Spotlight on Glamping Structures - Tipis
DATING BACK 10,000 YEARS, TIPIS ARE ONE OF THE OLDEST TYPES OF DWELLING STRUCTURES THAT ARE USED TODAY IN THE GLAMPING INDUSTRY. WE’LL UNPACK THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME, SHED LIGHT ON THE VARIOUS SPELLING OPTIONS, AND EXPLAIN WHY THIS IS A POPULAR AND VERSATILE OPTION FOR GLAMPERS AND GLAMPSITE OWNERS.
Location - Capitol Reef Resort - Torrey, UT
The Lakota (also known as the Teton Sioux) are credited with inventing and naming this estimated 10,000 year old dwelling structure.
Lakota Man Circa 1891 at Pine Ridge, SD - Source - Wikipedia
Tipi Village Circa 1890 a Pine Ridge, SD - Source - Wikipedia
Thipi, which has been translated to mean “a dwelling” and “they dwell”, was the primary dwelling structure used by the nomadic Plains Indian Tribes due to its ease of set-up, tear-down and mobility, along with its versatility and durability during seasonal changes and weather conditions. These are the same reasons Tipis are a popular glamping structure used at glampsites across North America, along with sporadic locations globally. The history behind tipis drives much of the reason you won’t find an abundance of them outside of North America. Another reason you may have trouble locating tipis is because there are multiple accepted spellings, which can cause challenges during online searches.
Depending on which dictionary or encyclopedia you consult, you’ll find three variations: Tipi, Teepee, and Tepee. The generally accepted definition is:
a portable conical tent made of skins, cloth, or canvas on a frame of poles, used by North American Indians of the Plains and Great Lakes regions.
Wikipedia uses Tipi and this seems to be what is predominant online, and what I’d suggest using in your search for Glamptuary destinations that feature this structure as a glamping option. There’s nothing wrong with using the alternative spellings as well in your search. Leave no stone unturned is what I say.
Below are some Glamptuary options that offer Tipis as your place of rest; they’re on our bucket list as well.
Location - Brush Creek Ranch - Saratoga, Wyoming
Location - Dreamcatcher Tipi Hotel - Gardiner, Montana
Location - Sandy River - Rice, VA
Location - Sundance Lodges - Alberta, Canada
Location - Geronimo Creek Retreat - Seguin, TX
Tipis were historically made with various pieces of long and narrow tree branches (usually 15-25) and animal pelts (usually buffalo hides) which would wrap around the branches. The “poles” would lean on each other at an upright angle to form the cone, and then heavy rocks were placed on the animal pelts to weight them down to the ground. If you look closely during your travels through the western regions of the US you can still see these rock circles which were left behind as tribes moved locations.
Tipi Ring - Source - The Canadian Encyclopedia
Today, canvas takes the place of animal pelts. Dimensional wooden poles, steel or types of plastic, take the place of tree branches. And that is just the basics. There is something to be said for the simplicity of the original designs that have stood the test of time, pun intended.
While the exterior of tipis generally look quite similar, the interior of tipis can vary and this is where the “glam” really comes into play with these glamping structures. Below are some more bucket list Glamptuary destinations we’d like to see.
Location - Sweet Life Farm - Bainbridge Island, WA
Location - Bodhi Farms - Bozeman, MT
Location - Fox Pass - Hot Springs, AZ
Inside and out, tipis are a wonderful way to comfortably experience nature, and pay homage to the Native Americans who engineered this beautiful and versatile structure. My hope is this important piece of North American culture begins to pop up in more global locations, and with it a sense of the history behind this iconic glamping accommodation.
Safe travels everyone!
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