Glamping has become a hot topic in the travel industry as of late. Also known as “glamor camping”, this method of luxury travel focuses more on elevated experiences as opposed to materialistic elements. Under Canvas is one of the most well-known glamping brands taking the luxury travel industry by storm. With 11 campsites across the US (and growing!), and typically located close to National Parks, travelers have plenty of options if they want to try out glamping.

I stayed a few nights at Under Canvas Grand Canyon last year and it was my very first glamping experience. I have to say – I loved it! Having been in my fair share of 5-star hotels it was refreshing to have a glamping experience so close to the Grand Canyon. I’ll breakdown what the experience was like from check-in, accommodations, activities, and check-out. Keep reading to find out!

Location

Under Canvas Grand Canyon is located about a 40-minute straight shot drive from the Grand Canyon’s Visitor Center. The closest airport to this location is Flagstaff, however on this particular visit I drove from Las Vegas (about 4 hours). You can also fly into Phoenix and drive 3.5 hours to the campsite. The drive in any direction is incredible with large open plains and plateaus in the distance. Looks straight out of The Roadrunner Show!

Passing through Grand Canyon Junction we started to hit unpaved roads signaling the closeness of the campsite. The parking lot is a large open area giving guests a sneak peek of the views to come from their tents. The lobby tent is right by the parking lot and check-in is a breeze with iPad equipped staff going through the standard process. There is a small snack area across from the check-in desk for purchasing energy bars and bottled juices. You can also purchase Under Canvas branded sweatshirts next to the desk if you didn’t expect the temperature to drop so low (like we did!).

Once our tent was ready, a staff member ushered us into a golf cart and drove us to our tent giving us a brief tour along the way. The pathways are lit by solar garden lights which can be noticeably dim in the evenings where there was a lot of rain during the day. The fire pits and activity tent are just behind the lobby tent making for a convenient gathering location. We passed by numerous tents until we reached the edge of the property line where our Deluxe Tent was waiting for us.

Tents

There are multiple categories of tents on this property with the entry-level Safari Tents being located closer to the parking lot and shared bathrooms. These tents are the only category that do not have their own en-suite bathrooms. There are also Stargazer tents equipped with a window above the bedding area to, as the name suggests, gaze at the stars. For larger families, there are Suite Tents and Deluxe + Stargazer tents that connect to a smaller kids tent providing additional space for the family to be comfortable.

Each tent comes equipped with a wood-burning stove with complimentary firewood at the front desk. The tents also contain trendy furniture pieces by West Elm including a plush mattress sitting on top of a proper bed frame. Any tents above the Safari Tent category will also have a private wood deck and leather slingback chairs for enjoying the views. My favorite personal touch was the hide rug on the wood floors to keep my feet somewhat warm.

Our Deluxe Tent was spacious and well-appointed. Our private en-suite bathroom came with full-sized EO toiletries, hand soap, tissues, and 2-ply toilet paper for the actual flushing toilet. The shower looked great with a stone water pan and the promise of hot water, however in reality you had to pull the chain to get a continuous flow of water and we didn’t get any hot or warm water during our stay. The tent came equipped with two battery powered lanterns and a hanging light above the bathroom sink. Guests can request battery packs from the front desk to charge their lanterns if needed.

Food and Beverage

Located within the main lobby tent is the dining establishment only open during business hours. Here you’ll find a menu of camp-style foods, like soups and sandwiches, which you can purchase. They also have a full bar to order well-deserved cocktails at the end of the day. There is unlimited access to carafes of coffee and hot water with a healthy selection of tea bags as well.

During our stay, we had breakfast and lunch at the campsite and found the food to be surprisingly decent! The food was made fresh on-site, and though the wait times were long the convenience of being able to get hot food at the camp was worth it. You can drive out to Grand Canyon Junction and beyond to try out some local restaurants, but after a day in the Grand Canyon you’ll be tired!

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to enjoy the complimentary smores at the fire pits every night! Usually accompanied by live music, this is a lively time to chat with other camp goers and bond over a classic camping treat.

Activities

Being so close to the Grand Canyon National Park means that there are a healthy amount of activities to choose from. You can choose to plan your own activities or reach out to your travel advisor (like me!) to arrange activities tailored to your interests. Alternatively, Under Canvas does have a central “adventures team” who are able to send you a list of activities they contract through third parties. As the adventure team is not on property, I would recommend instead booking your own activities with local vendors or asking your travel advisor.

While in the Grand Canyon, I participated in a group bike tour and a private guided South Kaibab Trail hike. Being an inexperienced hiker while simultaneously overwhelmed by the sheer size of the national park, I was so glad to have experts to lean on and show me parts of the park I wouldn’t have otherwise seen.

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Is Under Canvas luxury?

This is the question I was asking myself before I decided to book Under Canvas Grand Canyon. To be honest, the other hotel options near the park were not great with many of them being rustic and bare bones. I wanted to give glamping a real try before deciding whether or not I could consider the experience luxury. What is the verdict? Yes… and no.

Hear me out – Under Canvas is luxury compared to regular camping. You are sleeping in a plush bed instead of a sleeping bag with a flushing toilet and a staffed front desk who can provide you with firewood and give you activity suggestions. Is it luxury compared to staying at Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina, for example? No, absolutely not – no comparison.

I would argue that glamping at Under Canvas is a better experience than staying at a 2 or 3-star hotel near the park entrance. Not only are you taking in fantastic endless views from the front of your tent, but the complimentary smores and camp camaraderie only add to the experience. If sending a client here, I would set the expectation that it’s technically a glamping experience, but don’t expect 5-star service or accommodations.

Recommended Travelers

I would recommend Under Canvas Grand Canyon for any solo, couple, or family looking for a fun elevated camping experience. Travelers who don’t mind not having WiFi and who are looking to unplug and immerse themselves in nature. I would also remind travelers going to Under Canvas that above all, they are still camping and there are bound to be hiccups like no hot water or batteries running out on the lamps. I recommend at least 2 nights here to get the full glamping experience and enjoy the Grand Canyon!

Final Thoughts

Overall, I had a great time at Under Canvas Grand Canyon. During that trip, I stayed at a few 5-star properties (Bellagio and Aria in Las Vegas) and Under Canvas was the highlight of my trip. Despite not having hot water and waking up cold before starting the fire, it was a unique experience that paired perfectly with visiting the Grand Canyon for the first time. Sitting around the fire pits we spoke with a number of people from all walks of life who spoke highly of their Under Canvas experience. There’s a reason why this brand has been a game changer in the world of glamping and I’m excited to see how they continue to grow.

Have you ever been glamping? How was your experience? Let me know in the comments below!