Glamping Essentials: What to Pack for a Weekend Glamping Trip
What should you pack for a weekend Glamping Trip? We’ve got answers!
When you’re living or staying in the mountains, bringing warmer clothing is always a must, because higher elevations usually bring cooler temps at night, no matter how hot the day’s temps were. In an attempt to help our guests pack for their adventures in the woods this summer, we’ve put together a list of items that are necessary to pack when going on a Glamping Trip (like The Hohnstead Glamping Cabins). Whether you’re a seasoned glamper or a first-timer, having the right items can make all the difference.
What Is Glamping?
Before we dive into the packing list, let’s clarify what glamping is. Imagine if a hotel and a campsite had a baby – that’s glamping! Glamping sites provide pre-set tents with beds, blankets, and other comforts. However, the bathroom is usually separate, and you won’t need to bring your entire outdoor arsenal. It’s like camping, but with a touch of luxury.
Here are the essentials you’ll want to pack for your glamping adventure:
clothing
Casual clothing for lounging around
Activewear clothing for hiking /doing Scavenger Hunt / splitting wood/ archery activities
Yoga clothing if you plan to do morning stretching
Swimwear / swim shoes for ease of exit
Cute concert outfit (for Kettlehouse Amphitheater) with a warm sweater or jacket for nighttime
shoes
Flip flops or socks when inside your cabin
Hiking shoes or sneakers which may get muddy
Casual shoes for day trips to town or to see a concert in.
accessories / other
Sunglasses
Sunhat or baseball hat
Day pack for hiking and walks
Water bottle
Sunscreen
Charging cables
Chapstick
Moisturizing Lotion (Montana summers are dry!)
layers
Sweatshirt or sweater for those chilly evenings, you’re almost at 4,000ft!
Fleece or puffy jacket for extra warmth and layering (it has snowed on our guests in May and September) Also nice when visiting permanently snowed in Glacier NP
Base layer (long underwear) for sleeping, lounging and ‘just in case’
Wool socks are great to wear during all seasons
Beenie / a warm hat
pet companions
Dog Food
Dog Treats
Dog Leash / collar / harness
Dog Bed
Dog Toys, bring extra as you may lose them in the woods
Dog’s warm sweater/jacket for those cool Montana nights
Dog’s blanket for those chilly nights
Portable water bottles for road trips
Water dish / food bowl
Any medications / supplements
Remember, glamping is about enjoying nature without sacrificing comfort. So pack wisely, and get ready for an unforgettable outdoor experience!
Glamping Essentials: What to Pack for a Weekend Glamping Trip
Glamping Essentials: What to Pack for a Weekend Glamping Trip
Cabin Core Ideas for Your Bathroom
Check out our selection of Cabin Core Items for The Bathroom.
Our guests frequently compliment our interior design choices, such as our mountains, wildlife and nature-inspired wall decor, kitchen accessories, lamps, rugs, and many others. We decided to share with you our favorite cabin finds. Even if you don’t live in the cabin in the woods, decorating with Cabin Core in mind can help surround you with warm blankets, candlelit evenings, motivational wall decorations and inspirational items that remind you to get outside.
what exactly is cabin core?
Cabincore is a clothing and decor style that's inspired by remote, woodsy locations and evokes a cozy, rustic cabin feel. It's similar to cottagecore and naturecore aesthetic, but with more earthy tones, like greens and browns, and a darker, moodier vibe. Cabincore motifs include:
Colors
Faded paint in olive, terracotta, and rusty tones, as well as hints of forest green
Materials
Thick, textured rugs, faux sheepskin pelts, and thick blankets
Decor
Ornate embroidery, lots of wood, candles, vases of flowers or dried grasses, and nature-inspired art
Motifs
Cabins, forests, hiking, pinecones, forest animals, muddy paths, vegetable patches, gloomy or cloudy days, autumnal seasons, streams, fishing, cold weather, and fireplaces
WHAT CABIN CORE ITEMS CAN I include in THE Bathroom?
Materials
Natural Wood: Use reclaimed or distressed wood for accents like shelving, vanities, or wall paneling.
