Types of Glamping Structures Explained – A Beginner's Guide

The world of glamping is exploding, and it's easy to see why. Gone are the days of basic camping structures; today's incredible range of glamping options means you can escape into nature without sacrificing a shred of comfort.

But with so many choices, from ancient, nomadic dwellings to futuristic domes, the options can be both exciting and a little overwhelming.

As someone who has been designing and building in this space for years, I've seen it all. The goal of this guide is simple: to be a clear, straightforward introduction to the most popular and iconic glamping structures out there today.

Before You Dive In: What's Your Goal?

This is a comprehensive guide to the most popular glamping structures, but everyone arrives here with a different goal:

• ‍Entrepreneur & Landowner? If you're thinking about this as a business and your mind is on profitability, guest appeal, and ROI, then our detailed business guide is the perfect next step. Read this: [The Best Glamping Structures for Business & Maximum ROI]‍
• Traveler & Dreamer? If you're focused on the feeling—the vibe, the comfort, the magic of the experience—then our experiential guide is for you. We compare what it's actually like to stay in each of these amazing places. Read this: [Which Glamping Structure Provides the Best Experience?]

Are you just starting your journey and want to understand all the options? Perfect. You're in the right place. Continue reading to explore the wonderful world of glamping structures.

Here’s a look at the most popular and unique structures you'll find in the glamping world. This isn't a ranking, but a celebration of the creativity and diversity that makes this industry so special.

Group 1: The Core Four (Fabric-Based Glamping Structures)

1. Yurt

The yurt is the original glamping structure, a design perfected over centuries by the nomads of Central Asia. It’s a circular dwelling with a beautiful lattice wall made of wood, a roof structure of rafters, and a durable fabric cover. The crown jewel is the central ring, or tono, which lets in light and allows for stargazing from bed. This ancient soul is blended with advanced engineering, making modern yurts versatile enough to be a simple retreat or a fully-equipped, multi-room home.

The Vibe & Key Features:

• Spiritual & Communal: The round shape creates a unique, calming, and social atmosphere inside.
• Surprisingly Spacious: Without corners, yurts feel incredibly open and airy.
• Historic & Authentic: Staying in a yurt connects you to a deep and rich history.
• Four-Season Living: Modern yurts can be fully insulated and equipped with heating and cooling, making them true year-round homes.

2. Geodesic Dome

As one of the most iconic modern glamping structures, the geodesic dome is the yurt's futuristic cousin. It’s a spherical structure built from a complex network of interconnected triangles, creating a self-bracing and incredibly strong frame.

Its most iconic feature is the huge panoramic window that covers a large portion of the wall. This design choice completely dissolves the barrier between inside and out, making you feel fully immersed in the landscape while being protected from the elements. The vast, open-plan interior feels boundless and is a blank canvas for minimalist and modern design.

The Vibe & Key Features:

• Modern & Sci-Fi: Domes feel like something from the future, offering a unique architectural experience.
• All About the View: The panoramic window is the star of the show, perfect for stargazing or looking out over stunning scenery.
• Incredibly Strong: The geodesic design makes them highly resistant to wind and snow loads.
• Bright & Open: The large window and high ceilings flood the interior with natural light.

3. Safari Tent (or Canvas Lodge)

Evoking the classic romance of an African safari, this structure is essentially a luxury canvas cabin. It has a familiar rectangular shape, making it easy to furnish and divide into separate "rooms" like a bedroom, bathroom, and living area.

Built on a solid wooden platform, they feel substantial underfoot, while the canvas walls allow you to hear the gentle sounds of nature outside. Many feature a large, covered wooden veranda, creating a perfect space for relaxing with a drink and watching the world go by.

The Vibe & Key Features:

• Rugged & Adventurous: It makes you feel like an intrepid explorer from a bygone era.
• Spacious & Practical: The rectangular shape is easy to work with and can accommodate larger groups or families.
• Indoor-Outdoor Flow: They often feature large, covered porches that blur the line between inside and out.
• A "True Tent" Experience: It offers the romance of sleeping under canvas, but with the space and amenities of a cabin.

4. Bell Tent

The bell tent is perhaps the most recognizable of all glamping tent structures, a symbol of modern festival glamping. It’s a simple, beautiful, and classic design: a circular canvas tent with a single central pole holding up the roof and low, vertical walls.

While simpler than a yurt, a well-furnished bell tent creates an instant feeling of magic and charm. They are the go-to for weddings and parties, often set up in "villages" to create a stunning visual impact.

The Vibe & Key Features:

• Bohemian & Charming: The bell tent is the heart of the "boho" glamping aesthetic.
• Simple & Rustic: It offers a more traditional camping experience, elevated with comfortable furnishings.
• Perfect for Events: Their quick setup makes them the go-to choice for festivals, weddings, and pop-up events.
• Cozy & Intimate: Best suited for couples or small groups.

