Prowling the latest news and information about camping, I’ve discovered that the number one activity in camping for newcomers isn’t camping, it’s glamping.

According to the 2024 Camping Report from The Dyrt -an app for camping availability, photos and reviews, nearly eight million people -that’s nine percent of all the campers for 2023, went glamping.

If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s been described as “camping with training wheels” -you get a feel for camping but have all the comforts of home. It’s also accurately described as the “luxury alternative to tent camping.”

The Dyrt published their list of their third annual Glampy Awards last week, and when you see the image of the top destination of 2024, The Loving Hearts Retreat in Texas’ Hill Country, you’ll understand why it’s considered a luxury alternative.

The Glampy winner for 2024, The Loving Hearts Retreat in Texas’ hill country has seven dome sites, each with A/C, king-sized beds and a full bath with shower and claw foot tub. NOT your Coleman tent. Screenshot from thedyrt.com website.

The “glamping experience” isn’t limited to futuristic dome homes. If you’re interested in something a little more “campy” but still very “glampy” consider a trip to the Schellraiser in Nevada. It’s a campground located in sagebrush flats near Great Basin National Park where you can choose from 24 sites that include containers, tents (nice ones) or yurts. The yurts and ball tents are all fully furnished, solar powered and have queen-sized beds. The bath/showers are in a nearby trailer unit and, honestly, there’s not much around. If you’re into clear night skies and stargazing, this could be the place for you.

Schellraiser in Nevada is home to the Schellraiser Music Festival and 24 campsites where you can go yurt, tent or “Hausus” their signature bright-turquoise container site- with a full bath and rooftop tent. Screenshot from thedyrt.com website.

According to The Dyrt’s research, campgrounds are responding to glamping's continued popularity, as 22.1% of property owners who already offered glamping prior to 2023 increased the number of glamping sites at their property last year. RV camping was the only camping type that was more commonly expanded at 26.2%.

Also, 10% of properties that added an entirely new type of camping chose to add glampsites in 2023. While still an increase, the rate at which glampsites are being added has cooled a bit. In 2022, of the properties that added a new type of camping, a whopping 44% opted for glampsites.

Haven’t tried the glamping experience - yet. But it bears more than a passing resemblance to the African hunting experience -wtih A/C- and without the extended travel.

Last week, we wrote about the extremely high concentration of cicadas making quite the ruckus as they emerge for their 13 or 17 year cycles. The red eyed bugs have made quite an impression on our area, as they’re a near-constant presence if you’re anywhere outdoors.

On Sunday, however, we saw the most obvious evidence of just how many of them there are. There’s a “splash pad” in one of our local shopping areas that’s especially popular with kids. It was apparently popular with the cicadas, too. The sign below explains how they can occasionally move from irritant to problem.

The poetry’s not great, but the impact of the latest cicada brood was surprising to parents of disappointed children. OWDN photo.

Not all the news is serious - and that’s the best news we’ve had in a while.

As always, we’ll keep you posted.

—Jim Shepherd