If you truly want to enjoy the outdoor playground that is the state of Utah, try glamping. An abbreviated term for “glamorous camping”, glamping is also called “boutique camping” or “luxury camping,” all referring to an elevated way of enjoying the outdoors in resort-style accommodations, but without the catchy nickname.
While it may have just recently become a popular trend in travel, glamping adventures has been around for centuries. From the lavish, palatial tents used as luxury housing by globe-trotting royalty to the wealthy British and American travelers who stayed in a classic canvas tent while on African safari in the 1920s, it’s certainly not new, just new to us. With that in mind, modern day glamping can be a great way to bridge the gap for new outdoorists or those who want to immerse themselves in nature and also enjoy a hot shower and a bed with fresh linens. You do you.
Despite its air of luxury, glamping is a highly inclusive activity that’s open to all, and there isn’t one specific way to do it. Typical glamping campsites include the aforementioned safari-inspired canvas glamping tents, bell tents, yurts, and even a tiny house. Pushing the boundaries are more eccentric accommodations like converted Airstreams and tricked out treehouses. The development of established glamp-grounds (you know, like campgrounds but fancier) that offer plenty of amenities onsite make glamping truly accessible.
Because glamping is centered around the outdoors, the location is key. Thanks to its seemingly unlimited amount of outdoor recreational opportunities, Utah has quickly become one of the top glamping destinations. This adventure hub is 80% national parks and public lands—the so-called Big 5 include Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion national parks—which create endless ways to get out and explore. To avoid the desert heat and massive crowds, consider visiting Utah sometime between April and May or September and October, when you can catch the foliage.
Whether it’s skiing, whitewater rafting, hiking or mountain biking, there are infinite possibilities, and luckily, some pretty amazing glampsites to call home for a few nights. Here are our top picks for the best glamping getaways in Utah.
The 14 Best Utah Glamping Sites to Visit
Zion EcoCabin — Hildale, UT
Vibe: Double Decker
Way down in Southern Utah, this pleasing and simple space with a convertible wall opens up to panoramic views of the desert-it's A-Frame living at its best. Outdoor adventure in Zion National Park is only a short drive away or take a road trip to Arizona's Grand Canyon. But if you'd rather not move, this cabin has everything you need for a relaxing glampout: hammock chairs, a wooden deck with an outdoor kitchen and dining area, plus a secluded hot tub down below.
Rate: $645/night
Glamping Canyonlands — Monticello, UT
Vibe: Home, Home, on the Mesa
Featuring four bell tents, a communal kitchen and bathhouse, hammocks, and a newly installed sauna with an outdoor shower, Glamping Canyonlands has all you need for n luxurious glamping experience. Roughly an hour south of Moab and Arches National Park, this spot also provides easy access to Canyonlands National Park and the closer Abajo Mountains. Topping it all off, fresh coffee is delivered to your doorstep each morning at 7am. Oh la la.
Rate: $141/night
Moenkopi Yurts — Dead Horse State Park, UT
Vibe: Sunrise Seclusion
A sparse and simple interior ensures that all the focus will be on what’s outside of the Moenkopi Yurts rather than the inside. Explore Moab’s famed desert landscape, jaw-dropping canyons, and endless trails before retreating to the comfort of your yurt for the night—that is, unless you can resist an impossibly starry night sky.
Rate: $115/night
Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort — Zion, UT
Vibe: National Park Glamp Camp
Luxuriate in these deluxe glamping tents on the upper East side of Zion National Park, which feature inviting interiors, a private deck, grill, and picnic table and access to resort amenities like their two-tiered swimming pool (?!). The resort itself offers a whole host of outdoor activities like horseback riding, Jeep Tours, and canyoneering, but if that's not enough, Bryce Canyon National Park is a 1.5 hour drive away for more sightseeing.
Rate: $125/night
Under Canvas Moab — Moab, UT
Vibe: Recharge in the Red Rocks
A canvas safari tent pitched in the middle of Utah’s otherworldly red rock desert landscape sounds like the perfect way to enjoy Moab and nearby Arches National Park — especially when said tent has a plush king-size bed, a hot shower, and a wood burning stove for those chilly desert nights.
