If you're torn between doing nothing at a resort for your next family vacationg or doing something outdoorsy why don't you split it down the middle and go glamping instead?
Glamping, if you didn't already know, is a luxe way to spend the night in the great outdoors. And here in the U.S., there are several ways to go glamping while also taking in the beauty of our national parks, thanks to Under Canvas.
Under Canvas offers luxury camping tents, inspired by the posh tents often seen on African safaris, near seven national parks–Zion, Glacier, Moab, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone. Instead of laying down at night on a thin sleeping bag inside a set-it-up-yourself tent, you'll head off to dreamland in an actual bed in semi-permanent tent with a small fireplace, toilet and even a shower inside. But you'll still be roughing it. Your tent won't have air-conditioning or electricity but it will have portable battery packs to power up some reading lights and small fans.
Take a look around this deluxe tent with an adjacent hive at Under Canvas at Zion National Park in Utah (about three hours away from Las Vegas.) We especially love this one because the hive can sleep two kids in their own tent just next to yours. Think of it like a connecting suite. Addtional types of tents are available too, including a few that share (very nice) bathrooms and showers.
WHAT WE LIKED:
- Social Hub: Each Under Canvas location also has a main “lobby” tent where guests can hang out, grab food, sip drinks, buy supplies, play board games, and just kick-back. Various spots throughout the camp will host s'mores roasting too.
- Close to the Action: Since each Under Canvas camp is located next to a national park, you're at a prime point for exploring. Under Canvas is equipped to set your off on your adventures whether it be in or out of the park, and will link you up with guided tours as needed.
- Green-Minded: We also love that Under Canvas is incredibly eco-friendly and works hard at being sustainable. The company is on track to be a zero-waste camp by 2021.
- Those Views: The views from our tent at all times of the day were spectacular but we especially loved waking up in the middle of the night to see the edges of the mountain backlit by the moon.
WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE:
- Hot Damn: It is BLAZING HOT in Zion in the summer months, even up into September. Your best bets for bearable weather are the early spring months and October and November. Otherwise, be prepared to sleep with the mini-fans blowing in your face. Just FYI: The Zion camp is open from mid-March to mid-November. Be sure to check the dates for other camps as these can vary.
- Technology: For better or for worse, there is Wi-Fi at Under Canvas Zion and some cell service. But we're a big proponent of getting your family to ditch the electronics for a full 24 hours and see what happens.
BOTTOM LINE:
Deluxe tents with adjacent hives start around $329 a night. Mini-cots for kids can be added at $10 a cot.
GOOD TO KNOW:
There is a 5 % cancellation fee if you cancel 30 or more days before your stay. If you cancel 30 or less days before your stay you will be charged anyway as reservations at this point become non-refundable. Also, we suggest hitting up the grocery store back in the main town (about 10-15 minute drive away) for snacks and drinks to bring into your tent. Don't forget to pop into Fort Zion!
*Full Disclosure: We stayed at Under Canvas Zion National Park while on assignment for another publication but we'd never recommend or endorse anything we didn't love or we didn't find suitable for families.
SEE MORE PICS BELOW!
Waking up to this is pretty rad.
A cot in the adjacent hive.
The Kolob Resevoir is about a 15-minute drive from the camp and you can go paddle-boarding and kayaking here.
The fire pit in the main lobby tent.
Canyoneering nearby Zion National Park.
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