As a born-and-raised New Yorker, I’ve always loved big cities. But the older I get, the stronger my desire has become to commune with the natural world. These days, I gravitate towards destinations with accommodations that are nestled in nature. One thing I’m not willing to sacrifice, though, is creature comforts. My middle-aged self considers a proper mattress, high-thread count sheets, and an in-room shower non-negotiables.
I’d heard the term “glamping” for years, but I’d never experienced it. The word is a portmanteau of glamorous and camping. The idea is that it’s an elevated way to spend time in the great outdoors: a chance to immerse in nature while nurturing yourself. When I was finally ready to give glamping a try. I reserved a tent for my husband and I at Terramor Outdoor Resort in Bar Harbor, Maine, in Acadia National Park. Here’s how it went.
First impressions of Terramor Outdoor Resort
We arrived at Terramor just in time for our 4:00 p.m. check-in. Reception is housed in the main lodge, where tall windows allow natural light to stream in. It’s the property’s hub with a restaurant (open for dinner only), bar, and large stone fireplace surrounded with comfortable seating. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served there each morning. There’s also a little shop selling snacks such as vacuum-packed salami and cheese, individually-sized bags of potato chips, and ice-cream.
We parked in the lot, loaded our suitcases into one of the handy wagons, and strolled over to our tent. I immediately liked the fact that we wouldn’t be driving right up to our individual tent, which translated into no car noise to drown out the sound of morning birdsong and evening bull frogs. We were able to travel light, too, as glamping doesn’t require any of the cumbersome gear that camping does.
Tents that feel like a luxury hotel room
Terramor has 64 tents total, with five different tent types ranging from intimate couples’ retreat to family-sized accommodations sleeping up to five. We had booked Bayberry, a canvas tent that sleeps two. It was loaded with the sort of in-room amenities that I typically find at top luxury resorts.
In short, the tent made me feel as if I was roughing it like a Rockefeller. The king-size bed had heated blankets and soft sheets, plus Pendleton camp blankets that added to the rustic flavor. The ensuite bathroom had a walk-in steam shower with stone flooring, quality bath products, comfy robes, and plenty of plush towels. Wood floors with area rugs added a pop of color.
An electric kettle with pour over coffee from local roaster Coffee Hound, a heater, and a portable cooler were welcome touches as well. The Wi-Fi was excellent. Screens on the windows kept bugs outside. We also had our own outdoor fire pit and kindling with Adirondack chairs so we could gaze at the night sky in comfort and privacy.
A wealth of activities on-site
Exploring Acadia National Park is a must when you stay at Terramor. However, there’s so much going on at the resort that Terramor itself drew us back again and again like a magnet. I strolled the maze of wooden walkways above the forest floor, swam in the pool, and lounged in the hot tub under the star-studded sky. For extra pampering, I visited the Wellness Tent, where facials and massages use locally sourced products.
Nightly s’mores by the campfire, open meadows for tossing a Frisbee, plus lawn games like bocce and cornhole are among the family-friendly offerings. Skillcations (a vacation where you learn a new skill) are all the rage these days, and Terramore gets in on the trend as well. I joined Omar, the resort’s beekeeper, for a hands-on beekeeping workshop at the apiary, gaining a better understanding of how honey is made.
Dinner is served
My husband and I reserved a grill package 48 hours in advance, something I highly recommend. The staff set us up with everything we needed for a cookout, from cornbread to veggies to steak. They even remembered to pack condiments like steak sauce. We did the grilling but the staff did all the legwork, making for an easy and delicious al fresco dinner.
Explore Acadia without the car
One of the contradictions of America’s national parks is the need for a personal vehicle. Acadia National Park has been a pioneering force in helping car-free visitors experience its rugged beauty. The free, propane-powered Island Explorer bus gives visitors access to all the glorious corners of Mount Desert Island seasonally, from June through October, no car necessary. It stops right at Terramor’s doorstep.
The must-do experiences in Acadia National Park
The park’s miles of wide carriage roads appeal to hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. Carpeted with crushed stone, these roads meander past peaceful ponds and woodlands, seamlessly blending into the natural surroundings.
Cadillac Mountain is Acadia’s tallest peak. It’s particularly popular at sunrise as it’s one of the first spots in the U.S. where day breaks. Four difficult trails lead to the summit. An easy alternative is to drive up Cadillac Summit Road and walk the paved Cadillac Summit Loop, with its unbeatable views of Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands.
I’ve been visiting Jordan Pond House since childhood and never tire of eating their oven-fresh popovers served with butter and strawberry jam, then walking off the calories at the Jordan Pond Nature Trail.
Terramor is open May-October. It’s dog friendly, so pack the pooch.
