Glamping in the Desert: Best Locations for Luxury Under the Stars
Desert landscapes are often seen as barren and inhospitable, but they can also be some of the most awe-inspiring and serene places to experience the beauty of nature. With vast, open skies and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, the desert offers a unique setting for glamping—a way to experience the stark beauty of the desert while enjoying luxury and comfort. Whether it’s in the rolling dunes of the Sahara or the remote deserts of the American Southwest, glamping in the desert combines adventure with indulgence. Here’s your guide to the Best Locations for Luxury Glamping Under the Stars in the Desert.
1. Sahara Desert – Morocco
Location: Sahara Desert, Morocco
Specialty: Luxury Bedouin-Style Tents in the Heart of the Sahara
The Sahara Desert is one of the most iconic desert landscapes in the world, with its endless golden sand dunes and an awe-inspiring sense of isolation. Morocco’s part of the Sahara offers several luxury glamping options that combine traditional desert culture with modern comforts. Sahara Luxury Camp and Marrakech Desert Luxury Camp are two popular glamping destinations in the area. These camps offer luxurious tents furnished with comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, and large windows that allow you to gaze at the expansive desert and starry skies. Many of these camps offer camel treks and 4×4 excursions, letting guests explore the vast dunes in style. At night, you can enjoy local cuisine, campfires, and the incredible silence of the desert.
- Key features: Bedouin-style tents, camel treks, traditional Moroccan decor.
- Activities: Camel rides, 4×4 desert safaris, stargazing, traditional Moroccan music and dinners.
- Season: September to April (best during cooler months).
2. Wadi Rum – Jordan
Location: Wadi Rum, Jordan
Specialty: Desert Adventure with Luxury Tented Camps
Known as the “Valley of the Moon,” Wadi Rum is a UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Jordan. This awe-inspiring desert landscape, with its towering red sandstone cliffs and vast, empty spaces, has been the backdrop for many films, including Lawrence of Arabia and The Martian. Glamping here involves staying in luxury tents set against dramatic rock formations. Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp and Sun City Camp are popular options for those looking for an unforgettable desert experience. These camps offer plush beds, hot showers, and local meals prepared by Bedouin chefs. Guests can embark on camel treks, jeep safaris, and stargazing sessions under the clearest skies.
- Key features: Luxury tents with private bathrooms, traditional Bedouin experiences.
- Activities: Camel treks, jeep safaris, rock climbing, stargazing, cultural experiences.
- Season: March to May, September to November (best for comfortable temperatures).
3. Atacama Desert – Chile
Location: Atacama Desert, Chile
Specialty: Scenic Desert Glamping in the World’s Driest Desert
The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is often considered the driest desert on Earth, with some areas receiving no rainfall for centuries. Yet, its unique landscape, with salt flats, volcanic peaks, and colorful lagoons, offers a surreal setting for glamping. Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa and Explora Atacama are luxury glamping spots offering upscale, all-inclusive stays in the heart of this desert. The accommodations here combine traditional desert architecture with modern luxury, and some offer breathtaking views of the Andes Mountains. You’ll find spacious suites with private terraces, gourmet meals, and excursions to nearby salt flats, geysers, and villages. Stargazing in the Atacama Desert is unparalleled, and the clear skies are known to offer some of the best views of the Milky Way.
- Key features: Upscale desert retreats, private terraces, spa services.
- Activities: Stargazing, trekking, hot spring visits, salt flat exploration, cultural tours.
- Season: Year-round (best from October to April).
4. Monument Valley – Arizona, USA
Location: Monument Valley, Arizona, USA
Specialty: Iconic Western Desert Glamping with Views of Monumental Buttes
Monument Valley, located on the border of Arizona and Utah, is one of the most iconic desert landscapes in the world. Known for its towering red sandstone buttes and mesas, this desert setting offers a unique opportunity for luxury glamping. The View Campground and Monument Valley Safari Camp offer glamorous tents with direct views of the famous rock formations, including iconic vistas such as the “Mittens.” Here, you can enjoy comfort in the midst of the wilderness, with cozy beds, outdoor dining spaces, and guided tours of the valley’s unique geology and Navajo culture. The experience is perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of the American Southwest.
- Key features: Luxury tents with desert views, Navajo culture immersion.
- Activities: Guided tours, horseback riding, stargazing, photography.
