Tag: Sunshine Key Tiny House Village

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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Best Destinations for November Getaways

While some people’s plans for November travel involves an “over the river and through the woods” kind of journey, others are seeking out destinations to round out a year of adventure. Roamingtheusa.com, a travel site that bills itself as “the unofficial guide to America,” created a list of great destinations for November travel and luckily, we have glamping accommodations nearby to most! Based on weather, things to do, and holiday events, roamingusa.com, suggests the following:

Bend, Oregon: One reason Bend made the list is that the typical crowds of summer have all but disappeared come November.If you’re early in the month, you might still catch the last of the fall foliage color show. But, if the leaves are gone, the outdoor adventures are still here. Bend is great for hiking! Hike Tumalo Falls or check out the views at Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint. The Bend Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, December 4, and for last-minute unique gifts, check out The Happy Campers Last-Minute Shopping Event featuring locally made gifts from pottery to jewelry. For your glamping consideration, try a yurt or cabin at Bend-Sunriver.

Cabin at Bend-Sunriver RV Campground
Cabin at Bend-Sunriver RV Campground

Key West, Florida: The waters are warm, the daytime temps range between 74 and 80 degrees, and there’s plenty to do in November here. November 12 promises to be a day of fun at the MOTE Marine Laboratory’s Ocean Fest (on Islamorada) that will feature touch tanks, animal experiences, live music, food, games, and other fun. Another great November event is The Big Pine and Lower Keys Island Art Festival, set for November 26. Of course, all the Keys have their own special island magic to offer so book a tiny house stay at Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or a waterfront colorful cottage at Fiesta Key and explore them all. Snorkel, stand-up paddle, take a ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park, enjoy quirky Key West, the beauty of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, or just soak up the sun on the beach at Sunshine Key.

Palm Springs, California: Palm Springs in November couldn’t be more perfect when it comes to weather – average rainfall is zero and the average daytime temperature a sunny 79 degrees with evening temps falling to a still-pleasant mid-60s. So, it’s no wonder there are plenty of special events planned during this time of year. For starters, there’s Village Fest, a regularly scheduled Thursday night street fair in downtown Palm Springs that features shopping, dining, and live music opportunities. Magic Lights of Coachella Valley, a drive-through holiday-themed light display, begins November 18 and the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens hosts their amazing holiday lights display beginning November 23. Other things not to be missed in the area include hiking in Joshua Tree National Park, a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and a visit to the Palm Springs Art Museum. Book a colorful cottage at Palm Springs in Palm Desert to be in the swing of all things Palm Springs.

Cottages at Palm Springs RV Resort
Cottages at Palm Springs RV Resort

San Antonio, Texas: Weather-wise, San Antonio enjoys daytime highs of 74 degrees in November, so that’s one reason to head to this Texas treasure. Things to do here include exploring the amazing River Walk, where you can shop, eat, and just enjoy walking along the river. There’s also the historic Alamo as well as several other missions you can tour, including Mission San Jose. Special events can include the Wurstfest, in nearby New Braunfels, which runs through November 13 and pays tribute to the area’s German culture, the Ford Holiday River Parade, scheduled for November 25, and underground caroling at Natural Bridge Caverns. Reserve a glamping cabin at Medina Lake to be near all the fun in San Antonio.

For a full list of roamingtheusa.com’s suggested November travel destinations, visit roamingtheusa.com and then visit petiteretreats.com to find the perfect glamping accommodation to go along with your November adventure.

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The Ultimate Creepies

We have to ask, “do you wanna see something really scary?” Fans of the 1983 movie “Twilight Zone” will remember that’s what Dan Akroyd’s character asks his travelling companion while driving down a dark desert highway. To not spoil it for those who have not seen the film, we won’t tell you what happens, but we can assure you, you will jump in your seat or be extremely startled. Kind of like what might happen when you visit some of these hauntingly good locations near some of our favorite glamping spots.

