Wanna (Kind Of) Rough It This Fall? Check Out These 10 Glamping Getaways for Runners

About your tour guide: Jean Chen Smith is a longtime runner and travel writer who loves discovering destinations. She personally stayed at five of the glamping properties featured here, exploring the surrounding trails and running routes along the way. To round out the list, she researched standout stays with access to scenic places to run—the same combination she looks for when planning her own trips.

Lodge at Marconi | Tomales Bay, California

The run: Point Reyes National Seashore
The stay: The A-Frame at Lodge at Marconi
Don’t miss: A bioluminescence paddle on Tomales Bay

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About 20 minutes from Lodge at Marconi, Point Reyes National Seashore has miles of trails through coastal grasslands, forest and bluff-top terrain, with plenty of Pacific views along the way. It’s the kind of landscape I love running in—varied, scenic and wild enough to make the miles pass quickly.

Set within Marconi State Historic Park, the Lodge at Marconi’s secluded A-Frame is cabin-style glamping at its most comfortable. The modern hideaway trades tent flaps for a king-bed loft, kitchen, bathroom and private deck, while the surrounding 62-acre park keeps the stay connected to the landscape.

Save one evening for the water. Point Reyes Adventure Co. runs three-hour bioluminescence kayak tours on Tomales Bay, timing trips around the dark nights when tiny organisms in the water can illuminate each paddle stroke. Some tours include a beach stop, fire, and hot chocolate before the return paddle. Back at the lodge, Mable’s serves dinner in a dining room and on a wraparound patio overlooking the surrounding landscape. And don’t forget to pick up your pack of complimentary s’mores to roast at the community firepit.

Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge | White Salmon, Washington

The run: The Labyrinth Loop at Coyote Wall
The stay: Safari-style canvas tent
Don’t miss: Easy recovery miles at Catherine Creek

In the Columbia River Gorge, forest trails climb toward sweeping viewpoints, waterfalls appear around unexpected bends and, on clear days, Mount Hood rises in the distance. Whenever I run here, I find myself slowing down simply to take it all in.

Under Canvas opened its first Pacific Northwest camp in the White Salmon River Valley on 120 acres surrounded by pine and oak forest. Its safari-inspired tents deliver the camping part without much hardship: real beds, private bathrooms and, crucially for fall, gas fireplaces. There’s intentionally no Wi-Fi so guests can tune into nature and disconnect from the distractions of everyday life.

For the weekend’s bigger run, head to Coyote Wall and the Labyrinth, where a network of trails climbs through oak groves and basalt formations before opening to wide views over the Columbia River. The 7.7-mile Labyrinth Loop gains roughly 1,200 feet, giving trail runners enough distance and elevation to make a morning of it. For easier recovery-day miles, Catherine Creek offers gentler terrain, expansive Gorge views and, in spring, a succession of wildflowers that typically peaks in April.

Once the running is done, make time for Analemma Wines, a biodynamic grower-producer set among vineyards, orchards and lavender in the nearby Mosier Hills. Tastings feature estate-grown wines that reflect the Columbia Gorge, but the food makes this spot even more worthwhile. Weekend culinary offerings draw from the surrounding region, with cheeses, freshly baked bread, and other seasonal ingredients selected to complement the wines. Settle into the cozy tasting room or find a table outdoors, where you can linger over a tasting—an especially appealing reward after a morning on the trails. Reservations are recommended.

Backland | Northern Arizona

The run: Kaibab National Forest
The stay: Luxury glass-fronted tent
Don’t miss: Grand Canyon National Park

Fall mornings in Northern Arizona can be surprisingly crisp, especially around Williams and the surrounding high country. Backland sits outside Williams, surrounded by forest and within reach of both Flagstaff and Grand Canyon National Park.

The property itself has hiking trails, making an easy shakeout run possible without leaving the grounds. For bigger mileage, the surrounding national forest opens up a much larger playground, while a day trip to the Grand Canyon adds one of America’s most spectacular landscapes to the weekend. Just remember that running down into the canyon means running back up.

Backland’s tents lean decidedly toward the luxury end of glamping, making it a good option for runners unconvinced by conventional camping. There’s also no need to cook over a camp stove. Backland has its own restaurant serving breakfast and dinner, which means the most complicated post-run decision may simply be what to order.