Stone and Slate: Incorporate stone tiles or accents for a rugged feel.
Color Palette
Earthy Tones: Opt for warm, muted colors like browns, greens, and deep reds to create a natural atmosphere.
Neutral Hues: Soft whites and creams can balance the darker elements.
Textiles
Plaid or Flannel Patterns: Use towels and shower curtains featuring plaid or flannel designs for a cozy touch.
Natural Fibers: Choose rugs and bath mats made from jute, cotton, or wool.
Decor Elements
Wooden Accessories: Incorporate wooden shelves, baskets, or storage containers.
Nature-Inspired Decor: Add items like antler decor, pinecones, or botanical prints to enhance the cabin vibe.
Lighting
Rustic Fixtures: Use lantern-style or wrought-iron light fixtures to add character.
Warm Lighting: Soft, warm lighting creates a welcoming ambiance.
Accessories
Vintage Finds: Look for vintage or antique items to add charm, like old mirrors or rustic soap dispensers.
Plants: Incorporate greenery with potted plants or dried flowers for a natural touch.
Click the image to shop these Cabin Core-themed bathroom items.
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Cabin Core Ideas for your Kitchen
Check out our selection of Cabin Core Items for The Kitchen.
Our guests frequently compliment our interior design choices, such as our mountains, wildlife and nature-inspired wall decor, kitchen accessories, lamps, rugs, and many others. We decided to share with you our favorite cabin finds. Even if you don’t live in the cabin in the woods, decorating with Cabin Core in mind can help surround you with warm blankets, candlelit evenings, motivational wall decorations and inspirational items that remind you to get outside.
what exactly is cabin core?
Cabincore is a clothing and decor style that's inspired by remote, woodsy locations and evokes a cozy, rustic cabin feel. It's similar to cottagecore and naturecore aesthetic, but with more earthy tones, like greens and browns, and a darker, moodier vibe. Cabincore motifs include:
Colors
Faded paint in olive, terracotta, and rusty tones, as well as hints of forest green
Materials
Thick, textured rugs, faux sheepskin pelts, and thick blankets
Decor
Ornate embroidery, lots of wood, candles, vases of flowers or dried grasses, and nature-inspired art
Motifs
Cabins, forests, hiking, pinecones, forest animals, muddy paths, vegetable patches, gloomy or cloudy days, autumnal seasons, streams, fishing, cold weather, and fireplaces
WHAT CABIN CORE ITEMS CAN I FIND
FOR THE KITCHEN?
Decorative Elements from Nature: Decorative items might include pine cones, antlers, dried flowers, or botanical prints. These elements bring the outdoors inside and contribute to the rustic ambiance.
Vintage Appliances: If there are appliances visible, they might be vintage-style or intentionally designed to fit the rustic aesthetic.
Cozy Textiles: Look for comfortable, soft textiles like plaid or checkered tablecloths, curtains, or cushions. These textiles add to the cozy feel of the space.
Warm Colors: Earthy tones dominate, such as browns, greens, and deep reds. These colors create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Personal Touches: Finally, personal touches like family photos in wooden frames, handmade ceramics, or heirloom kitchen tools can make the space feel even more inviting and unique.
Click the image to shop these items.
This page contains product affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links at no additional cost to you. We appreciate your support.
Building a DIY Stargazing A-frame Cabin with a Remote-Operated Wall in Just 1 Month
We recently deconstructed an old cabin and re-built a new, stargazing cabin. Check out how fast we did it.
From a $400 Rustic Cabin to a Stargazing A-frame with a unique, remote-operated side=wall, our experience and practice building tiny structures has come a long way and we’re so proud to show off and rent out our newest cabin - The Stargazer.
Quick story first.
Back in 2010, we bought this bare land in Bonner, Montana. At that time, this property didn’t have roads, buildings, electricity, septic, or running water - it was just trees and lots of them.
Garrett, visiting for a few months from his teaching job in South Korea picked a remote section of the land and built a very basic, very rustic cabin, which we later called The Shanty. The Shanty was built for $400 and had a loft, where we slept and a downstairs area with a tiny table, chairs, sink, and countertop space.
