Glamping. You may not recognize the term, a cheeky portmanteau of the words glamour and camping. Added to the Oxford Dictionary in 2016, it’s “a form of camping involving accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping.” Translation: You recline on a plush king-size bed, sip a glass of Pinot and gaze out the open door at the very mountain you hiked that day.
The Yukon is a natural glamping hotbed. World-class wilderness attractions already make tourism the second largest industry and dozens of glamping abodes—from cabins to yurts to back-forest wall-tents—are now listed on websites like Airbnb, Trip Advisor and even glampinghub.com, with more sites added every month. Up Here sifted through the selections to highlight three glamping spots that should not be missed.
The Mongolian Yurt at Traveling Light B&B
Why: In all the Yukon, this is the coziest, prettiest and most stunningly situated yurt. What’s a yurt? Yak herders inhabit these round, semi-permanent dwellings in the steppes of Central Asia. Amanda and Philippe Mouchet set up their handmade, wood and canvas dome-tent on a ridge overlooking a lake rimmed with snow-capped mountains. The craftsmanship is supreme, incorporating Mongolian designs—like ornate hand-painted doors—and cozy high-end furnishings.
Where: 35-minute drive from Whitehorse on the way to Carcross.
Cost: $110 single/$130 double, includes breakfast.
What you get:
- One double- and three single-beds (sleeping up to 5)
- Homemade, organic breakfast
- Woodstove and firewood
- Kettle, tea and coffee
- Main house nearby for full access to bathroom with shower, kitchen, laundry, yoga room, living room
- and library
- Firepit and cooking area
- Canoe for use at the lake and snowshoes to explore local trails
Guestbook Testimonial:
“The view from the yurt is out of this world. The yurt itself is the perfect fit between outdoor adventure and modern comfort… We woke up and opened the doors of the yurt to find a land covered in snow for us to explore. Amanda offered us some snowshoes and we walked across the wilderness totally taken by the beauty of this place. Banjo the dog followed us through this journey and everything just felt unreal. It’s the adventure of a lifetime.”
-Simon, Québec City.
The Birdhouse at Marsh Lake Cabins
Why: From up in the loft bed, you can gaze out the custom-built oval window at the tranquil forest like a bird tucked into its cozy nest. Everything about this cabin is warm, cozy and woodsy. Built with love by wood wizard Hendrik Weise, you’ll appreciate all the details on this log cabin, from the gorgeous handmade front door to the stylish wood trim to the luxurious bed and duvet. This is peak-glamping: you get all the thrill and romance of being immersed in a forest wilderness while enjoying the comforts of a cabin.
Where: 50-minute drive south of Whitehorse on the shores of Marsh Lake
Cost: $110 per night for up to 2 people / $130 per night for up to 4 people
What you get:
- One queen-sized bed plus double
- sofa bed
- Propane lights and stove/oven
- Woodstove and firewood
- Mini-kitchenette including tea and coffee and a sink
- Clean and attractive outhouse
- Custom-built outdoor solar shower
- BBQ and outdoor earth fridge
- Canoe to explore Marsh Lake
- 30 km of groomed ski or hiking trails in your backyard
Guestbook Testimonial:
“We loved being able to stay at the birdhouse after a month of camping. Being able to sleep in a real (and queen-sized) bed was fantastic! We also loved all the wonderful decorations and the propane lamps...very cool! The propane stove was awesome after a month of cooking over a fire. We loved our stay!” - Marieke and Joel, Waterloo, Ontario
The Wall-Tent at Lynx Track Farm
Why: This cozy canvas prospector’s tent (with wooden walls and floor) is tucked into the corner of a remote, wilderness farm. There’s nobody around for miles—except, of course, your extra-friendly hosts Yasmine and Doug Hannah and their eight dogs, five chickens, three llamas and three horses. Being the first cleared field along a major migratory route, the Hannah farm is a bird-watching paradise—think 200,000 sandhill cranes—in early-and-late summer. You can also spot rare Fannin sheep in the nearby mountains.
The scenic Pelly River courses by the property and you’re at the start of the famous Dena Cho Trail with endless hiking possibilities. Hosts will give you total privacy—but if you wish, they’ll invite you to join them in tending their farm or accompany you on the scenic trails.
Where: 30-minute drive from Faro
Cost: $90 per night and includes breakfast
What you get:
- Two single-beds (or join them for a king-size) with plush down duvets
- Homemade organic breakfast using farm and wild-harvested foods
- Wood stove, lights and candles
- House access for bathroom with showers, electricity, telephone and Internet
- 20 km of groomed, private cross-country ski trails
- Dinners available upon request
Guestbook Testimonial:
“I was looking for a unique getaway and I certainly found it at Lynx Track Farm. It was remote, quiet and absolutely gorgeous! I didn’t even have to go into town to explore the trails there as Yasmine and Doug had plenty of exploration to offer on and near their property. The wall-tent was comfy and cozy. I loved the rustic charm and enjoyed wonderful food made with their homegrown ingredients. I had grown so accustomed to the dogs escorting me around that I felt lonely when I left. Such wonderful hospitality in such a magical location! It was a little piece of paradise tucked away in the Yukon. I hope to return soon.”
- T.S., Skagway, Alaska
Glamping in Kluane
Rest like a king under the King’s Throne
Glamping is coming to Kluane National Park. Staff there are currently installing five oTENTiks—a hybrid between a tent and a cabin—at their Kathleen Lake Campground outside Haines Junction. They come with comfortable bunk beds that sleep up to six people, a wood floor, a woodstove, table and chairs, a front porch, plus gloating rights as you stroll past the dozens of hard-ground tent sites at the campground. They will be ready mid-to-late summer. Pricing has not yet been announced.
