Colorado.com Staff Writer

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The thought of roasting marshmallows over a campfire, sleeping under the stars and waking up to a stunning sunrise warming your soul sounds pretty awesome, doesn’t it? But so does electricity, a bathroom and 400 thread-count sheets.

Glamping in Colorado: Camping With Beds & Other Perks

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Don’t fret: There are still plenty of ways to sleep in Colorado’s great outdoors, even if you’re not quite ready to rough it. You, my friend, should be glamping.
Imagine going for a hike through sun-dappled woods and splashing in a creek, then spending the afternoon reading a book and sipping tea at a bistro table. Picture yourself enjoying dinner — prepared with real cookware, no less — as a fiery sky colors the horizon. Then, feel the warmth of that glass of wine and the comfort of a real bed.
That’s the essence of glamping — short for glamorous camping — and it’s a global trend gaining popularity among outdoor enthusiasts. And it’s easy to understand why. When glamping, there’s no tent to pitch, no sleeping bag to pack around, no trek to use the bathroom. But there are permanent tents, yurts and other small structures offering beds, electricity, water — and sometimes kitchens, air conditioners, Wi-Fi and more. 
In short, it’s an easy way to experience Colorado’s great outdoors while still enjoying many of the comforts of home. Here are great spots to “not-so-rough it” in gorgeous parts of the state.
<h2>Arapaho Valley Ranch, Granby</h2>
In the northwest Colorado town of <a href="/cities-and-towns/granby">Granby</a>, <a href="/granby/arapaho-valley-ranch">Arapaho Valley Ranch</a> offers luxurious glamping tents that sleep up to six and well-appointed Native American-inspired tents great for couples or small families of four. Each glamping tent in Miners Camp has its own firepit and wooden deck overlooking the ranch’s private Little Indian Lake, where you’re guaranteed to catch a fish during your stay. Inside, you’ll find a kitchen stocked with dishes and cooking utensils, a dressed queen bed and bunkbeds for the kids.  
Elevated and lined to protect you from the elements, Arapaho Valley Ranch’s Native-American inspired tents offer a queen-size log bed, camp kitchen and, if needed, additional cots. Themed décor brightens up the inside, while a large community firepit outside gives you the chance to cook and converse with other guests.
With either sleeping option, you can fill your days fishing, hiking and exploring nature trails, yet still have a cozy place to rest at night. Additional on-site amenities include picnic areas, restrooms with showers, a nearby lodge and bar — and yes, even Wi-Fi. 
<h2>Cedar Ridge Ranch, Carbondale</h2>
Nestled beside Cattle Creek in the sleepy-yet-lively mountain town of <a href="/cities-and-towns/carbondale">Carbondale</a> is <a href="/carbondale/cedar-ridge-ranch">Cedar Ridge Ranch</a> — your perfect multi-activity glamping adventure. At this serene stead, you can glamp in a yurt that, from the outside, resembles a tent. Have no fear — these shelters adorned in warm-brown wood will have you living in luxury with pillow-covered couches, soft beds that’ll put sleeping bags to shame, a fully-equipped dining table, a full bathroom, ceiling fans, and elaborate rugs. If staying in a cabin is more your speed, they’ve got that too, complete with all the comforts of a hotel, some relaxing nighttime wildlife chirping and none of the discomfort of sleeping on the ground.
Catch breathtaking views of the craggy peaks around you as you snowshoe, horseback ride, take an alpaca yoga class and tour the ranch — all with the relief of a covered night’s sleep under the stars.
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<h2>Dunton River Camp, Dolores</h2>
Down in the southwest corner of the state, <a href="/dolores/dunton-river-camp">Dunton River Camp</a> in <a href="/cities-and-towns/dolores">Dolores</a> offers a variety of “bespoke” mountain or river tents that let you enjoy a little luxury while camping in the Colorado Rockies. And the views? Unmatched.
Eight mountain tents nestled in the aspen trees provide stunning views of the 14,160-foot El Diente Peak, San Juan Mountains and the Wilson Range, complete with a king bed, bathroom with soaker tub and shower, gas stove, telephone, Wi-Fi and two mountain bikes to use at your leisure. River tents offering the same amenities sit steps from the West Fork of the Dolores River, just close enough to let the trickling water lull you to sleep each night.
<h2>Echo Canyon Campground, Cañon City</h2>
For something even more rustically luxe, head to south-central Colorado’s breathtaking <a href="https://www.colorado.com/royal-gorge-region-channel">Royal Gorge Region</a>. In addition to rafting adventures, a popular riverside restaurant, RV campsites and primitive/secluded tent sites, Echo Canyon River Expeditions in <a href="/cities-and-towns/canon-city">Cañon City</a> rolls out the red carpet in a deluxe glamping community that offers a unique, neighborhood-type feel.
<a href="/canon-city/echo-canyon-river-expeditions">Echo Canyon Campground</a> features a collection of fully equipped glamping tents featuring queen beds, faux-antler chandeliers, sleeper sofas, electricity, Wi-Fi and a furnished, private deck. 
<h2>Royal Gorge Vacation Rentals, Cañon City</h2>
Raft, ride, relax and repeat! <a href="/canon-city/royal-gorge-vacation-rentals">Royal Gorge Vacation Rentals</a> in <a href="/cities-and-towns/canon-city">Cañon City</a> has luxury yurts that are close to all the adventure action. Adding a vibrant splash of color to the whitecapped Arkansas River's shores, these comfy cuties have a lofted sleeping area that leaves plenty of room to spread out and take it easy below.
A covered patio, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, indoor dining area, heater, Yeti cooler and close proximity (100 yards) to modern restrooms and showers will make you feel positively spoiled during a "campout" any time of year. A small sandy area alongside the river offers the best way to cool off on a sunny day.
<h2>WeeCasa, Lyons</h2>
If you really want to take glamping to the next level, head to Colorado’s Front Range to jump on the tiny-house bandwagon. At <a href="/lyons/weecasa-tiny-house-resort">WeeCasa</a> in <a href="/cities-and-towns/lyons">Lyons</a>, you can book your own teensy abode offering even more of the comforts of home. Albeit a very, very tiny home.
Bathroom, bath products, towels and bedding. Cookware, refrigerator and stove. Ceiling fan, firepit, even a French press for your morning cup of joe. Check, check and check. They’re all included, and then some.
You’ll also be directly across from <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/rocky-mountain-national-park-colorado">Rocky Mountain National Park</a>, a short walk from the town of Lyons and just a 25-minute drive to <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/estes-park">Estes Park</a> and <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/boulder">Boulder</a>. That sweet location puts you close to mountain biking, hiking, backcountry trails, fly-fishing, climbing, whitewater kayaking, horseback riding and even more camping (the regular kind).
<h2>Additional Places to Glamp in Colorado </h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://www.colorado.com/camping/basecamp-550">Basecamp 550</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/ridgway">Ridgway</a></li>
<li><a href="https://collectiveretreats.com/retreats/">Collective Retreats</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/vail">Vail</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.colorado.com/equestrian-centerstable/piney-river-ranch">Piney River Ranch</a>, <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/vail">Vail</a></li>
</ul><h2>Want More?</h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://www.colorado.com/activities/camping-colorado">Camping in Colorado</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.colorado.com/hotels-lodging#!?f=43&amp;page=1">Colorado Campground Listings</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-culinary-camping-guide">Colorado Culinary Camping Guide</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/how-set-your-colorado-campsite">How to Set Up Camp</a></li>
<li><a href="/blog">Sleep Somewhere Cool Blog</a></li>
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