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Glam Camping: Rethink the Pitched Tent

Camp in style with a new generation of streamlined trailers and deluxe tent cabins

Sunset
1 /12 Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Camping never looked so stylish

A streamlined teardrop trailer, hanging lanterns, mod shade structure set the scene at Sunset's former Menlo Park headquarters.

Table, chairs, and lanterns from Ikea. Cooler by Coleman. Umbrella by Brelli. Teardrop trailer by Vacations-in-a-Can. Turf by SYNLawn.

2 /12 Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Teardrop trailer: Cozy camping without a tent

This little room on wheels is so easy to handle, it can be hitched to a Mini Cooper.

Its standard design includes a bed, kitchen, and cabinets, but custom add-ons get as crazy as espresso makers and solar showers.

Teardrops range from $3,500 for used to $12,000 for a custom model. Buy or rent them at Vacations in a Can (from $175 for two nights) in Penngrove, California.

3 /12 Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Teardrop trailer: Kitchen on wheels

A mobile kitchen pops up from the back of the trailer.

Tin dishware from Sundance Catalog. Cooler by Coleman.

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Airstream trailer

The iconic Airstream is a mini hotel on wheels. Most have gas burners, showers you can actually stand up in, and an ingenious amount of storage space. It's smooth to tow, with a retro interior that conjures up a first-class train cabin circa 1955.

A good starter model is the 16-foot Bambi Sport, which can be pulled by a midsize SUV (from $30,000 used).

Chairs and table from DWR. Cooler from Coleman. Umbrella by Brelli. Perforated-paper banners from mexevents.com.

5 /12 Photo by E. Spencer Toy

Airstream trailer: Inside

The kitchen and dining area in this 25-foot Airstream International has room for 4 to dine in style.

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Airstream trailer: Apartment on wheels

With this much room, you can "think about decorating the same way you'd decorate an apartment," says Sunset style editor, Miranda Jones.

A kitchenette with microwave, stovetop, refrigerator, and freezer lets you enjoy home cooking on the road, too.

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Instant patio

Kick back outside your Airstream with chairs and table from DWR and an umbrella by Brelli.

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Instant outdoor dining room

Create a summertime fiesta with a table and chairs from Ikea.

The Brelli umbrella creates easy shade for any table. Just pop the handle in a vase filled with sand.

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Mix and match

Colorful melamine plates from Ikea make it fun to set the table. Plastic glasses are sturdy enough for the dishwasher and reuse all summer. Plastic folding chairs pack away when not needed.

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Tent camping redefined

We borrowed this luxury tent from The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, MT, where “roughing it” means canvas platform tents with oil paintings hanging above feather beds, terry-cloth robes as fluffy as Big Sky Country clouds, and elk-antler bedside lamps.

At the resort, the tent also comes with a camping butler who welcomes you back from a hike with frosty iced tea, fresh-baked cookies, and fresh fruit. From $1255.

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Tent camping redefined: Feather beds

Forget the air mattress. There’ll be no sore necks after a night on “The last best bed” in the luxury tent from The Resort at Paws Up.

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Tent camping redefined: Outdoor porch

A place to savor morning coffee or something to sip at sunset.