Under Canvas Zion: A Luxury Glamping Hotel Review [2026]
Wondering if Under Canvas Zion is worth the splurge for your Zion trip? Spoiler alert – it is! If you’re someone who craves nature but loves a real bed and coffee made for you in the morning, you’ll love it here.
Under Canvas Zion is one of ten Under Canvas locations around the US. It’s a glamping hotel that brands itself as “upscale safari-inspired glamping”. I stayed here for 2 nights in June and was impressed by the operation.
Travel + Leisure voted Under Canvas Zion one of the best resort hotels in Utah in 2022. If you’ve been reading Under Canvas reviews and wondering whether the Zion location lives up to the hype, I’ve got you covered.
Here’s everything you need to know — from food and beds to amenities and stargazing — based on my own stay.
Luxury Glamping Hotel Review: Under Canvas Zion
I stayed at Under Canvas Zion in early June—just before peak season—and it felt like the sweet spot. Mornings were cool and quiet, afternoons warm and breezy, and the camp never felt crowded.
→ See rates for your dates at Under Canvas Zion
While it’s definitely a splurge, it didn’t feel overpriced for what you get: an incredibly intentional experience that balances comfort, sustainability, and immersion in the desert landscape.
It’s easy to see why Under Canvas Zion gets consistently positive reviews — it really delivers on the promise of upscale, off-grid comfort.
From the secluded location and thoughtful service to the quality of the tents and food, Under Canvas stood out from other glamping resorts near Zion National Park.
Location: How Far Is Under Canvas Zion From the Park? (And Why the Location Works)
Whether you are planning on visiting Zion National Park or enjoying other activities in the area, the location is convenient and unspoiled.
Located about 5 miles off the main road in Virgin, Utah, it’s set back in a valley surrounded by impressive sandstone and red rock cliffs. As you wind your way around Kolob Terrace Road, you find yourself in a place of solitude.
The camp is 20 miles from Zion National Park. This makes for a quick 25-minute drive to get to the park entrance. This may seem far to some (since there are closer places to stay in Springdale), but the drive to the park is beautiful and a great chance to wake up before arriving.
Zion National Park is an International Dark Sky Park, and Under Canvas Zion is one of four Under Canvas locations located outside of dark sky parks. To honor this, Under Canvas uses low-level lighting to avoid light pollution, making it a prime location for incredible stargazing.
Score: 5/5
Service: Hospitality at Under Canvas Zion: What the Service Is Really Like
We were immediately greeted by enthusiastic staff upon our arrival. They took us to a table to go over all of the necessary information and give us freshly charged lamps and chargers for our stay.
We received a quick tour, and then they offered to take our bags to our tent in a golf cart.
You can tell that every interaction or touchpoint with guests is very intentional. The staff were so kind, and they are really there to help however you need. Each time we interacted with them, they were upbeat and happy to help.
Score: 5/5
Dining: Dining at Embers: What to Expect From the On-Site Restaurant
There is a restaurant on-site (Embers) and the food was actually delicious – like very, very good. They have GF and vegan options and they have an espresso machine for proper coffee in the morning.
There is indoor seating for about 20 and outdoor seating for many more. I rated the dining experience 4.5 because the food was a bit overpriced.
Score: 4.5/5
Inside the Deluxe Tent at Under Canvas Zion: Layout, Comfort & Privacy
We stayed in the Deluxe tent. This is a two-person tent with a king-size bed, an ensuite bathroom with a shower, a fireplace, and a perfectly sweet front porch.
The tent was very clean, and the bed was really comfortable. All of the furniture in the tents is from West Elm.
Convinced yet? See rates for your dates at Under Canvas Zion
I rated the room 4.5 only because there were some areas where there was a gap between the tent and the floor. I realize many people will not care about this, but as someone who is not familiar or comfortable with desert creatures (snakes, etc.) this made me nervous.