Jerome Grand Hotel (Jerome, Arizona): Who wouldn’t expect a hotel in a ghost town to be a bit more spirited than other hotels? Book a tiny house accommodation at Verde Valley RV Resort and find out what makes the Jerome Grand so spooky. One reason may be that in its former life, the structure was a hospital where more than 9000 people passed away. Have a drink in the bar or dine in the hotel’s restaurant and see if you feel (or see) the spirits. Or better yet, take one of Jerome’s famous haunted tours.

Cottages at Fiesta Key Resort
Cottages at Fiesta Key Resort

Fort East Martello Museum (Key West, FL): There’s plenty of scary doll stories out there from Chuckie to Annabelle, but if you want to get up close and personal, visit the Fort East Martello Museum and take a look at a doll called Robert, who is apparently the main reason the museum is one of the most haunted locations in Florida. He looks harmless enough with his cute little sailor suit and pet dog, but visitors are urged to introduce themselves and ask his permission before they take a picture of him. If not, bad things may happen! Book a stay at one of our Florida Keys locations, Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or Fiesta Key, and say hi to Robert!

Gettysburg (Pennsylvania): Again, as a site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War where more than 50,000 souls were lost it’s not a surprise that the town of Gettysburg and the battlefield itself are super haunted. Some people have said the ghost of Robert E. Lee appears in pictures they have taken when visiting while others hear phantom sounds coming from the battlefield which include screams and cannon fire. There are all kinds of tours to take to see for yourself. Check out getyourguide.com/gettysburg-l32570. Spend a night or two glamping in Gettysburg and make a reservation at Drummer Boy or Gettysburg Farm and brave the nights in Gettysburg if you dare.

Cabin at Medina Lake RV Campground
Cabin at Medina Lake RV Campground

San Fernando Cathedral (San Antonio, TX): Swirling orbs, scary shadows and an apparition of a charging white stallion are some of the things visitors to this haunted Texas location have reported. Conde Nast Traveler named San Fernando Cathedral as one of the 30 Most Haunted Places in the U.S. in 2019. One woman reportedly followed a man who was part of her tour group who she said suddenly disappeared into thin air. Yikes! Book a cozy cabin at Medina Lake and take the 40-mile drive into San Antonio to check out the Cathedral. Watch out for charging horses!

Edgefield Hotel (Troutdale, OR): If you’re looking for a great place to stay outside of Portland, we suggest you book a tiny house at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village in nearby Welches. Other options could include the Edgefield Hotel, but you might want to rethink that considering it’s haunted! Opt for the comfort of your tiny house at Mt. Hood Village but check out the Edgefield if you wanna see something really scary. Guests have said to have felt hands on their shoulders, seen ghost children running the halls at night, and heard a woman yelling “get out.” This place is so scary the developers did a “spirit cleansing” while rehabbing and developing the building that once served as a county poor house (thus the sadness and death associated with the structure).

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Tiny 101

Tiny Houses – They’re the talk of the town and all the rage. If you haven’t tried one, your friends may consider you a bit cheugy. The tiny house trend has continued to grow rather than wane in popularity, whether they are used as a permanent residence or a glamping getaway where all the comforts of home, including a roof over your head, are must-haves.

Why are they so popular? For one, they are eco-friendly and energy efficient in that they use few materials to build and less energy to cool and heat. Tiny house = tiny carbon footprint. Another plus is the creative use of space and storage. Almost everything has a dual purpose – stair risers can also double as storage drawers; the extra space up top near the roof – that’s a cozy sleeping loft. Vertical space is put to use not just for art, but also for kitchenware and other necessary items.

Otto at Leavenworth Tiny House Village
Otto at Leavenworth Tiny House Village

From a glamping perspective, you’ve got a cozy, dry spot to come home to after you’ve spent the day outside. One thing about the tiny house, since there is less inside space, the great outdoors are that much more inviting. For the first-time glamper, a tiny house accommodation might be just the thing needed to turn them into a “yes, please let’s glamp again” kind of person. Plus, do we need to say it? They are absolutely adorable.

So, before you feel left out of the tiny house loop, check out our fabulous tiny house rental offerings, pick a dreamy location, and find out what’s the big deal about tiny houses.

