Glamping on the Oregon coast at Bay Point Landing

October 29, 2020 By

Located in Coos Bay, Oregon, Bay Point Landing offers safe and affordable glamping on the Oregon coast. You can see their safety and sanitation measures here.

Glamping on the Oregon Coast: full review of Bay Point Landing in Coos Bay.

What elevates this luxury RV resort to ‘glamping’ status: its Airstream and cabin rentals, amenities, and location.

Located ight on the bay on the Southern Oregon ‘adventure’ coast, Bay Point Landing features a short section of sandy beach (stroll-worthy, not swim-worthy), grasslands and estuary, and bay. Wildlife is plentiful if you sit awhile at your fire pit and take in the views. You’re five minutes from Coos Bay and 25 minutes from Bandon.

Accommodations:

You can bring your own motorhome or RV and utilize their upscale slips, which include plenty of pull-through spaces and very nice fire rings and picnic tables. Or, you can enjoy glamping on the Oregon coast in one of their 14 Airstreams or 22 Scandinavian-style cabins.

We opted for an Airstream experience, and settled into our 2018 International with queen bed, water views, beach access, and deck chairs. The kitchenette came with just about everything we needed, including all pots and pans, dishes, silverware, and salt and pepper. There is no full oven, but you get a stove top with three burners, a fridge and freezer, microwave, electric kettle, pour-over coffee maker, and toaster.

We cooked up pasta and tossed a salad for our first night, then opted to explore the culinary offerings along the coast for subsequent dinners, but you could request a cooking grill to borrow.

We loved our fire pit and Adironodack chairs, and inside, we had two TVs with cable and fast WiFi. Two bundles of firewood and starter came with or rental.

We experienced the Airstream as a couple, working remotely. If you’re traveling with small kids, one Airstream will absolutely accommodate two adults and two young kids, but if you have teenagers, I recommend renting two Airstreams or two cabins next to one another.

Tips for luxury Airstream living:

  • There’s plenty of storage space, so definitely put your things away to avoid clutter in the small space.
  • The thermostat took us awhile to figure out: you need to hit the ‘program’ button to set your desired temperature. The Airstream heats up or cools down quickly once you have it set.
  • The shower has low water pressure, which is typical of an RV, but the hot water definitely comes out hot!
  • You have plenty of plugs and USB access throughout.
  • Bring slippers for the cold floors!
  • If you bring a dog (yes, Bay Point Landing is dog-friendly), utilize the pet sheet and blanket that comes included in your dog kit that accompanies your $25 pet deposit. It’s perfect for sandy paws.

Cabin info:

Guests have their choice between three types of cabins (there are 22 cabins total). ‘Dune’ cabins are the largest, sleeping six, with a private bedroom, open loft area, and full bath (with tub).

‘Drift’ cabins sleep four, and ‘Kamp Haus’ cabins sleep two. All have a full bath (with shower in Drift and Kamp Haus) and a kitchenette similar to what’s described in the Airstream section. You get outdoor chairs and fire pits (plus firewood).

For the cabins and Airstreams, it’s worth upgrading to oceanfront (bay front) for the fabulous views.

Amenities:

No matter where you stay, the amenities at Bay Point Landing really make the experience more special.

The Clubhouse:

Uniquely designed by acclaimed architecture firm, OFFICEUNTITLED, the clubhouse is several buildings in one, ‘deconstructed’ to give an open, airy feel (perfect for social distancing). In the Clubhouse spaces, you’ll find the indoor heated saltwater pool, kids’ den (small entertainment space), activity room (designed for older kids and adults with shuffleboard and a wall-sized Scrabble board), fitness center (with Peleton bike and other machines, plus a few medicine balls and mats), and check-in office with a small selection of groceries (and wine and beer).

Outdoor amenities:

On the grounds, dispersed between RV slips, you have a Bocce ball area, a kids’ playground, communal fire rings, individual showers and bathrooms, laundry facilities, and a fabulous pavilion that includes outdoor heaters, ample seating and tables, wind breaks, couches, and a large screen TV. This area is ideal for small group gathering, communal meals, and the like.

Costs:

Cabin and Airstream rentals are approximately $145-$230 per night, depending on cabin type and view type. RV slips are approximately $45 for a partial view. Inquire for exact pricing.

After spending three nights at Bay Point Landing, I only have two requests/wishes: the resort needs to implement a recycling program (currently cannot recycle onsite), and I’d love to soak in a hot tub on the deck outside the pool, overlooking the bay!

Disclaimer: As we always note when applicable, we experienced Bay Point Landing as guests of the resort, for the purpose of review. All opinions remain our own.

Glamping trips to book this summer

May 9, 2019 By

Have you ever enjoyed turn-down service…in a tent? How about foot warmers, breakfast in your camp bed or nightly s’mores service? Even if you’re a hardcore camper, happy to rough it, c’mon…this sounds pretty great, right? Get your glamp on at the following glamping resorts in the western U.S.

