10 Essentials for Your First Glamping Trip

The founder of The Fields in South Haven shares her insight
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glamping
The Fields features 10 luxury guest rooms. // Photograph courtesy of The Fields

As long as we can remember, going camping has meant becoming one with nature, sleeping on the ground, and fighting off mosquitos. The Fields is seeking to redefine these ideas with its luxury glamping experience.

Opening on June 15, the South Haven-based, 30-acre campsite features 10 luxury guest rooms with king-size beds, wood-burning stoves, and bathrooms en suite; campfire classics and high-quality meals prepared by a chef; and trips to Lake Michigan, which is conveniently located just a few miles away. Guests also have the opportunity to shop for fresh, local produce at an on-site market, hike the Kal-Haven trail, pick their own berries from The Field’s 10-acre blueberry farm, and coordinate fishing, sailing, wine tours, and more with the site’s concierge.

Irene Woods, founder of The Fields and a native of the area, hopes to provide glampers with a once-in-a-lifetime experience through these offerings. “As a child, I appreciated the luxuries that the town offered, along with being able to connect with nature on the farm,” she says. “It was the best of both worlds — that seamless duality is what we will deliver to each person that visits The Fields.”

Because glamping does straddle the line between traditional camping and luxury accommodations, it can be difficult to know what to bring on your first visit. In anticipation of The Field’s launch, Woods offers up her advice below on what to pack for your trip. For more information, visit thefieldsofmichigan.com.

Baseball Cap

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A Girl with a Dream Embroidered Black Hat, $27, at Kiloh and Co.; kilohandco.com

Whether you’re taking a sunny hike through The Fields campground or heading out on a sailing trip, Woods recommends a hat for protecting yourself from sunburn.

Beach Towel

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Festival Beach Towel, $50, at Detroit’s Future is Female; detroitsfutureisfemale.com

“With Lake Michigan just 3.5 miles away, glampers will be able to indulge in beach days whenever they please,” Woods says. This calls for a beach towel with a message.  

Camera

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Nikon D3500, $400, at Nikon; nikonusa.com

According to Woods, the scenery at The Fields is definitely Instagram-worthy. Take a note from your childhood vacations and snap plenty of photos.

Book

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‘Notes from a Public Typewriter’ Edited by Michael Gustafson and Oliver Uberti, $18; at Literati; literatibookstore.com

From impactful biographies to guilty-pleasure romantic comedies, The Fields is the perfect place to read that book you’ve been saving. For a local treasure, pick up a copy of Notes from a Public Typewriter from Literati in Ann Arbor.

Flannel Shirt

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Oversized Ex-Boyfriend Shirt, $79, at Madewell; madewell.com

Camping isn’t camping without s’mores, and glamping is no different. Bundle up in this cozy flannel while you toast marshmallows by the fireside.

Denim Jacket

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Basic Denim Jacket, $39, at Zara; zara.com

Who says camping can’t be fashionable? Woods encourages glampers to sport their favorite denim jacket on chilly morning hikes and late-night beach walks.

Acoustic Guitar

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Fender Acoustic Guitar, $250, at Music Go Round; musicgoround.com

If you haven’t caught on yet, Woods shares that bonfires are a glamping staple. Bring your acoustic guitar and have a jam session with your fellow glampers.

Comfy Pajamas

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Short sleeve pajama set in end-on-end cotton, $79, at J. Crew; jcrew.com

Glamping is the ultimate relaxing vacation. Bring out your comfiest PJ’s, like this set from J. Crew, and get ready to chill.

Berry Picking Basket

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Amish Berry Picking and Mushroom Gathering and Foraging Basket, $39, at Amish Baskets; amishbaskets.com

Blueberry season runs from July to August, and Woods says The Fields offers glampers the opportunity to pick from its own blueberry farm. Fill this basket to the brim with as many berries as you want.

Journal

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Eye Notebook, $16, at Thistle and Bess; thistleandbess.com

Woods believes that The Fields offers a perfect backdrop for self-reflection and memory making. Dive deep or document your vacation in this trendy journal.


From The Archive: Enjoy the Great Indoors at the DNR’s Outdoor Adventure Center