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

With five individual Tiny House Villages, plus two tiny houses at Verde Valley RV & Camping Resort near Sedona, there are plenty of choices. Pacific Northwest locations include Washington’s Leavenworth Tiny House Village and Mt. Hood Tiny House Village in Welches, Oregon. Warmer climate options include the sunshine-filled Florida Keys location, Sunshine Key Tiny House Village and our newest tiny house village for a near-Nashville getaway, Natchez Trace Tiny House Village. Looking to spend time in New England? Head to New Hampshire to enjoy the tinies at Tuxbury Pond Tiny House Village.

What can you expect from a tiny? Plenty! All have full bathrooms and the majority of them have a kitchen and TV with cable. If there’s no full kitchen, there are kitchen amenities like coffeemakers and mini fridges. They range in size sleeping anywhere from 2 to 7 people and several are pet friendly so if your companions are the furry kind, they’re welcome to the tiny experience. You can expect spacious indoor living space and décor and design straight out of Tiny House Today (if there was such a magazine.) Cozy quarters for a top-notch glamping experience, for sure.

Location-wise, you’ve got outdoor adventure at any location. Hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing are just the beginning. Plus, there’s the proximity to major cities and their attractions like Seattle (from Leavenworth), Portland (from Welches), Nashville (from Natchez Trace) and Boston (from Tuxbury Pond). There’s the serenity of Sedona and the beautiful Red Rocks when you choose Verde Valley and the island-hopping, laid-back life of the Florida Keys when you choose Sunshine Key. This is one trend you want to be a part of! Don’t get left out in the cold (especially if you’re glamping), check out all the fabulous tiny house options at petiteretreats.com and make your reservation soon.

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Take a Vacation, Please!

A not so pleasant statistic is that the U.S. falls well below other countries when it comes to paid time off. Europe is far ahead of America when it comes to providing paid time off for employees. According to a May 2022 article in Travel + Leisure, Austria provides 25 days of paid annual leave, plus another 13 for public holidays, totaling 38 paid days off. France and Spain each offer 36 in total and Germany provides 30 days. The U.S. average is 10 days a year.

An even sadder statistic is that 54% of Americans don’t use all their vacation days. A 2019 study by the U.S. Travel Association showed that U.S. employees left approximately 768 million vacation days unused in 2018. And most Americans say they have too much work to do to take vacation time. That sounds pretty counterintuitive since studies show that vacation can reduce stress and increase productivity upon return to work. 

Before burnout hits and you make a mistake that could find you with plenty of days off, we suggest you get out and glamp! Hit the beach, climb every mountain, go off the grid, and for heaven’s sake, turn off your computer and work phone (we know you need the personal one for the Instagram shots of the great vacation you’ll be documenting)!

And, while experts suggest 8 days is the sweet spot for a full recharge, long weekends and a few days here and there could be just the recipe that helps Americans have their cake and eat it, too, when it comes to work/life balance.

One way to recharge is through grounding, or earthing, by walking barefoot in the sand. Grounding is said to reduce stress and tension levels. Glamping locations that allow plenty of silky, soft sand underfoot could include Oregon’s coastal getaway spots, cozy cabins at Pacific City and Seaside RV Resort. Another idea – combine grounding with the benefits of the relaxing colors of the tiny house rentals at Sunshine Key Tiny House Village in the Florida Keys and you’re well on the way to a destressing vacation. Plenty of sand for grounding or other fun can be found at Marina Dunes, which is adjacent to the Marina Dunes Preserve on California’s Monterey Peninsula. An ultra-cool glamping tent or high end cottage is the way to relax here.

How about a long weekend getaway that’s not too far from home, but far enough to leave the office woes behind? Is Seattle your place of business? Take a quick two-hour drive to Leavenworth, rent a tiny home at the Leavenworth Tiny House Village, and enjoy the outdoors. Fish, swim, hike, bike, or simply sip some wine in the Bavarian-styled village of Leavenworth. If Nashville is where you make the big bucks, take a break and head to the new Natchez Trace Tiny House Village. In a little over an hour, you can be relaxing in a perfectly appointed tiny house with lakefront views and fishing and hiking available onsite, plus the 3-mile lake here offers kayak and canoeing opportunities.