Glamping trips to book this summer

Over the top:

The Resort at Paws Up, Montana

Located on Montana’s Blackfoot River, Paws Up going above and beyond for its tent camping guests, with private camp butlers, a concierge tent serving gourmet breakfast, snacks, and drinks, and luxury bedding. Plus, daily activities at Paws Up can include cattle wrangling, helicopter rides, hot air balloon journeys, and fly fishing.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, British Columbia

Each private tent at Clayoquot is described as five-star luxury, with an African safari experience feel in the heart of the Canadian wilderness. Sign up for spa treatments, fish for salmon, head out of bear sighting expeditions, or rock climb or mountain bike during your days here.

Bull Hill Guest Ranch, Washington

At the northeastern edge of Washington State near the Canadian border, guests at Bull Hill experience authentic ranch life, but sleep in comfort in glamping safari tents, each with a private bath or shower, wide front porches, and lodgepole railings.

Fireside Resort, Jackson Hole Wyoming

Jackson Hole has its share of luxury accommodations, but at Fireside Resort, you can pretend you’re roughing it in your own tiny house-style cabin. Enjoy a full kitchen, curl up by your own fireplace, and cross-country ski from your front door in winter. There’s an outdoor fire pit if your camping experience won’t be complete without a campfire!

Glacier Under Canvas, Glacier National Park, Montana

Under Canvas is a glamping resort company that currently operates in Glacier, Zion, Moab, and Yellowstone. At their Glacier location, safari-style tents and teepees are available just a few miles outside the national park, with the option to elevate your experience to a deluxe tent, cabin, or treehouse.

Dunton River camp, Dunton, Colorado

Dunton River Camp operates three camps in Colorado, but the Dunton Hot Springs location is the place to be for alpine meadow views, hot springs, and open-air tenting. Need more cover? Wooden cabins are on offer in addition to the river tents.

AutoCamp, Russian River, California 

Camp overnight in an Airstream trailer decked out with showers, hotel bedding, and extra touches. Only 90 minutes north of San Francisco, AutoCamp’s Russian River location is within easy distance of the Sonoma wine scene and plenty of outdoor recreation in the California redwoods. Choose between Airstream camping or luxurious canvas tent glamping.

Terra Glamping, California

Located on the northern California coast on Highway 1, all of Terra Glamping’s ten safari tents have ocean views. Ideal for whale watching, stargazing, or simply relaxing in a hammock or with a good book in hand, the Terra Glamping experience comes with hot showers, a deluxe continental breakfast, and memory foam mattresses.

Less ‘glamp’, more ‘camp’:

Doe Bay, Orcas Island Washington

A long-time retreat with a friendly commune feel right on the coast of Orcas Island, Doe Bay caters to earth-friendly types with organic produce at their on-site market, tent camping spaces, yurts and canvas tents, and clothing-optional outdoor soaking tubs and saunas.

Lakedale Resort, San Juan Island, Washington

Neighboring Orcas Island, San Juan Island’s Lakedale Resort offers the perfect glamping vacation for families with children, with tents that include breakfast and hot water bottles delivered to your bedside, or cabins next to all the lakeside action, which includes kayak rentals, paddle boards, arts and crafts, and more.

Willow Witt Ranch, Ashland, Oregon

A farm stay perfect for families that includes canvas-sided, wood-floored tents in addition to farmhouse accommodations, Willow Witt is tucked into the mountains about thirty minutes from Ashland in Southern Oregon. Meet the farm animals, hike on nearby trails, and enjoy the communal outdoor kitchen.

Treebones, Big Sur, California

Stay in a canvas yurt perched on the edge of the California coastline. You can even camp in the ‘human nest’, a cozy shelter that resembles a bird’s nest. Treebones boasts an organic garden, inspired architectural designs, and even a sushi bar on premises. Note that Highway 1 south of Treebones is currently closed after the impressive winter storms of 2017. Approach from the north.

River Dance Lodge, Kooskia, Idaho

Located near Lewiston, Idaho, River Dance Lodge offers glamping tents outfitted with old-fashioned pitchers and wash basins, wood stoves, and clawfoot tubs heated by propane (think hot tub!) within listening distance of a rushing river. Guests utilize a shared washroom. Plus, you’re within a stone’s throw of the best of Idaho’s outdoor recreation, including river rafting, lake swimming, and fishing.

Lakedale Resort: San Juan Islands glamping

July 11, 2018 By

After a stay in 2015, we listed Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes as our #1 kid-friendly resort pick on San Juan Island Washington. And guess what? In the years since, they’ve only improved their offerings. New this summer, Lakedale has become the premier location for San Juan Islands glamping, as well as continuing to offer a diverse list of additional accommodation options.

Located conveniently between Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor (less than a ten-minute drive from both), Lakedale began humbly as a private campground and has been adding to its offerings ever since. Visitors can now choose between a lodge stay (16 years and up), a cabin stay, canvas tent cabins and cottages, tent camping spaces, a vintage Airstream, or, new this year, glamping yurts. Here’s what you need to know about all your options:

Glamping yurts:

The yurt village is located at the far end of the property, tucked away past an area called ‘the meadow’ by Fish Hook Lake. All seven 24 foot-diameter yurts feel secluded enough, and private. You get 450-square-feet of room, and inside and out, it’s all luxury.

