EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival begins August 27 and runs through November 21 so a trip to Florida is in order if you want to catch this culinary adventure featuring foods from several countries. (Reserve a colorful cottage at Encore Tropical Palms.) 

Kick off your 2026 holiday season by heading to Leavenworth, Washington for their famous Village of Lights: Christmastown. No one can say bah humbug to this festival that lights up this quaint Bavarian-style village with thousands of twinkling lights. The festival runs from Thanksgiving through February 2027! (Reserve a tiny house at the Leavenworth Tiny House Village.)

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Discover 6 Underrated December Celebrations 

December certainly has plenty to celebrate with Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and News Year’s Eve but we have a few other days to make this month chock-full of celebrations. Even if you’re not glamping on these days, we hope you’ll join in the fun!

Vacation Cottage at Encore Pioneer Village
Vacation Cottage at Encore Pioneer Village

December 10 was National Lager Day, so why not enjoy a pint or two on your next trip? Craft breweries in the Fort Myers area include Coastal Dayz Brewery or Palm City Brewing. (Book a glamping stay at Encore Harbor Lakes or Encore Pioneer Village.)

December 15th is the Bill of Rights Day so it would be fitting to visit the Presidents Hall of Fame in Clermont, Florida to learn a bit about James Madison, who is credited as the chief author of the document. (Book a glamping cabin or cottage at Clerbrook RV & Golf Resort.) 

Cabin Glamping at Thousand Trails Chehalis
Cabin Glamping at Thousand Trails Chehalis

Created so people can appreciate the beauty of the evergreen tree, National Look for an Evergreen Day is celebrated December 19. There’s no better place to do that than in one of our glamping locations in the Evergreen State – Washington! (Consider a glamping stay at Thousand Trails Chehalis, Thousand Trails La Conner, or Thousand Trails Thunderbird.) 

Welcome the Winter Solstice on December 21 with a sunrise hike through the beautiful Red Rock Canyon of Sedona, Arizona. Take time to visit the healing vortexes found here that include the Bell Rock Vortex and The Chapel of the Holy Cross Vortex. (Reserve a tiny house or cottage at Thousand Trails Verde Valley.)  

December 28 is National Card Playing Day and where better to try your luck at a few games of Texas Hold ‘Em or Poker than Las Vegas. (Reserve a glamping cabin at Thousand Trails Las Vegas.) 

Cabin at Thousand Trails Russian River
Cabin at Thousand Trails Russian River

How about a glass or two of bubbly while celebrating National Champagne Day on December 31? Enjoy some of the sparkling wine in California’s Sonoma County including those found at Amista Vineyards in Healdsburg, Harvest Moon Estate and Winery in Santa Rosa or Gloria Ferrer Winery in Sonoma. (Book a glamping cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Russian River.) 

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The Coolest and Warmest Winter Glamping Destinations

According to iges.com, the hottest travel trends this winter include digital detoxing, embracing the weather and the classic “traditional winter getaways” which means heading out of the cold and into the sunshine. Here are a few ways you can be trendy when glamping with us this winter:

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

Embracing the Weather: This means going to the snow and for our glampers, it means places like Leavenworth, Washington and Mt. Hood or Bend, Oregon. Book a yurt, glamping cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver and enjoy this oft-voted “best outdoorsy town” in the country! Ski or snowboard at Mt. Bachelor, snowshoe in Deschutes National Forest, which offers several snowshoe trails, or try fat-tire biking in the snow or indoor ice skating at the Pavillion. Plan to be here to enjoy WinterFest, scheduled for February 13-15, 2026, that will include an ice carving competition, a wine walk, live music and snowsports competitions.

Mt. Hood Tiny House Village
Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

The Mt. Hood Tiny House Village is a great place to glamp when enjoying the Mt. Hood Territory in winter. Try night skiing or cosmic tubing at the Mt. Hood Skibowl, take a guided tour of Mt. Hood National Forest on a snowmobile, or a moonlight snowshoe tour around the iconic Timberline Lodge.

Winter at Leavenworth Tiny House Village
Winter at Leavenworth Tiny House Village

Leavenworth, Washington is always great in winter with opportunities for downhill skiing, Nordic skiing, sledding, snow tubing, ice fishing and a visit to a reindeer farm. Icicle Ridge Winery offers winter wine walks (icicleridgewinery.com) and the millions of twinkling lights will continue to illuminate the quaint Bavarian-style downtown through February. Book a stay at Thousand Trails Leavenworth for a great winter glamping getaway here.

