10 great places to take real comfort in nature

— -- Leave the tent behind and add creature comforts to your list of pleasures while exploring the wilderness this summer. Laura Kidder, editorial director of Fodor's Travel (fodors.com), shares her favorite places from 239 Great Places to Escape to Nature Without Roughing It with Kathy Baruffifor USA TODAY.

The Boulders Inn New Preston, Conn.

"The Boulders Inn is one of the most impressive inns in Connecticut — an 1890 Dutch colonial stone-and-shingle mansion built at the base of Pinnacle Mountain about 85 miles from New York City," Kidder says. "A stately carriage house adjoins the inn, and eight sweet cottages are tucked into the woods nearby. The restaurant is so popular, advanced bookings are required even for guests. The key to the inn's appeal is a refined air mixed with pleasant informality." 860-868-0541; bouldersinn.com

Cibolo Creek Ranch Marfa, Texas

"In no way is this 30,000-acre west Texas ranch, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, a typical guest ranch. There are no organized singalongs, staged cattle roundups or other clichés here," Kidder says. The isolation of this upscale property, originally built for a cattle baron, has attracted the likes of Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis, Tommy Lee Jones, Randy Quaid and Mick Jagger. Go horseback riding with a wrangler or skeet shooting, then feast on memorable meals. 866-496-9460; cibolocreekranch.com

Libby Camps Ashland, Maine

"Getting to this lakefront sporting camp in Maine's North Woods is half the fun — the easiest and fastest way is by floatplane," Kidder says. "Matt Libby and his wife, Ellen, are the fourth generation of their family to operate the camp." While Matt spends his day flying guests to isolated ponds for fishing and to primitive outpost cabins for hunting, Ellen busies herself in the kitchen making three meals daily, served family-style. 207-435-8274; libbycamps.com

Denali Backcountry Lodge Kantishna, Alaska

"Guests at this lodge, in a remote area of Denali National Park, not only get greater access to the highly protected wilderness than most visitors, they get an opportunity to see Mount McKinley," Kidder says. Located on the bank of Moose Creek, the cedar cabins have running water, private baths, and heat — all rarities for the area. Days are filled with fishing, gold panning, guided hikes for wildlife viewing and mountain biking. 877-233-6254; denalilodge.com