Turn Your Michigan Tent Camping Trip Into a Glamping Getaway

I'm going to start this out by being completely honest - I'm not much of a camper. These days, we go about twice a year (once Memorial Day weekend, and once near the end of July).

Sleeping in a tent on the ground is not for everyone, and definitely usually not for me, but I've come up with some ways that you can turn your average Michigan tent camping trip into more of a glamping experience.

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And the best news? It's not all that expensive. You just need a few things.

A Good Air Mattress is Essential for Camping in Michigan

First and foremost, don't sleep on the ground. You know who sleeps on the ground? Bears. That's it. We are humans, and we are used to a certain level of comfort. Sure, it's camping, so it's not going to be like sleeping on your pillowtop mattress at home, but your camping bed should still be comfortable.

Personally, I have one similar to the one above, and I will tell you that it might actually be more comfortable than my bed at home.

Get a Good Camping Fan

It's Michigan, and you never know what the weather is going to be like. But, there's nothing worse than waking up sweaty in a tent because the sun is beating down on it.

Thankfully, we live in the future, and there are a ton of fans that you can choose from to make your tent experience a little less sweltering.

The one that I have, personally, is this one from Magesh that is USB chargeable, oscillates, is collapsible, and has a remote.

Use Glowsticks When You're Camping

I'm not talking about using them so that you can easily spot your kids or your pets (though they are useful for that, too). The best use for glowsticks that I've found while camping might seem strange to some, but trust me.

Put them in your coolers.

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Think about it, how many times have you been sitting around the fire, found yourself parched, and gone to grab a drink only to have to get elbow deep in a bunch of ice to feel around to find one? Add some glowsticks in with the ice and you'll be able to see your refreshments perfectly, even in the dark.

In my experience, green glowsticks work best, but get whatever you can find. You can generally buy them at any dollar store.

Best Way to Light Up a Tent

Speaking of glow, lighting is also super important when tent camping. And while we all bring along our flashlights and lanterns, those can sometimes get lost in the chaos of the tent.

So, get yourself some lights that you can hang from the ceiling of the tent. We use something similar to this, and it works out great. (Ours are so old that they don't have a remote, so I may need to upgrade for this year's trips.) It's just nice to be able to walk in and turn on a light like you do in your bedroom at home.

Bring Your Bedding

It doesn't have to be the actual bedding from your bed - no one wants to bring their duvet camping. But don't just throw a sleeping bag on your bed and call it good.

Bonus Camping Tips You'll Actually Use: How to Change the Color of Your Campfire + Camping Tips for Beginners⬇️

Having sheets and blankets as well as comfortable pillows will make your temporary tent home feel much more cozy and comfortable. I actually recommend getting bedding specifically for camping. Preferably something in a darker tone that won't show dirt and stuff (which you know is going to get into your tent, but do you want to see it?)