Lyla at Natchez Trace Tiny House Village
Lyla at Natchez Trace Tiny House Village

Speaking of water, blue space (lakes, rivers, oceans, even waterfalls) has been shown to lower stress and anxiety as well as boost mood and psychological well-being, per weforum.org. Rent a cabin at Wisconsin’s Neshonoc Lakeside Camping Resort or Lake George Escape, tucked away in New York’s Adirondacks, with the Queen of America’s Lakes as the centerpiece. Bend-Sunriver is a great place to soak up blue space healing power thanks to the location on the Little Deschutes River, and it offers cozy cabins and yurts.

Narrows Too Camping Resort
Narrows Too Camping Resort

Other destressing options for quick getaways or all those eight days can include forest-bathing (head to our favorite forested glamping options including Yosemite Lakes or our Bar Harbor resorts, Mt. Desert Narrows and Narrows Too). Forest-bathing requires you to take a walk in the woods and be mindful of your surroundings, engaging your senses and stopping every so often to just take it all in. Plus, we’ve got glamping options in the lands of the healing vortexes Arizona’s Red Rocks in Sedona or Joshua Tree National Park in California (check out tiny home or cabin rentals at Verde Valley or a colorful cottage at Palm Springs, respectively.) 

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Happy Birthday, Florida!

The Sunshine State celebrates 177 years of statehood this March 3rd, so come celebrate the state that provides miles of coastline and sandy beaches, the subtropical wilderness known as the Everglades, and of course an abundance of sunshine.

With so many great places to stay with us in Florida, you can celebrate the whole state. Sunny getaways abound all around the state from cottages at Bulow, Sherwood Forest, Sunshine Holiday Daytona, Pioneer Village, and Fiesta Key; cabins at Miami Everglades and Peace River; and adorable tiny homes at the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village (to see all the great Florida locations visit petiteretreats.com and book now). Spend time on the Gulf Coast, drive over to the Atlantic coast, discover Central Florida, and explore the Keys – whatever you choose, celebrate the Sunshine State this March.

Florida Festivals: Thanks to the great weather, there’s always something being feted, and March has plenty of events! There’s the Strawberry Festival in Plant City (March 3-13); Daytona Bike Week (March 4-13); the Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival (March 12-13); the Marathon Seafood Festival (March 12-13); and Carnaval Miami, which celebrates all things Miami, and runs from February 26 through March 13.

St. Augustine, FL Skyline
St. Augustine, FL Skyline

History Lessons: Why not visit Florida’s (and the nation’s) oldest city, St. Augustine, to learn the history of Florida and life way back in the 1500s? Castillo de San Marcos, Fort Mose Historic State Park, and perhaps the Pirate & Treasure Museum are a good place to start. The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum in Clewiston provides visitors insight into the history and culture of the Seminole, who are an integral part of Florida’s history. Other options for history trips can include the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West or the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee.

Funky Florida: Get a little off the beaten path of the typical tourist and celebrate Florida’s wild side. Up-close-and-personal experiences can include swimming with the manatees in Crystal River, learning all about sea sponges at Sponge-o-rama in Tarpon Springs or an iconic airboat ride through the Everglades. Spook Hill in Lake Wales supposedly defies gravity and is haunted while Robert the Doll, who can be found at Key West’s Fort East Martello Museum, is guaranteed to give you the willies. Funky underwater experiences can include Neptune Memorial Reef in Key Biscayne, the underwater statue of Christ, known as Christ of the Abyss, which can be found in the waters off Key Largo, or the one-of-a-kind swimming mermaids in Weeki Watchee Springs State Park.

Top Attractions: Florida’s long-standing highlights include Walt Disney World, the Kennedy Space Center, Busch Gardens Tampa, and the beautiful beaches. Top-rated beaches include South Beach, Cocoa Beach, St. Pete’s Beach and Fort Myers Beach.

