“Rough it” in your comfy, king-size bed in Bryce and Zion.
In any other situation , I would have peed my knickers . It was the middle of the night — which inDark - Sky - certifiedsouthern Utah is … really freaking dark — and a lone coyote howl pierce the all in - quiet Nox . Soon , its keening was joined by a Greek chorus of these carnivorous brute , each creature seemingly attempting to surmount the others on mass .
Where was I ? Oh , you know , just in a tent , light on the highest point of land atUnder Canvas Bryce Canyon . But luckily , I had already been briefed that phone bear incredibly far in this part of the world ; and that these nocturnal predators were ( probably ) actually much farther off than their moderately terrifying howls contribute me to conceive . ( Plus , the staff at check - in had already warned us about the strict no - food - in - tent rule , so unless these were coyotes hungry for humans — which , yes , is unlikely — I figured I was safe . )
But being this close to nature was kind of why I embark on this adventure in the first topographic point . Sure , we have our pizza rats and the jungle of Midtown in NYC , but when had I ever seen a springy jackrabbit or looked up and actually been able to spot more than five genius in the night sky ?
Under Canvas
Also , let ’s be honorable : I was n’t in a pup tent . I was in a custom - built , Scandinavian - instigate , wood stove - heat , glamping tent , complete with a flushable toilet , heated up shower , and king layer situated under a plexiglass skylight designed for stargazing . And so , rather than interest that I might be a groundless dog ’s dinner party , it was or else quite thrilling . I could , no jest , count stars until I fell back asleep .
Such is the wizard ofUnder Canvas , a appeal of 10 campsites spread out throughout the US that splice unspoiled landscape like Yellowstone or the Great Smoky Mountains with safari - style tents that can appeal to everyone from hardcore tramp to complete novice ( me ) . Each location is situated close to its corresponding National Park or out-of-door diversion expanse , but remote enough to experience off the grid . The company ’s ethos , as CEO Matt Gaghen told me , is to help oneself traveler create “ meaningful experience in nature that allow them to connect , explore , and be outdoors together . ”
Such was the case for me ; I drop three nighttime at the company’sZion locationbefore driving toBryce National Parkfor another three . Our morning time were fill up with rigorous hiking ( shoutout to57hoursand our guide Lindsey for helping us pilot the punic Narrows at Zion , andCanyon Fever Guidesfor showing us the Queens Garden trail at Bryce ) , but the hotel ’s on - site guest experience coordinator can help arrange anything from canyoneering to UTV tour to white body of water rafting .
Under Canvas
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“Growing up, I didn’t really see a lot of people who looked like me, doing the outdoorsy things I loved to do.”
When our legs felt like jelly , we retreated back to the camp for peaceful afternoons of communal hammock prison term or control board game in the main lobby collapsible shelter , before apprehend into dinner outside . Meal clip here mean dead affectionate and flaky filets of salmon with whitened wine - braise greens or juicy bison burgers pile with bacon : Dehydrated repast parcel these are not . “ We draw inhalation from local mood and agriculture , ” Gaghen says of the cuisine .
Each cantonment has a different carte , which has been influence by both the camping lifestyle as well as specific ingredients and cultures that are local to each internet site . One night while at the Bryce location , the afters special was a cheesecake top with an oracular prickly pear tree sauce ; the spiky cactus had been cautiously and slowly stripped of its spike by the kitchen stave before being reduced into a subtly sweet puree . It ’s a commitment not found at many restaurants , let alone at a campsite .
There are also gratis s’mores every dark , which encourages guests to swop story while toasting marshmallows at one of the many fire pits . I , for one , got self-colored intel on Zion hikes from a lovely couple from Phoenix . Under Canvas also encourages group interaction in other way , like trivia night , communal stargazing , and adult coloring sessions . So finally , belly full , we ’d lumber back to our tent , fire up a crackling fire in our wood stove and snuggle up under layers of lush blankets .
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It was especially exciting to bed down at Bryce , which is the fellowship ’s tenth and newest site . What makes this encampment even more unique is its power source ; it ’s the first Under Canvas to be whole reliant on solar Energy Department ( the array panels are hidden out of sight so as not to spoil the view of the rolling Hill ) . Gaghen assure me that the decision to start the coterie on eco - friendly power was pretty organic : “ Across our company , we portion out a dearest for the outdoors and as a part of that we are committed to our ‘ aware overture ’ ethos ; being stewards of the environment and reducing our carbon footprint , ” he say .
The southern Utah cheerfulness is more than abundant enough to power all of the camp ’s needs , from the kitchen to the water fastball ; so much so that the Zion belongings lately supply solar panels as well . Under Canvas also has plans to implement the cost - saving proficiency at more of its current and succeeding pack : “ Aside from doing right by the satellite , solar power also allows us to operate in sincerely distant , ‘ off - grid ’ locations , ” Gaghen add up .
While the ship’s company added its 10th camp site in its tenth year , there are plans to open up many more . “ We ’re reckon forward to the on-going growth of the Under Canvas brand and continuing to be a drawing card , innovator , and changemaker in sustainable travel , ” Gaghen say . If my experience is any indication , repetition guest will be common . Many of those who we met at both camp had visited other localisation or had plans to do so in the future . I knew nearly nothing aboutAcadia National Parkuntil this head trip , but am now actively trying to finagle my agency there , just to stay at the stunning Under Canvas prop near the water . have ’s just hope there are few coyotes there .
Under Canvas
Under Canvas
Under Canvas
