I paid $332 to go glamping in below-freezing weather for 4 nights, and there was way more camping than glamour

Christine GilbertSep 9, 2023, 21:07 IST

This year, I decided to go glamping in the winter.Christine Gilbert

I went glamping in Texas this past winter, and it was way less glamorous than I anticipated.
Below-freezing temperatures kept me up at night, even with a heated mattress and electric blanket.

Every other year since 2014, I go glamorous camping — or glamping — in Marfa, a town in the high desert of West Texas surrounded by mountains.

Glamping generally provides more amenities than regular camping and more wildness than a traditional hotel. I like to connect with the environment by staying at the nomadic hotel and campsite, El Cosmico.

But this was my first time staying at the campsite during a colder month, leading me to experience more of the camping side of glamping than the glamour.

Using a 20% discount for staying more than three nights, I booked a safari tent for four nights for $83 a night.

I was excited to go glamping, but I was slightly unprepared for the colder temperatures.

Although the temperatures were high during the day, they were expected to plummet.Christine Gilbert

El Cosmico has unique shelter options spread throughout its 21-acre grounds.

There's a variety of shelter options at El Cosmico.Christine Gilbert

I checked in and grabbed my wheelbarrow to haul my belongings.

Wheelbarrows were available to transfer our belongings.Christine Gilbert

My safari tent had soft bedding and a heated mattress pad.

The safari tent was simple but had the necessities.Christine Gilbert

I had access to both outdoor and indoor bathrooms.

The outdoor bathroom even had a tub.Christine Gilbert

I asked the staff how to prepare for the upcoming cold, as temperatures were forecasted to drop below freezing that night.

My safari tent wasn't going to be warm enough on its own.Christine Gilbert

Although the first night wasn't the coldest, it was the worst.

I didn't sleep well at all on the first night.Christine Gilbert

After getting the attachment, I confirmed my booking for the Dutch tub.

I was looking forward to soaking in the outdoor tub.Christine Gilbert

I found that staying warm at El Cosmico depended on planning ahead and being a little creative.

My friends and I wore beanies in the Dutch tub.Christine Gilbert

I slept well the second night but knew I needed a more solid plan for the third.

People were in the lobby asking to switch from a tent to a trailer.Christine Gilbert

I felt prepared for the third night.

I was ready to take on the cold temperatures for a third time.Christine Gilbert

I woke up to a frozen water bottle and icicles in the sink.

My water bottle froze overnight.Christine Gilbert

On my final night, the temperature only dropped to 34 F.

By my final night of glamping, I had my routine down.Christine Gilbert

If I go glamping in the winter again, I might consider booking heated accommodations.

I'd definitely return to El Cosmico for another glamping experience.Christine Gilbert

I spent full days at Disney World and Universal, and the latter is way more convenient right now

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