The Ultimate First-Time Glamping Guide for the Finger Lakes
If you’ve never been glamping before, chances are you’ve asked yourself at least one of these questions:
“Is this basically camping?”
“Do I need a bunch of gear?”
“Will I be comfortable?”
“What am I actually supposed to bring?”
At Two Bees Escape, we host a lot of first-time glampers, and honestly, most guests arrive realizing they prepared for way more than they needed.
So let’s clear a few things up.
Yes — glamping is still camping. You’re outdoors. You’ll hear birds in the morning, crickets at night, frogs after dark, and maybe rain tapping on the tent roof if weather rolls through.
But no — you do not need survival gear, expensive camping equipment, or years of outdoor experience to enjoy it.
You are not “roughing it.”
Glamping is about enjoying the outdoors comfortably, and your space is already fully set up before you arrive.
First: What We Already Provide
A large canvas bell tent
Real beds & bedding
Bath towels
Fans in each tent
Private fire pit
Deck seating & fire pit benches
Coffee, tea & hot chocolate
Soft-sided coolers & ice packs
Campfire starter kit
One complimentary firewood bundle
Yard games
Soft-sided cooler
Over-the-fire pots & pans
Campfire cooking utensils
Grilling utensils
Compostable plates, bowls & silverware
1 mountain pie maker
2 hot dog roasting sticks
Private fire pit with over fire grill and bench seating
Shared Trailer Kitchen (Community Use)
Stove & oven
Microwave
Refrigerator
Freezer
Regular cookware
Kitchen utensils
Coffee Maker and Electric Kettle
Coffee, tea & hot chocolate
Filtered potable water from the sink
Bathhouse Amenities
Hot showers
Sink & mirror
Toilet
Toilet paper & paper products
Body wash
Shampoo
Conditioner
Hand soap
Makeup remover wipes
What You Should Bring
Hoodies & layers
Bug spray
Waterproof shoes
Sunscreen
Extra socks
Flashlights
Rain jacket
Portable charger
Comfortable clothes
Refillable water bottles
Pajamas for cool nights in the spring and fall
Pajamas for warmer night in the summer
Sunglasses
Slip-on camp shoes
Headlamp or flashlight
What You Don’t Need
Tent
Sleeping bags
Air mattresses
Camp stove
Camping furniture
Lighting setups
Cooking tables
Outdoor survival gear
The Best Part Isn’t What You Pack
Most guests arrive expecting camping with a few upgrades.
What they usually leave talking about is how relaxing the experience actually felt.
Morning coffee outside. Campfires that last longer than expected. Rain on the tent roof. Stargazing before bed. Less screen time without even trying.
Some guests spend all day exploring wineries, waterfalls, hiking trails, and small towns around the Finger Lakes.
Others barely leave camp all weekend.
Honestly? Both are perfect.
And by the second day, most people settle into the slower pace naturally.
That’s usually the part they end up wanting to come back for.
So beyond the hoodies, snacks, and weathering the weather supplies, the best thing you can bring with you is a relaxed attitude and a little flexibility.
Nature doesn’t always run on a schedule. Sometimes it rains unexpectedly. Sometimes you stay up later around the fire than you planned. Sometimes the best part of the trip ends up being the moment you didn’t schedule at all.
That’s kind of the magic of glamping.
Come ready to slow down a little, breathe a little deeper, and enjoy being outside without needing to overthink or over prepare for it.