Glamping Under the Stars in Utah
“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of stars makes me dream,” said painter Vincent Van Gogh in reference to his famous piece, The Starry Night.
As I wander to my luxury tent at OpenSky, that dots an expansive field on the cusp of Utah’s wondrous Zion National Park, it feels like a walking dream. The midnight blue sky is illuminated by a sea of stars that paint broad strokes of glitter across the atmosphere. The sky is broken up only by the darkened shadows of mountain peaks that punctuate the landscape.
There’s nary a soul around. It’s just me, the faint whistling of wind and the overwhelming feeling of being space dust trying to find my way back to the stars, or at least back to my less than humble abode. The celestial sky is the only light to guide me to my tent in OpenSky’s glamping resort. What a tent she is!
My safari-style canvas tent is built atop a solid wooden foundation with a large patio equipped with a barbecue and relaxing outdoor seating. French doors open into what feels more like a cottage than a tent. Replete with a living room area with plush couches, two bedrooms with dreamy king-sized beds, a kitchenette, cozy fireplace, and outdoor shower, this is not your childhood camping experience. And thank God for that, since my achy bones were crying for some rest after a magical day hiking the most dangerous trail in the USA—Angel’s Landing.
As an outdoor enthusiast, hiking Utah’s Mighty 5 was a dream of mine for many years. A year ago, I wrote about Angel’s Landing for a round-up of the most extreme adventures in the USA for Explore Magazine. So, I was thrilled to explore Zion National Park in southwestern Utah but reluctant to summit the second peak, Angels Landing, where 17 people have fallen to their deaths, according to the National Park Service.
Previously known as the Temple of Aeolus, this peak is a 1,488-foot (453 metre) rock formation in Zion. The hike is renowned for its trail cut into solid rock that leads to the top of Angels Landing and provides panoramic views of Zion Canyon. The hike climbs roughly 1,500 vertical feet (457 metres) along a narrow fin of stone that reaches a top elevation of 5,790 feet (1,764 metres). A chain railing adds an element of safety, but the exposed heights were too daring for me. Instead, I hiked to Scout Lookout. This peak is the closest you can get to Angels Landing without a permit, and it offers similarly solid views without the anxiety. The entire hike felt like navigating through a Jurassic-like, prehistoric world filled with excitement and heart-raising switchbacks.
It was the first major hike I had done since penning this piece, Returning to Myself and the Mountains, so while I loved every minute of it, my legs were crying out for a little decomp via a hot bath and a cozy fire. Every inch of me was delighted to get both at OpenSky.
OpenSky is not the only glamping site in Utah. Several resorts throughout the state have popped up over recent years, offering accommodations under starry skies with perks like in-house hot showers, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and the comfort of plush beds.
Ofland Escalante offers all of this in a holiday hipster haven package. Situated within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, you can live your best Urban Outfitter life in one of the site’s quaint cabins, vintage airstreams, or gleaming RVs. If the resort pool or hot tub don’t speak to you, the nightly drive-in movie theater or communal bonfire space should. I stayed in a simple but lovely cabin, complete with an outdoor rain shower and heated floors. On my first and only night here, I opted for an Ofland BBQ kit to be delivered right to my door. Cooked over an open fire, this deliciously seasoned meal with a sweet s’mores finale was all roasted in the glow of a bonfire under the stars that illuminate the southern Utah desert sky.
Walking back to my cabin post dinner, I was delighted to see a star shower above me. I paused with nearly each step to cast my gaze up, even attempting to take photos of the celestial state of affairs.
The cabin provided a perfect night’s rest before a big day of hiking in Bryce Canyon—which is about 45 minutes away—before heading to the last but certainly not least glamorous glamping resort.
I was completely awe-struck while wandering through the otherworldly hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park in what felt like a CGI-generated movie set. I headed to Under Canvas Lake Powell Grand Staircase to indulge in another unique experience. Situated on the Canyon Rim Plateau with its own on-site slot canyon and vast views right outside your tent, this resort brings luxury to your tent with king-sized beds, indoor toilets, showers and wood-fired stoves.
Under Canvas Lake Powell Grand Staircase was designated the world’s first “DarkSky-Certified Resort” due to its sky quality and commitment to protecting and preserving the nighttime environment. It’s a member of the International Dark Sky Places Program, which protects dark sites through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting and community education. Under Canvas camps are designed to minimize disturbance and maximize open space, utilizing low-level lighting to help mitigate light pollution and amplify the night sky.
The night sky here is bursting with stars. As I leave the resort’s communal fire to head back to my tent, I pause in awe, much like I’ve done several times in this state, whether it’s in breathtaking national parks or under the blanket of a sea of celestial wonderment. I reached for the stars, manifesting this outdoor adventure trip in Utah, and my reward is getting to bask in the beauty of this walking dream.
