I Want to Go to There: Paws Up Montana

Get one with nature. Working plumbing included!

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Here’s a very random thing that’s always surprised me as an adult: how rare it is to find people who both a) grew up going camping and b) enjoy it now. Me? Growing up, I was dragged on more camping trips than I care to admit. There were the trips to virtually every state park in Texas. There was the road trip camping adventure in southern Colorado, near the ancient cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde. And of course, while not a classic camping experience, there was the time we spent a week at a dude ranch, riding horses in the mountains (I even rode in a rodeo…true story). As a kid, I absolutely hated going camping. Now? I think it’s really fun. Maybe I’ve just been in cities too long, but hanging out with your friends around a fire, staying up late, drinking a glass of wine or two, and telling stories all sans city noise is pretty great. But let’s be honest, this doesn’t need to be a week long experience or anything — a night or two is just fine for me (no multi-week camping trips ever again, mom).

It’s harder to plan a camping trip now, when no one has all the gear (nor the room to store it, even if they bought it), let alone convincing people to sleep in a tent. You need a buffer between camping and lounging around at a resort. Naturally, I was recently talking about the whole “glamping” trend with a friend and it led me to do some googling to see what “glamorous camping” opportunities there were around here. Instead, I ended up on the Paws Up resort website, which is about as far from here as you can get, in Montana (and side note: Real Housewives of New York fans will recognize it as the place those crazy broads went this season!). Whether you’re a first time camper or a seasoned wilderness backpacker, I think anyone could agree that this place looks incredible. Check out those tents! There’s working plumbing! Big, fluffy beds! A huge lodge at which to take all your meals! And the views — pretty gorg, right? I don’t care who you are, if your room was a giant tent with an oversized copper soaking tub in it, I’m pretty sure you could be convinced to glamp.

Given all my camping adventures as a kid (and my teenage disdain for them), it both does and doesn’t surprise me how I’ve turned into such a country mouse as an adult. Blame the dude ranch visit, I guess. But I seriously think this resort would be so fun to stay at. It’s all the wilderness you could ever want — but with gourmet meals, luxe spa treatments, and (yes!) city plumbing. Count me in! And if you need more convincing, check out these other photos of the resort…it’s pretty beautiful:

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Have you ever gone glamping? Do you even enjoy camping at all? Wanna go to Montana with me?

 

Images: The Resort at Paws Up

17 Comments

  1. 7.17.14
    Nan said:

    I was just looking at this ranch the other day! Of course as a RHONY fan I had to check out the place they were staying. And wow it looks gorgeous! I am not much of a camper but I think I could totally work with ‘glamping’

    We used to go out to a ranch in Montana every summer as a child and I have such great memories of it. Such a great way to escape from hectic everyday life, relax, spend time with family and friends and enjoy the beautiful landscape.
    xo Nan
    Simply Elegant Blog

  2. 7.17.14
    Janel said:

    I am much more of a lake/mountain person than a tropical beach person, so this seems like the ideal destination!!

  3. 7.17.14
    Kristina said:

    Now this is my kind of camping! I used to get dragged on camping trips as a kid too and always kind of hated it, but with actual plumbing and a real bed I could definitely get on board!

    Kristina does the Internets

  4. 7.17.14

    Wow, how beautiful! Like yourself, I was dragged along on outdoorsy trips years ago and now would love to plan a “glamping” getaway. I could get on board with this one!

    xo, Laura
    bright and beautiful

  5. 7.17.14
    Alex said:

    I am dying to go to Paws Up! I can’t say actual camping is at the top of my list though.

  6. 7.17.14
    Ghazaleh said:

    Maybe it’s a CA thing, but everyone I know goes camping all the time. I’ve always hated it. I loved watching the RHNY episode. There’s also a Big Sur glamping spot that I want to try.

  7. 7.17.14
    Lily said:

    Oh man, I was dragged camping so many times as a kid and I really still can’t get on board with it. This kind of camping, though — sign me up!

    x Lily
    http://whilemyboyfriendsaway.blogspot.com/

  8. 7.17.14
    Erica said:

    I also hated all my family camping trips but have grown to love it as an adult. There’s something so relaxing about getting out of the city, seeing the stars and disconnecting from devices for a bit. This place looks like the best of both worlds. Meet you in Montana!

  9. 7.17.14

    My idea of camping is a Motel 6. That’s the best I can do. But THIS takes it to another level! Really pretty…

  10. 7.17.14
    Ella said:

    This place looks incredible. I can’t even imagine how awesome of an experience a trip there would be!
    http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26

  11. 7.17.14
    V said:

    I used to go camping every summer in the Ozarks with my family when I was a kid. I have a lot of great memories from those days.

    I haven’t done much camping since then. A few times with college friends at the end of a boozy float trip, or a romantic vacation to the mountains with an ex-boyfriend gone horribly wrong.

    I like the idea of Glamping. Especially since I have a bad feeling regular tent camping would probably leave me with a sore back and really grumpy.

    Consider it pinned!

    V @ Life+1

  12. 7.17.14
    Tyshia said:

    That place looks amazing! I’ve never been camping and I wouldn’t have ever gave it a passing thought until this post lol. Now glamping is something I can do. Especially at this resort!

  13. 7.18.14
    Carol said:

    Now this is the kind of camping I would enjoy now. Have done the other kind for many years and really prefer Hotels, but I could handle with one.

    • 7.18.14
      Victoria McGinley said:

      Let’s go!!

  14. 7.19.14
    Julia said:

    I loved camping as a kid, and still do! My family does annual camping trip on a long weekend in the summer; this year it’s next weekend! There are so many beautiful places to camp in BC that it makes it easy for us

    xo julesinflats

  15. 7.19.14
    Julia said:

    I loved camping as a kid, and still do! My family does an annual camping trip on a long weekend in the summer; this year it’s next weekend! There are so many beautiful places to camp in BC that it makes it easy for us

    xo julesinflats

  16. 11.16.16

    This is a perfect place for vacation. The mountain view is so beautiful. Can’t wait to go here.

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