Alabama adds âglampingâ sites to five state parks
Alabama is offering more ways to sleep under the stars in style, with the addition of new “glamping” sites in five of its state parks.
“Glamping” – or glamorous camping, if you will – offers a traditional camping experience with hotel-like amenities. Campers can hike, fish, and roast s’mores over a primitive charcoal grill, but with the bonus of a king bed and Keurig.
The sites, operated by Alabama State Parks and Timberline Glamping, feature fully furnished safari-style tents fit with air and heating units, electric outlets and mini fridges. Rates are similar to a hotel stay, starting at $129 per night with a $65 cleaning fee.
Wind Creek, in April, became the first of Alabama’s state parks to offer glamping. Glamping is now available at Lake Guntersville State Park, Chewacla State Park in Auburn, Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville and Cheaha State Park.
Nationwide, the glamping industry has skyrocketed in recent years, especially in West Coast states, with millennials and baby boomers driving much of the boom.
Timberline co-owner Rebeka Self said Alabama’s parks have seen a surprising demand for the new luxury amenities.
“It’s just been pretty overwhelming,” Self said in a news release. “For being a new location, it’s kind of blown all of our expectations away. I think the weekends are booked out well into the fall, and they’re booking a lot of weekdays as well, which is always a good sign. They’ve already had some guests come and stay and then book again for their next trip and want to bring friends.”
Alabama’s 21 state parks offer a variety of overnight accommodations, including resort-style lodging, picturesque cabins and chalets, modern RV hook-ups and primitive camping.
Park officials say the addition of glamping provides another option for guests looking for a “combination of rustic and luxury.”
“Our goal is to make every guest have a memorable stay at an Alabama State Park, and the new glamping sites definitely deliver a memorable experience,” Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship said in a news release. “We’ve been careful and thoughtful about the best parks to offer glamping, and it’s exciting to see this new amenity expand from one to five parks in such a short time. This has been a fantastic addition to our state parks.”
Book your next stay at timberlineglamping.com, or click on the links below for more information on each state park’s offerings: