5 stylish places for glamping in New England

Last updated on February 5, 2024

Glamping in New England is ideal with gorgeous lakes, coast and woodland that beckon you outdoors. Camping is always an option, but if like me, you prefer a bit more comfort, these New England glamping sites are winners. They were among our favourite and most memorable stays on our New England road trip.

Let us know if you have any to add.

The best of glamping in New England

Fortland

Portland, Maine

It’s no exaggeration to say Fortland is one of the most special places we’ve ever stayed. Its seamless blend of style, outdoor adventure and history makes for a gorgeous stay. And the hospitality of its wonderful owners makes it unforgettable. It’s the place we mention most when asked about our New England highlights.

Set within Fort Scammel on House Island, just a 10-minute boat trip from the city of Portland, Fortland feels a world away from urban life.      

Owners Stefan and Katrina have built a collection of stylish yurts and tents into the grounds of the historic fort. The yurts are built on old cannon foundations, sunken into the hillside, so you have total privacy. There’s no bathroom, but you can shower on the deck and you’re not far from the shared restroom. There are gorgeous views at every turn.

Katrina clearly has an eye for design as these are some of the most beautifully put together yurts I’ve seen, with a Scandi-chic vibe and thoughtful furnishings. The tents are equally well designed, built into the hillside with views out to the city.

There’s a central campground at Fortland where all the guests gather to cook, play games and roast s’mores around the fire. We loved spending time there, meeting fellow guests and chatting with Stefan. Their s’mores kits are next level, including options for peanut or mint treats too (believe me, a mint s’more is incredible!)

There are no shops on Fortland so you need to bring everything you need with you, cooler and ice included (although for longer stays, they can help you to get more supplies). For us, this was part of the fun and made it feel like more of an adventure. There’s also no running water, but drinking water and water for showers is provided. And they also make freshly brewed coffee each morning.

This is a place to get away from it all and connect with nature, while also relaxing in the remarkable comfort of your private yurt. You can hike the grounds, swim or relax at the three private beaches, or simply sit back and take in the epic views of Portland and the Calendar Islands (the sunsets are epic!). And if you’re interested in history, take a tour with Stefan to learn about the fort’s impressive Civil War era history.

We loved every minute of our stay there, and if you’re heading to Portland, I’d say it’s a must.

Check availability and book here.

Lumen Retreat

New Hampshire

The cabins at Lumen Nature Retreat are the kind of place I’ve been lusting over for years ever since I first saw their kind on Instagram. You know the type: tiny houses with floor-to-ceiling picture windows, offering fabulous woodland views, and decorated in a minimalist Scandi style.

Lumen Nature Retreat in the White Mountains of New Hampshire has perfected this aesthetic. The Nordic-inspired wooden cabins sit on the banks of a bubbling brook, surrounded by trees. Bare wood walls are complemented with stylish black cabinetry, leather sofas and hipster accents, like a classic Marshall radio. It’s simple but luxurious, with high-end bed linens and appliances.

You can also stay in A-frame tents, which are equally picture-perfect.

Outside, each cabin and tent has its own firepit and Adirondack chairs, perfect for enjoying the night sky.

All the cabins and tents are arranged around a central green and stylish bathhouse. And all are waterside, lining the edges of the brook or pond.

A highlight is the two saunas, especially the barrel sauna, which has a huge picture window with panoramic views of the pond. Guests can reserve private time slots when they book.

There are staff on-site to help with as much or as little as you like. And it’s a contactless check-in and check-out. You can buy fire-making supplies at an honesty box on the way in, but all other supplies need to be brought with you. There are some good food options nearby, including the Str Eatz Food Truck, which is only a 5-min walk away. Other restaurants are a short drive away (we liked The Moon Bakery and Café in Lincoln for breakfast).

We loved our stay at Lumen Nature Retreat. It fulfilled all our cabin dreams and was also perfectly located for exploring the White Mountains and the Kancamagus Scenic Byway.

Check availability and book here.

Huttopia

Sanford, Maine

Huttopia Southern Maine is a stylish glamping spot on the shores of a lake, amid a glorious pine forest. Originating in France, Huttopia was created as a way of enticing city folk to the great outdoors to immerse themselves in nature and reap the benefits, but with significantly more comfort than classic camping. It’s one of the originators of the glamping concept.

Huttopia is particularly perfect for families with everything you need on-site for a fun and easy stay. There’s a swimming pool, playground, lawn and board games, and watersport hire. Our kids loved cycling around the grounds and foraging for woodland treasures. It all felt very wholesome.

And the crowning jewel of it all is the lake, which has shallow shores for paddling, platforms to jump from, and serene spots for lounging while the kids play (see the blissful photo of me above!).

The on-site restaurant at Huttopia is no gourmet destination, but it’s great for families, with kid-friendly meals, including crepes and pizza. Plus all tents/cabins have indoor and outdoor cooking facilities, so you can easily make your own meals. The onsite shop sells camping essentials, including s’mores kits.

They also have kids’ activities in the day and entertainment at night – we saw an acapella group on our first night, and had fun doing the scavenger hunt and macrame by day. 

For accommodation, you can choose between safari-style tents and cabins. We went with the former, which had two separate sleeping areas for us and the kids and was an excellent upgrade from camping. All tents have their own site with a fire pit and grill – they look gorgeous at night, lit by festoon lights, twinkling in the woods. The cabins are a slight upgrade from the tents, and some have beautiful lake views.

Huttopia is a place you can easily spend whole days at (which is what we did). But it’s also about 30 minutes from the coast and an ideal place for exploring Southern Maine, including Ogunquit, Wells and the Kennebunks. And it’s also only about 40 minutes from Portsmouth, NH.

Check availability and book here.

Under Canvas Acadia

Surry, near Acadia National Park

Under Canvas is a well-regarded brand in the world of glamping, bringing their stylish take on safari-inspired camps to National Parks across the USA. It’s a luxurious set-up with West elm furnishings, co-ordinators who help plan your visit, and a full programme of activities, from yoga to live music to crafts.

Under Canvas Acadia is in Surry, around 30-60 minutes from Acadia National Park. It’s ideal for spending days hiking the park, followed by nights around the campfire, enjoying local meals from the onsite restaurant.

We didn’t stay here, but it’s well reviewed, albeit quite expensive.

Check availability and book here.

Getaway House Machimoodus

Machimoodus, Massachusetts

Getaway is another well-known name in glamping with outposts all around the USA. I first came across it in California, but there’s also a site in Machimoodus, a small state park in Massachusetts, around 2 hours from both Boston and New York (it’s a popular weekend getaway for city folk).

As with all the Getaway Houses, it has tiny cabins with “everything you need and nothing you don’t”. You can squeeze four to cabin in queen bunks and a queen bed, and all come with a kitchenette, shower and AC/heat.

We didn’t stay here, but the photos remind us of Lumen Nature Retreat’s style.

Check availability and book here.

Map of glamping in New England

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