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One of the largest, most remote, and rugged National Monuments in the United States is one you may not yet be familiar with: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. A vast protected area located in southern Utah, the monument covers an area of approximately 1.9 million acres of stunningly diverse landscape – including rugged canyons, towering cliffs, waterfalls, natural bridges, and arches.

Despite its remote location, Southern Utah – specifically Garfield County – is an adventurer’s paradise, with the world’s largest concentration of scenic attractions in one county. With two National Parks (Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef), three state parks (Kodachrome Basin, Anasazi Museum), and Escalante Petrified Forest, as well as National Recreation Areas and National Monuments (including the vast Grand Staircase-Escalante), this is one of the true outdoor epicenters of the nation.

It’s also home to the coolest “glampground” I’ve ever visited – Yonder Escalante. Here is why you should make it your base camp for your adventure to Bryce Canyon Country.

WHY IT’S AWESOME:

Yonder Escalante is perfectly situated off the gorgeous Scenic Byway 12 surrounded by the vast open spaces and geological formations of Southern Utah. It feels like a secret oasis among a rugged, desolate environment from the moment you drive into the property – with attentive staff, luxurious accommodations, a beautiful pool for a hot summer day, and – the best part, in my opinion – a drive-in movie theater playing classics each night. It’s a destination in itself in the middle of so many.

IN-HOUSE FOOD AND DRINK:

Each Airstream, cabin, RV site, and campsite has a private fire pit for cooking up meals, and if you don’t want to prep yourself Yonder has DIY meal kits available in the general store. Each meal kit includes a protein (choose from local NY strip steaks, roasted chicken, or a Beyond bratwurst), a choice of two sides, bread, and dessert. It’s a thoughtful addition that keeps the glam in glamping.

For breakfast, there is an on-site food truck serving until 11 am that also opens on weekends for dinner. Pro-tip: try the “Best in the State Breakfast Sandwich” with local Kanab meats sausage patty, fried egg, American cheese, crispy hash brown, and ketchup, on a griddled potato bun. It’s delectable and perfect before a day spent hiking or after a night with a few glasses of wine.

When dusk rolls around you can enjoy the concession stand at the Drive-In Theater. Located in its own vintage Airstream the concession stand offers traditional concession fare like hot dogs, nachos, candy, and beer – and free popcorn.

AMENITIES:

ROOM TYPES:

Yonder is unique from many “glampgrounds” in that it has several options for lodgings. From refurbished vintage Airstreams to stylish cabins to RV sites – you have your pick of interesting abodes.

There are 10 vintage Airstreams on the property at Yonder – each lovingly restored and furnished with midcentury furniture, a kitchenette, and an HVAC system. The Airstreams also offer a private fire pit and table with chairs outside of each unit to roast marshmallows or grab a glass of wine while watching the sunset.

The cabins at Yonder were custom designed to provide the comforts of a cabin with the beauty of nature through high ceilings and large glass walls looking out onto the property. Cabins are climate controlled and each includes a mini-fridge, microwave, lounger, and private outdoor fire pit.

Deluxe RV sites include full electrical, water, and sewer hook-ups, a personal fire pit, and an oversized picnic table. Max 35 feet, each site is on a leveled concrete pad and includes access to all of Yonder’s amenities.

Yonder also has sites for campervans or tents (up to 2 per site) on the property. Sites include electrical and water hookups, oversized picnic tables, charcoal grills, and personal fire pits. All sites include access to Yonder amenities.

BEST THINGS TO DO WITHIN A 15-MINUTE WALK:

The coolest thing to do within a 15-minute walk is, of course, the Drive-in theater on the property. Playing cult classics films each night at dusk, there are vintage cars parked for visitors to sit inside to watch (with radios and heaters if needed) as well as plenty of space to bring your chair and enjoy the show. I happily watched Goonies and The Princess Bride during my stay with some popcorn and hard Kombucha from the concession stand. It was as magical as it sounds.

BEST THINGS TO DO WITHIN A ONE-HOUR DRIVE:

GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT – HOLE-IN-THE-ROCK ROAD – 20 miles to start

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is huge – but luckily has many spectacular and accessible areas, like Hole-In-The-Rock Road. Located just 20 miles from Yonder, the 55.5 miles of gravel road leads to many of the most popular sites in the monument – one of the most popular being Devil’s Garden just 12 miles down the road. Further, you’ll stop at Dry Fork of Coyote Gulch trailhead where you can access the non-technical Peek-a-boo and Spooky slot canyons.

Burr Trail Road is one of the most scenic drives in a state that is nearly exclusively made up of scenic drives. The 67.4 mil road, originally constructed as a cattle road between Boulder Utah, and Bullfrog Marina in Lake Powell takes explorers through not only Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument but also portions of Capitol Reef National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Be sure to stop at Singing Canyon – a beautiful slot canyon just off the road and be aware of the weather as the road is only paved to the boundary of Capitol Reef National Park and may become impassable during certain conditions.