In 2017, The Shanty went up on Airbnb as a “let’s see what happens,” but to our surprise guests came and they loved it here. We initially thought we were too far from Missoula, Montana for them to want to stay here, but they surprised us with incredibly complimentary reviews, and comments, and a small business was born.
Over the years, we have built other tiny structures on our property, now with the idea to host more people here and to create a vacation destination for couples traveling with pets.
A cabin, that was an inspiration for The Stargazer cabin, was our 2017 cabin - Transforming A-frame. We bought the plans from tiny house designer Derek Diedricksen for just $30 and in three weeks we were able to complete the 80 sq. ft. A-frame cabin. We ended up using a lot of recycled materials during that construction, so our total cost there was just $700 and after posting about it on Alla’s blog, The Transforming A-frame Cabin went VIRAL!
We couldn’t believe the success of the A-frame cabin, the love it got from our guests, the coverage it got from huge platforms like Zillow and Airbnb, famous vloggers like Kirsten Dirksen and Eva Zu Beck, and of course financially, our small business was growing rapidly, so much so, we were able to quit our jobs abroad and make The HohnStead Glamping Cabins our primary source of income.
Fast forward to January of 2024, when we decided to say goodbye to our least popular cabin The Shanty. We felt that it served our purposes well, by being our shelter during the first few years of owning our property, then acting as a brew shack for Garrett’s Homebrewing, and eventually a short-term rental cabin on Airbnb. Because we’re not interested in keep building more cabins, we wanted to take advantage of The Shanty’s remote and beautiful location, but with an improved cabin.
We understand the importance of stargazing for our guests and our secluded property has incredible stargazing opportunities. So, the importance of clear roofing or a skylight was a high priority for the new cabin.
Analyzing the popularity of our transforming A-frame cabin, we decided to build a similar structure, but larger, re-using The Shanty’s materials if we could and re-working the rigging system on the lift-able door wall.
But first, the deconstruction…
Deconstruction was tedious and dirty, but we ended up salvaging a lot of boards, panels, a window, a door, roofing, trim, and other items that we didn’t have to buy/make when building The Stargazer in its place.
Between deconstruction time and building time, a few months passed (winter in Montana is cold and snowy, so we used it as an opportunity to travel and plan The Stargazer build). We were so eager to return and get our hands dirty again.
Not liking to backtrack, it was important for us that we could reuse the existing deck and Shanty’s platform. The Shanty’s platform was full 3 inches above the old deck so the composite decking was pulled up and custom-cut joists were added atop the old joists in order to bring the low parts up to level. We also used this as an opportunity to firm up and reinforce some areas that needed attention.
Once the platform was up to speed, the As were put into place. We designed the Stargazer to make use of commonly available lumber sizes. The A’s are 2x6x12ft and the outside ones seen here we laid out using a shop floor to ensure accurate angled cuts.
Once the two outside As were placed in position and plumber, the rest of the 2x4s went into place rather quickly.
We decided to go with a vibrant color scheme, obtaining two gallons of reds from Home Depot’s “Oops Paint” Section.
Because of the existing deck and garden rock walls (i.e. we wouldn’t have the benefit of working out of a tractor’s bucket), careful consideration had to go into the order in which the polycarbonate, sheet metal, and ridge cap would be installed.
The interior colors and scheme were inspired by Pinterest color combinations, attempting to keep it bright, fun, and playful. We believe that vacation destinations must vary greatly from our home situations, so a plain or minimalist color scheme was out of the question. We also rely heavily on the existing colors in our DIY pantry and buying a brand new color would be wasteful when trying to do maintenance on five of our cabins and Commons Area Lounge.
“An ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure.” someone way smarter than me once said.
One of the sheets of old OSB had some sponge to it so we popped it right up and replaced it. Being a full sheet replacement not requiring any cuts, the entire job maybe took 30 minutes and helps us sleep much better at night.
The other A-frame on our property has two single beds, which push and click together. For this new A-frame design we wanted to vary it from the existing A-frame and also opted to re-use the Shanty Cabin’s mattress. We searched for a while for a bed frame, but due to the sloped walls of this cabin, we decided to build something low profile ourselves.
