Glamping is a popular option for travelers, even if it comes at a high cost.

Camping is one of the most affordable ways to travel. Glamping is a newer style of camping that has become popular.

The fusion between luxury and nature is called glamping. Tents come with luxurious pillows and many even feature private bathrooms that have heated water. Camping grounds are equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi and many camping tasks, such as setting up a tent or lighting a campfire, are done automatically. The combination of hotel-like comfort and outdoor glamour commands prices that are higher than high-end hotels. This is also in stark contrast with what campers typically spend.

U.S. In 2021, national park guests spent an average of $351 per day, per group, in traditional accommodations outside the parks. This includes hotels and bed-and breakfast establishments. According to the Department of the Interior’s 2021 report on visitor spending, parties who camped only spent $149. This is a discount of 58% for those willing to swap concrete for canvas. But canvas doesn’t always connote cost savings. If you are glamping.

You might, for example, pay up to $650 per person a night at Under Canvas Zion after taxes and resort charges as part of your glamping vacation in Utah’s Zion National Park during the fall. The resort is located about 30 minutes away from the entrance of the park. It offers safari tents that include beds, showers, and stoves. The resort has no electricity but offers USB batteries to charge devices. Resort fees include all-you can-eat s’mores and live music, as well as yoga classes.

The entry-level tent costs $650 and accommodates up to two adults in a king size bed. Suite tents, with a queen-sized sofa bed and a king-sized bed can cost up to $850 if you are staying on weekends in autumn.

Under Canvas, one of the largest glamping companies in Australia. AutoCamp offers Airstream Trailers and canvas tents. After taxes and fees, a weekend at AutoCamp Zion in the fall could cost around $570. An Airstream campsite and tent large enough to accommodate six people can be as much as $900 per night. Glamping has become increasingly popular despite the high prices.

According to the 2023 North American Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report from Kampgrounds of America (KOA), which runs more than 500 campgrounds across the United States, in 2022 an estimated 10,5 million households will go glamping. This is up by an estimated 7,7 million households from 2020. According to the North American Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report 2023 from Kampgrounds of America, which operates more than 500 campsites in the United States. And Canada.

All kinds of camping took off with the outbreak of pandemic.

KOA survey shows that in 2019, 23.5% of North American households reported camping in tents. This number grew 31% in 2020 to reach 30.8 millions. In 2021 this number had risen by 50.2%, compared to 2019.

By 2022, the number of traditional campers will drop to a level lower than that in 2020, to approximately 30.4 millions households.

In 2021, camping of any kind accounted for 40 percent of North American vacations. By 2022 that number dropped to 32 percent. Camping is no longer a popular activity for some people, but only if you define camping as pitching your tent and lighting your fire.

The enthusiasm of North America for camping has just begun if you are willing to accept glamping. KOA reported that this was the first drop it had seen in tent camping households since they began tracking the data in 2014. However, the interest in glamping has grown so much the rate of all types of camping is now at an unprecedented high.

According to KOA, in 2020 4.8 millions North American households camping would choose cabins and glamping for their main accommodation. This number grew from 4.8 million to 5.1 millions by 2021, before nearly doubling in 2022 to reach 12.3 million. This is despite glamping’s high prices, which are often higher than traditional hotel rates.

KOA studied average daily traveler expenses in 2022, and found that Glampers spend roughly 18% ($61), more than traditional camping. The average glamper spends about $13 more per night than a traditional hotel guest.

KOA reported that 63% of respondents enjoy glamping because it offers the best of both worlds: the comforts of a resort with the outdoor experience. In AutoCamp Zion’s Airstream Suite you can enjoy a luxurious bed and a rainshower. Some suites at AutoCamp’s Russian River outpost in Northern California have wood-fired, private hot tubs.

The amenities of glamping seem to attract non-campers despite its higher cost. 33% said in a KOA survey that they chose to glamp to get an outdoor experience, without having to actually go camping.

The original publication of this article by The Associated Press was by NerdWallet.