Tag: Everglades National Park

Happy Places at Top Glamping Destinations

You’ve got a whole month to find and go to your happy place because August is Happiness Happens Month. By definition, a Happy Place is something or somewhere that provides comfort, joy or fulfillment. It could be the woods, it could be the oceanside, it could be the mountains, and it could just be your glamping accommodations surrounded by your favorite people.  

Could you be happy in a yurt in the woods? Yurts, by design, are a tranquil space. The circular design symbolizes harmony with nature and spiritual connection. That sure sounds happy. We have plenty of different locations for you to enjoy a yurt getaway, thereby creating a happy place. Check out the yurts at several of our campgrounds across Washington, Oregon, California, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania! 

Thousand Trails Circle M Yurt
Thousand Trails Circle M Yurt

Research has shown that scenic beauty creates a sense of happiness. According to Travel + Leisure, some of the most scenic places in the US include Yosemite National Park (book at stay at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes or Yosemite RV Resort); Everglades National Park (book a stay at Encore Miami Everglades); Indiana’s Hoosier National Forest (book a stay at Thousand Trails Indian Lakes); Maine’s Acadia National Park (book a stay at Mt. Desert Narrows Camping Resort or Narrows Too Camping Resort); Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts (book a stay at Thousand Trails Gateway to Cape Cod); Nevada’s Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (book a stay Thousand Trails Las Vegas); and New Jersey’s Cape May (book a stay at our Cape May resorts). 

Cabins on the River at Yosemite Lakes
Cabins on the River at Yosemite Lakes

There is a saying that a happy place can be found in the company of loved ones. So, that means glamping with people that mean the most to you creates a happy place. A gathering of loved ones equals a group, whether it be family or friends or friends that feel like family. Either way, some of the top group destinations in the US include Nashville (book a stay at Natchez Trace Tiny House Village; Lake Tahoe (book at stay at Tahoe Valley Campground); Sedona, Arizona (book a stay at Thousand Trails Verde Valley); and Orlando, Florida (book a stay at Encore Tropical Palms). 

Hattie Tiny House at Natchez Trace Tiny House Village
Hattie Tiny House at Natchez Trace Tiny House Village

Both playing and watching sports have proven to release endorphins which promote the feeling of happiness and well-being. If you’re a watcher, consider trips to take in sporting events like Major League Baseball (consider glamping at Thousand Trails Wilmington to see the Cincinnati Reds; Thousand Trails Lake Tawakoni to see the Texas Rangers; Encore Miami Everglades to see the Marlins; or Tall Chief Campground to see the Seattle Mariners).  

If you are a participant, consider fishing at some of the best lakes around including fishing for bass at Lake Conroe (glamp at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe or Lake Conroe/Houston North KOA Holiday) or fishing the Rappahannock River for pickerel or blue catfish (glamp at Bethpage Camp-Resort) or biking along some of the best trails including The Florida Keys Overland Heritage Trail (glamp at Fiesta Key RV Resort or Sunshine Key RV Resort) or the Bell Rock Trail in Sedona (glamp at Thousand Trails Verde Valley). 

Cabin at Thousand Trails Verde Valley
Cabin at Thousand Trails Verde Valley

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Winter Glamping Ideas for the Sun or Snow

The decision you make when it comes to your winter glamping depends on how you like to spend your winters. Will it be relaxing in the sun or enjoying the snow?

Winter at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village
Winter at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

On the snowy side, options could include Washington’s Thousand Trails Leavenworth, Oregon’s Mt. Hood Village Resort, and Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes in California. Leavenworth averages 89 inches of snowfall per winter so there’s no end to the white stuff for snowmobiling, skiing, sledding and snowboarding. Or maybe try something new like snowshoeing or Nordic skiing. The Bavarian-style village is even more quaint in winter with snow-capped backdrops and shopping, dining and winery options as well. A cozy tiny house at Leavenworth Tiny House Village is the perfect glamping accommodation for this trip. Yosemite National Park in winter offers the Badger Pass Ski Area for both downhill and cross-country skiing while hiking is an option on the many trails in Yosemite Valley. Grab a group and choose a spacious yurt or bunkhouse for your winter getaway at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes or a cozy glamping cabin for two. Pick one of the adorably decorated and super-trendy tiny houses at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village and explore the Mt. Hood area and all there is to do here in winter thanks to the five ski areas available. Check out historic Timberline Lodge and Ski Area for downhill, snowboarding and more “shushy” fun or try something really unique with the Cosmic Tubing offered on weekend evenings at the Mt. Hood Skibowl or a moonlight snowshoe tour offered through the Timberline.