The living room area includes a full sleeper sofa, rocking chair, dining table and chairs for four, and a flat-panel smart TV (just log in with your own Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon account). Adjacent you get a kitchenette, including a wet bar and mid-sized fridge. The bedroom area (all open concept) has a king-sized bed that’s extremely comfortable. And yes, you get a bathroom inside the yurt, with full plumbing. It’s roomy and equipped with everything you need, from towels to a hair dryer.

Each yurt has full electricity (though no air conditioning…don’t worry, you don’t need it) and a big deck with a hot tub (yes, truly!), two chairs, and an outdoor dining area with table and four chairs, plus a barbeque. All your linens, blankets and towels are at the ready, including hot tub/beach towels, and there’s a communal fire pit for the yurt village adjacent. The kitchen area is fully equipped with dishes, cups, a coffee service, and a microwave.

Additional lodging options:

Log cabins:

When our family came in 2015, we stayed in one of Lakedale’s two bedroom, two full bath cabins, with a sofa bed that sleeps six. If you need a full kitchen and lots of space, this is the place to be. Outdoors, you get your own fire ring, and there’s a communal hot tub for the cabins.

Canvas cottages:

Lakedale’s original glamping option is found in the canvas cottage village, located in the middle of the property.  You get 350 square feet of space, with king-size pillow top beds with flannel duvet covers, your own bathroom complete with shower, daybed sleeper (extending to king-size) a chandelier (yep!), a table with four chairs and a fire ring. All cottages are lakefront, which might make them even more popular for families than the yurts.

Canvas tents:

Want a hybrid between tent camping and glamping?  The smaller canvas cabins feature a queen-size bed with pillow-top bedding and flannel duvet, a table and four chairs, a cordless lantern, bath linens, as well as a full-size futon that sleeps two. You get turn-down service in both the cottages and the tents, during which Lakedale will deliver two fleece-covered hot water bottles to keep you warm. Note: there is no electricity or running water in the canvas tents, but the shower building is located right across the way.

With both the canvas cottages and tents, your nightly rate includes a complimentary breakfast in the Mess Hall Tent, located in the heart of the village. You’ll find a pancake machine, granola, oatmeal, yogurt hard-boiled eggs, cereal, fruit, danishes, and coffee, tea, and juices.

Note: the Airstream is bundled with the canvas village and enjoys the same continental breakfast offerings in the Mess Hall Tent.

Tent camping sites:

There are a wide variety of campsites, which all share a shower building and bathroom, with additional port-a-potties throughout the meandering campground. I love that each site is different, and many are tucked away (it is easy to find privacy, usually hard to come by at a large campground). The classic campsite accommodates one tent (four people) and one vehicle. Every campsite has a fire pit and picnic table. Family campsites are larger and can fit more than one tent and two vehicles. You can also upgrade to a lakeside campsite in either size, which I recommend. There are a few really large group sites and some hike-in/bike-in sites for ultimate quiet and privacy.

Tip: for an extra $45, Lakedale will set up a two-person tent, two cots, and two chairs for you before you arrive. It can be difficult to bring all your camping gear with you if you’re not driving over (walk-on ferry passenger), so this is a great option.

If you don’t want to be near a neighbor, I recommend a site in the 200-loop (there are not 200+ sites; they are simply numbered this way) on the outer edge of the ring. Site 110 and site 30 are also ideal.

Note: there are only five RV sites in Lakedale. There simply isn’t space, as their camping sites are all different shapes and sizes to fit the natural surroundings.

Lodge stay:

Lodge rooms are limited and for adults only (each sleep two). You get a full breakfast in the lodge included in your stay, and the back deck of the lodge is a very tranquil place. I recommend coming to Lakedale with kids, then returning in the off-season to enjoy the lodge as a grown-up getaway. The lodge and log cabins are open year-round at Lakedale, but camping and glamping is currently seasonal.

Lakedale Activities:

There is so much to do on-site! Bring bikes, as you’ll want them cruising around the resort (or borrow one of the bikes available on a first-come, first-served basis). The General Store is the central hub of activity, where watersport rentals are offered (water trikes, paddleboards, kayaks, etc) and fishing gear can be procured. You can also grab lunch here, plus ice cream, fire wood, and gourmet items for the grill, such as pre-made kabobs and burgers.

Swimming is popular at Lakedale, and there’s a nice beach area with shallow entry for young kids. Lawn games such as horseshoes, bocce ball and giant chess are plentiful. The activities tent always has activities for kids, such as boat races, birdhouse building, t-shirt tie-dying, and more. Some activities come with an added cost, but most are free. And of course, you’re close to all San Juan Island has to offer. Check out our suggested two-day itinerary, which could be stretched to 3-4 days while staying at Lakedale.

For pricing on lodging options at Lakedale, we suggest calling the friendly front desk of the lodge, as prices do vary by season and they can help you find just the right option for your family.

Disclosure: I experienced San Juan glamping at Lakedale as a guest of the resort, for the purpose of review. All opinions remain my own.