Watch A Movie From A Classic Car At This Drive-In And Glamping Destination In The Utah Desert

A “glamping vacation spot” isn’t fairly the suitable strategy to describe Yonder Escalante in southern Utah. “Campground” does this desert dreamscape even much less justice. And “resort” sounds too pretentious. But it surely is smart that it’s laborious to search out the suitable description for this former RV park – which opened within the city of Escalante in 2021 after an intensive renovation – as a result of there’s no place fairly prefer it.

Yonder Escalante is the inaugural property from Yonder Hospitality, which purchased the run-down 20-acre RV park and drive-in movie show with a selected imaginative and prescient: to offer vacationers a brand new strategy to expertise America’s most lovely nationwide parks.

And Yonder’s prime location in Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument does simply that. Not solely is it set throughout the Monument’s sprawling backcountry of towering sandstone cliffs, mesmerizing slot canyons, and jaw-dropping panoramic vistas that stretch for miles and miles. But it surely additionally positions visitors about an hour from Bryce Canyon National Park, and roughly two hours from Zion. (I drove to Escalante after leaving Moab, Utah, the place I visited Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. I additionally hit Capitol Reef alongside the best way, and explored Bryce and Zion whereas staying at Yonder – permitting me to see all of Utah’s “Mighty Five” National Parks in a single epically scenic journey.)

The hospitality group saved 35 spots reserved for RVs or campers, however they added two extra lodging choices: 10 classic Airstreams refreshed with mild, shiny interiors, plus 22 fashionable and minimalist A-frame micro-cabins that have been custom-designed for the property. I opted for one of many tiny cabins, which felt far more spacious than its humble sq. footage would counsel, due to excessive ceilings and glass partitions with views of the encompassing timber. Every design-driven cabin is outfitted with a mini-fridge, cozy daybed, cozy blankets, fashionable shelving, and its personal non-public seating space and firepit.

Yonder Hospitality additionally saved the drive-in movie show…however they cleverly reimagined what “seating” can seem like. Visitors can now catch traditional films like Cool Hand Luke and Eighties favorites like E.T. from the consolation of one in every of 9 traditional automobiles kitted out with audio system, and heaters for cold desert nights. (What kind of wine pairs nicely with Reese’s Items? Go to the Airstream concession stand earlier than the present begins to search out out.) The backdrop? A surprising Utah desert panorama that’s worthy of a movie set in and of itself.

Many different communal areas and facilities have been added, together with a glossy, fashionable “lodge” with ample seating for teams to hang around and sip microbrews by the firepits, an outsized pool and scorching tub, and high-end grills.

There are additionally two shared bathhouses…but when the time period “communal bogs” makes you cringe, relaxation assured that these fashionable water closets, sinks, and outside showers are continuously cleaned, and really feel extra just like the services at a spa than a state park.

The Normal Retailer sells an eclectic array of low- to high-end snacks – all the things from 50-cent cylinders of Smarties and $1 bins of Pink Hots to sandwiches, salads, s’mores kits, and cheese and charcuterie platters, to finish par-cooked dinners able to be thrown on a grill or campfire. There’s additionally an amazing number of wine, beer, and bottles of bubbly. A cute classic meals truck serves up breakfast burritos, egg sandwiches, and French toast sticks each morning – plus burgers, rooster sandwiches, and ice cream on the weekends.

Whereas the WiFi is dependable, the entire expertise is designed to provide visitors the relaxed residence base they should benefit from the majestic pure panorama, and to journey again to the nostalgic really feel of an easier pre-cell cellphone period.

Yonder’s Vanlife/Campsite charges begin at $59/evening. RV web site beginning charge: $129/evening. Cabins from $189/evening. Airstreams begin at $239/evening. Go to stayyonder.com for extra data and to e-book, and take a look at Yonder’s Instagram for extra photographs.

For a primer on Utah’s majestic “Mighty 5” Nationwide Parks, try VisitUtah.com.