If fun in the sun is on the agenda this winter, visit the Florida Keys where fun in the sun is an everyday event. Rent a colorful glamping cottage at Encore Fiesta Key (located on the Keys’ Long Key) and island-hop for a full Keys experience. Of course, no visit to The Keys is complete without checking out Key West – the storied island known for its six-toed cats, Hemingway history and Key Lime Pie! Then there is Key Largo; home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the underwater wonder, Christ of the Abyss, the bronze sculpture that protects divers as well as memorializes those lost. There is Islamorada, often said to be the prettiest key thanks to its white sand beaches, or the Dry Tortugas with its 18th century fort and amazing coral reefs.

Cabin at Encore Miami Everglades
Cabin at Encore Miami Everglades

Staying in Florida but heading to the mainland, a winter getaway could include Miami with a stay at Encore Miami Everglades and check out Miami highlights including the Miami Zoo, the Wynwood Walls, a series of colorful street murals, kayaking in Oleta River State Park and of course, Everglades National Park.

Dunes at Marina Dunes RV Resort
Dunes at Marina Dunes RV Resort

If you’re craving sand in the winter, as well as the sun, head to California’s Marina Dunes RV Resort. With its proximity to Carmel and Monterey, you’ll be close to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, historic Cannery Row, the scenic 17-Mile Drive and beautiful Big Sur. For that sand experience, walk the beach along the dunes here.

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2023 National Park Bucket List

With the holidays come and gone, you may have received, or know someone who received, a National Park themed item. Maybe it was socks depicting Yosemite highlights, or a National Parks Scratch Off Poster for tracking park visits. One popular gift item is the token bracelet or keychain fob solely for the purpose of adding a national park token for each park visited. All good reasons to make a National Park 2023 Bucket List.

Combine a glamping adventure with Petite Retreats and visit to a nearby NP and you’ll have one great outdoor adventure. Here are a few National Parks near some of our best Petite Retreat accommodations. And don’t forget there are four days of the year when admission to the National Parks are free – April 11, August 4, September 23, and November 11, so plan ahead:

Yosemite National Park is just a stone’s throw (five miles from the Park’s entrance) from the unique yurt accommodations and cute cabins at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes RV Campground. Enjoy the spacious, cool vibes of your yurt while checking Yosemite off the list. Must-sees include Yosemite Falls, which at 2,425 feet are the tallest falls in North America; the soaring granite peaks of Half Dome and El Capitan; the giant sequoias at Mariposa Grove and of course, the miles and miles of hiking trails.

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

All the way across the country from sunny California is the rocky coast of Maine and the beautiful Acadia National Park. Book a cozy glamping cabin at one of our Bar Harbor resorts and set a course to explore as much you can of the 48,000 acres of wooded wonderland. Bike the carriage roads, take the Scenic Loop Drive, watch the sunrise from atop Cadillac Mountain or watch the stars at Jordon Pond.

Cottages at Narrows Too Camping Resort
Cottages at Narrows Too Camping Resort

In the beautiful desert outside of Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park is great spot for rock climbing, stargazing, and an abundance of spring wildflowers. Check out Cholla Cactus Garden for life-sized cacti, take the ultimate selfie at Skull Rock, or visit Keys Ranch, built in 1910 as a family home for a rancher and goldminer. Key Ranch is listed as a National Historic Register site. Check out a colorful cottage in Palm Springs for your California getaway.


If National Parks make you think of a wooded setting, check out Dry Tortugas National Park, an island in the Florida Keys, for something completely different. Book a tiny house at Sunshine Key at take off down the Overseas Highway to see what this island National Park is all about. Actually, seven islands make up Dry Tortugas National Park. Garden Key is home to Fort Jefferson, a 19th century fort. Snorkeling and swimming are big activities here, and a kayak ride to tour the various islands is another suggested activity. Plenty of coral reefs to see here and a great spot for birding.


While in Florida, check out a lesser known national park – Biscayne National Park, just about an hour from a cozy cabin accommodation at Miami Everglades. Accessible only by boat, guided tours are available and canoeing, kayaking, and snorkeling activities are also offered here. Of course, one of the most popular national parks, Everglades National Park, is also an option when glamping at Encore Miami Everglades RV Resort – it’s only about a half hours’ drive away!

Cabin at Miami Everglades RV Resort
Cabin at Encore Miami Everglades RV Resort

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