Author
Katherine Englishman & Ellen Eberhardt
Boasting three national parks—including, yes, Grand Canyon National Park—and 15 national monuments, where you can hike, bike, kayak, raft, and even ski, Arizona’s diverse landscape has a lot to offer lovers of the great outdoors. Whether you’re visiting this southwestern state for its mountainous northern terrain or cactus-dotted southern desert climate, one of the best ways to experience this unique vastness is glamping in Arizona.
Short for “glamorous camping,” a glamping experience gives you the chance to spend time in nature without sacrificing the comforts of home in a unique accommodation that mainly includes safari-inspired canvas tents, yurts, renovated Airstream trailers, treehouses, and tiny homes. While luxury camping has existed in many different forms for centuries (think wealthy British and American travelers on safari in Africa in a classic canvas tent, or the palatial tents of globetrotting monarchs), today’s glamping is simply a great way to immerse yourself in the outdoors while staying in a luxurious shelter with resort-style amenities in a scenic destination.
Our Top Picks for Arizona Glamping
- Shash Dine Ecoretreat — Page, AZ
- American Safari Camp — Flagstaff, AZ
- Under Canvas Grand Canyon — Valle, AZ
- Luxury Tents — Patagonia, AZ
- Explorer’s Escape Glamping — Cane Beds, AZ
- The Studio — Tucson, AZ
- Vintage 1967 Airstream — Phoenix, AZ
- Tiny Camp — Sedona, AZ
- Fort Tuthill — Flagstaff, AZ
- Peaceful Yurt — Tucson, AZ
Perfect for new outdoorists or anyone who wants to find adventure and a little bit of luxury, glamping can also be a great way to scratch the itch for a one-of-a-kind getaway that is centered around the outdoors but without really roughing it.
Looking to book a trip to Arizona? Consider planning your vacation in the spring or autumn to avoid the high season’s crowds and summer heat. One of Arizona’s best-kept secrets is its fall foliage that pops out from September through December in the high mountain desert, putting on a colorful display that stands in contrast to its dry climate.
Here are our top picks for the coolest glamping accommodations in sunny Arizona.
10 Best Places Around Arizona to Go Glamping
Shash Dine Ecoretreat — Page, AZ
Vibe: Starry skies
Distance from Flagstaff: 129 miles
Standout Amenities: Navajo storytelling, dinner and breakfast included, convertible tour of night sky
Nightly Rates: $190
Cleverly billed as a “five billion star hotel,” Shash Dine is located in the high desert of Arizona—the perfect spot to see a sky full of stars each night. This Navajo-owned and operated retreat offers guests traditional Navajo hogans (dome-shaped buildings made from logs, stones, and mud), canvas bell tents, fully-restored sheepherder covered wagons, or cabins to stay in, while providing a taste of Navajo culture and food in an off-grid style.
American Safari Camp — Flagstaff, AZ
Vibe: Remote luxury
Distance from Flagstaff: 0 miles
Standout Amenities: Access to outdoor activities, fossil digging, private guide and chef
Nightly Rates: $450
The American Safari Camp is the epitome of glamp life done right, with a little adventure thrown in for good measure. Take advantage of mountain biking through the Grand Canyon, kayaking on Lake Powell, or scouting out dinosaur fossils in the Escalante National Monument with the help of a private guide. At the end of each day, retreat back to the privacy of your own well-stocked canvas tent and enjoy a fresh meal made with local ingredients before you do it all over again.
Under Canvas Grand Canyon — Valle, AZ
Vibe: Sanctuary in the Southwest
Distance from Flagstaff: 52 miles
Standout Amenities: Near Grand Canyon, outdoor seating area, market, zen garden
Nightly Rates: $219
Set on 160-acres of peaceful pinon and juniper forest near the South Rim entrance of the Grand Canyon, Under Canvas offers upscale accommodations in one of the most scenic places in the country. The safari style canvas tents have modern West Elm furnishings, a private outdoor seating area, and on-site, well, everything. From elevated dining to a fully-stocked market, complimentary bath products and s'mores, and a zen garden for maximum relaxation, it’s a little slice of paradise near one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Luxury Tents — Patagonia, AZ
Vibe: Sanctuary in the Southwest
Distance from Phonenix: 174 miles
Standout Amenities: Nature preserve, personal hammock, nature library, on-site cafe
Nightly Rates: $263
Fear not, nature lovers, when you book a stay at one of the Ocelot or Jaguar Camps on this nature reserve, the only wildlife you’ll be learning about are native species and pollinators—not big cats as the name suggests. Instead, relish the peace and quiet of this secluded spot in a cozy canvas tent (complete with a personal hammock) and visit the on-site nature library to learn about this diverse area.