Boulder, Utah is one of the most remote locations in Utah, with a population of just 250. Surprisingly, it is also home to the only restaurant in Utah ever named a James Beard semi-finalist for outstanding restaurant – and they’ve done it multiple times.

Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm is a farm-to-table restaurant that is unassuming and delicious with seasonal and unique dishes that make the difficulty of getting a reservation well worth it. Pro-tip: drive and hike on Burr Trail Road before dinner as the road begins nearly next door.

Bryce Canyon National Park is something you have to see to believe. With its striking hoodoos and dramatic vistas – this is a park not to be missed for any outdoor lover. Hike Queens Garden or around on the Rim Trail which hits elevations over 9,000 ft before descending into the canyon to hike the easy and accessible Mossy Cave Trail.

The Bed in my Airstream was almost too comfortable – I slept in both mornings of my stay instead of waking up to watch the sunrise as I had planned. The linens felt very luxe with plenty of pillows (this really matters to me) and a fluffy-down comforter. With windows all around and adjustable reading lights, it was the perfect place to sleep, lounge, and read.

Yonder Escalante is family-friendly and luxuriously rugged, but the style adds some sexiness to the overall feel. The elevated bathhouses and pool/spa area are sleek while the accommodations are light-filled and inviting.

Everywhere! Honestly, though, the entire place is an Instagrammers dream – but without being cheesy. The backdrop of Grand Staricase-Escalante coupled with the vintage Airstreams and Drive-In theater juxtaposed with sleek modern cabins and amenities is fresh and fun. There is an aesthetic for anyone that goes far beyond the normal glamping resort.

I especially loved taking photos of the vintage cars permanently parked at the Drive-In Theater. The colors and styles are unexpected and joyful in the middle of the desert.

Open seasonally from generally mid-March to November, the glamping resort closes for the winter months. I visited in early April and while the nights were still chilly and the pool hadn’t yet opened it was warm during the day and the heater in my Airstream kept me toasty at night.

It’s hard to find anything to complain about here, honestly… The location, amenities, and staff were all top-notch. But if I was forced, I’d say that the distance between parking and my Airstream site was a bit long as well as the distance between the Airstream and clubhouse/pool area. To mitigate that, Yonder is very accommodating and with a simple text, a staff member will pick you and your luggage up in a golf cart to or from your site.

Choose your adventure here. Airstreams start at $249/night, Cabins at $229/night, deluxe RV sites at $119/night, and van life/campsites at $69/night.

CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — A name in senior living that Southern Utah families have known and trusted for decades, The Meadows at Escalante recently changed ownership and is welcoming new residents to see everything the community has to offer.

Nestled in the heart of downtown St. George and surrounded by gorgeous mountain views, The Meadows at Escalante is a senior living community specializing in assisted living along with memory care. The community strives to provide quality service for all residents and their unique, individual needs so they can live their lives with vibrancy and dignity.

“Living here feels like home,” sales and marketing director Kyle Yardley said. “It’s friendly, and our care team treats you like family.”

The Meadows at Escalante offers a comfortable, cozy environment with 120 assisted living apartments and 48 memory care apartments. The campus features a library, fitness center, movie theater and large outdoor courtyard areas with fountains and plenty of seating. Just minutes away from the hospital, medical offices and shopping, Yardley said the location can’t be beat.

Assisted living residents take part in Vibrant Life, an innovative program that allows each person to create their own schedule based on their unique interests, preferences, routines and abilities. Thoughtfully designed to connect residents with family, friends and the community, Vibrant Life both inspires and challenges. The Meadows at Escalante meets residents where they are on their wellness journey and encourages them to choose their own path by getting involved in activities that interest them to stay fit, happy and healthy.

Residents enjoy the Elevate dining program, an enhanced culinary experience that integrates fresh cooking with their favorite homestyle meals. The Meadows at Escalante can accommodate virtually any dietary requirement or restriction, including special diets to help manage conditions such as hypertension, heart disease or diabetes. The chef-created menus are certified by a registered dietitian to guarantee the nutritional integrity of each dish.

The Meadows at Escalante offers Generations memory care for residents living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Generations follows the philosophy of a person-centric culture where every resident is viewed as the person they were and still are, not identified by their disease or behaviors. The program encourages independence, supports each resident’s strengths and capabilities and assists them with their needs in a loving, dignified manner.

“Memory care is important, and it’s difficult,” Yardley said. “We hope to be the place to help your loved one through the process.”

Generations is a relatively new addition to The Meadows at Escalante. The memory care facility was built about five years ago and features bright, roomy living spaces, a beauty salon and 24/7 access to care staff. Residents participate in daily life activities including music, art and pet therapy.

In recent months, the new ownership has invested in updating the buildings and apartments along with offering new activity options. Residents just arriving to The Meadows at Escalante will enjoy renovated accommodations with a modern feel.

Right now, assisted living apartments start at $2,550 per month. Pricing includes all meals, transportation, housekeeping, utilities and maintenance. Yardley encourages prospective residents and their families to use the cost comparison worksheet provided by The Meadows at Escalante to see how much they could save by living in a senior community vs. living at home.

