Thinking about starting a glamping business? Angelisa Murray, Owner and Operator of Heritage Inspirations in New Mexico gave CanvasCamp a glimpse into the mind of a successful glamping expedition business. The market for experiences over products, and experiential tourism over traditional vacations is on the rise. Read on to learn how Angelisa is crafting her brand to curate in-demand adventures.
Heritage Inspirations offers two glamping tours, in Taos and in Chaco Canyon. Our glamping tours are multi-day excursions with all meals, activities, lodging, transportation and comforts thoughtfully anticipated and provided. Both are an opportunity to connect deeply to the land, adventure into the wild, explore New Mexico history and unwind from civilization—without sacrificing creature comforts. So, while our guests may briefly disconnect from mobile service and develop a sweat, they'll also be creatively inspired while eating gourmet meals and getting a sound sleep in a comfy bed.
Heritage Inspirations is all about curating unique and enchanting New Mexico experiences. While New Mexico's motto, the Land of Enchantment can seem trite, there is truth there because New Mexico has something incredibly mystical and special about it. So many factors make New Mexico unique, whether it's the land, the cerulean blue sky, the diverse population, the living heritage, the culture, the art, etc. those factors do all come together in an enchanting way. At Heritage Inspirations we intimately know and love all of these New Mexico qualities and our mission is to share not only enthralling immersive experiences with our clients but take them beyond the ordinary tourist route and transcend traditional boundaries with authentically curated New Mexico excursions.
We visit Chaco Canyon to align with the archeoastronomy of the Equinox and Solstice lighting. The people of Chaco incorporated a variety of solar orientations into their architecture, their art and culture or which included the Fajada Butte solstice marker. These alignments indicate that the people possessed a well-developed knowledge of astronomy and it’s relationship to the seasons. Within this remote UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Park it is a once in a lifetime encounter to experience the phenomenon of the sunrise within Casa Rinconada, the largest kiva—a ceremonial space—within the Southwest. Chaco is also designated an International Dark Sky Park making it one of the greatest places to view the start beneath your glamping tent.
Our Taos experiences are perched above the Wild & Scenic river of the Rio Grande that flow 1885 miles in it's length and is protected by the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument status. This incredibly diverse terrain makes for perfect outdoor exploration including stand-up paddle boarding, hiking and yoga among the old growth ponderosa and juniper trees. In this remote area of Taos, the view of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range offers breathtaking sunsets of alpine glow and afford another unforgettable opportunity to experience the Night Sky.
Heritage Inspirations attracts what New Mexico True has identified as venturesome travellers, and in our mind, venturesome travellers combine adventure and cultural interests. You see, adventure tourists want an unusual and exciting experience while cultural tourists want to experience different cultures and delve into the history and heritage of its peoples. Venturesome travellers combine these two factors: immersive adventure with cultural exploration. They appreciate the beauty of natural and cultural environments and want to get to know a place more deeply through active participation, which is precisely what we provide at Heritage Inspirations.
I think our guests want an in-depth immersive experience that goes beyond what they can get on their own. To have someone describe the history and culture, while showing you gorgeous off the beaten track locations, creates a profoundly moving journey of discovery. Besides, we provide personalized, thoroughly planned expeditions with excellent customer service!
In curating our guest experience, we choose items that complement our local and make our guests as comfortable as possible.
I personally love Native blankets from Tribe and True because they provide a Southwest ambiance and that expected splash of color. They have vibrant handmade textiles from around the world. So imagine a visitor staying in luxury canvas tent wrapped up in a Peruvian blanket, while resting their head on Turkish Kilim pillows and listening to music under the stars. How fabulous and glampy is that?!
Angelisa's glampsite is a village of Sibley 400 and 450 ProTech tents, gathered around a 600 Twin Pro set up as gathering space. Dinner is served in a cozy southwestern-inspired set up beneath the picturesque canopy of the Sibley 700 ProTech Quad Door.
Launching a glamping resort is a uniquely rewarding venture that demands both creativity and strategic vision. Drawing from my own experience with a roving, experiential-based approach—one that transcends a fixed physical location—here are several key insights I offer to those embarking on this journey:
- Craft a Compelling Story: Your narrative should illuminate the essence of the region you operate in. This story must be authentic, deeply meaningful, and reflect a genuine passion. It is the emotional foundation that will resonate with your guests and differentiate your offering.
- Define Your Unique Style: Consider how your personal vision integrates with elemental design principles and the natural environment. Your style should harmonize with the landscape, creating an immersive and elegant experience.
- Clarify Your Glamping Concept: There are myriad interpretations of glamping today. Be deliberate about the type of experience you want to provide and ensure it aligns with the expectations and desires of your target market.
- Build a Strong Team: Success in this industry is truly a collective effort. Surround yourself with dedicated professionals who share your commitment to excellence. It takes a village to bring the full vision to life seamlessly.
- Implement Comprehensive Logistics: Develop detailed checklists and operational plans to manage the many moving parts involved in delivering a flawless guest experience. Attention to detail is paramount.
- Operate with Passion and Intention: Let your enthusiasm and purpose shine through every aspect of your business. This intentionality will inspire your team and captivate your guests.
- Engage Your Community and Partners: Foster meaningful relationships with local artisans, suppliers, and organizations. Collaborate to showcase the full richness of your region, creating a more authentic and enticing experience for visitors.
Embarking on a glamping business is both an art and a science—when approached with clarity, passion, and a deep connection to place, it becomes an extraordinary endeavor that offers not only commercial success but profound personal fulfillment.
This June, CanvasCamp North America joined Heritage Inspirations for a glamping journey into Chaco Canyon.
Guided by an incredible team of astrophysicists, historians, and local storytellers, we explored great houses, petroglyphs, and ceremonial spaces—learning how celestial knowledge, like solar and lunar cycles, shaped life here more than a thousand years ago.
At day’s end, we returned to our glampsite, sipped ceremonial cacao—used by ancient cultures for ritual and reflection—and took time to absorb the day’s insights. Dinner was prepared by chef Josh, who brought the vibrant flavors of New Mexico and the high desert to life.
Later, under a desert night sky lit with stars, we circled the fire as our cultural astronomer shared how early Arabic and Chacoan societies studied and honored the cosmos. Their stories—grounded in observation, reverence, and meaning—bridged time and culture in ways that still resonate today.
We slept soundly in our canvas tents—each outfitted with queen beds, soft duvets, and all the comforts of home. This was an experience we’ll never forget: a powerful convergence of astronomy, ancestral knowledge, and quiet reflection in one of the most awe-inspiring places in the Southwest.