Cottage at Peace River Camping Resort

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4 Ways to Celebrate National Goof Off Day

March 22 is not a solemn occasion – and yet, there is a recognized national day that falls on March 22; and yes, it should be honored…. but only in the silliest ways you can think of because it’s National Goof Off Day. And we think it falls at the perfect time – winter is officially over as the spring solstice began on March 20 which means more glamping and more outdoor fun.

National Goof Off day has been around since 1976 and as for goofing off – the phrase became popular in the mid-1940s as an armed forces term meaning to waste time or loaf. BTW – goof off can be a noun or verb. So, when March 22 rolls around, here are few ideas for any of you goof offs who want to goof off.

Cabin at Natchez Trace Campground
Lodge at Natchez Trace Campground

Act Like an Animal: Visit one of national zoos and see who can do the best imitations of their favorite animal. The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere has more than 339 species to choose from to try your best at “being an animal.” Check out Rowan, the zoo’s two-year old giraffe who came to the zoo in October 2021. Or maybe you and your favorite “kid” want to see what the kangaroos are up to at the zoo’s Kangaroo Kickabout. Book at stay at one of the tiny houses or cabins at Natchez Trace in nearby Hohenwald.

Build the Best Sand Castle: Challenge your camping mates to a sand castle contest. After all, what’s goofier that playing in the sand? Beach worthy glamp options include a tiny house at Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or a cottage at Fiesta Key – both located in the Florida Keys. Sand castle experts recommend using moist sand – if a ball of sand stays together while you roll it around, it’s perfect for castle construction! 

Tropical Palms Cottage
Tropical Palms Cottage

Visit the Goofiest Guy of All: Head to Orlando, Florida, and make a date with Goofy at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Goofy’s full name is Goofy Goof and to find him at the Magic Kingdom visit Pete’s Silly Sideshow tent. Goofy also is known to hang out at Epcot and participates in the Park’s Festival of Fantasy Parade. Of course the Magic Kingdom is by nature a great place to goof off, so visiting with Goofy aside, there’s plenty of things to do here that can be considered good for goofing off.  Head to Tropical Palms in nearby Kissimmee, book a colorful cottage, and get your goofy on! Play Outside: Book a tiny house at Leavenworth’s Tiny House Village and get ready to enjoy the outdoor playground in this great Washington State destination. The wonderful thing about Leavenworth is there are so many ways to play outside here from hiking to biking, fishing to ziplining, and so much more. Consider a guided horseback ride into the Cascades or a carriage ride around the quaint town. There may still be snow fun at Leavenworth Ski Hill or listen to live music, eat some great German food, and loaf the day away in Leavenworth.

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Who’s Your Valentine

Looking for love in the way of tiny home? We’ve got the perfect matches for you whether you’re into sporty types or a tiny house with a European flair. We suggest you swipe right and get to know some of our favorite tiny homes this Valentine’s Day.

European Flair: The tiny homes at Leavenworth, Washington’s Tiny House Village definitely give off a distinct Bavarian feeling thanks to the snow-capped backdrop of the Cascade Mountains. Otto, Rudolf, Belle, Adeline, and Hanna are the choices here and each offer something a bit different. Rudolf, Belle, and Otto all sleep 4-5 guests and have a loft area; Adeline welcomes 4 while the smaller Hannah sleeps 2. All have full bathrooms, well-appointed kitchens, and a spacious living area. Any choice makes for the perfect companion while you explore the quaint Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth with its shops, tasting rooms, galleries, and restaurants. Plus, Leavenworth offers top-notch outdoor activities year-round from skiing, fishing, hiking, biking, and kayaking.

Otto at Leavenworth Tiny House Village
Otto at Leavenworth Tiny House Village

Peaceful Vibes: Few places in the U.S. provide a more peaceful, healing vibe than Sedona, Arizona, and the two tiny houses at Verde Valley RV Resort are good companions on any trip here. Let tiny homes Finn and Rose be the comfortable spot you come home to at the end of exploring the rugged scenery and healing vortexes of Red Rock State Park. Both Finn and Rose sleep 3 guests, have a mini fridge and freezer, an electric stovetop, coffeemaker, and microwave, plus a toilet/sink/shower combo bathroom. Nearby Alcantara Vineyard and Winery, which offers tours and tastings, is a great place to toast your new tiny house love. Other Sedona highlights include the Oak Canyon Scenic Drive and Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village.  