Escaping the Weather: Most likely you’re heading to the sunshine. Our choices would include a colorful cottage at Encore Tropical Palms to do the theme parks or a trip to The Keys with a stay at Encore Fiesta Key or Encore Sunshine Key. EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts runs January 16 through February 23, 2026, while the Key West Food and Wine Festival is set for January 26-February 1, 2026. South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach is an option for a glamping getaway with a stay at Carolina Shores RV Resort. Mild daytime temps and cooler nights are a nice trade-in for sub-zero snow days! Activities here can include golfing, strolling the Boardwalk, visiting the many museums or enjoying the beauty of Brookgreen Gardens in winter. On the West Coast, plan a glamping getaway to Thousand Trails Pio Pico or Thousand Trails Oakzanita Springs to explore the San Diego area in winter. Gray whales are migrating from December to April, so now is a good time for whale watching. Speaking of migrating, it is also the migratory season for thousands of birds so check out the San Diego River Estuary.

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

Digital Detoxing: This type of getaway may not necessarily mean absolutely no screens, but probably something more along the lines of being present, being in nature and really taking it all in without multi-tasking going on. Exploring national parks, taking long hikes in the forests and woodlands, walking rugged shorelines and spending quality time with friends and family is most likely the itinerary for this kind of trip. One of the best destinations for spiritual renewal may be Red Rocks State Park in Sedona, Arizona. Book a stay at Thousand Trails Verde Valley and explore the red sandstone canyonland with its healing vortexes. Another option is Joshua Tree National Park in California, another spot chock full of serene landscape vistas and energy vortexes. Book a glamping cabin or cottage at nearby Thousand Trails Palm Springs. Yosemite in winter is a wonderland with opportunities for skiing and snowshoeing at Badger Pass Ski Area and hiking the trails that remain open in winter. Book a yurt at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes for a great glamping getaway.

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Glamp Near Some of the Most Iconic Landmarks and Locations

Thanks to social media, any of you list makers can always get some ideas from Instagram, Facebook, and other various online sources for listicles that regularly pop up letting you know how many people have visited these locations, viewed these landmarks, visited these national parks etc. We took a tour around some of these lists to see what you can mark off when glamping nearby with us:

One list includes US landmarks like the Hollywood Sign, the Las Vegas Strip, and Disney World. We can make this easy for you:

To visit the Hollywood Sign, book a glamping cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon and drive roughly 45 miles to see this iconic bit of LaLa Land. Fun fact, the original sign, which was built in 1923 to advertise a real estate development, read HOLLYWOODLAND. A great spot to view the sign is from the Griffith Observatory which can be reached via a hike through Griffith Park.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Las Vegas
Cabin at Thousand Trails Las Vegas

To experience the bright lights and high energy of the Las Vegas Strip, book a glamping cabin at Thousand Trails Las Vegas and stroll the roughly four miles where highlights include the nightly fountain show outside the Bellagio Hotel, a gondola ride at The Venetian, the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, and the Insta-worthy “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign!

Cottages at Encore Tropical Palms
Cottages at Encore Tropical Palms

Florida’s Walt Disney World is considered an unofficial landmark as the iconic castle is known world-wide so that works for our purposes. And apparently you are never too old to enjoy the fun here. In March 2024, Magnolia Jackson celebrated her 106th birthday with her first trip ever to the Magic Kingdom. Book a colorful glamping cottage at Encore Tropical Palms in Kissimmee and let the magic in!

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

Then there’s the National Parks checklist – how many of the 63 US national parks have you visited? Start tackling that list by glamping with us when you head to Yosemite which is famous for the Yosemite Falls, El Capitan and Half Dome, plus just down the road from Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes. 

Cabin at Seaside RV Campround
Cabin at Seaside RV Campround

How about the most beautiful small towns in America? That’s another easy one list makers include California’s Carmel by the Sea (book a glamping stay at Marina Dunes RV Resort); Cannon Beach, Oregon (book a charming glamping cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Seaside); and Sedona, Arizona (glamp at a tiny house at Thousand Trails Verde Valley).

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5 Things to Do in Orlando, FL

Boasting more than 250 days of sunshine each year, a trip to Orlando is an option if you’re seeking the rays. It’s also a favorite spot for thrill-ride lovers, hikers, bikers, birdwatchers, festival-goers, foodies…and the list goes on. In a nutshell, Orlando has something for everyone. Here are five things to see, not including the fabulous glamping accommodations at Encore Tropical Palms or Thousand Trails Orlando , if you’re Orlando-bound:

1. Take the International Drive: I-Drive, as it’s known in Orlando, is almost like an all-inclusive destination for everything from food to fun and more. There are outlet malls, plenty of restaurants (check out the Pirate’s Dinner Adventure or Taverna Opa for an authentic Greek experience); attractions such as the Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum and Ripley’s Believe or Not; a chocolate museum (The Chocolate Museum and Cafe); gator shows (Gator Golf); plenty of golf options from mini-golf courses to Top Golf simulators and whole lot more on this one exciting strip. For all the fun on I-Drive, visit internationaldriveorlando.com.

