11 Stunning (& Comfortable) Spots For Glamping In Nova Scotia
Are you looking to have a Canadian adventure, but don't want to miss out on all the comforts of home? Glamping in Nova Scotia is the answer to all of your travel prayers. The worst part about camping has to be arriving back from a day of strenuous activity, whether that's hiking, biking, kayaking, or any other outdoorsy venture, and having to sleep on a bed of rocks. Also called comfort camping, glamping allows you to relax and rest properly so that you can feel rejuvenated and ready to go again the next morning.
What Is Glamping?
Glamping is a luxury camping experience that does all the hard work for you. For most people, going camping means lugging your tent around on your back all day, only to spend hours figuring out where the tent poles go, arguing with your travel buddy, and waking up with a crick in your neck and a back that feels like you'll never walk normally again.
Luckily, you no longer have to put up with that experience. Glamping provides you with large, comfortable tents that you can stand up in, that have all of the most important amenities, such as a proper bed. Some come with showers, heating, and even wall art. If you really want to experience luxury, pick a glamping experience that comes with a hot tub. Glamping does differ depending on the company, and some glamping tents will look like large regular tents, some will be yurts, and some will be plastic domes, but the common factor between all of them is that you'll be able to enjoy all of the fun bits of camping, without any of the discomforts.
Do you have unique glamping experiences or pictures of your own to share? Consider joining our community, a hub for female travelers, which brings together like-minded women who love to travel. You may even meet your next glamping buddy!
When Is The Best Time To Go Glamping?
Glamping is much better protected against the elements than traditional camping, which means you don't need to put your adventure off until the summer months.
Although the summer months are the most enjoyable time for any type of camping and outdoor activities, you could choose to go glamping in the spring or autumn instead, which often secures a better price, and is quieter.
Some of these campsites and accommodation venues are open year-round, however, unless you have very thick skin, we don't recommend glamping in Nova Scotia in the winter, as the temperature can get as low as -9°C/ 16°F, and it's unlikely you'll be able to enjoy amenities provided by the glamping company, such as BBQ equipment or campfires. Saying that, if you're not put off by the chilly conditions, glamping in the depths of winter sounds like a cozy and romantic way to spend a weekend.
Who Should You Go Glamping With?
Glamping is a great way to spend a few days with anyone important in your life, whether that's with friends or a partner. While most glamping experiences sleep just two people, others can comfortably sleep more. Alternatively, most of these experiences have more than one glamping tent available, which means you can travel with friends while still maintaining some privacy and peace by booking your own glamping domes or tents. If you're looking for a romantic getaway with your partner, glamping is the perfect choice.
11 Best Glamping Spots In Nova Scotia
There are plenty of companies providing comfort camping or glamping in Nova Scotia. We've picked out 11 of the best, some of which offer unusual touches that will make your experience extra special.
Whitepoint Beach Resort Glomes
The Whitepoint Beach Resort Glomes are made for anyone that wants to get back in touch with nature. Set on the edge of the forest, overlooking a lake, this glamping experience will give you the chance to unwind, and appreciate the beauty of the world around you. The glomes are located just a few minutes away from a white sand beach- the perfect place to take a guitar and spend the evening.
Cabot Shores Treetop Village
If you're after glamping with a difference, Cabot Shores Treetop Village has you covered. Nestled in the apple orchard, these geodesic domes are elevated on their own private platform. The piece de resistance of these domes has to be the giant skylight spanning half of the roof, which enables you to watch the stars at night, without leaving your bed. Although the domes aren't equipped with bathrooms, an outhouse is available just a few short steps away. These domes come with a firepit to give you the coziest evening swapping stories and toasting marshmallows.
LaHave Island Glamping Adventure
The LaHave Island Glamping Adventure brings adventure and luxury to you without much effort on your part. This isn't just an accommodation option to book overnight. This is a guided glamping experience. Guests will enjoy island hopping via kayak, eating freshly caught seafood, swimming, yoga, and hiking, before falling into the comfort of fresh linen and fluffy pillows in their own canvas wall tent. All meals are included and you have the option to choose either a 2-day or 3-day adventure. This is an adventure you won't forget in a hurry.
Natura Wilderness Resort
If sustainability is on your mind, then the Natura Wilderness Resort is for you. The resort is eco-friendly, while still maintaining a luxury feel. The resort is set, as the name suggests, in the wilderness, with 80 acres of nature surrounding it, and plenty of trails to explore.