Rate: $214/night
Desert Dome — Virgin, UT
Vibe: Eco-Dome
From its solar-paneled rooftop to the composting toilet, this geodesic dome is designed to be an eco-friendly retreat. Situated right on the riverbank, glampers can enjoy an unobstructed view of the Virgin River from inside the clean and modern living space. As a major bonus, it’s only 15 minutes from the entrance of Zion National Park.
Rate: $272/night
Tiny A-Frame Rental — Hildale, UT
Vibe: Bring the Outdoors In
Built atop a rust-colored outcropping in Utah’s Zion Mountains near Zion National Park, this convertible A-Frame has a tiny indoor footprint but some big outdoor living space. A large window opens up the interior to a furnished deck and outdoor fire pit with mountain views as far as the eye can see. More rustic than luxe, this glampsite gets points for a creative design.
Rate: $315/night
Wildflower Resort — Zion National Park, UT
Vibe: Luxe Enough
The clean and simple interior of these single-pole canvas tents stand in perfect contrast to the natural beauty of Zion National Park’s towering mesas, wild sage, and cacti. However, things don’t get too rugged at this glampsite, a fully-stocked bathhouse, water refill station, BBQ area, and laundry rooms ensure just enough luxe to keep it glampy.
Rate: Starts at $170/night
Conestoga Ranch — Bear Lake, UT
Vibe: Wild, Wild West
Way up in Northern Utah, get the pioneer treatment when you stay in these covered wagons inspired by authentic 19th-century designs. Decorated with western-style furnishings and luxuriously soft king-sized beds (or bunks, if you’re squeezing in more glampers) this is way nicer than anything they had on the Oregon Trail. There’s resort-wide Wi-Fi, plus an open-air restaurant and fully-stocked general store just a short walk from your wagon.
Rate: Starts at $215/night
Domes at Canyonland — Monticello, UT
Vibe: Home Sweet Dome
What looks like a geodesic dome on the outside is one seriously cozy cabin on the inside. Loaded up with a comfy queen-sized bed, kitchenette with dining area, and private bathhouse, it’s an ideal spot to call basecamp after exploring the adventure hubs of Canyonlands National Park and Moab.
Rate: $152/night
Capitol Reef Resort — Torrey, UT
Vibe: 19th Century Glamping
If easy, outdoor living and covered wagons are your thing, then you’ll love staying at this glamping resort featuring bougie Conestoga wagons. Originally used for transportation during the country’s time of westward expansion, in today’s world they’re cozy shelters with heating, cooling, and a ranch-themed interior set against the backdrop of Utah’s breathtaking Capitol Reef National Park. Quite the upgrade, eh?
Rate: $149/night
Stargazer Bell Tent — Canyonlands National Park, UT
Vibe: Astronomers Only
Go dark, real dark in this off-grid bell tent. It’s strategically positioned to avoid light pollution so glampers get the best view of the night sky possible — including through the clear panels at the top of the tent. There’s a well-stocked communal kitchen and hammock hang-out space nearby for catching zzz’s or glimpse of shooting stars.
Rate: $130/night
Glamping on a Sandy Beach — Yuba State Park, UT
Vibe: Coastal Cool
Beach glamping in Utah? Why, yes. Set on the white, sandy shores of Lake Yuba about two hours drive from Salt Lake City, this bell tent is a surprisingly delightful find in an otherwise landlocked state known for its mountainous topography. Enjoy the interior’s inviting, coastal vibe and all the swimming, fishing, and paddling your heart desires in the warm lake waters.
Rate: $249/night
Basecamp 37 — Kanab, UT
Vibe: Camper's Paradise
Located at the western-most base of the Chocolate Cliffs of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Basecamp 37 offers up 5 glamping tents centered around a communal bar and kitchen. Spaced just enough apart to have some privacy, but close enough to socialize with other campers, this glampsite is the perfect place for turning down (or up) after a day of exploring Utah's insane terrain.
Rate: $205/night
Published 06-12-2023
