Crafting Outdoor Experiences Your Guests Will Love

By Annie Hilton, Editor, International Glamping Business

As glamping evolves, one trend has become crystal clear: it’s the experience that counts. Guests are craving moments that connect them with nature, spark joy, and offer a sense of discovery. And if you’re a glamping site owner, that’s where a big opportunity lies.

In fact, a 2024 report by Kampgrounds of America found that over 70% of leisure travellers said access to “unique outdoor experiences” was a major factor in choosing their accommodation.

Coupled with a recent Booking.com survey, where 44% of travellers say they prioritise unique experiences over destination itself, and 69% are actively seeking nature-rich activities that are sustainable and wellness-oriented –this presents an incredible opportunity to go beyond the basics and offer curated outdoor activities that elevate a stay.

I’ve gathered some of the most compelling (and achievable) ideas I’ve come across from our international community – plus a few top tips on how to bring these to life at your own site.

1. Design with the Senses in Mind

When planning outdoor experiences, consider all five senses. What will your guests see, hear, smell, taste, and feel? You might not think of this as a strategy, but sensory immersion is proven to create lasting memories. A study by Cornell University shows that experiences rooted in multi-sensory engagement are 40% more likely to be recalled vividly a year later.

Top Tip: Host a “Sunset & Sips” hour—guests gather at a scenic viewpoint to watch the sunset while sipping local wine or herbal teas. Add gentle background music or a short talk from a local guide about the land or stars above.

2. Embrace the Seasons

Outdoor experiences should evolve with the seasons. Think of your site as a living canvas – spring might bring foraging walks, while autumn lends itself to harvest picnics and cider tastings. Research from Airbnb shows that seasonally-themed stays are 31% more likely to receive 5-star reviews.

Top Tip: Create a simple seasonal calendar with rotating offerings. Let guests know what’s special in each season; wildflower spotting in May, pumpkin carving in October, snowshoeing in January. This not only encourages repeat bookings but also positions your site as a destination worth revisiting all year round.

3. Curate Nature-Based Activities (That Don’t Require a Guide)

Not every experience needs a host. Self-led nature trails with QR codes that offer guided storytelling, meditation stations nestled in forest alcoves, or stargazing kits with constellation maps are low-cost, high-impact ideas.

According to a 2023 study from Booking. com, 63% of eco-conscious travellers said they prefer accommodations that provide “nature connection” activities without high impact on the environment.

How-To: Build a nature trail with simple wooden signs and include a “Trail Passport” in the welcome pack. Guests collect stamps from marked spots and get a small reward (think locally made soap or jam) when they complete it.

4. Make Evenings Magical

Evenings are prime time for engagement. Campfires, music nights, s’mores, or movie screenings under the stars create a communal, relaxed energy.

Top Tip: Partner with local musicians or storytellers. They often welcome a modest gig and can bring in a wealth of local flavour and folklore. Add string lights, cozy seating, and blankets to enhance the atmosphere.

5. Elevate the Basics

Sometimes, it’s the simple things done exceptionally well that make the biggest impression. Guests will remember how you made them feel, not just what you had on offer.

Top Tip: Take the classic campfire to the next level. Offer curated s’mores kits with artisan chocolate and local ingredients. Add ambient lighting or live music on weekends.

Install hammock nooks for solo relaxation. Place them in scenic or shaded spots with a small sign to ‘pause here for 10 minutes of peace’.

For stargazing, provide constellation maps or an app pre-loaded on a tablet.

6. Celebrate the Local Area

Bring your region’s culture, produce, and traditions into the outdoor experience. Whether it’s foraging walks, outdoor cooking workshops, or artist-led painting sessions, these activities ground your guests in your location. Airbnb’s internal data from 2024 shows that experiential stays featuring local activities see up to 35% higher guest satisfaction scores.

Booking.com’s ‘Sustainable Travel Report’ found that 76% of travellers want authentic experiences that reflect local culture and nature.

Top Tip: Host a weekly “Taste of the Land” night where guests cook alongside a local chef using regional ingredients. Or, simpler still, create DIY farm-to-fire kits, complete with fresh veggies, skewers, and a recipe card.

7. Go Seasonal

Tailoring experiences to the time of year adds freshness and excitement. In spring, think wildflower walks and seed-planting workshops. In summer, it’s hammocks and firefly spotting. Come autumn, why not offer mushroom foraging or cider tastings? Even winter glamping can shine with snowshoeing or outdoor fondue nights.

Top Tip: Use seasonal email marketing to let past guests know what’s new. “Join us this October for fireside storytelling and pumpkin carving beneath the full moon” is a lot more enticing than “Autumn availability now open.”

8. Get Kids Involved (and Off Screens)

If you welcome families, don’t underestimate the power of simple outdoor play. From treasure hunts to den-building kits, giving kids things to do outside keeps everyone happy – including the adults who crave that elusive peace and quiet.

Top Tip: Offer “Little Explorer Backpacks” at check-in. Include a magnifying glass, bug ID card, scavenger hunt sheet, and small journal. Kids love it, and it helps parents feel you’ve thought of them.

9. Empower Your Guests to Disconnect

We talk about digital detoxing a lot – but are we enabling it? Make it easy for guests to truly unplug by offering analog alternatives. Journals, sketchbooks, birdwatching guides, or even curated playlists they can download in advance (before Wi-Fi becomes patchy!).

How-To: Create a “Disconnect to Reconnect” package. Include a journal, a disposable camera, herbal tea, and a welcome note encouraging mindfulness. These kits are often Instagrammed by guests, giving you organic promotion.

10. Harness the Power of Local Partnerships

You don’t have to do it all alone. Some of the best outdoor guest experiences come from bringing in passionate local makers, guides, or small businesses.

Top Tip: Build a network of trusted local partners who can deliver activities like:

• Guided kayaking tours

• Outdoor painting classes

• Farm-to-table dinners with local growers

Not only does this add value for your guests, but it also supports the local economy, and makes your offering far more diverse with less hands-on strain for you.

Create a “Local Experience Menu” that guests can book through your website or welcome pack. It should feel as polished and appealing as your accommodation listing.

Final Thoughts

At its heart, glamping is about connection. As a glamping site owner, you can be more than a host – you can be a curator of memory-making moments. The true magic of a guest’s stay lies not only in the design of their accommodation, but in the way we help them connect with nature, with each other, and with themselves.

By crafting thoughtful, seasonal, and sensory-rich outdoor experiences, you turn a weekend getaway into a lasting memory. So, as you prepare for your next season, ask yourself: What will my guests remember five years from now?