We were able to re-use the milled lumber from the inside The Shanty’s walls for the recessed bottom section of the bed frame. Solar LED lights create a nice ambiance in the evening/night (not pictured). The visible exterior sections of the bed frame were created by store-bough cabinet board. Interior/unseen sections of the bed frame were made from re-used OSB boards. A pretty simple bed frame without the headboard, which came together in just a few hours.
We contemplated to build storage into the bed frame, but decided against it keep the cleaning to a minimum and possibility of mice invasion low.
Year built: 2024
Size: 168 sq ft
Type: A-frame
Insulation: No
Bathroom: No (shared bathrooms are within 1 minute walk)
Kitchenette: yes
(full kitchen available 1 minute away in the Commons Area Lounge)
Stargazing: 2 translucent panels
Dog friendly: yes
Bed: Queen size
Special feature: Remote-operated translucent door-wall
Purpose: Short term rental unit / glamping cabin
Build duration: around 35 days
Materials Cost: around $1100 with a lot of re-used materials from the previous cabin
If you’re interested in staying at this stargazing tiny cabin in the woods, remember that you can bring your pet, then explore 100+ acres of our forested property. After the hike, soak your stresses away and gaze at the stars from a hot tub. Are you ready to unplug and stargaze?
Why Guests Should Book Direct vs Book via Airbnb?
The benefits of booking direct for guests and for hosts.
When Garrett and I first started opening up our cabins for short term rental stays, we never planned on turning our small side-hustle into a full time (seasonal) business. We were able to keep our expenses low in the beginning with the help of OTA’s (Online Travel Agencies) like Airbnb, Hipcamp, Glamping Hub, VRBO and others. But over the years, we’ve heard and read horror stories from fellow hosts about how their listings got taken down, they were blocked from hosting or all their bookings were cancelled. Reasons behind such actions are not always obvious, but what it motivated us to do — build our own website and eventually our brand.
Yes, we’re still new to marketing our small Glamping Cabins Resort and still rely on the eye balls and the bookings from OTA’s. Over the years, being on Airbnb has helped us get featured by dozens of online news sources, blogs and articles about Cozy A-frame Stays in Montana or Tiny Pet-friendly Cabins on Airbnb.
Airbnb has even featured us on their Twitter (now X) account with a short ASMR-style video!
Another time Airbnb photographer came out to photograph our A-frame Cabin (giving us the professional photos free of charge), but we also don’t know exactly where/how they featured those 🤷
Exposure of our tiny, self-built cabins in the woods has been wonderful and we will continue to keep our listings on various OTA platforms, but we’re in the business of hospitality and OUR GUESTS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO US!
Here are a few reasons, why we choose to use a Direct Booking site:
GUESTS Save on fees
Airbnb particularly has a tendency to increase their fees for both guests and hosts. And if you ever traveled abroad where tipping is not customary, you realize how much money you saved by unlocking that option. By booking directly, you avoid the extra fees and charges.
Hosts control their listing and their business
By having a direct booking website, hosts can authentically showcase their business and their personality, instead of looking like and competing with the other 5 million hosts and their 7.5 million active listings (Airbnb).
Hosts can easily offer offers, updates and discounts
While some OTA’s have different functions, not all are created equal when it comes to offering discounts or offers for guests. Direct Booking sites and direct communication with the guest bipasses the middleman who won’t let you share links or phone numbers or other private information.
Hosts get to build their brand
My favorite part about building The Hohnstead website and brand is the creativity I get to awaken inside of me. As hosts, we can be in charge of the colors, fonts, images, graphics, language and other details that dictate how our guests view our space. We are in charge of the online experience they have with my Glamping Cabins Resort before they choose to book and arrive here. For some hosts, this part seems intimidating, but for a passionate, photography-loving, let’s learn web design to save money person, re-doing and perfecting The Hohnstead Brand over the years has been frustrating (at times) but SO MUCH FUN!