The tents themselves have beds with memory foam mattresses, flushing toilets, and hot showers, as well as a BBQ for those times after a hike when only a steak will do.
Valley Sky Luxury Camping
If a true getaway is what you're after, it's worth checking out Valley Sky Luxury Camping. This accommodation is for adults only, and loud noise, as well as parties, are banned, to preserve the peace of the site. So far, they have 2 geodesic domes available which are 430 square feet, and each features a hot tub, a private deck, a kitchenette, and a large skylight, not to mention a full bathroom, including a shower. The location is close to many vineyards, museums, and hiking trails, ensuring there will never be a dull moment.
Archer's Edge Luxury Camping
For those looking for some fresh, salty sea air to clear their minds, Archer's Edge fits the bill. The glamping domes are set on a cliff edge, with panoramic views of the sea, and are furnished like a hotel room, complete with wall art. Each dome features a bathroom including a hot shower, and a kitchenette, and Archer's Edge operates an adults-only policy. Those who are committed to truly recharging will love the lack of WiFi and TV at this accommodation.
Deep Sky Eye Observatory
Run by a man who is legally registered as blind, the Deep Sky Eye Observatory is more than just a glamping experience. The Nocturnal Sky Theater Experience is a lesson in navigating the night sky while snuggled up in the welcoming warmth of a blanket. You'll learn how to use the constellations to pinpoint specific points in the night sky, and see objects that are usually only picked up through a telescope. This experience takes 2.5 hours and you can also choose to stay in a sky bubble after, which is an inflatable glamping dome that is heated and equipped with a queen-size bed and an 11 foot clear, vinyl ceiling, providing the perfect opportunity for more stargazing.
Glamping Off The Beaton Path
Set on the island of Cape Breton, with views of the Gulf of St Lawrence, the tents at Glamping Off The Beaton Path are more similar to small cottages than tents, with their own hand-built verandas. Though these glamping tents are less luxurious than some others on our list, they still provide all the basic amenities to make your stay enjoyable, such as two double beds (which makes this a great option for friends), pots and pans, and a dining table. What makes this glamping location in Nova Scotia truly spectacular is the sunset view that you can enjoy from your own private veranda. Despite being close to the nearest town, Inverness, there are plenty of hiking trails to enjoy nearby.
Pleasant Paddling Island Glamping
How does glamping on your own private island sound? Pretty luxurious, right? Pleasant Paddling Island Glamping gives guests the opportunity to stay in a luxury yurt on a private island, only accessible by kayak. Like many of the glamping experiences on our list, part of the charm of this accommodation is the clear ceiling, meant for enjoying stargazing from your bed. Seal colonies live around the island and you can view them from a distance by grabbing a kayak to explore the island for the day. The experience also includes a locally-sourced dinner.
Blue Bayou Resort
The Blue Bayou Resort is set in the Cape Breton highlands, surrounded by a lush green forest and a beautiful dock. There are also several picturesque beaches close to the campsite. There are plenty of amenities to provide you with a great experience, such as a campfire, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks. The glamping domes themselves are geodesic and come with electricity, hot water, a BBQ, and a fire pit. You have the option to book a dome with one king-size bed, or two queen-size beds, making it suitable for friends, as well as lovers.
Gifford Island Glamping
Another private island offering a glamping experience is Gifford Island. There is just one tent available to book, which is 560 square feet and has its own fireplace, and fully functioning bathroom including a shower. The kitchen has its own coffee machine and BBQ, and there is the option to add an extra bed in the tent if you are traveling in a group. The experience also includes breakfast. There are plenty of activities to do around the island, from lapping up the sun on the beach to kayaking, hiking, or mackerel fishing.
Live Life In Tents
Less luxurious than some others on our list, Live Life In Tents is most suited to those who enjoy traditional camping but want to add a touch more comfort while still keeping some of the more traditional camping elements. The tents are safari-style glamping tents and are equipped with camping beds, a camping stove, and a fire pit, and unlike other glamping accommodations, these tents sleep four people comfortably. The tents don't have their own bathrooms but there are shared bathrooms nearby. Activities available include guided hiking tours, fly fishing, and river tubing, and the site is just outside the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
Final Thoughts On Glamping In Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia might not be the most obvious glamping destination choice, but there are plenty of opportunities to camp in comfort and style. With so much beautiful scenery around, and a night sky that brims with stars, glamping in Nova Scotia is the perfect way to spend a weekend, with friends or a partner.
Love traveling in Canada? Check out these 5 best lakes by Banff.