Sunny and Sporty: If your idea of perfection includes a tiny house on an island in the sun, look no further than the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village in the Florida Keys. The five sunny and colorful choices here include Kai, Lucy, Isla, Pearl, and of course, Hemingway. Big-hearted Lucy and Isla both sleep 6, while Pearl and Kai sleep 2-3 and Hemingway welcomes 4 guests. All have great kitchens, full bathrooms, AC/Heat, cable TV and outdoor picnic tables. Located on Ohio Key, the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village is just 30 miles from Key West and all things Hemingway and just minutes from Bahia Honda State Park, which is great for snorkeling and kayaking.

Lincoln at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village
Lincoln at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

Pacific Northwest Charmers: If you love the mountains, craft brews, wide open spaces, and plenty to do when it comes to the outdoors, check out the tiny house choices at the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village in Welches, Oregon. Seven tiny homes – all with different personalities – await the glamper looking for tiny house love in the Pacific Northwest. Big guy Anderson sleeps 7, while Ingrid, Lincoln, and Scarlett sleep 5. Atticus, Savannah, and Zoe round out the options with each sleeping 3. All share the trait of having a well-appointed kitchen and full bath and any pet-lover will choose Lincoln or Anderson, as these tiny houses are a pet-friendly.  Of course, towering Mt. Hood provides all kinds of winter fun from skiing to sledding to snowboarding and the miles and miles of trails offer great opportunities for winter hikes and fat bikes. Craft breweries abound and the historic Timberline Lodge, built in the mid-1930s by the Works Progress Administration, is worth a visit.

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Here’s the difference between glamping and camping

It’s only been a few short years since the word glamping was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Back in March 2018, the dictionary listed the word with the accompanying definition “outdoor camping with amenities and comforts (such as beds, electricity, and access to indoor plumbing) not usually used when camping.” And, according to other linguistic lore, the word itself was first used sometime around 2005. But, some people have been glamping for years while others are wondering what this “glamping” is all about. Consider the following your quick guide to all things glamping: 

Why should you glamp instead of camp? If you are a seasoned camper, giving glamping a go may be just the thing needed to change things up. Another reason to glamp is not everyone enjoys tent camping and rising to greet the day after a rough night on the hard ground. Some people are looking for the perfect mix of outdoor adventure with some of the comforts of home.

For the most part, glamping involves a bit more of sleeping structure than the average tent or even those super high-end tents that sleep the whole gang and are “guaranteed” to keep you warm and cozy despite the outdoor weather. To glamp, you might consider overnighting in a yurt, a tiny home, a cabin, or cottage. 

There’s also the luxury of the indoor facilities that often accompany a glamping trip. No flashlight-required treks to the facilities at 3 a.m. or cold food because the campfire won’t light or the camp stove is on the fritz. Glamping rentals typically have indoor bathroom accommodations as well as well-appointed kitchens. Another plus to a glamping accommodation is that many of them have private fire rings, decks, and outdoor areas designated specifically for enjoying the art of socializing. 

What are good glamping accessories? Most glampers feel the need to up the ante when it comes to accessorizing and some of the most popular glamp gear includes tablecloths, area rugs, comfy camp chairs, and outdoor string lights and solar lanterns to create the perfect glamping ambience. Food and drink options also take a step up and glamping accessories in this category might include a charcuterie board, an espresso maker or French coffee press, as well as Dutch ovens and other “cuisine” cookware for camp. As for outdoor fun, glamping could include an outdoor projector and screen!

When it comes to glamping activities versus camping activities, they are pretty much the same. Most glamping accommodations are in areas that give the glamper the full opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. Hike, bike, fish, swim, canoe, or kayak – here’s where glamping and camping meet. Take in beauty of nearby national parks, raft the rapids, paddle serene waters, horseback ride or zip through the trees. We have glamping locations near all these great outdoor adventures. 

