So you're going to Glacier NP in the winter? Those brave enough to bear the chilly temps will reap the desolate beauty of the wintertime in Flathead Valley. Whether you're skiing at Whitefish Mountain, snowshoeing at Glacier, or slaying a snowmobile, these are the best winter weather activities around Glacier National Park & White Fish that will guarantee an epic experience to weather the storm.
Free. Camping. Two beautiful words smashed together. As wonderful as it sounds, finding free campgrounds around the US can feel overwhelming when you don’t know where to start. For those looking to push themselves deeper into the wild, boondocking brings untouched beauty to your doorstep. Use this all-encompassing guide to US boondocking for the best tips and tricks for free camping.
They say everything’s bigger in Texas and boutique hotels are no exception, bringing an artistic vantage point to your vacation — no matter the destination. With artistic touches and unique amenities, a stay at any of these DFW spots is opting for an experience of its own. From the fun to the funky to the fresh, we’ve got you covered with the top boutique hotels in Dallas, Fort Worth and beyond.
With the rise of Airbnb, travelers are able to experience adventure in an entirely new way. Whether it learning about local hot spots from hosts, seeing a less touristy side of a city, or simply staying and playing in solitude, unique Airbnbs can take a travel experience to the next level. It's no surprise that the U.S. is chock full of fantastic accommodations. From treehouses to train cars to tents, bring your next trip up a notch by staying in one (or all) of these incredible Airbnbs in the US.
While Texoma Luxury Rentals is a travel partner of Tales of Exploration, we assure you, we’re dishing out Oklahoma travel truths and nothing but the truth.
“Continue straight for half a mile.” Okay, but are we sure? The crunch of the private dirt road in the darkness and the glimpse of a clear night sky were enough to keep me going. Prior to living in Texas, Oklahoma was far from my relaxation radar, but here we were, pulling up to our weekend rental on Lake Texoma and I couldn’t imagine a better place to unplug and unwind. Located just under two hours from Dallas, Kingston, OK (home of Texoma Luxury Rentals) was a simple drive after a grueling week. You know you’re in need of an escape from the city when you welcome coyotes howls in the distance. The true, quiet Oklahoma country makes for a dreamy DFW detox.
Picking a travel destination for a group to gather comes with a ton of responsibility and even more unwarranted opinions. Demands for a separate space for the kids, lakefront access, an enclosed yard for the pups, all the while still having privacy for the adults is like the Christmas wishlist of the most spoiled kid on the block. And yet, this can miraculously all be found at this huge Lake Texoma rental property.
While the photos of the mint green lakehouse flaunted massive common spaces and room for up to 18 guests, the house itself appeared to be cozy, warm and welcoming from the outside. Texoma Luxury Rentals is home to six different rental properties near Lake Texoma, each holding 12-21 people. Talk about the perfect rental options for a family reunion or friend gathering.
Our criteria though were much more simple than that Christmas wishlist: a firepit and dog-friendly. At the Lakefront at Lake Texoma rental, we had our cake and ate it too. Here’s everything you can expect if you book a stay at this Lake Texoma rental:
Out in the backyard, the fire pit was small but did the job, but hey! There was an outdoor fireplace, too. You best believe we were roasting marshmallows (and overeating) up a storm, as we took in the stillness of the Oklahoma air. In the evening time, we could see the lake reflecting the sunset glow to seal off our lazy days just beautifully. My only issue with the backyard was the big ole’ telephone pole light that was perched in the middle of the yard, but again, probably a good deterrent for the coyotes.
In the mornings, we rotated alone time out on the huge covered porch swing reading and relaxing as we switched our beverages from coffee to beer. I couldn’t help but be reminded of my summers spent up in Connecticut at my grandparent’s log cabin, begging my grandpa to stop swinging and reading the newspaper to play with us. Oh, to understand at last.
When I wasn’t swinging on the porch swing, I took to the tire swing in the backyard - a great touch for family reunions, or for grown adult women named Erica.
For those looking to capitalize on the LAKEFRONT portion of the property, Lake Texoma is a stone’s throw through the backyard, where a path leads you right down to the water. In the wintertime, there’s nothing like the crunching of the leaves and the cool air at sunset. In the summertime, this rental is a prime location for some splashing about in the lake.
Depending on the weather (or the video game lovin’ kids), guests can mosey in and out of the house, getting SUPER comfy on one of the two massive sectionals. Oh wait, but I haven’t mentioned the best part. Along with the five bedrooms in the main portion of the house, the Lakefront rental comes complete with a game room (see: foosball, corn hole, etc.) that is topped with a bunk room that could not be better for quarantining the louder portion of your crew.
I couldn’t help but picture how stoked my cousins and I would have been to have taken ownership over that wing of the lake house, calling dibs on trundle beds and staying up all night, giggling on the private deck.
Book your stay with Texoma Luxury Rentals and be sure to use code ‘EXPLORE’ for 10% off!
It takes time and effort but there’s no doubt that staying in an unbelievable accommodation can bring a trip to the next level. From the hard hitting big cities to rural escapes, these are the top Texas Airbnbs I’ve experienced to date (and the list is only growing).
