WANT

DESERT DIGS

Utah’s Yonder Escalante lets guests explore the outdoors in style

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ / PHOTO BY KIM & NASH FINLEY

For many, the concept of exploring wide open spaces and sleeping under the stars is an alluring one. However, the thought of relaxing with neither running water nor indoor plumbing for an extended period is not. Enter desert resorts. Desert resorts provide an elevated means to experience the great outdoors without giving up creature comforts. Many of these glamping resorts may even have more luxuries than one might find at home. Case in point: Yonder Escalante. In 2021, the 20-acre desert resort Yonder Escalante launched in Southern Utah. The resort is nearby two of the most frequented outdoor destinations in the region. The first attraction is Bryce Canyon National Park, known for its series of natural red rock amphitheaters and a collection of irregularly eroded spires of rocks called hoodoos. The second draw is Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a 200-million-year-old region spanning more than one million acres and featuring dramatic slot canyons, sandstone labyrinths, arches, plateaus and cliffs. When guests aren’t out exploring the great outdoors, Yonder Escalante offers both modern lodging and outdoor living. Accommodations include 10 vintage renovated airstreams, 67 RV sites and 22 cabins. The cabins are of note for their design that offers both understated luxury and a connection to the desert surroundings. Truss-less roofs shelter sleek interiors that come complete with high ceilings and exposed birch plywood and glass walls designed to immerse guests in the landscape. Cabins also boast elevated finishes and furnishings including soft brown leather flooring, plush percale bedding, linen curtains and an inspired aesthetic with custom and collected vintage pieces. The cabins’ interior living spaces are designed to overlook the desert’s vast landscape and starry skies. Other features include heating and cooling, Wi-Fi and cooking supplies. Dining amenities include a mini fridge, an outdoor fire pit and a hot water kettle with premium tea and coffee. Each cabin holds a queensized bed and a twin daybed. Beyond the lodging, Yonder features spa-inspired bathhouses, a resort-style lounge pool and a hot tub, fire pits and acres of outdoor space. At the open-air lodge, guests can enjoy nightly bonfires, a vintage record player, board games, a stocked library, a sundeck and even a telescope. A general store sells curated provisions and meal kits. Another resort perk includes a drive-in movie theater featuring vintage cars equipped with sound and heaters. Programming runs the gamut and can include stargazing and dark sky experiences, personalized leather branding, guided hikes, water rentals, live music, art partnerships, four-wheeling, horseback riding and fishing. Rates vary based on time of year, programming and add-ons. For more information, visit www.stayyonder.com.