Under Canvas
Sunset at Under Canvas
October 29th, 2020
Ooh, I have a treat for you today! I don’t often write about a (sing it with me) hotel, motel, Holiday Inn … but this outpost near the Grand Canyon is one of the most memorable stays we’ve enjoyed in a long time. Under Canvas is one of 2020’s rare success stories — a company whose unique vision has unexpectedly met the requirements of the current state of the world.
Our place!
Glamping is always cool, but the tents at Under Canvas are next level — more than socially distant, open to the outdoors and full of eco-friendly features. Lighting is solar and battery powered (with additional USB ports), faucets flow by pushing a lever, showers flow by pulling a chain, single-use plastics have been mostly eliminated and all other disposables (at the coffee/tea bar and take-out restaurant) are made of recyclable or compostable materials. Tents also have small fireplaces for heating up on chilly nights.
All that being said, these are not luxury accommodations. All food must be stored on front decks so critters aren’t attracted inside the tents. There is no television, no WiFi and no air conditioning, and there are no electric sockets in the tents for charging camera batteries or running things like hair dryers. Just unplug and get on with your time here.
Under Canvas has nine properties around the U.S. We stayed at the Grand Canyon location for three nights. It’s conveniently located about 30 miles from the park entrance in the small town of Valle, Arizona. It’s a short distance away from the town and main highway, which preserves the night sky and quiet atmosphere of the property.
The check-in desks, lounge, coffee/tea bar (always open) and take-out restaurant are located in a large tented structure at the entrance. This opens to a communal outdoor area with tables, chairs, heat lamps, firepits and corn hole platforms. There are also semi-private areas with picnic table seating where groups can barbecue together on gas grills.
Accommodations include tents with private interior bathrooms, tents with exterior shared bathroom facilities, larger tents for families and tents with clear stargazer windows above the main beds. It’s not cheap to stay at Under Canvas but we felt the peace of mind provided at a time like this was invaluable. We slept well (bed was super comfortable), felt safe and will definitely return to stay at Under Canvas again someday.
For me, the only drawback was wanting to soak in a long, hot shower after our Rim to River to Rim hike in the Grand Canyon. It just wasn’t possible in our shower with a pull chain but I’ll gladly sacrifice my need for short-term comfort in exchange for long-term consideration of the environment. We all have a choice about where we spend our money. After seeing a number of businesses on our road trip with no regard for the health and well-being of their customers, I’m happy to reward the businesses that are working much harder to protect not only their guests but the world they’ve set out to explore. Under Canvas gets an enthusiastic thumbs up on all accounts.
More tomorrow,
Kelly
Post of the Day: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together. This series features travel photos from my archives, shared with you while staying close to home.
compassandcamera.wordpress.com 
It sounds like an ideal world. It is however strange that wifi is not accessible, technically this should not be a problem, maybe it is a choice.
LikeLike
It is definitely a choice. I actually found the lack of outlets more frustrating. Luckily I had charged all of my camera batteries before we got there. In any case — minor inconveniences that, in the end, contribute to a great feeling of “getting away.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks fabulous lit at night, Kelly, and a wonderful location for the Canyon. 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, after dark was even more stunning!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant! Must have been one of the highlights of the trip for you.
LikeLike
Definitely a highlight. Still thinking about it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
One aspect of the trip I was waiting to know more about 🙂 the tents in the location look too beautiful. I am kept wondering what a clear night sky with all stars out would feel like, sitting out there, looking up at the sky… A great location to stay while on a great trip. And so nice that they keep all modern conveniences away and are environmentally-friendly.
The Big canvas covered lounges look magical, almost like a nomadic tribe just moved in.
LikeLike
Yes, it feels nomadic! And like a safari! I wish we had spent more time looking at the stars, actually but it was so cozy and comfortable in the tent with the fire going. They do have “stargazer” tents with clear sections above the bed so you can lay in bed and look at the stars from inside the tent. Pretty dreamy! Hopefully we’ll get the chance to go back and experience it again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds positively delightful, Kelly, and environmentally sound. That it also provided a degree of safety from Covid was a definite plus. –Curt
LikeLike
It looks absolutely fabulous.
Alison
LikeLike
That about sums it up, Alison! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I went to their website the minute you first posted about them and almost pulled the trigger on a place for next summer (betting that these book up fast)! I decided to be a tiny bit more patient as we craft our travel plans, but one of Under Canvas’s properties will definitely be on our list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! You’ll love it. I recommend asking for a tent on the edge or away from the others just to enhance the experience. We asked at the last minute and they moved us to an area with no cars or driveways. They transported us by golf cart with all our luggage (and cooler too so we could eat the food we brought which they didn’t care about as long as we kept it outside the tent — not sure that would be possible at the Yellowstone location with bears). So cool!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even I could stay in tents this glamorous! What fun! Reminds me of our safari in the Sahara — luxury tents right in the heart of the desert. Works for me.
LikeLike
Pingback: Grand Canyon Pictorial |