As the owner of a backyard glamping business, I know how magical glamping can be, but luxury setups can cost $1,000+! Today, I’m showing you how to recreate a luxury backyard glamping party for way less, so friends and family can enjoy the magic all season long! Post contains affiliate links.
Step 1: Best Budget Glamping Tent ($100-200)
This Ozark Trail bell tent has captured my on-a-budget Mama heart. The price even includes some integrated string lights! This tent is nearly the same size as our standard bell tents and sets up similarly.
While it isn’t cotton canvas, it’s much more compact and lightweight because of it (by a whopping 60 pounds!). This makes it ideal to easily store and set up again and again for backyard glamping parties and camping adventures! With the light colored roof and the height of the center pole, you will still get that magical glamping aesthetic, just way more practically and affordably. Ozark Trail is a reputable camping brand, and I think this tent is a great buy for a practical glamping investment.
Best Budget Glamping Tent: Upgrade Option
If you want to lean into a professional glamping look, here’s a bell tent option that has the same luxury look of cotton canvas tent, at a fraction of the cost. While it’s a bit pricier than the tent picked for this under $300 setup, the finished look is absolutely stunning.
It measures 16 feet, perfect for up to six twin beds, and weighs just 37 pounds, making it much easier to handle than a professional glamping tent.
It’s available at both Lowe’s and Amazon, so I’ll link both so you can compare and snag the best deal on any given day
Step 2: Decor & Styling Touches ($30-$40)
Rugs can be simple, like inexpensive outdoor or beach mats. These outdoor rugs are large, and under $20. They are perfect as well for boho picnics alfresco. You can also lay down cozy quilts you already own for seating. Scatter a few affordable throw rugs or a cozy faux sheepskin. Layering different textures and sizes will make it feel extra inviting!
Upturned wood crates make great mini tables! If you have a breakfast tray in the house, that can also make a great glamping side table! Add a couple decor items from around the house if you desire, or cut some flowers from the garden in a mason jar.
Step 3: Backyard Glamping Party Lighting Options
A backyard camping party isn’t complete without cozy lighting! Battery operated candles or tealights add amazing ambiance for just a few dollars, as do string lights! Pick up an affordable pack of led globe lights, or just pull out the clear Christmas lights! I also love hanging a swag or small wreath at the entrance of our tents to welcome guests.
For added ambiance around the yard, I love using mason jar solar lanterns with fairy lights. They’re a charming way to softly light the path from the tent to the house, and they look beautiful nestled in garden beds even after the celebration is over. It’s an easy DIY that doubles as both decor and functional lighting. You can often find the perfect size shepherd’s hooks for solar lanterns in an affordable Amazon pack, or at Dollar Tree!
Step 4: Cozy Bedding and/or Seating Arrangements ($60)
Up to six Intex twin air mattresses can squeeze into this size bell tent. Two queen air mattresses cost even less and fit easily with room to spare! Consider what bedding you already have available at home, and purchase mattresses based on that! If you are going for a curated slumber party look, check out Five Below or Walmart for affordable matching throw blankets!If you have throw pillows at home, you can also purchase an inexpensive set of pillow covers in coordinating colors. Five Below also sometimes has cute accent pillows that are ideal for a special slumber party, and the kids could take them home as favors!
For a lounge style glamping night, twin air mattresses can also be put lengthwise along the inner wall of the tent to make daybed style seating. This is a great option too, if you are limited on pillows and cushions for seating!
Inflatable chairs are also a lot of fun, and shockingly comfortable! You can purchase quality ones for about $25, or pick up several of these fun colorful ones at 5 below!
5. Food & Drink Setup ($40–$60)
My favorite glamping treats are an affordable DIY charcuterie board…and s’mores of course! Create a simple s’mores platter and pop some microwave popcorn for low effort treats!
Dollar Tree or Walmart are great option for pretty disposable tableware for style without cost.
6. Activities & Entertainment ($15–$30)
A movie projector is always a huge hit for a cozy glamping night. Mini projectors can be as little as $20, and can be projected right onto the tall ceiling of the tent, no screen necessary!
You can also plug in your small smart TV inside the tent, and connect to WiFi or your smartphone hotspot!
Here are some other fun ideas for backyard glamping party activities!
- DIY photo booth session with props from around the house!
- Card games like UNO and Spot It
- Campfire stories
- Star gazing
- Scavenger hunt
- Making friendship bracelets
DIY Glamping Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep the tent comfortable for guests?
If you’re hosting a backyard glamping party, you’ll likely be running extension cords. Use a fan in summer or a space heater in cooler months to help regulate temperature. For warm evenings, unzip the lower tent flaps to improve airflow. I like to place the fan or heater on a wooden crate near the tent entrance—where the cord runs in—for added stability and safety.
What do I do if it rains? A light rain won’t ruin your event-bell tents are generally designed to be highly water-resistant, especially when properly staked and zipped closed. Encourage guests to kick off their shoes before entering to keep the inside clean and dry. Add a doormat, beach mat, or towel at the entrance for extra protection.
How much space do I need for the glamping tent setup? The 15-foot bell tent I recommend in this post ideally needs about a 22-24 foot square area to accommodate the guy lines. If you’re working with a tighter space, you can slightly shorten the lines before staking to make it fit more comfortably—just be sure the lines are pulled out straight to keep the shape secure and balanced.
Do you need a bathroom outdoors? Not at all! Just ensure guests know where your indoor bathroom is and create a safe, well-lit path from the tent to your home. (Tip: DIY mason jar lanterns with solar fairy lights are a beautiful and functional touch.)
Is this party idea kid-friendly? Absolutely! You can tailor the decor and activities to your child’s age. Try glow stick scavenger hunts, DIY trail mix bars, or outdoor movie nights with popcorn.
How do I make the tent feel luxurious without overspending? Layered bedding is the secret! Use air mattresses, throw blankets, and cushions from around your house. Adding rugs or quilts casually inside the tent makes it feel like a boutique stay. With a slumber party set up, The beds take up the majority of the space, and you really just ideally need a rug or mat right at the inner entrance.
For more budget friendly outdoor ideas, check out this teddy bear picnic and backyard camping party!
Do you have any tips or fun backyard camping experiences to share? I’d love to hear about them!