That being said, I was assured that snakes didn’t want to be in our tent, and sure enough we never even saw one.
While I can’t compare it to every site, this might just be the best Under Canvas location for travelers who want luxury in a wild, desert setting.
Score: 4.5/5
Sustainability at Under Canvas Zion: What Makes It an Eco-Friendly Stay
The property uses significantly less water and energy than a hotel, and they do this in a few ways: pull-chain showers, low-flow toilets, a towel reuse program, and automatic shut-off faucets.
They also do not have electricity in the tents and use low-level lighting throughout, which mitigates light pollution.
Under Canvas partners with companies with similar sustainability values. For example, the bath products you will find in your tent are made in a zero-waste facility.
The camp design is meant to minimize any disturbance to the land. And finally, all of the camp and corporate staff give back to the local community by volunteering with various local organizations.
Score: 5/5
The Vibe at Under Canvas Zion: Nature, Stargazing & Campfires
Under Canvas understands that more connection with nature makes us happier and healthier, and they do a great job of creating a space where you can really connect with the outdoors without giving up all of your creature comforts.
They use colors that blend with the natural environment, yet feel luxurious. Wifi is intentionally not available – which I loved.
There is often live music around dinnertime – we listened to a solo singer play guitar out on the terrace while sitting by the fire. We ended up meeting a nice family and learning about where they were from and why they chose to stay here (they had stayed at several Under Cancas locations!).
Each evening, the staff lights fires all over the property for you to enjoy. Some of them are located in more private areas, so you can find solitude if that is what you are looking for.
Score: 5/5
What Amenities Does Under Canvas Zion Offer (and What’s Missing)
There is no electricity in the tents, and while there are doors to the bathroom/shower areas, there isn’t much privacy. Luckily, they have two separate bathroom buildings (in addition to the bathrooms in your tent).
Each separate bathroom building has about 6 private bathrooms that have electricity and showers in them. If you must use a hair tool or if you have to shower at night and need light, you can use these bathrooms (they’re also heated!).
There is an Adventure Concierge tent where you can easily and seamlessly schedule adventure experiences. We had pre-booked all of our adventures, so we didn’t use the concierge, but appreciated that they were there.
Each night, you get a complimentary S’mores kit – one per person. This might be ridiculously nitpicky, but if you are a s’more connoisseur, this is a warning to just bring your own chocolate! The chocolate tasted and looked like 10-year-old Halloween candy.
Throughout the day you can help yourself to complimentary tea and coffee in the main tent space.
Score: 4/5
Wellness & Disconnecting: Yoga, No WiFi, and Quiet Mornings
It is clear that Under Canvas prioritizes environmental wellness and encourages guests to engage in their physical and mental wellness.
The unassuming and secluded location offers an escape. The conscious decision not to offer wifi is an effort to get guests to connect with their surroundings and their company.
They create a space for physical wellness by offering yoga mats and a concrete yoga deck for your own private practice.
And of course, they offer a number of activities to participate in through their adventure concierge.
I rated wellness a 4 out of 5 because I see an opportunity for additional wellness programming. For example, I would have participated in guided sunrise or sunset yoga, or a guided mindful walk, a desert ecology walk, or a forest bathing–style experience.
Score: 4.5/5
Overall Under Canvas Zion Score: 4.6/5
Ultimately, Under Canvas Zion was a fantastic stay. If you are heading to Zion National Park or just to southwest Utah to explore all the area has to offer, I highly recommend staying at Under Canvas Zion.
For more places to stay, check out: Where to Stay Near Zion National Park
Would I Stay at Under Canvas Zion Again? My Honest Verdict
Yes — without hesitation. I’d absolutely stay at Under Canvas Zion again, especially for a trip where I want to disconnect, soak up nature, and unwind in comfort without going full “camping mode.”
It struck the right balance between rustic and refined — I got to stargaze from my porch and sleep in a real bed with West Elm furniture.
