Glamping & Stargazing - Under Canvas Zion
After a year of quarantining and lockdowns, more people are beginning to satisfy their appetite for travel in 2021. With travel restrictions and COVID surges still occurring in many international destinations, domestic travel in the U.S. has become the more popular option, specifically road trips, camping / glamping, national parks, and the Southwest in general.
Following suit, Riddhish and I did a Southwest road trip during the pandemic that started in Denver, Colorado, went through Moab and Zion in Utah, and ended in Phoenix, Arizona. Since my birthday fell during the time we were going to be in Zion, Riddhish had booked us the ultimate glamping experience at the renowned Under Canvas resorts. It was definitely a unique experience and one that we recommend! This place is for you if you’re not necessarily a camper or outdoorsy person but still want that feel and experience in a more comfortable setting. Here’s how our stay was at Under Canvas Zion and why you should check it out!
Location & Cost
Under Canvas Zion is located in a beautiful, remote canyon-like area about 20 miles from Zion National Park. It’s a quick and easy 20 to 30 minute drive to get to the adjacent main town, Springdale, where the park’s main entrance is located.
Because it is a novelty experience, the cost is pricey depending on the time of year and the type of tent you book. The cost per night ranges anywhere from $300 to $600, but it is worth it! If the cost is out of your budget, we would recommend staying for one night just to experience it and then relocating to a more affordable resort or hotel.
Aesthetics & Vibes
Under Canvas Zion is the height of glamping. This camping ground is made up of luxury tents in a remote desert surrounded by the most picturesque red rocks as the backdrop. When staying here, you feel a sense of peace and serenity, and a genuine connection with the nature around you. We often found ourselves lounging on our private deck, simply taking in the gorgeous view and crisp, fresh air.
The days are filled with blue, clear skies and a vibrant, shining sun; the evenings are filled with pretty orange-pink skies behind the even redder rocks; and the nights are the coziest - cuddled in front of one of the many fire pits, toasting s’mores and getting lost in the night sky. Utah is home to several Dark Sky Parks, parks known to have some of the most stunning starry skies in the world. And I can attest that the night sky in Zion is absolutely mesmerizing.
Rooms & Amenities
Under Canvas Zion offers several tent options with varying bed sizes (King, Queen, Twin), the option for a full bath with a shower, toilet, and organic bath products, wood burning stoves, private viewing decks, and viewing windows for stargazing.
The tents are very clean and comfortable with free parking right outside of your tent. Though there are no outlets, the campsite provides USB battery packs that power provided lanterns, fans, and your phone. There is no wifi, but I didn’t have a problem getting reception anywhere on the grounds with AT&T. Word of advice though - DO NOT go during August. There is no air conditioning in the tents so we were struggling in the 110 degree weather during the day! But we survived.
There are also complimentary camp activities and games daily, and unlimited s’mores kits available to toast by the fire pits at night.
Dining
Under Canvas offers fresh and healthy breakfast and dinner options for dining in and to-go lunch options.
The breakfast egg sandwiches are amazing as is the yogurt parfait! We ended up getting these for every breakfast. There is also complimentary coffee and tea offered every day, and a water cooler where you can refill your water bottles / water backpacks.
Though we didn’t eat at the on-site restaurant Embers, it has great reviews, plenty of vegetarian options, and had live music during dinnertime.
If you’re feeling up for a drive, you can also visit one of the many cute restaurants in Springdale, which is what we did. And the coffee shop FeelLove Coffee is a MUST! They have the best coffee and hydrating drinks perfect for pre- or post-hiking at Zion National Park. Make sure to try the Dear Mama drink and the Liquid Sunshine.
Service & COVID Safety
The overall service at Under Canvas Zion was fantastic. The main lobby tent was open 24/7 with a representative to assist at all times. We ended up getting delayed when driving from Moab to Zion and didn’t end up checking in until 2am at night. The employee who checked us in was very friendly, informative, and made sure to give us our USB battery packs and s’mores kit before directing us to our tent.
We ended up exploring Zion National Park on our own, but there are also travel guides and activities that you can book directly through Under Canvas Zion.
Lastly, Under Canvas Zion was great about COVID safety. Masks and social distancing were required in all public areas. Public areas were also wiped down / cleaned often, and there were hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. Overall, we felt very comfortable and enjoyed our stay here!