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Known for having some of the most beautiful natural parks in the United States, Utah is a must-visit for families and adventurers. Two of its most spectacular parks, Arches and Canyonlands, located near Moab, are a true outdoor adventurer’s dream, with breathtaking views.  Hiking, mountain biking, rafting, and hot air balloons are some of the many activities available in the Moab area, and the best way to experience this area overnight (without packing your own camping equipment) is the incredible luxury glamping Under Canvas Moab.

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Glamping at Under Canvas Moab

Imagine sleeping in the shadow of a beautiful giant.

The night is black as ink, illuminated by the millions of stars twinkling in the sky.  In the distance, a lightning storm crackles, it’s bolts of light outlining the ragged rock edges of Arches National Park just beyond the tents.  Sleepy travelers snuggle in the crisp linens of their cozy beds, as crickets trill in the night, their cadence a gentle lullaby for sleep.   This is glamping at Under Canvas Moab.

The Resort

After a short drive up a rocky dirt road off  Hwy 191, guests check-in at the registration tent.   The registration tent also doubles as a lounge, offering guests the use of board games, as well as a variety of beverages such as water, hot chocolate, and coffee.  An attendant shows us to our tent, pointing out the charging tent, where guests can charge phones and devices, get snacks, and breakfast.  Evening activities at Under Canvas Moab include games, campfire stories, and s’ mores.  Arches National Park is just beyond the Under Canvas Moab resort, it’s brilliant browns and reds glistening in the evening sun.  Prices for glamping Under Canvas Moab are slightly more expensive than hotels in the area ($189-485 depending on the season) but for those who would like something unique, the experience is once-in-a-lifetime.  

 

The Tents

We had one of the smaller Safari Tents, with a king bed, dresser, side tables, table and chairs, lantern, and a potbelly stove for cold nights.  Our tent did not have a private bathroom, so we had to use the communal restrooms. Other than nice fresh towels, the communal bathrooms were small and ordinary, but clean.  This is camping, after all, so we did not expect gold fixtures.  Some tents do have a private bathroom, so if you are able to get a tent with ensuite bathroom, it is worth the extra charge.   Under Canvas Moab has a variety of tent sizes to accommodate families, including suite tents with several beds, and suites with accompanying side teepee for the kids.  Dogs are also permitted at Under Canvas Moab for a small service fee ($25), and we saw several families with friendly dogs.

Tips for Glamping Under Canvas Moab

• Tents can get warm during the day, especially in the summer, so open the flaps as soon as you get back from daytime activities, to cool it off for nighttime sleeping.
• The canvas is somewhat thin, so you will sometimes hear noise from other tents.  The park does have quiet hours at night, but bring earplugs if noises bother you.
• You are two steps from the outdoors and sometimes the outdoors can get inside.  Check for bugs in your bed before you go to sleep.  You should have seen my son and I try to chase out two pesky crickets at 11 pm at night!  Once we chased the crickets out and zipped up our front door, we had no more problems, but we had a devil of a time getting those crickets to leave!
• The area is high desert, so stay on marked paths and watch for rattlesnakes, especially with kids and pets.
• Arrive as early as you can to take advantage of planned evening activities.  We arrived too late to participate and were so tired that we just wanted to sleep.
• If you are going to arrive later at night, stop and grab dinner at a restaurant in Moab first, as there are no restaurants within a ten-mile radius of the resort.  Also, most Moab restaurants close by 10 pm., even in the summer.
• The tents do not lock, so if you are going to stay for a few days, bring a padlock to lock the zipper of your tent while you are gone, or just leave your belongings in your vehicle.
• Breakfast and to-go lunches are available at Under Canvas Moab for an additional fee. Order your meals before you arrive or by 9 pm the night before from the reception area.  (We did not sample the menu)
• Bring your own cooler with drinks, as provisions are limited once you get into the resort.
• Bring your own lantern for the room, as the lantern they provide does not give a lot of light for nighttime reading or games. Also, bring a flashlight for walking on the paths at night.  It is very dark out in the desert.
• Bring your telescope–stargazing is a whole different experience in Moab!  This area is known as some of the darkest skies in the west, so you will have a chance to see the Milky Way and constellations in their full glory, weather permitting.  Download the Skyguide app on your phone so you can identify some of the many beautiful stars, constellations, and planets you will see.
• The tents do not have electricity, so plan to go electronics-free for the night.  If you must have access to your phone, bring a portable charger or use the charging station by the reception tent.
• Do not keep your dog locked in the tent during the day, especially in the summer–it is way too hot.
• Storms come up quickly during monsoon season, so be prepared to take shelter.

Thoughts

I love glamping and this was one of my favorite experiences.  The tent was rustic, but the bed was clean and comfortable.  The tents do not have locks, so if that makes you nervous, bring your own lock. The tents can be warm at night, especially during monsoon season, so wear bed clothing that will keep you cool.  You will need to open all the flaps of the tent to let the breeze through, so expect that your neighbors will see ‘everything” while you are sleeping.  The views here are incredible, with daytime views of Arches, and nighttime views of a billion stars.  The resort offers easy access to both of the local national parks, as well as the town of Moab, with great restaurants and shops.  Be prepared to get outdoors, Moab is a haven for hiking, biking, white water rafting, and other outdoor activities. 

More Information

For more information about Under Canvas Moab, please visit their website.  Under Canvas also has locations at Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and  Glacier National Parks.  You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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