There was a time when escaping to the great outdoors almost guaranteed sleeping on the ground. Then came glamping and getaway possibilities for outdoor enthusiasts who value a good night’s sleep.
From shiny Airstream trailers and safari tents, to treetop yurts and cabins, Sonoma County boasts a plethora of choices when it comes to luxe outdoor staycations.
“We started Wildhaven to make it easier for people to spend more time in nature, to disconnect from our normal stressful lives,” said Wildhaven Sonoma co-owner Ken Barber.
When Wildhaven Sonoma opened in summer of 2020 — in the midst of the pandemic — the Healdsburg “glampground” checked a long list of boxes for travelers in search of affordable ways to vacation close to home.
With the Russian River just steps away, and Wildhaven’s quick and easy access to Healdsburg’s buzzy wineries, tasting rooms and restaurants, the concept took off. Platform tents with windows and high ceilings, beds, chairs, electric outlets and USB ports made camping easy and enjoyable.
Over the past few seasons, the 10-acre riverfront property has grown to include 30 tents, four cabins, an outdoor kitchen and a store stocked with wine, beer, picnic items, ice cream and more. When the company decided to expand operations, the area surrounding Yosemite National Park was an obvious choice.
“The valley and surrounding areas have a severe shortage of campsites. Campgrounds book up six months in advance, and there are still very few glamping options, preventing many people from being able to visit,” Barber said. “It was a perfect location for glamping.”
This spring, Wildhaven Yosemite welcomed its first guests. The 36-acre property, located a mile from the gateway town of Mariposa, features 30 platform tents and a dozen cabins. The tents are similar to those at the Healdsburg location, however, at the Yosemite location some are built into a forested hillside, resulting in better views and a more tree-house feel.
The cabins received the biggest upgrade, and feedback from Wildhaven’s Healdsburg guests helped drive the changes. Available in both studio and one-bedroom models, the new tiny home accommodations feature electricity, heat and AC, making them comfortable year-round. They also boast well-stocked kitchenettes, bathrooms and large picture windows that frame panoramic views of the surrounding rolling hillsides. Each of the cabins has an outdoor sitting area with a fire pit, picnic table and hammock.
Just under an hour’s drive from the Arch Rock Entrance to Yosemite National Park, Wildhaven Yosemite is less than 10 miles from another well-known name in Sonoma County’s glamping scene, AutoCamp. The brand’s flagship shiny Airstream-studded property opened in Guerneville in 2016; AutoCamp Yosemite followed in 2019. Other locations now include Cape Cod, Joshua Tree, Catskills and Zion, with additional properties in the works, including one near Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
As for Wildhaven, lessons quickly learned in Yosemite will soon make sleeping under the stars in Healdsburg even more luxe. Similar tiny homes are in the works for Wine Country, and new communal areas with fire pits will be added along the Russian River. And with the company actively searching for a third location in another popular west coast locale, there may soon be even more dreamy options to consider when planning a getaway in the great outdoors.
Starting rates for glamping tents is $99; cabin rates begin at $199.
4808 Highway 140, Mariposa, 209-966-4808, wildhavenyosemite.com