Skamania Lodge | Stevenson, Washington

The run: Creek and Gorge loops for a quick shakeout; Hamilton Mountain, Dog Mountain, and the Pacific Crest Trail for bigger miles

The stay: A glamping tent or treehouse beneath the Douglas firs

Don’t miss: A post-run sauna and outdoor hot-tub soak at Waterleaf Spa

If you’d rather park the car for the weekend, Skamania makes it easy to run straight from the lodge. The property’s forested trails are best for a quick morning shakeout: the 1.75-mile Creek Loop crosses a long footbridge and winds past wetlands, while the 0.9-mile Gorge Loop Fitness Trail can be added for extra mileage.

For longer runs, the Columbia River Gorge opens up plenty of options nearby. Hamilton Mountain, Dog Mountain and sections of the Pacific Crest Trail are all within easy reach, with steep climbs, forested singletrack and big Gorge views.

Back at the lodge, Skamania’s Treehouse Village is tucked beneath towering Douglas firs, with glamping tents, cabins, villas and treehouses—some perched as high as 40 feet in the canopy.

After a morning on the trails, book a treatment at Waterleaf Spa, warm up in the sauna or sink into the outdoor hot tub. For me, having that kind of recovery built into a running getaway is part of the appeal—especially after a morning of climbing in the Gorge. By evening, tired legs and a treehouse fireplace are reason enough to stay put.

Costanoa | Pescadero, California

The run: Coastal trails around Año Nuevo and the San Mateo coast
The stay: Coastal Deluxe Cabin at Costanoa
Don’t miss: An afternoon in Pescadero

Highway 1 feels wonderfully different once summer traffic thins out. Just a few minutes down the road from Costanoa Lodge and Resort, Año Nuevo State Park opens up miles of coastal terrain, while additional trails along the San Mateo coast make it easy to choose your distance.

For runners who like the idea of glamping more than the reality of walking to a shared bathroom at 2 a.m., book one of Costanoa’s coastal deluxe cabins. They come with a kitchenette, a full bathroom, and comfy beds. The best part comes outside: Adirondack chairs and a fire pit on the ocean-facing patio, an appealing place to land after a chilly fall run.

Make time for nearby Pescadero, the tiny coastal town that has a small collection of cool shops and restaurants. Stop at The Sunshine for a casual bite, wander through town, then head back to Costanoa for dinner at Cascade Restaurant + Bar, where the menu draws on local farms and seasonal California ingredients.

Terramor Outdoor Resort | Bar Harbor, Maine

The run: Eagle Lake Carriage Road Loop, Acadia National Park
The stay: Luxury canvas tent
Don’t miss: Fall foliage in Acadia

October is prime time for runners on Mount Desert Island, with cooler temperatures and fall colors dominating Acadia’s historic carriage roads.

Acadia National Park’s historic carriage roads seem made for fall running. Start with the roughly six-mile Eagle Lake Loop, a car-free route that circles the water on broken-stone roads, with forest, lake views, and enough rolling terrain to keep things interesting. Acadia has 45 miles of carriage roads, so it’s easy to add more mileage if six isn’t enough.

About 10 minutes from Acadia National Park, Terramor remains open into October, making it ideal for a fall running getaway. Its canvas tents come with real beds, electricity, Pendleton blankets, and private fire pits; some include private bathrooms. Pour-over coffee can be made right at the tent—a welcome perk on a cold Maine morning.

Huttopia Lake George–Adirondacks | New York

The run: Trails straight from camp
The stay: Ready-to-camp canvas-and-wood tent
Don’t miss: Adirondack foliage

Huttopia, a 275-acre property, sits within Adirondack Park, and hiking trails leave directly from the grounds. That makes it ideal for an easy morning trail run through the forest before venturing farther into the Lake George region for a longer outing.

Huttopia’s canvas-and-wood tents are more rustic than some of the resort-style accommodations on this list, putting you a little closer to the traditional camping experience. They’re tucked into the woods with actual beds and enough comforts to make camping feel inviting when nighttime temperatures start dropping.

Fall weekends are especially appealing here. The camp’s restaurant shifts to weekend service outside the height of summer, while breakfast remains available daily. There’s also a heated pool, outdoor yoga on select dates and a central lodge where runners can warm up beside the fire.

