If you’ve never visited Zion National Park or even Utah, consider making the trip—the scenery is spectacular. My sister lives in Las Vegas, so the drive is manageable, about two hours and forty-five minutes each way. This was my second visit to Zion. Instead of a day trip like last time, we chose to glamp near the park, and the experience was unforgettable.
Glamping in the Desert
Before this trip with my mom and sister, I didn’t know exactly what glamping would be like, but my sister had done it before and highly recommended it. We stayed at Under Canvas, about 35 minutes from Springdale/Zion. The property feels remote and peaceful, which was perfect. There are several tent types; tents with private bathrooms cost more. The on-site restaurant exceeded our expectations—delicious food and a menu that convinced us to dine there instead of driving into town. They serve appetizers, salads, grilled chicken, salmon bowls, beer and wine. Each evening at dusk they provide individual s’mores kits to roast at the fire pits. On weekends they often have live music, though schedules vary. Mornings include complimentary coffee and tea, and a couple of breakfast options are available.
We stayed in tent 41 and highly recommend it. Our site was on the upper half of the property with excellent mountain views overlooking the restaurant and lobby. We visited at the end of September when daytime temperatures were still warm—around 87°F—lasting into the evening. My sister’s previous November visit was much colder; she used the wood-burning fireplace and layered up. Our tent had water misters, which helped cool things down during the hotter hours. Most guests seemed to spend the days hiking in Zion or exploring town, then return to relax at the glampground in the evenings.
Our tent included a king-size bed, a pullout couch, private toilet and shower, a wood-burning stove, water misters, several chairs for lounging inside and on the deck, and charging outlets. The lobby also has a cold/hot water station where you can refill bottles any time.
What to Bring
I’d stay at Under Canvas again, and now I know what to pack to make the stay even better.
White Noise: If you need background sound to sleep, bring a travel sound machine or fan. The desert is quiet and you can hear wind and footsteps through the tent; light sleepers may struggle without some steady noise.
Reusable Water Bottle: Bring a refillable bottle. There’s a water station in the lobby open 24/7.
Tripod: For better photos and group shots, a small tripod is useful.
Laptop or Tablet: If you plan to watch a movie at night, bring a device; phones work in a pinch but the screen is small.
Snacks: Pack preferred snacks since the nearest town is about 35 minutes away. The lobby sells some items, but having familiar on-the-go options is convenient—nuts, crackers, granola, protein bars, fruit, and dark chocolate are all good choices.
Layers: Desert temperatures vary. Pack shorts and tanks for daytime heat and layers like sweatshirts, flannels, pants, and hiking shoes for cooler mornings and evenings.
Under Canvas operates multiple locations, including Moab and near Mount Rushmore. If you’re near any of those sites, they’re worth considering. We found one night at Under Canvas to be the perfect getaway.
Hiking
We kept hiking low-key and did the Canyon Overlook Trail. It’s about a one-mile hike with incredible views and easy-to-moderate terrain. The drive to the trailhead is scenic and worth it. On hotter days, start early while the sun is rising. Parking at the trailhead is limited to around 8–10 spots; when full, street parking down the road is available. The hike is short, so turnover is usually fast and we only had a short wait for a spot.
Other popular hikes in Zion include:
Angels Landing: 5.4 miles round trip, 4–6 hours, strenuous. I hiked this three years ago and loved it.
Observation Point: About 8 miles, 4–6 hours, strenuous.
The Narrows: A unique route that involves wading through the Virgin River; distances vary up to 12 miles; difficulty ranges from easy to moderate depending on how far you go.
The Watchman Trail: 3.3 miles, around 2 hours, easy to moderate.
Food and Cafés
Feel Love Coffee: New on our visit and highly recommended—great service, healthy options, smoothies, matcha, coffee, vegan donuts, pastries, and breakfast items.
Café Soleil: A cozy café with salads, sandwiches, pastries, coffee, and smoothies.
King’s Landing: An upscale dining option in town; we planned to eat there before choosing Under Canvas’s menu instead.