Hated massive white glamping tents springing up across ritzy Western resort are being camouflaged instead of removed, pictures reveal

The controversial tents at the base of a glitzy ski resort in western Wyoming have been covered with green netting in an attempt to ward off criticism from local leaders.

Basecamp Hospitality has begun to drape the white domes in netting, as seen in photos taken by the Cowboy State Daily.

Billed as Tammah Jackson Hole, the stark white tents are the epitome of 'glamping,' or glamour camping, stacked with amenities like heating and updated appliances.

But they have been the target of lawmakers who claim they are a blemish on the face of an otherwise pristine landscape.

Senator Mike Gierau is one critic. 'That’s not the dumbest thing I ever saw, but I guess it’s in the top three or four,' he said of the camouflage covering.

The domed tents at Tammah Jackson Hole have begun to be covered by green netting

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has been among the most outspoken critic, deeming the tents 'pimples on the landscape'

Basecamp Hospitality, LLC. was granted a permit to install domes on nearly 5 acres of state trust land in 2022, drawing other concerns than just appearances

Basecamp was granted a permit to install domes on 4.76 acres of state trust land in June 2022, and the development has been nothing short of contentious. 

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon blasted the tents during a meeting of the State Board of Land Commissioners last August.

'They are white igloos that are standing like pimples on the landscape,' Gordon said bluntly. 'They are quite prominent and really quite ugly.'

The board had convened to decide whether Basecamp should be permitted to apply for a liquor license and install gas fireplaces.

Gordon cast the lone vote against the amendment, while his four colleagues all voted in favor.

However, his words appeared to carry some weight. Basecamp CEO Jon Hooke told the Cowboy State Daily that the netting had been put up partly in response to the criticism. 

'We are doing our best to be good neighbors in the community, so we opted to take this action in response to feedback from community members, as well as the governor,' Hooke wrote in an email.

However, opponents say there are bigger issues than aesthetics at stake.

The company was given the green light to install gas fireplaces, raising fears about wildfires in a notoriously windy corridor

Water quality advocates have filed a lawsuit against the state for allowing the company to build a septic system near the already impaired Fish Creek

The tents have also faced criticism for their proximity to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, a popular ski lodge that brings in around $80 million of public school funding annually

The State Board of Trust Land's decision to allow the use of propane or gas tanks  increases the risk for wildfires and personal injury, especially in a notoriously windy corridor.

Basecamp was also given the green light to begin building a septic system last year, raising concerns about the degradation of Fish Creek, an already impaired stream flowing through the area. 

The septic tank issue has landed the company in hot water, so to speak.

Protect Our Water Jackson Hole sued the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality in 2022 for approving a permit for the septic system.

Advocates argued a raised leach field was too close to vulnerable wetlands. Furthermore, they asserted, approving the system through an expedited review process under a 2017 general permit wasn’t appropriate.

Also in 2022, the Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners sued Teton County’s board of commissioners over a dispute that stemmed partially from Basecamp's activities in the region.

The state asked the Laramie County District Court to block the county from enforcing its land-use restrictions against businesses that have secured permits to build on state trust lands.

Retired Wyoming Supreme Court Justice Michael Davis, acting as a district court judge in Laramie County District Court, sided with the state in a ruling last week.

While Davis himself called the ruling 'troubling,' he said he had no solution without further guidance from the Wyoming Supreme Court or the executive or legislative branch. Teton County plans to appeal.

Despite being billed as a high-end accommodation, locals fear the presence of the tents near the entrance will drive visitors away from the ski resort

The 540-square-foot domes are currently being listed as Airbnb rentals

Among the amenities offered are free breakfast, in-unit AC and heating and an on-site sauna (pictured)

A job listing for a part-time 'Glamping Team Member' appeared last week

The majority of Wyoming's state trust lands are designated to fund public schools across the state. One of the biggest revenue sources is Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, which generates around $80 million annually.

However, the high-end destination is just miles away from Basecamp's unsightly white tents, which have been plunked down near the entrance.

Some locals have expressed fears that the presence of the domes will tarnish the resort's appearance, making it less appealing to potential visitors.

Basecamp has stressed the tents' proximity to the ski lodge in advertisements, name-dropping Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in online listings and on the Tammah website.

'We are excited to be launching our new location in Jackson Hole, Wyoming!' the company posted on LinkedIn last fall. 'Launching in early 2024 in one of the most beautiful places in America, less than 5 minutes to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.'

The post included a link to a campaign on crowdfunding service Indiegogo.

The 540-square-foot domes are also being listed as Airbnb rentals, featuring professional photos of the tents' interiors and promises of free breakfast and other amenities.

Basecamp, which originated in Red Bluff, California, appears to be ramping up operations in Wyoming, even in the face of legal trouble.

Just last week, a posting for a part-time 'Glamping Team Member' surfaced on a job board site. It claims the corporate team is based in Utah, but operations staff will be located onsite with the tents. 

'Tammah Jackson Hole is looking for adventurous and ambitious hospitality and outdoor recreation professionals to support the operations of its soon-to-be launched location at the foot of the Tetons!' the listing reads.