AutoCamp Asheville | Asheville, North Carolina

The run: Hard Times Loop, Bent Creek Experimental Forest
The stay: Airstream suite along the French Broad River
Don’t miss: A sauna and cold plunge after a morning on the trails

Come fall, Asheville makes a strong case for planning a trip around your running shoes. Head to Bent Creek Experimental Forest for the six-mile Hard Times Loop, a gentle route on old forest roads and trails that winds past Lake Powhatan and through the North Carolina Arboretum. Bent Creek is a favorite among Asheville runners, with plenty of connecting trails if six miles isn’t enough.

Set along the French Broad River, AutoCamp Asheville makes a comfortable base between outings. Its gleaming Airstream suites come with queen beds, private bathrooms, and kitchenettes, while private patios and fire pits provide a cozy landing spot to relax after a day on the trails.

For recovery, AutoCamp offers on-site yoga, while nearby Drip Nordic Sauna pairs a wood-fired sauna with a cold plunge overlooking the French Broad River. Back at camp, The Kitchen serves food throughout the day, or pick up provisions from the General Store and settle in around the fire.

Walden Retreats | Johnson City, Texas

The run: Pedernales Falls State Park
The stay: Luxury canvas tent
Don’t miss: A post-run soak and an evening under the Hill Country stars

Fall is when running in Texas Hill Country finally starts to sound like a good idea. About a 20-minute drive from Walden Retreats, Pedernales Falls State Park offers more than 40 miles of trails through rolling hills and rugged limestone terrain, while Walden has its own trails for an easy shakeout run closer to camp.

Set on 96 acres along the Pedernales River, Walden’s canvas suites leave the roughing-it part of camping behind. Each comes with a king bed, private bathroom, kitchen and wraparound deck, while claw-foot tubs and private outdoor showers are particularly welcome after a dusty morning on the trail.

Spend the afternoon canoeing or fishing on the river, or make the short drive toward Johnson City and Fredericksburg for wineries and dinner. Back at camp, fire up the grill on your deck and settle in for a quiet Hill Country night.

Firelight Camps | Ithaca, New York

The run: Buttermilk Falls State Park
The stay: Safari-style canvas tent
Don’t miss: August Moon Spa and Finger Lakes wine country

At Firelight Camps, the trailhead to Upper Buttermilk Falls sits right outside the property. Runners can leave their safari tent and head into the state park, following wooded trails through one of the Finger Lakes’ steep, waterfall-filled gorges.

The tents have hardwood floors, proper beds, private porches and plenty of warm bedding for crisp Upstate New York nights; several even have electric heaters. After a run, August Moon Spa is steps away at neighboring La Tourelle, with massages and facials available for anyone whose legs are lobbying for the afternoon off.

Fall adds another reason to stay awhile. Firelight serves a locally sourced breakfast each morning, pours Finger Lakes wine, cider and beer at its bar, and lights communal campfires at sundown. Seasonal hot chocolate and mulled cider are available, too—exactly the sort of thing you want after running beneath October leaves.

What to Pack for a Fall Glamping Run-cation

Patagonia Reclaimed Sweater Shirt Jacket
Part sweater, part jacket, Patagonia’s Reclaimed Sweater Shirt Jacket is an easy outer layer for the non-running portion of the weekend. Throw it on for breakfast, a brewery stop, or an evening outside when a technical running jacket feels like overkill.

Danner Cedar Mill Cotton Flannel
For men, Danner’s Cedar Mill Cotton Flannel fits naturally into a fall glamping weekend. The classic plaid works for warming up after a trail run, heading into town for dinner, or lingering around the campfire.

MiiR Causeway Crossbody Bag
MiiR’s Causeway Crossbody Bag keeps a phone, wallet, and other small essentials close while exploring town, heading to dinner, or wandering around camp after the day’s run.

Rumpl Travel Puffy Blanket
A chilly post-run evening is considerably better with a blanket within reach. Rumpl’s Travel Puffy Blanket packs down to about the size of a water bottle, making it easy to stash in a duffel or backpack before pulling it out for morning coffee, fireside lounging, or an extra layer of warmth outside the tent. For fall trips, I’d happily give up a little room in my bag to have this waiting after a cold run.

Turtle Fur Cold-Weather Accessories
Small but useful for chilly mornings, Turtle Fur’s Snowfall Pom Beanie and Comfort Lush Fleece Neck Warmer add warmth without taking up much room. I especially like the neck warmer for cold morning runs—it’s soft, lightweight and easy to stash once temperatures climb.