There’s nothing like the great outdoors—fresh air, s’mores by the fire, and of course, enthusiastic little ones excited to sleep outside… or, sort of outside! When it comes to camping, some of us can be extremely resourceful—cooking our own food, sleeping under the stars, and roaming through perilous landscapes. Then, there are those that thrive outside but prefer some creature comforts while “roughing it”! For those that want a hotel experience under the open skies there is glamping! We’ve rounded up the best ways to spend a weekend in nature while still nurturing modern needs. Scroll down for the best places to glamp with kids near the DMV.

Western Maryland's Hideaway Co.

Daiga Ellaby via Unsplash

If you've ever longed for a 5-star hotel experience in the great outdoors, check out Hideaway Co., a Western MD-based glamping experience created by regional boutique hoteliers. For those looking for a kid-free getaway (which is ALL of us after a year of 24/7 childcare!), Hideaway Co. hosts romantic weekends and girlfriend getaways filled with massage appointments, wine and cheese pairings and curated excursions. There are also a handful of family-friendly weekends for those looking for a no hassle way to camp with kids. Memorial Day, Father's Day, July 4th and Labor Day weekend are all open to families and feature arts-and-crafts, outdoor movies (with s'mores, of course!), kid-friendly excursions (like horseback riding and river floats) and kid-favorite menu items. 

Cost: $300/person 
Where: Branch Bender Cidery, 
Online: hideawayco.com

Getaway Shenandoah

Getaway Home

If you need a unique, off-the-grid weekend but still require doors, the Getaway home might be your cup of tea. Created by two Harvard grads, these homes are geared towards folks that need to escape the city, and dive into nature, but without having to wrangle their own camping gear. The stocked cabins ( ideal for 2-4 people) are tucked away near Shenandoah National Park and are designed to let you unplug, but not too severely . Homes have a full bathroom, kitchen, running water and queen bunks where your family can hide away! These tiny cabins let you get all the camping feels without the actual tent so you don't have to try to corral small children on your vacation. Sometimes doors are a beautiful thing! 

Cost: $249+/night
Where: Shenandoah National Park 
Online: getaway.com 

Assateague Cottages at Assateague State Park

What little kid doesn’t love horses? Or the beach? Together, and you have a destination fit for the youngest set. Camping is allowed on the MD side of this island, famous for its wild horses. Oceanside walk in sites are approximately 200 feet from the parking lot and cost $30. But a buggy shoreline and strong ocean winds can make these sites difficult to manage with littles. Enter Assateague Cottage, hand built tiny homes that can be dropped off at your campsite. These cabins were built with Thoreau in mind and feature a simple design meant to enhance a visit to nature. They do not cluttered with a stove, sink or icebox so you have more room to move around your cabin.  Assateague Island is approximately a three hour drive from DC.

Cost: $475/4 nights 
Where: Assateague State Park 
Online: assateaguecottage.com

The Tree House Camp

The Tree House Camp

What a dream come true! Treehouses are the main attraction at Maple Tree Campground in Rohrersville, MD near Harpers Ferry. Go rustic or deluxe as you enjoy a night’s sleep amongst the leaves in one of ten treehouse options, or a fun an fanciful family retreat in the Hobbit House built underground. The campground has outdoor showers with hotwater and indoor bathrooms. Cost: $43+/night Townsend Rd. (Rohrersville, MD) Online: thetreehousecamp.com

 

Good Intentions Farm

Tentrr

Nestled by a creek, the Encore tent experience at Good Intentions Farm feels secluded while still having all the perks and amenities of a nearby barn (think hot water, a fridge, outlets and more) just a short walk away. Kids love this camp site for its close proximity to a Clydesdale horse farm; children are welcome to feed the horses and handle a real lasso. You can kayak, canoe, fish, hike or horseback ride and, the best part, it is a quick one hour drive from DC. 

Cost: $125+/night 
Where: Keymar, MD
Online: tentrr.com/Good-Intentions-Farm-Encore

Rock Tavern River Kamp

Rock Tavern River Kamp

So, Junior has his mind set on a yurt. You won't disappoint here, where the tiny, house-like tents can be found sprinkled on a picturesque Shenandoah Valley site. Booking a yurt stay here means you don't have to sacrifice refrigerators, microwaves, coffee pots, toasters, comfortable bedding, propane gas grills, or even a picnic table. It's all here! Cost: $110/night Where: 1912 Egyptian Bend Rd., Luray, VA Online: massanuttensprings.com

Blue Moon Rising

Blue Moon Rising

If your kids dream of taking up permanent residence in their outdoor playhouse, they will love these tiny, eco-friendly cabins perched near Deep Creek Lake. The property features 16 unique structures built from recycled materials. Each unit is equipped with a kitchen and bathroom. Near by, Swallow Falls State Park offers family-friendly hiking and stroller-accessible trails where visitors can view five different waterfalls.

Cost: $199+/night Where: 89 Blue Moon Rising Way, McHenry, MD Online: bluemoonrising.org

Rose River Farm

Rose River Farm

Located about two hours from D.C., Rose River Farm offers the ultimate glamping experience. The property features three large luxury yurts. Yes, your fam can stay in a yurt! Yurts include amenities like A/C and heat, two full bedrooms and two full baths, a full kitchen, a flat screen TV, and high speed WiFiEach yurt also features a wall of windows and a big porch to capture the spectacular views of Old Rag Mountain, the Rose River Valley, and a pond full of fish. There is even a charcoal grill and a big outdoor fire pit so you can cook outside and hang with the fam. While this Virginia getaway caters to a more posh posse, outdoor exploring and adventuring can still be a big part of the agenda with nearby guided kayak tours and horseback rides.

Cost: $250/night; $1500/week >3099 Old Blue Ridge Tpk. (Syria, Va) Online: roseriverfarm.com

Fancy Gap Caboose

Fancy Gap Caboose

Ever wonder what it would be like to live in a caboose? Come spend some time in an authentic refurbished, modern, railroad caboose along the Blue Ridge Parkway! Your kids will drool over this experience. Spend the day hiking down to Grassy Creek where you can hang among the trees. Play "I Spy" with the kids to see if they can spot does, turkeys and bucks. Sit outside at night and see the thousands of stars that light up the serene skiesThe site has three cabooses that sleep two guests each. Each caboose is fully furnished with a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. There’s even a Jacuzzi! The cabooses each have decks with rockers and charcoal grills so you can enjoy being outside.

Cost: $117/night Where: Fancy Gap, VA Online: glampinghub.com

—Meghan Yudes Meyers, Guiomar Ochoa and Linda Bennett

RELATED STORIES:

Everything You Need to Know Before Your Next Camping Trip

The Best Glamping Spots for Families in the Country

16 Incredible RV Destinations You’ll Want to Book Now

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