In the glory days of safaris, roughing it was out of the question. The clients dined off porcelain dishes, drank out of crystal goblets and slept on fine linen—all while sitting in the jungle or the savanna waiting to catch a glimpse of the next A-list predator. If you’ve read Ernest Hemingway, you know what I’m talking about.
Those days of decadence have long been gone, but “glamping” is bringing them back–without the hunting. It may not be quite as luxurious, but it sure beats “camping.”
In Moab, Utah — a former uranium mining town known for its rock formations, dramatic landscape, and charming downtown — and site of Arches National Park and the famed Delicate Arch, there’s a new glamping resort that offers adventure in comfort.
Ulum, Moab is located just 25 minutes south of Moab. It sits on 200 acres of desert with views of 100-foot cliffs and the Looking Glass Arch. It started welcoming guests in April and its inaugural season ends on Oct. 23. The resort is part of the Under Canvas family, which has 11 resorts across the country including in Acadia, Maine; Bryce Canyon, Utah; and West Yellowstone. There’s an Under Canvas camp in Moab too. In fact, Matt Gaghen, CEO of Under Canvas, told Travel + Leisure that Ulum Moab was born from Under Canvas Moab guests’ requests for “more comfort in nature.”
“We’ve taken some core elements [of Under Canvas] and plussed it up for Ulum,” Gaghen said.
The journey to Moab is as beautiful as the destination itself. The site is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Colorado’s Grand Junction Regional Airport, past stunning scenery filled with mountainous views and rock formations.
You’re greeted at Ulum Moab with a welcome tea outside what can only be described as a contemporary multi-purpose lobby. It’s a reception area, it’s a small market with curated goods (like face masks, hats, and SPF), it’s an indoor dining space, and it’s a cafe.
This leads to the outdoor space, which has fire pits with lounge chairs, a large, tented deck with tables, and access to the three dipping pools (they’re too small to swim in, hence “dipping”). In the evening, this is where a live musician entertains you while the sun goes down and you enjoy a relaxing drink. And since no camping—or glamping—experience would be complete without it, you can reminisce about your childhood while making s’mores over the fire pits and enjoy the views of the starry sky. If you haven’t been in this part of the world before, you will be astounded by the profusion and brightness of that incredible starry canopy.
The cafe and restaurant serve breakfast and dinner, focusing on local, seasonal ingredients and Southwest-inspired flavors.
The 50 individual tents- 360-square-feet- are spaciously scattered throughout the area. They have a king-size bed, and a lounge area equipped with chairs and a queen-size sofa bed. Your tent also has everything you need for temperature control: evaporative cooling fans if it’s warm and wood stoves if it’s cool. The ensuite bathroom features a rain shower, concrete sinks, and Aesop bath products. There’s also a 70-square-foot deck with patio chairs to enjoy the views outside.
“You are more connected here than at most resorts you may stay at,” Gaghen said. “You are not separated from it — you are in it, but very comfortably.”
No matter how you want to spend your time, guests of Ulum Moab can connect with Ulum’s “adventure concierge,” who helps book guests’ activities based on their interests, budget, and comfort level.
The resort is near hiking and biking trails, white water rafting, horseback riding, and rock climbing. “It’s an amazing launching off point to all these hiking, climbing, and biking destinations that are super accessible here,” Gaghen said. “You can explore so much of this amazing part of Utah and this Canyonlands area just by staying on the property.” (Ulum Moab is 55 minutes from the south entrance of Canyonlands National Park and 45 minutes from Arches National Park.)
To explore the local wine scene, there’s Spanish Valley Vineyard and Winery — one of the few wineries in Utah — located a half hour’s drive from the resort. The area also offers ballooning, skydiving, and scenic flights over the landscape.
There’s plenty to do on-site as well: activities and wellness programs like yoga, jewelry making, and sound baths. And if you want to go rock climbing without having to visit a national park, you can book a guide to take you to the very top of the Looking Glass Arch.
