The "glamping" area at Westgate River Ranch in River Ranch, Fla., as seen on this Oct. 2, 2013, file photo. The 1,700-acre ranch offers a traditional Florida cowboy experience, with cookouts, skeet shooting and a Saturday night rodeo complete with bull riding and calf roping. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel) (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)

“My husband and I have heard a lot about glamping. Is it just for the young or can the young-at-heart enjoy it, too? What are some of the modestly priced options and places for us to try?” — Judy Joffe

Don’t you love the word “glamping”? It’s a blend of “glamorous” and “camping,” and it describes a luxurious or semi-luxurious outdoor overnight experience. African safaris, which were around before the term glamping became trendy, are a good example as they combine outdoor adventure with amenities such as generators, fancy tents, and food and luggage service.

But the word only made its way into the Oxford English Dictionary in 2016. Over the past few years, its popularity has exploded, especially during the pandemic, when travelers have wanted to avoid hotels and restaurants and remain outdoors as much as possible.

Glamping is for those who don’t want to rough it too much but do want a close-to-camping-outdoors experience. There are so many different types of accommodations: tents, vans, teepees, huts, cabins, trailers, luxury villas. Usually, these are standalone structures so you feel independent and close to nature and don’t have to interact with anyone else if you don’t want to.

Age is no obstacle; the only considerations are how much you want to spend and how close to nature you want to get. Do you prefer your own bathroom, or are you willing to share with other guests? Do you want to make your own meals? Do you need WiFi, a pool, someone to make the beds? Give some thought to how much you need these amenities before you decide which of these nontraditional accommodations are right for you.

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I looked at Florida resorts on Glamping.com and found a variety of lodging options. On the minimalist end, there’s The Griffin Ranch in Fort McCoy, near Ocala National Forest, with cabins starting at $69 a night (two-night minimum). Amenities listed are electricity, television and running water — so, just the basics. There are activities such as hiking, kayaking and horseback riding nearby.

Closer to home, it’s just an hour’s drive from Fort Lauderdale to Headwaters Jupiter, on the shores of the Loxahatchee River in northern Palm Beach County. You sleep in an air-conditioned home made from three shipping containers. Bikes, canoes and a barbecue grill are included for $224 a night (two-night minimum).

The "glamping" area at Westgate River Ranch in River Ranch, Fla., as seen on this Oct. 2, 2013, file photo. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel) (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)

Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, near the Yeehaw Junction exit on Florida’s Turnpike in Polk County, encourages glampiness with a concierge who brings you coffee in the morning and lights a fire for you each night. You sleep in a fancy raised tent that has a full bathroom and a microwave. For fun, there’s a pool, horseback riding and a Saturday night rodeo. Rates begin at $279 a night. They also have simple tents and RV sites that are less expensive.

Forbes Magazine dubbed glamping “2020′s Hottest Travel Trend.” As the pandemic continues its ebbs and flows in the coming months, and maybe years, I predict this trend is here to stay.