Would I stay here in the peak of summer? Maybe not — I’d prefer the cooler shoulder seasons (like spring or fall) to avoid the desert heat without AC. But overall, I found this to be a memorable stay.
Of all the glamping-style resorts I’ve stayed in, this one stands out — and based on other Under Canvas Zion reviews I’ve seen, I’m not the only one who feels that way.
Who Should Book Under Canvas Zion (and Who Might Want to Skip It)
✅ Book It If…
- You love nature, but prefer not to sleep on the ground
- You want a peaceful stay outside the chaos of Springdale
- Stargazing, crackling fires, and no WiFi sound like a dream
- You’re okay with a bit of wind or dust — it’s still camping, after all
- You’re visiting Zion and want a memorable place to stay
- You want to camp, but you don’t want to bring gear
❌ Maybe Skip It If…
- You need air conditioning to sleep comfortably
- You prefer full privacy in your bathroom setup
- Bugs or critters absolutely freak you out
- You’re looking for a hotel with full amenities, pools, or TVs
- You’d rather be right at the park entrance with a shuttle stop
Important Things to Know Before Booking Under Canvas Zion
There are a couple of things to note that may or may not be important to you depending on your age, vision for your trip, and camping comfort level.
Some of these won’t matter at all to some people and could be deal breakers for others so I felt it was important to include them.
Under Canvas Zion is Family-Friendly
This may be great for you, or it may be a deterrent. We noticed that the property was very family and kid-friendly. They offer kids tents, lots of games, and overall, there were just a lot of families there and kids running around.
This is not something we expected, and it was a small deterrent for us. Either way, just know there are lots of kids around!
Glamping…is Similar to Camping!
Don’t let the price fool you, glamping is basically camping. As I mentioned earlier, there is no electricity in the tent. They provide you with lanterns for when the sun goes down, but remember you will not have outlets, AC, heat (unless you make a fire), TV, lights, etc.
You will also be more vulnerable to the elements. It can get pretty windy in the area and you are in a tent so the canvas flaps a bit and can be quite loud.
You are in the desert, and you are in a tent. So bugs and small critters could get in the tent through a handful of small entryways, or if you leave the tent unzipped. We never had anything in our tent besides bugs, but something to keep in mind.
FAQs About Under Canvas Zion
Yes! Under Canvas Zion offers full camp buyouts for weddings, private events, and corporate retreats.
No! There is no air conditioning in the tents and yes they can get warm in the desert heat. They do provide small fans and you can open the “windows” to create some cross-ventilation.
Yes, there are so many hikes near Under Canvas Zion. If you venture into the park, there are about 10 hikes you can do from the main entrance. If you are trying to avoid going into Zion, there are plenty of other options.
Yes! Very kid-friendly.
There is a restaurant on-site called Embers. There are also a couple of restaurants in Virgi,n but none that I can recommend in good faith. I would probably head into Springdale for a dinner out.
It took us 25 minutes. We left very early in the morning, and there was no traffic on the road. Build in a little more time if you leave later.
Under Canvas Zion Review Wrap-Up
If you’re dreaming of glamping near Zion National Park, Under Canvas Zion is easily one of the most memorable ways to do it.
From luxury safari-style tents to nightly campfires and unbeatable stargazing, this spot delivers all the magic of the outdoors — without sacrificing comfort.
Compared to other glamping resorts in Utah, Under Canvas Zion stands out for its eco-conscious design, intentional guest experience, and incredible location tucked into red rock cliffs along Kolob Terrace Road.
While I haven’t stayed at every property, it’s easy to see why many consider this one of the best Under Canvas locations for a national park adventure.
You can hear the wind and the wildlife at night, and spend your evening reading or in conversation, since engaging with technology isn’t an option. Make a fire, stargaze, AND enjoy a proper bed and bath. What is better than that??!
If you want a peaceful stay near Zion with just the right mix of luxury and nature, this is the place. Book it now before the summer rush.