Sunshine Key Tiny House Village
Sunshine Key Tiny House Village

Where to glamp? Try our tiny house options in Leavenworth, Washington, Oregon’s Mt. Hood area, near Nashville, Tennessee, or Sedona, Arizona, or the Florida Keys. A spring, summer or fall glamping trip to New Hampshire’s Tuxbury Tiny House Village is a plan-ahead trip. Glamping in a yurt can be an option any time of year at several locations in California, Oregon, and Washington State as well as spring through fall yurt accommodations in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. What about glamping in a teepee? Or a covered wagon? Both are unique accommodations that can be found when glamping with Petite Retreats. Check out our website to see where we have glamping opportunities – whether it’s your first glamping adventure or you’ve been a glamper long before it was an official dictionary entry!

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Last Minute Trips for Your 2021 Bucket List

It’s been awhile, but think back to early January 2021. What resolutions did you make then? What about that 2021 Bucket List? Is everything crossed off? If not, we’ve got a few ideas on how to clear the slate to get ready for your 2022 list. 

  1. See a National Landmark: In a list of the Top 10 National Landmarks compiled by flightcentre.com, two are nearby to our locations that enjoy year-round visitors. Those include Hoover Dam (less than 35 miles from cozy cabins at our Las Vegas location); and the iconic Space Needle in Seattle (less than 30 miles from the yurts and cabins at Tall Chief RV & Camping Resort). Another must-see landmark is the historic Alamo, in San Antonio, Texas, which is less than an hour from the cabins at Medina Lake.

2. Drive an Iconic Highway: A drive on the 100-mile-plus engineering marvel known as Florida’s Overseas Highway will take you from the southern tip of Florida down to the Florida Keys with the beautiful waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico all around you. Choose to stay two hours north of the road’s starting point in a cabin at our Miami Everglades Resort or stay at one of our Keys locations, Sunshine Key or Fiesta Key. Enjoy a glamping experience in a cottage or glamping tent at California’s Marina Dunes and enjoy an equally glamorous experience along the 17-Mile Drive that includes charming towns, woodlands, and ocean views along the Monterey Peninsula. 

3. Learn a new skill: ‘Tis the season to don a pair of snowshoes and tackle this winter sport. Consider a stay in a snow covered cabin at Tahoe Valley in California’s Lake Tahoe area and learn how to traverse and glissade with the best of them. Stalk the striper and try your hand at catching hybrid striper bass in the winter waters of Texas’ Lake Conroe. Book a stay in a cabin at Lake Conroe RV & Camping Resort in Willis and see what you can catch. How about hopping on a “fat bike” and tooling around the snowy trails available near Leavenworth, Washington. Book a tiny house at Leavenworth Tiny House Village to go along with your fat bike experience!

Family Trip at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe Campground
Family Trip at Lake Conroe Camping & RV Resort

4. Girls’ Trip, Guys’ Trip, Family Trip, Couples’ Trip: Whichever one remains on your list unchecked, Petite Retreats has locations that can satisfy any of them (or all if you’ve got the time). Perfect family trip locations can include Orlando and all the theme park fun (book a stay in a colorful cottage at Tropical Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida) or Yosemite National Park in winter with all its activities (try a yurt at Yosemite Lakes RV Resort in Groveland, California); California’s wine country and a girl’s trip are a perfect match and a cabin or cottage accommodation at Russian River is the perfect wine country girl’s getaway home base. Nashville is great for girls, guys, and family fun depending on the activities you choose – there are bars and honky tonks, historic sites, museums, and outdoor adventure to be found here – and any of the rental cabins at nearby Natchez Trace work for all of these groups. Guys trip options could include the casinos and nightlife of Las Vegas (stay in a cabin or cottage at our Las Vegas location) or deep-sea fishing charters in the Florida Keys (Sunshine Key Tiny House Village is a great option as they run charters from the resort). Looking for romance? Check out the tiny house and cabin accommodations at Verde Valley in Arizona’s scenic and transformative Red Rocks country or a cozy cabin at Rancho Oso RV & Camping Resort in Santa Barbara and explore this charming California oceanside town with its wineries, architectural tours, and romantic sunsets. 

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