Hosts get to control their cancellation policy
Cancellation policies on Airbnb are very rigid and may not always represent the situations that hosts have. For example, some hosts are full time hosts, they may choose to have a different cancellation policy vs someone who hosts part time or on seasonal bases.
Hosts get to screen their guests better
When Booking Directly, hosts are not limited with communication restrictions that OTA’s have. Primarily, we’d like to have other forms of communications other than the middleman platform like Airbnb. Some hosts prefer Whats Up, others - email. A missed message or unseen text can be quite frustrating when the host hasn’t checked their Airbnb messages or doesn’t have their notifications enabled. Screening who stays on our property is important for everyone’s safety - ours, our guests and other guests who are staying in a nearby cabin.
Guest-centric approach
When dealing with problems on Airbnb, it feels very biased that hosts don’t always get the benefit of the doubt. We’ve personally experienced that when a guest who accidentally booked one of our cabins, left early, then proceeded to leave us a 3 star review. We were unable to convince the Airbnb to take the review down based on a simple fact that this guest DID NOT STAY THE NIGHT and didn’t get to experience our place properly in order to leave any review. Unfortunately, they didn’t side with us.
Bad guest review policy
Guests can lie in their reviews and Airbnb will sadly not moderate that. Instead they give a hosts an opportunity to respond (which is a more recent update to their platform).
Hosts at a mercy of the algorithm changes
Oh the algorithm! You may have heard this word on Instagram or other Social Media platforms and how often its changes put everyone in a frenzy!
Airbnb’s algorithm is also an enigma. Should you change your Cover picture (the 1st) daily? Should you change your title regularly? How about emojis in titles, does it help? How many photos is too much?
Direct Booking sites, luckily, don’t have to worry about the Marketplace of Listings that OTA’s like Airbnb create. Instead, we blog and post with specific keywords to hopefully help SEO gods direct the right people towards our websites. Maybe its a similar dilemma, but at least if feels like putting multiple fishing rods out there - via Blog’s image re-pinned on Pinterest, or IG Reel re-shared on Tik Tok, Youtube Long Form videos turned into Blog Posts all the while talking about my small Glamping Cabins Resort in the woods.
One day a little fishy will bite!
Ditch the city, stay with us, in the woods (and book direct!)
The HohnStead Glamping Cabins in Bonner, Montana
〰️
ACTION ITEM
〰️ ACTION ITEM
“Research if your dream accommodation on Airbnb has a direct booking site and SAVE!”
Top 10 Airbnb Amenities
What are the top 10 Airbnb amenities and does The Hohnstead have any?
Ever wondered what makes guests jump for joy, earning the host a round of applause (or better yet a 5-star review!) for going above and beyond?
When looking for the right vacation rental, guests normally use the filter option to help narrow down from the six million active Airbnb listings to eventually THE ONE. It does sound like a tall order, but if you narrow down your top 3 filters (hot tub, pet-friendly, and self-check-in) then it should make your search much faster and more convenient. Also, make sure you’re on the same page with your partner or travel party, so you don’t end up looking for a swimming pool just to realize that your travel companion is allergic to chlorine.
According to a recent survey commissioned by Airbnb, a whopping 97% of surveyed US travelers emphasized that the amenities offered in an Airbnb significantly influence their overall experience. It turns out that amenities aren't just a nice bonus—they're a game-changer when it comes to crafting an unforgettable trip.
top 10 airbnb amenities
1. Wi-Fi: Most guests expect a reliable internet connection.
2. Kitchen Facilities: Providing a fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette can be a big plus.
3. Free Parking: If applicable, offering free parking can be a significant perk.
4. Pet-Friendly Options: Solo travelers, couples and family travelers enjoy sharing their adventures with pets, willing to spend extra vs spending on pet lodging instead.
Shared Hot Tub at The Hohnstead
Photography by Logan Lefler
5. A Hot Tub: A relaxing way to end the day, especially if there is stargazing.
6. Washer/Dryer: Access to laundry facilities is often appreciated by guests.
7. Essentials (1 towel per guest, 1 pillow per guest, bedding, hangers, coffee, toiletries such as hand and body soap, and shampoo).
