When we were on a road trip through the western USA, we had already visited Bryce Canyon and had Horseshoe Bend and Monument Valley ahead of us. I was looking for an interesting place to stay overnight that would fit reasonably well into our route—and I came across Zion Glamping Adventures.
I had never been glamping in my life. I had slept in a tent before, but glamping? This was my very first time. And I have to say that the entire experience—from the scary drive there and a campfire with strangers to waking up in the canyon—was one of the most memorable moments of the entire trip.
A Drive That Looked Like a Scene from a Horror Movie
It was more than a two-hour drive from Bryce Canyon. It doesn't look that far on the map, but the last half hour to an hour was... different. We drove through Orderville toward Cane Beds and gradually found ourselves in the middle of absolute wilderness.
No houses, no civilization, no cell signal. Complete darkness, only the stars overhead and a road leading through Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park—a place where miles of pink sand dunes stretch through the mountains. Deer occasionally jumped across the road, and I kept wondering whether we were even heading in the right direction and whether we would make it there at all.
Since I had no signal for a very long time, I didn't dare touch Google Maps or the navigation. If I closed or restarted it, I wouldn't have been able to reload the route without a signal, and I had no idea how I would find the place without maps.
A little improvised, but that's often how adventures go.
Looking back, I saw that we probably could have taken the highway from the north, but Google chose this route for us from Bryce Canyon—and in hindsight, I'm glad it did, because the drive itself was an experience. A little creepy, but beautiful.
A Little History: Zion National Park
Before I get to the glamping itself, it's worth saying a few words about the place where it all happened. Zion National Park is the oldest and most visited national park in Utah—around 4.5 million visitors come here every year.
The park was officially established in 1919 with the signature of President Woodrow Wilson, but it had been a protected area since 1909. It was originally called Mukuntuweap National Monument, after the name used by the Indigenous Paiute people. Mormon settlers, who arrived here in the 1860s and were so overwhelmed by the beauty of the local canyons that they named the place after the biblical Zion, pushed for it to be renamed “Zion." The word Zion is an ancient Hebrew term for a refuge or sanctuary—and honestly, when you're standing there, you understand why.
Zion Canyon itself is about 24 kilometers long and up to 900 meters deep in places. The Virgin River carved it into the red Navajo sandstone over millions of years. And it is precisely the characteristic red and orange color of the cliffs that strikes you most of all here.
Interestingly, the first permanent American settler, Isaac Behunin, built a simple log cabin here in 1861—roughly where Zion Lodge stands today.
Arriving After Dark
We arrived at the glamping site in complete darkness, much later than expected. Fortunately, it was fairly well signposted, so we parked without any problems. No reception, no lobby—you simply see white glamping tents scattered across the hillside and among the rocks, far enough apart to ensure privacy, and a large billboard by the access road telling you to call the number provided.
I called, and the woman explained over the phone where to look for our tent. We found it within moments. I should point out that it was quite cold—similar to Bryce Canyon, perhaps even a little worse here, especially in the evening. Fortunately, the tents had electric heaters, so it was comfortable inside. The only slightly annoying thing was the humming—it hummed in different ways and made some interesting noises during the night, but it didn't really bother us.
Inside the tent were two large beds with mattresses, so up to four people could sleep there comfortably. Outside the tent was a small table with benches for sitting and having breakfast. There was also a toilet and bathroom—shared by all guests, nothing fancy, but perfectly adequate for an outdoor adventure.
Zion Glamping Adventures is located in the town of Hildale, Utah, at 1545 N Water Canyon Road, near the Arizona border. It is about a 45-minute drive from the main entrance to Zion National Park. Prices start at $99 per night, check-in is at 3:00 p.m., and check-out is at 11:00 a.m. The tents have both air conditioning and heating, so you can stay there virtually year-round.
A Campfire with Strangers
My daughter fell asleep within moments—she was exhausted after the whole day. So my friend, who was traveling with us, and I headed outside. A group of young people was sitting around the main campfire—it looked like some kind of school trip or group of hikers—and they were roasting marshmallows and chatting.
We asked if we could join them, and they welcomed us without hesitation. We had a non-alcoholic beer, chatted, listened to their stories, and then talked among ourselves. The stars shone beautifully overhead—because there were no towns nearby, no light pollution, and no urban noise, the view of the night sky was absolutely incredible.
Incidentally, this is one of the reasons people come here—the night sky around Zion is among the best in the entire United States.
