Lake County, the ultimate glampsite

Epic glamping planned for Lake County’s International Glamping Weekend

Camping enthusiasts worldwide are adding some glamour to their tents, trailers and campsites. It’s a hip new version of camping called glamping that styles out the traditional camping experience with imaginative upgrades like vintage trailers, luxury tents and upscale accommodations—plus some whacky decorations and designer pajamas. Fans of glamping are getting amped up for International Glamping Weekend (June 4-5), an annual glamping get-together with regional glamping gatherings all over the world. One of the premier places to glamp it up that weekend will be the Shady Acres Campground in Clearlake, California, an unspoiled and idyllic spot about 100 miles north of San Francisco that’s long served as a hotspot for vintage trailer rallies.

“This is the second year we’re hosting International Glamping Weekend at Shady Acres,” said campground general manager (and glamping superstar) Lisa Wilson. Glampers will be treated to a full weekend of glamping sun and fun at Shady Acres with an International Glamping Weekend reception Friday night, a Saturday morning breakfast and complimentary kayak rentals for all registered glampers.
“They’ll have the kayaks and all of the amenities of Shady Acres at their disposal,” Wilson said. “We’re right on the waterfront, so glampers will have waterfront campsites and they can throw their fishing line out, see the herons fly right by them and also take advantage of the kayaks on the creek.”
The creek to which she refers is Cache Creek, one of Lake County’s many natural treasures. Lake County also boasts the cleanest air in America, and Shady Acres sits conveniently close to world-class hiking spots like Mount Konocti and Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.
“There’s lots to do here in Lake County. We have hiking, wine tasting, all of our thrift shops and three breweries in the county now,” Wilson said. “Shady Acres is very conveniently located to everything you might want to do in Lake County.”
Having hosted an International Glamping Weekend and several vintage trailer rallies, Wilson is something of an authority on glamping. So what’s her advice for beginners and first-time glampers?
“Get a friend; it’s so much more fun with a friend,” she said. “If you don’t have a friend that is close to you or in your proximity, you will make friends in glamping. I suggest that a new glamper join one of the groups.”
Sisters on the Fly is one of the biggest ones, one of Wilson’s favorites is called Aristocrats Anonymous (Aristocrat is one of the trailer manufacturers), and another group based in northern California is called Tow Girlz.
These groups are invaluable for networking and advice for new glampers.
“If you hook up with those gals on Facebook and find out where the rallies are, they’re so helpful answering your questions,” said Wilson. “Questions about how to back up, because backing up your rig is sometimes difficult, or if you’re doing any kind of repairs or major restoration, all the friends on the Facebook groups are so helpful and generous with pictures and directions and support and to talk you off the ledge when you’ve bitten into a project that’s too big.”
Glampers do tend to gravitate toward their beloved teardrop vintage trailers, but Wilson advised to not let the lack of a vintage trailer keep you from glamping.
“Glamping is a lifestyle,” she said. “You might start with a tent and graduate to a trailer. But if you like the lifestyle and the fun and the creativity about it, don’t wait to jump in. Don’t wait until you get your own trailer; there’s lots to experience even if you don’t have your own trailer.”
There’s lots to experience glamping, especially during International Glamping Weekend at Shady Acres Campground—with even more to experience in Lake County. An emerging hotspot in wine country and a mild-weather destination with first-class California scenery, Lake County is a perfect fit for your summertime glamping itinerary.
“Year-round, we really are mild in terms of weather and we’re not crowded,” Wilson said of Lake County. “This is a gem that has yet to be discovered.”