Explorer’s Escape Glamping — Cane Beds, AZ
Vibe: Desert base camp
Distance from Flagstaff: 226 miles
Standout Amenities: Bathhouse, communal fire pit, outdoor shower
The perfect jumping-off point for a day of adventure at Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and of course, the Grand Canyon, this truly is an “Explorer’s Escape.” If you thought it was nice outside, you’ll be equally as impressed by the rustic handmade furniture inside each canvas tent. Hang out and take in the views at the communal fire pit and don’t miss the bathhouse and outdoor shower made to look like one of the authentic slot canyons that the area is known for, for a one-of-a-kind experience.
The Studio — Tucson, AZ
Vibe: Wheel and deal
Distance from Phoenix: 144 miles
Standout Amenities: Ranch, 80-acres, four-wheelers, tiny house
Escape to this 80-acre tiny house ranch amidst mountain views in the desert, which offers a serene retreat with private walking paths, gardens, and encounters with ranch animals. The Studio, the most luxurious of four tiny houses, boasts a comfortable queen bed, solar power, AC and heat, and a backyard fire pit, grill, and hammock. Guests can explore the expansive ranch and nearby land with four wheelers available, ensuring a peaceful desert getaway with all amenities provided.
Vintage 1967 Airstream — Phoenix, AZ
Vibe: Uber-mod motor home
Distance from Phoenix: 0 miles
Standout Amenities: Two AC units, unlimited hot water, 100% cotton linens, cruiser bikes
From the outside, this matte black and shiny, metallic Airstream looks a little harsh, but the all-wood interior warms things up just like the hot Arizona sun. Speaking of heat, this refurbished camper has two AC units to keep you cool, plus unlimited hot water and a cushy queen-sized bed and 100% cotton linens for staying cozy at night. Hop on one of their cruiser bikes and ride through the nearby Coronado neighborhood for a little local flavor.
Tiny Camp — Sedona, AZ
Vibe: Little bit of luxury
Distance from Flagstaff: 29 miles
Standout Amenities: Tiny house, hot tub, luxury bathroom
Nightly Rates: $333
Downsize from an oversized yurt or canvas tent to the cozy confines of a four-walled tiny house in Sedona’s scenic red-rock country. Made up of a cluster of luxury tiny houses, the Tiny Camp village features a variety of upscale tiny homes with design-forward interiors, spa-like bathrooms, and obviously, Wi-Fi. Catch a sunset from the comfort of your private deck to watch this magical canyonland glow.
Fort Tuthill — Flagstaff, AZ
Vibe: Paradise in the ponderosas
Distance from Flagstaff: 0 miles
Standout Amenities: Wood-burning stove, kitchenette
Nightly Rates: Starts at $50/night
These no-frills yurts are here for the glampers who just want to keep things simple and the focus on Flagstaff’s abundance of natural beauty. While it’s not exactly roughing it, accommodations are comfortable yet minimal, including a wood-burning stove, mini fridge, and port-o-potties. All the better to spend more time outside adventuring through the San Francisco peaks and nearby Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort in the winter.
Peaceful Yurt — Tucson, AZ
Vibe: Hippy and home-y
Distance from Phoenix: 112 miles
Standout Amenities: Full kitchen, sauna
Forgo the curated furniture, morning yoga, and cappuccinos for this bohemian-inspired hippie retreat. Awash in a psychedelic rainbow palette, there’s a full kitchen and plush bed with a wild cheetah-print bedspread. Have a steep in the sauna or hang out in the colorful dome where you can get crafty and get in touch with your inner desert artist.
Published 04-11-2024
Updated 04-18-2024
