Oh, where the buffalo roam — well, in this case, where the bison graze — you'll find something pointedly different.

  • Westgate River Ranch Resort is in River Ranch
  • Visitors can camp out in 600-square-foot teepees
  • Seminole Indians didn't use teepees, but tribe embraced the project

"If I could put it in a nutshell, it's a five-star hotel with the experience wrapped in a teepee," said Ray Duncun, the trail boss at the Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo.

The Tomoka Village is located along the Polk-Osceola County line. Duncun is excited to debut a new way to camp for the summer.

"It's camping on a glamorous scale like no one has ever done before with a teepee on the outside and the five-star hotel room on the inside," Duncun said.

The Westgate River Ranch recently opened 600-square-foot teepees.

"The tent sleeps four," Duncun said, adding that there's a pullout couch also inside.

The leather sofa sits next to the digital fireplace. It won't get too hot because air-conditioning units try to keep up with the heat and humidity. There's also a dinette table, as well as a mini fridge and a microwave.

The king-sized bed in the bedroom offers a good night's sleep with lamps on the end tables where you can recharge your mobile devices.

"We have a little closet for your clothes," Duncun said.

And around the corner is a claw-foot tub to soak in.

"Mom can soak there while the kids are outside climbing the trees," Duncun said.

Taking a shower is also an option. One thing is missing, though: television.

"But you don't need it," Duncun said. That's because the Seminole Indian-built Chickee Hut is like an outdoor lounge.

"They didn't use a tape measure or anything," Duncun said.

The Native Americans who lived in Florida never lived in teepees, but the Seminole Tribe embraced the project.

"We want (visitors) to have a unique vacation experience like they have had never before," Duncun said, "like they can get nowhere else."

The experience will have you saying shonabish when you leave, which means thank you.

For information on ticket costs, admission prices and operating hours, click here.