The Outdoors Are Calling, and We've Got Ideas for

We chatted with Dan White, author of "

Under the Stars: How America Fell in Love With Camping

," and others for help envisioning luxe living under the stars.

"A lot of backpackers look down on 'glamping,'" White says, but adds that "there is this very long history in this country of 'roughing it easy,' of having the trappings of a strenuous wilderness vacation without the 'strenuous' aspect." President Theodore Roosevelt, White says, was known for bringing a staff of servants and wilderness guides to prepare campfires, set up tents and entertain.

White says lavish camping experiences abound in Africa, Thailand and Europe. In North America, super-luxe standouts include

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort

on Vancouver Island in British Columbia,

Safari West

in Sonoma County and

the Resort at Paws Up

in Montana, "where you can spend thousands of dollars to rent a tent for you and your family and there's a 's'mores butler' who will roast your s'mores for you," White says. "There's even a glamping aspect that's sort of colonized Burning Man."

At glamping resorts and campgrounds, amenities might include fine dining, in-tent massages, romance packages that include candlelight dining, and more. Spending time in nature can have

multiple health benefits

, and some destinations, including

Mendocino Grove

in Mendocino, offer group fitness and wellness activities such as forest hikes and yoga.

But glamping resorts "also help people enjoy the outdoors who aren't physically fit to put up and take down a tent," says Nancy Lang of Safari West, where visitors can see zebras and more. "It's an opportunity for people with disabilities to have quite the outdoor adventure."

Hiring some help can also make a difference. Kelsey Sheofsky is co-founder of San Francisco-based Shelter Co. concierge glamping service, which brings tents, platform beds, 500-thread-count sheets, Pendleton blankets, down comforters, shower trailers, mobile saunas, electricity, luxe food and more to an agreed-upon destination.

"We have a camping butler service that stays the night," Sheofsky says. "The more people getting out and exploring the park system and nature and unplugging, the better. Any way they want to do that, I think it's great."

Where to start research for your luxe, outdoor adventure? White suggests

glampinghub.com

to find the perfect fit.

Shelter Co. Meriwether Tent ($995, shelter-co.com)

Glamping certainly has its upside, although all that luxury can cost you. Still, there are plenty of ways to increase the glamour quotient on an outdoor adventure. Here are six ideas:

"If you're going to be schlepping around a gigantic tent you really need to do an unusual amount of advanced planning," White says. "Call the park administrator in advance." If you're planning any kind of unusual uses - like that giant tent - "it's really important to check with the person managing the property." The last thing you want is to be turned away.

"

Food

is such a big factor in having a

luxurious

experience in the woods. You don't need to bring a can of beans and hotdogs," Sheofsky says. "Why not

grill

up a great piece of fish and have a

cheese platter

and a bottle of

wine

?" Before you head out, mentally "prepare" all your meals and think about the accessories you'll need on hand:

knives

, cutting boards, spices, olive oil,

etc

.

Part of the joy of camping is all the ways to get in a workout without really trying. Before you go, check out walking and hiking trails, and other nearby activities such as horseback riding, rock climbing and, if you're near the beach, surfing, swimming and body boarding. Bring a yoga mat, some blocks and a strap and you can get your sun salutations, or a meditation session, to remember. Or set up your own volleyball court.

"Getting a good night's sleep makes all of the difference in the world," Sheofsky says. "Invest in a great sleeping pad, inflatable mattress or roll-up mattress, something that gives you a lot of cushion sleeping on the ground."

"People are always really excited about how roomy our tents are and that you're able to stand up and get your clothes on without hunching over," Sheofsky says. If you like that feature, keep it in mind when shopping for a tent of your own.

Look for ways to add comfort and luxury to your campsite. Your favorite pillow. Freshly laundered sheets. Perhaps cloth napkins and serving trays. "Little touches can imply

glamour

," White says. Sheofsky agrees, adding that even a vase with flowers on the campsite table can elevate the experience.

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