The Morning That Changed Everything
After the campfire, we went to sleep, and when I stepped out of the tent in the morning, an absolutely beautiful valley opened up before me. It felt as though we had slept in the middle of a canyon. Red and orange cliffs all around, white glamping tents scattered among them, trees, bushes, and the typical reddish-brown soil you know from Bryce Canyon.
Pure, untouched nature. Nothing for miles around. No hotel, no road, just wilderness.
Starlink in the Middle of Nowhere
One thing pleasantly surprised me. Naturally, there was no cell signal—but they had Wi-Fi via Starlink. And it was extremely fast. Honestly, I wouldn't have expected it there, but thanks to Starlink, the internet worked without any problems the entire time we were there. So if you need to stay online even in the wilderness, you can do that here. I've also had Starlink at home for three years now and have never had a single problem with it—a great solution.
Breakfast with a View
Below the tents, they had built a small outdoor refreshment area—a kind of wooden bar with a shelter. They made pancakes for breakfast, and there was coffee and a few other things. Nothing fancy, but simply nice and pleasant. The atmosphere was perfect.
I would compare it roughly to Motel 66—nothing luxurious, but exactly what you would expect from a place like this. And the man preparing breakfast—probably someone from management or an employee—was incredibly friendly and accommodating. From other guests' reviews, I know that his homemade pancakes are one of the main highlights of the entire stay.
What to Visit Nearby
If you spend more time in the area, you definitely won't be bored. Here are a few tips for things to do nearby:
Zion National Park – The park itself offers dozens of hiking trails for all fitness levels. One of the most popular is Angels Landing—a steep and, in some places, quite adrenaline-inducing trail where you sometimes hold on to chains above a sheer drop. The reward is breathtaking views of the entire canyon. Since 2022, a permit has been required for this trail, which you must apply for in advance through a lottery. Another iconic route is The Narrows—unique because you spend most of the time walking directly through the Virgin River between canyon walls hundreds of meters high. If you're looking for something easier, try Riverside Walk or Canyon Overlook Trail—both routes are short, easy, and offer amazing views.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park – We drove through this place on the way to the glamping site, and it is truly unique. Pink sand dunes in the middle of the mountains, formed by the erosion of the surrounding Navajo sandstone over the past 10,000 to 15,000 years. You can ride ATVs, go sandboarding, or simply walk across the dunes. An interesting fact: the endemic Coral Pink tiger beetle lives here and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The park is located about 20 minutes from Kanab.
Water Canyon – Right by Hildale, where the glamping site is located, lies the beautiful little Water Canyon, which resembles a miniature version of the famous Subway in Zion. It's a lovely place for a walk and ideal for those who don't want to deal with permits and crowds in the main park.
Kanab – The nearest larger town calls itself “Little Hollywood" because many Westerns were filmed here. You'll find restaurants, shops, and facilities for trips around the area, including Coral Pink Sand Dunes and the famous Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Practical Tips
Arrive during daylight if you can. We arrived after dark and had a little trouble finding our way. If you arrive while it's still light, you'll be able to orient yourself better and immediately see the beautiful landscape around you.
Bring warm clothes. Even though it can be hot in Utah during the day, temperatures in this area drop quite significantly in the evening and at night. The electric heaters in the tents help, but you'll appreciate having a jacket or at least a sweatshirt for walking to the campfire or bathroom.
Bring your own food for dinner. There are no restaurants or shops in the immediate vicinity of the glamping site. Breakfast is included in the stay, but you need to bring your own supplies for dinner. You can use the available grill or build a campfire.
Expect limited cell service. Cell service is virtually nonexistent in the area. Wi-Fi via Starlink works great, but if you need to make calls or navigate, download offline maps in advance.
Book directly through their website. When booking directly through zionglampingadventures.com, you are guaranteed the best price. The cancellation policy is reasonable—there is no fee if you cancel more than 30 days in advance.
What More Is There to Say? Was It Worth It?
We stayed there for only one night before continuing on to Horseshoe Bend and Monument Valley, which was on a completely different level. But that one night glamping in the wilderness near Zion? It was one of the most extraordinary experiences I've ever had.
It's not a luxury resort. Nor is it a traditional campground. It's something in between—and that's precisely where its magic lies. You sleep in pristine nature, but on a proper mattress. You don't have a signal, but you have the stars. There's nothing around you, but you have everything you need.
That initial creepy feeling during the drive there? It's part of the experience. The wilderness, the darkness, the stars, the peace—all of it combines to create an atmosphere that no hotel can give you.
If you're traveling through Zion or visiting the area around Bryce Canyon and Monument Valley, stop by and spend the night. It's worth it, and you'll have an experience you won't soon forget.