Group 2: The Iconic Five (Niche & Solid Glamping Structures)

This group focuses on more permanent glamping structures that often feel like small homes, offering an enhanced sense of security and durability.

5. Glamping Cabin (A-Frames & Pods)

This broad category covers small, solid-walled structures that offer more security and weather protection. This includes iconic A-Frame cabins with their steeply pitched roofs that create dramatic, vaulted interiors and allow for cozy loft spaces.

It also includes Glamping Pods, whose curved, insulated designs create a womb-like sense of security. The common thread is the psychological comfort of solid walls, offering a quieter, more insulated escape that feels like a miniature home in the heart of nature.

The Vibe & Key Features:

• Cozy & Secure: The solid walls provide excellent insulation and a sense of permanence and safety.
• Iconic Aesthetics: The A-Frame, in particular, is an Instagram-favourite.
• Weatherproof: They are often better suited for the most extreme weather conditions.
• A Tiny Home Feel: They provide all the psychological comforts of a traditional house.

6. Shepherd's Hut

Originally designed as portable shelters for shepherds, these charming, rustic structures on wheels have become a fixture in the UK and European glamping scene. Their history is part of their charm, evoking images of rolling green hills.

The interiors are often a marvel of clever design, packing a bed, kitchenette, and even a small bathroom into a compact, linear space, often featuring a stable door and a small wood-burning stove to complete the cozy, pastoral fantasy.

The Vibe & Key Features:

• Quaint & Historic: They evoke a romantic, pastoral, and distinctly British countryside feel.
• Clever & Compact: The interior design is often a masterclass in small-space living.
• Self-Contained: They are a complete tiny home on wheels.
• Mobile (in theory): While not typically moved often, their wheeled base can be a benefit in certain planning situations.

7. Treehouse

The ultimate childhood dream turned into a luxury escape. A glamping treehouse is a bespoke, often high-end structure built to coexist with the trees, elevating guests off the ground and into the forest canopy.

The experience begins with the journey—up a spiral staircase or across a rope bridge—and continues as you sway gently with the branches. It offers an unparalleled perspective on the natural world, making it one of the most unique permanent glamping structures imaginable.

The Vibe & Key Features:

• Magical & Whimsical: It taps into a universal sense of childhood wonder and adventure.
• Unique Connection to Nature: Being elevated in the trees provides a perspective you can't get on the ground.
• Often Bespoke & Luxurious: Treehouses are frequently one-of-a-kind, high-end builds.
• A True Escape: They offer a profound sense of privacy and seclusion.

8. Tipi (or Teepee)

The Tipi is an iconic conical tent with a deep history tied to the Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains in North America. Its design is a marvel of engineering, featuring a ring of poles and a canvas cover. The two distinctive "smoke flaps" at the top can be adjusted with long poles to regulate airflow and direct smoke from a central fire.

This makes the tipi a living, breathing structure, where occupants feel a deep connection to the elements, looking up at the stars through the smoke hole while staying warm and sheltered.

The Vibe & Key Features:

• Spiritual & Historic: Like the yurt, the tipi has a rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
• Tall & Dramatic: The height of the cone creates a dramatic, soaring interior space focused on the sky.
• Excellent Ventilation: The smoke flap design is a brilliant, natural air circulation system.
• Connection to the Elements: The design is all about living in harmony with fire, earth, and sky.

9. Shipping Container

A symbol of industrial chic and clever upcycling, the converted shipping container has emerged as a unique and surprisingly popular glamping structure. These are actual steel containers retrofitted with insulation, plumbing, and electricity.

Designers often cut out entire walls and replace them with glass sliding doors, transforming a dark box into a light-filled lookout. This blend of raw industrial materials with high-end comforts and natural surroundings creates a powerful architectural statement. They are incredibly secure and can be a fantastic option for remote or off-grid locations.

The Vibe & Key Features:

• Industrial & Modern: The minimalist, edgy aesthetic creates a fascinating contrast with a natural setting.
• Incredibly Durable: It’s a solid steel box, offering ultimate security and a very long lifespan.
• A Blank Canvas: The simple rectangular shape can be adapted to a wide range of interior styles.
• Sustainable Upcycling: It gives a new life to an industrial object, which has a strong eco-conscious appeal.

Conclusion: A World of Possibilities

As you can see, the term "glamping" covers an incredible spectrum of experiences. There is no single "best" structure, only the one that is best for your specific dream, whether that's a business venture or a personal escape. Each one offers a unique way to connect with nature without leaving comfort behind.

Among all these incredible options, we believe the yurt holds a special place. It is one of the few glamping structures that perfectly balances ancient history with modern comfort, and a spacious feel with a cozy atmosphere, making it uniquely versatile.

If you're inspired and ready to explore your own glamping project, our team is here to help you navigate the options and design your perfect retreat.

Connect with us today to discuss your vision!