Insider: 'Glamping' at Westgate River Ranch

By Carrie McLaren

Glamping – it’s a cross between a glamorous vacation and camping. It's fantastic!

At the Westgate River Ranch in Lake Wales, about an hour south of Orlando, families can enjoy upscale outdoor accommodations at the state’s largest dude ranch in Florida.

The resort recently made glamping even more glamourous with the addition of a "personal glamping congierge,’"available 24/7 to assist with scheduling activities, starting campfires and even delivering breakfast to families each morning.

Glamping tents are on raised platforms and feature luxury interiors with a screened-in porch, rocking chairs and access to private bathrooms. Amenities include a ceiling fan, electrical outlets, air conditioning, and a microwave and mini refrigerator.

Families can even enjoy board games in their tent. Neighboring bathrooms and showers feature hot water and hair dryers.

If glamping isn’t your style, the ranch also features lodge rooms, cottages, cabins and traditional camping sites.

Families can participate in outdoor activities such as horseback riding, nature hikes, trap and skeet shooting, hayrides, an outdoor dance hall, mini-golf, a rock climbing wall, zip line, mechanical bull and bungee jumping. And don’t miss the weekly rodeo each Saturday night in the 1,200-seat rodeo arena featuring trick riding, bull riding, calf roping and barrel racing.

To plan your own Westgate River Ranch glamping experience, go to their website.