8. Air Conditioning/Heating: Ensuring a comfortable temperature for guests is important.
The Hohnstead Glamping Cabins Resort in Bonner, Montana
Photography by Logan Lefler
9. Outdoor Spaces: A commodity that is getting harder to own - land and open spaces with gorgeous views.
Wanna guess which filter on Airbnb is THE MOST POPULAR in this list? It’s the next one.
10. Flexible Check-In/Outs. Guests have rated this preference as their most favorite, likely due to the inability to pinpoint the exact time of arrival or whether or not their flight gets delayed. This way guests can check themselves in without your host having to wait, usually frustrated when a guest comes in hours later than expected.
Garrett and I have definitely found ourselves on the receiving end of the “I’ll be there at….” but showing up much-much later. Vacations are exactly that - unpredictable and sometimes test your patience, so we’ve decided to pivot a bit in 2024, offering self-check-in options for those who are interested.
Many of you have really enjoyed our personalized property tour upon your check-in, which we can still gladly do. So if you choose to self-check in, remember you still have the option of a property tour, just ask.
If you choose to have us check you in instead (showing you to your cabin and around when you first arrive), we will gladly do that as well. A small favor to ask - please be on time :)
We're excited to let you know that The Hohnstead happily ticks a lot of the boxes above and we're always working to offer more because your comfort and experiences are important to us.
Note - We may not control ALL your UNIQUE AND MEMORABLE experiences while staying with us, those experiences sometimes include a flat tire (you'll drive on 2 miles of dirt road to get here), a mouse may get into your food stash (if you don't keep it in airtight container), and you may be bombarded by "thousands of bugs" (an actual review) if you leave your lights on and windows open inside your cabin.
Traveling and exploring is all about EXPOSURE to new and unique environments you wouldn't normally seek out. Staying in the woods, you’re entering a world of bugs, spiders, animals, and so many creatures we can’t even see. We choose to live/vacation/spend time among the creatures and the trees because we’ve created societies where nature is no longer among us. So we grow a little soft in our comforts and expectations of what relaxation or vacation should be.
We promise you that once you spend some time in the woods, whether it’s here at The Hohnstead or a similar accommodation, you will feel changed. Chopping wood will change the way you think of heating and using your body to complete such a demanding physical task. Hiking through the woods and NOT getting lost will help you realize that you can rely on your senses and your gut feeling. Going off-the-grid will hopefully remind you of your childhood, when you played hide and seek with your neighbors, running around all day until mom yelled out from the window that it was time for lunch/dinner. Starting a fire as the sun sets behind the mountains and stars glisten will make you realize how little you need in life to be in the moment and to feel truly happy.
We will see you in the woods!
Alla and Garrett Hohn
The Hohnstead Glamping Cabins Resort
How to Deconstruct a Tiny Cabin in Just 7 Days
Our first demolition at The Hohnstead, check out this post and video we made just for you.
When Garrett and I travel, we go into our “flow state.”
We usually walk the streets of a new city, with or without aim and we always find ourselves talking about The Hohnstead, our Glamping Cabins Resort.
We discuss what’s working and what doesn’t. What needs to be fixed or built, or as in this year’s upgrade - a cabin demolition in order to build a new cabin, which would better serve our seasonal guests.
This demolition project was the first for us and it took about a week to complete.
My most favorite (and scariest) moment during this cabin demolition came when Garrett instructed me to get onto the roof in order to take off the screws of a ridge cap.
Uh-oh!
A chance to ride the metal stallion?
A chance to fall off and never have to do another construction project again?
A chance to do “a job” that may put my husband in jeopardy due to his poor hips flexibility?
What you don’t see here is that it took me 10 minutes to talk myself into making the leap from the tractor onto the OSB board and onto the roof. With no supports, safety harnesses, or stunt doubles…
Either way, it needed to be done and we got it done! Getting off that thing was my favorite <3
Shanty Deconstruction at The Hohnstead Glamping Cabins Resort
Cabin Deconstruction at The Hohnstead Glamping Cabins Resort in Bonner, Montana