- Season: April to October (best in spring and fall).
5. Dubai Desert – UAE
Location: Dubai Desert, United Arab Emirates
Specialty: Extravagant Desert Glamping in Luxury Resorts
The Dubai Desert offers an extravagant take on glamping, where luxury, modern amenities, and desert adventure come together. Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, offers exclusive tented suites with opulent interiors, private pools, and stunning desert views. Guests can enjoy camel rides, falconry, sandboarding, and dune bashing during the day, and unwind in the evening with five-star dining and spa treatments. The resort offers a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation in the heart of the desert, making it ideal for those looking to enjoy the luxury of glamping without sacrificing comfort.
- Key features: Luxury tents with private pools, desert safaris, top-tier dining and spa.
- Activities: Camel rides, dune bashing, falconry, stargazing, spa treatments.
- Season: October to April (best during cooler months).
6. Namib Desert – Namibia
Location: Namib Desert, Namibia
Specialty: Remote Desert Glamping with Panoramic Dune Views
The Namib Desert is home to some of the world’s tallest sand dunes, particularly those found in Sossusvlei. Here, Wolwedans Dune Camp offers an extraordinary desert glamping experience. The camp features tented suites elevated on wooden decks, offering panoramic views of the towering red dunes and surrounding desert landscapes. The minimalist design of the camp blends seamlessly with its environment, offering a tranquil and remote retreat. Guests can explore the dunes with expert guides, take scenic flights over the desert, or relax in the comfort of their tent while enjoying the mesmerizing views of the Namib Desert.
- Key features: Elevated tents, stunning dune views, eco-luxury design.
- Activities: Scenic flights, dune climbing, wildlife viewing, stargazing.
- Season: Year-round (best from March to November).
7. Death Valley – California, USA
Location: Death Valley, California, USA
Specialty: Desert Glamping in the Hottest Place on Earth
Death Valley National Park is one of the most extreme and unique desert landscapes in the world. With its scorching temperatures and dramatic, otherworldly terrain, glamping here offers an unforgettable experience for those ready for adventure. The Oasis at Death Valley offers a luxurious desert retreat complete with comfortable tents and all the amenities you need to stay cool under the hot desert sun. Guests can explore the valley’s salt flats, sand dunes, and canyons during the day, then relax in their luxurious glamping tent or take a dip in the resort’s pool as the sun sets over the valley.
- Key features: Luxury tents with modern amenities, resort-style accommodations.
- Activities: Hiking, stargazing, salt flat exploration, visiting Badwater Basin.
- Season: Fall to Spring (best in cooler months).
8. Joshua Tree National Park – California, USA
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA
Specialty: Desert Glamping Amid Unique Joshua Trees and Starry Skies
Located in Southern California, Joshua Tree National Park is a stunning desert landscape known for its iconic Joshua trees, unique rock formations, and incredible stargazing opportunities. Joshua Tree Accommodations offers glamping experiences in eco-friendly tents and stylishly designed trailers, all with the backdrop of the Mojave Desert. These luxurious accommodations provide a perfect combination of modern comforts and rugged natural beauty. By day, guests can hike through the park’s unique desert landscape, and by night, they can gaze at the Milky Way under some of the clearest skies in the U.S.
- Key features: Eco-friendly tents, stylish trailers, scenic desert views.
- Activities: Hiking, rock climbing, stargazing, photography.
- Season: Year-round (best in spring and fall).
9. Rajasthan Desert – India
Location: Rajasthan, India
Specialty: Royal Desert Glamping in Traditional Rajasthani Tents
The Rajasthan Desert offers a unique fusion of luxury, culture, and desert adventure. Rajasthan is home to some of the most beautiful and opulent desert camps in India, such as The Oberoi Rajvilas and The Serai Jaisalmer. These camps provide guests with traditional Rajasthani-style tents equipped with all the comforts of a luxury hotel. Expect spacious tents with intricate designs, royal furnishings, and private pools, all set against the backdrop of the golden sands of the Thar Desert. Activities include camel rides, cultural performances, and visits to nearby historic forts and palaces.
- Key features: Traditional Rajasthani tents, royal decor, luxury amenities.
- Activities: Camel rides, cultural performances, exploring forts and palaces, stargazing.
- Season: October to March (best during the cooler months).