The Best Glamping Sites in British Columbia

Accessible only by seaplane, this upscale resort up a remote inlet on Vancouver Island offers luxurious safari-style tents with lodge-style furniture and private bathrooms, either ensuite or merely steps away from your door. You’ll be well-rested to start your day with yoga, meditation or a run through the rainforest. The resort offers flexible dining by day and three-course dinners at night, plus cocktails and unforgettable views in their stylish lounge.

The heated yurts at the Riverside Resort are an eco-conscious lodging choice in Whistler. Each one sleeps up to five people in basic comfort, with a deck and picnic table outside and restrooms nearby. The resort, popular with RVers, also has cabins and tent sites, along with a beach volleyball court for the summer and snowshoe rentals in winter. Wander over to adjacent Lost Lake Park and explore more than 19mi (30km) of trails, then borrow a board game for some evening fun.

Unique is an overused word, but it applies to the trio of suspended spherical treehouses between Nanaimo and Courtenay on the East Coast of Vancouver Island. Each sphere has a well-thought-out interior with modern touches such as a Murphy bed and bluetooth audio for true surround sound. The spheres share a bathhouse, sauna and kitchen, though you’ll be greeted with a basket of snacks and the fixings for coffee and tea to enjoy in your own sphere.

Some of Canada’s most creatively designed cabins can be found at this mini-resort in the Shuswap region of the North Okanagan. In addition to two well-appointed rustic glamping cabins that are ideal for couples, two larger options are also available. The fancy namesake cabin was built around a vintage travel caravan and the solar-powered Lavender Cabin can accommodate up to 10 people. The cabins are dispersed across the wooded property and are linked by a network of trails.

Options abound at this reimagined retreat on North Pender Island, about a 10-minute drive from the Otter Bay Ferry Terminal. Nine lavishly furnished Airstream trailers are the most offbeat accommodations, while other choices include rustic cabins with hot tubs or rooms in a renovated motel. The resort also has a farm-to-table restaurant, a food truck, a massage studio and easy access to forest trails and paddling spots.

Count the constellations from the comfort of four pioneer-style canvas tents that have been outfitted with skydomes at Siwash Star Camp. Set on a ridge amid meadows that have been springing anew since a 2017 forest fire, the camp is part of the all-inclusive, high-end experiences offered at Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort. The resort also offers a range of activities such as horseback riding, fly-fishing and wildlife watching during your stay.

This 100-year-old working farm has an enviable location on the north side of Hornby Island, with wide-open water vistas and vivid sunsets. Each fully furnished glamping tent has a comfy bed and a sweet sitting area out front. Fossil Beach Farm is known for its cider, some of which is only available on-site. The cider house doubles as the shower house for guests.

The frogs will sing you to sleep and the birds will wake you up at this resort on the Sunshine Coast. A variety of safari-style tents are scattered amid this wildlife sanctuary, some ideal for romance and others welcoming to families and pets. The tents share washroom facilities and a communal hut with a small fridge and microwave, or you can bring your own camp stove to cook outside your tent.

The “tenthouse suites” at this mid-Sunshine Coast destination feature king-size beds with fine linens, plus a tub with a view, a full shower and heated floors. Sit on the veranda and enjoy the cool forest air, then enjoy easy access to activities, such as a picturesque cruise on Pender Harbour and hiking at Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park. Full dining service, yoga classes and spa treatments are among the resort’s amenities.

Set on 600 acres (243ha) of Ucluelet First Nations lands on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, Wya Point offers several kinds of yurts, as well as campsites and indoor lodging. The built-for-two Hummingbird Yurt is the most private, while larger yurts can sleep up to five people. All have excellent beach access. Watch for migrating whales, learn to surf or book a fishing charter, while supporting a business run by people who have lived here for centuries.

Plush beds and ensuite bathrooms are among the perks of a luxury tent stay at this low-key resort. The tents share a shower house, sauna and outdoor cooking facilities, though they each have their own mini-fridge, plus coffee and tea. A 17 mile (28km) network of mountain biking trails are a short pedal away, and many more activities and sights beckon in nearby Wells Gray Provincial Park. White-water rafting on the Clearwater River is another popular summer pursuit.

Have the best of both worlds: outdoor fun and proximity to a good-sized town. The glamping tents at Boulder Mountain Resort sport queen-size beds, electricity and wifi, plus a screened-in picnic table to keep the bugs at bay. Resort amenities include a covered hot tub, fire pits and a fenced-in dog park. Revelstoke is a 10-minute drive away, with plenty of shops and restaurants. Revelstoke Mountain Resort and the Columbia River are just as accessible.

A remote spot about an hour’s drive east of Vernon, BC, the YD Guest Ranch has several tents, treehouses and cabins with comfy furnishings and mountain views. Breakfast is available to help guests get a good start on a day that might include floats on a lazy river, horseback riding or treks to any of several nearby provincial parks. Alternatively, just kick back on the deck and enjoy the scenery.