2. Board the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit: Get a feel for what it was like to be aboard the Titanic (before the iceberg) in an opulent recreation of the ill-fated ship that has more than 300 artifacts, full scale room replicas from the ship, and costumed actors to give you the feeling it’s 1912 all over again. Guided tours are available as well as other options that include the Titanic Gala Dinner and the Titanic Teatime Experience. For information, go to titanicorlando.com.

Elite Cottage at Thousand Trails Orlando
Elite Cottage at Thousand Trails Orlando

3. Be a Spectator: Orlando is home to many sporting teams, and depending on the time of year, you can catch multiple games in a single trip. The Orlando Solar Bears are an NHL affiliate, and the hockey season here begins in October and extends to April; the NBA’s Orlando Magic play their home basketball games at the Amway Center and the regular season runs October to April, and Orlando City is the team for soccer and regular play begins in February. Orlando is also a great homebase to catch Major League Baseball’s spring training games, aka the Grapefruit League, played in several nearby locations including Tampa (NY Yankees) and Lakeland (Detroit Tigers).

Cottages at Encore Tropical Palms
Cottages at Encore Tropical Palms

4. Enjoy a Festival or Two: Any time of year here, you can find a festival celebrating heritage, music, food and more. Some biggies include Universal’s Mardi Gras (held in late winter each year); EPCOT’s International Food and Wine (July to November annually); and EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays (set for November 24 through December 30 this year). To find a festival to coincide with your visit, go to orlandoinsidervacations.com/annual-events-in-orlando-kissimmee.

5. Visit Mount Dora: Just about 40 minutes outside of the popular and populated Orlando, you will find the small-town charmer of Mount Dora. Visitors to this lakefront town (the lake being Lake Dora) will love the historic buildings, shops, green spaces, and authentic southern charm found here. Mount Dora fun fact – Presidents Coolidge and Eisenhower came here for a winter retreat. One fun way to see the historic buildings and the town is to take the one-hour, narrated historic tour aboard the Mount Dora Trolley. There are also opportunities for fishing (Lake Dora); antiquing (Renninger’s); shopping in the historic downtown and browsing modern art (Modernism Museum).

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Where to Go Glamping in the Most Sustainable Cities

Why not choose your next glamping getaway by supporting one of the cities named to the 2025 Greenest Cities in America list? These cities are known for increasing green spaces, supporting local green initiatives, offering eco-conscious tourism and in general, doing their part to make a difference. WalletHub named 100 cities on the list, and these are a few to consider on your next glamping trip: 

Thousand Trails Pio Pico
Thousand Trails Pio Pico

San Diego comes in at #1. From banning plastic bags to having 43% of their electricity come from renewable sources, San Diego knows it is cool to be green. In fact, according to WalletHub, San Diego’s green energy helps keep it from being an excessively hot city environment. One great thing about San Diego is that the trolley system can take you all around the city and beyond (for routes, visit sdmts.com/transit-services/trolley). For green spaces to visit, consider Balboa Park, the 1200-acre public park that houses the San Diego Zoo, plus museums, gardens and walking trails. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is considered “a wilderness island in an urban sea” featuring miles and miles of unspoiled beaches and wild landscapes which are home to many species of migrating birds. Book a glamping stay at Thousand Trails Oakzanita Springs or Thousand Trails Pio Pico. 

Yurts at Thousand Trails Thunderbird
Yurts at Thousand Trails Thunderbird

Seattle, Washington makes the top 10 at #6. With initiatives like food scrap collection, food waste reduction as well as extensive parks and green spaces, Seattle is pretty, pretty green. Book a glamping cabin or yurt at Thousand Trails Thunderbird and explore the aptly named Emerald City. Green space tourist options include Olympic Sculpture Park, located on the waterfront overlooking the Salish Sea or Gas Works Park, a 19+ acres park built on the site of the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant. Of course, Pike Place Market with its abundance of fresh produce and flowers is a great spot to visit. Continuously operating since 1907, this market really knows how to do it from the flying fish show at the fish market to the incredible views of Puget Sound, this is another list maker when in Seattle.  

Glamping Cabin at Thousand Trails Natchez Trace
Tiny house at Thousand Trails Natchez Trace

Nashville makes the list thanks to its greenways systems and renewable energy and sustainability initiatives. With over 100 miles of paved greenways trails, it’s easy to explore Nashville and its neighborhoods by biking or walking. The city’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is a 19-acre urban park in downtown Nashville that features fountains, walkways and rows of tulip poplars, Tennessee’s state tree. Another urban park, Centennial Park offers 130 acres of green space plus a stunning replica of the Parthenon, which is a nod to the city’s nickname, The Athens of the South, due to its many universities and colleges. Another outdoor option is Old Hickory Lake, a 22,500- acre reservoir on the Cumberland River with fishing, swimming, hiking and boating opportunities. Book a glamping stay at the Natchez Trace Tiny House Village.

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