“If you thought the cost of moving into a senior living community was out of reach, you might be surprised at how reasonable it is,” he said. “We’re very budget-friendly, especially for St. George.”

The Meadows at Escalante has been a staple of senior living in Southern Utah for over 30 years. People search out the community because it’s the place their loved ones stayed, Yardley said, and they remember it fondly.

“Grandma and Grandpa used to live here, and now Mom and Dad are old enough to need assistance and they want the same experience,” he added. “That’s comforting when we meet families.”

Stop by and see for yourself. When you take a tour of The Meadows at Escalante, you’ll get valuable insight into the community, their caring team and a taste of their chef’s cooking. Call 435-628-0090 or click here to schedule your visit.

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

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We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay at Yonder Escalante. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Charles Tate knows a thing or two about RV parks. After taking an interest in the industry almost a decade ago, the financier bought a 1977 Airstream and began touring the country. He learned what RVers liked and, more importantly, what they didn’t — namely how close together the units are at most RV parks and the sorry state of most RV park bathrooms. There, Tate found his entryway into the industry, and Yonder Escalante was born.

Yonder is a 20-acre RV park in southern Utah’s Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument that has 35 RV sites, 22 cabins, 10 renovated Airstreams, and a variety of communal spaces. I met Tate in the open-air clubhouse the morning after I arrived. I’d just finished splitting a breakfast burrito with my mom that we’d ordered from the on-site food truck, facing the cluster of cabins where our tiny-home-style accommodation was located. He was sitting in a lounge chair beside one of the unlit firepits, facing the hybrid reception area and general store. Approaching our table, he remarked how nice it was to see a mother-daughter duo traveling together, explaining that he’d founded the property with his son James in an effort to evolve the RV space.

Photo: Alex Bresler

“I’ve never seen an industry that’s so typified by cheap, cheap, cheap,” Tate told us. “Everything you read is about how to go on an RV trip and spend less money, and finding a place to park is a big part of that. This is really designed to appeal to people who want a much better RV park experience, not just a parking spot.”

The clubhouse is the nucleus of the property where many guests choose to eat, lounge, work, and otherwise spend their downtime. There are communal books and board games, and on the night I arrived, a local musician was playing an acoustic set while onlookers sipped beer, wine, and mix-it-yourself cocktail kits from the general store.

Photo: Alex Bresler

Between the clubhouse and the general store is the first block of bathrooms, which is a point of pride for the Yonder team. Having heard countless complaints about the bathrooms at most RV parks, Tate knew that he wanted to create a spa-like atmosphere with amenities such as luxury bath products, hairdryers, flat irons, and makeup remover. A second bathroom block on the other side of the property has outdoor showers with desert landscaping befitting a home patio and overhead heaters for optimal comfort.

Flippant as it may sound, Yonder’s outdoor showers encapsulate its essence: an immersive nature experience that both purposefully disappears against the rugged backdrop of the national monument and stands out as an oasis of comfort amid Utah’s hot, craggy, dusty desert. (Yonder also has an answer for the heat and dirt in the form of a large swimming pool and on-site laundry facility.)

Photo: Kim + Nash Finley

Before Tate bought the plot in 2018 it belonged to the Shooting Star RV Park, which came with its own drive-in movie theater. The drive-in is still there, although the DVD player that the old park used to show movies has been upgraded with a projector and FM transmitter. The Yonder team also drove in a small fleet of classic cars to add to the existing collection — there are now nine total — and set up a concession stand with snacks like popcorn and Milk Duds for the ultimate viewing experience. Guests staying in the cabins and Airstreams closest to the screen can also borrow listening devices to watch from their patios. Family-friendly movies — during my three-night stay the lineup was The Sandlot, Back to the Future, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs — are screened every evening around dusk.

Photo: Kim + Nash Finley

The drive-in is not the only amenity at Yonder with a built-in experience. All of the cabins and Airstreams come with private grill grates that guests can use to prepare meal kits that are available for purchase at the general store. S’mores are roasted nightly over the communal fire pits at the clubhouse, and personal s’mores kits are also on offer for private roasting.

Tate can’t take credit for the rest of the experiences many Yonder guests are after. Located off a stretch of the Highway 12 that’s been designated a Scenic Byway, the property lies midway between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks in the heart of slot canyon country. Hikes such as Spooky and Pekaboo Gulch, Lower Calf Creek, and the Escalante River Trail have put this pocket of southern Utah on the map for anyone who loves road trips and the great outdoors.

Photo: Alex Bresler

You might think that building a glampy RV park in the middle of an increasingly trafficked part of southern Utah is a recipe for lodging costs that no real outdoorsperson would be willing to pay. Not so. For the level of amenities guests are offered, Yonder’s prices are competitive with other glampsites and RV parks in Utah. Campervan sites start at $59 per night, RV sites start at $129 per night, cabins start at $169 per night, and Airstreams start at $209 per night.

I have yet to visit an RV park in an actual RV. But at half the cost of staying at one of the fixed accommodations, with all the same perks, Yonder’s RV and campervan sites strike me as a pretty great deal. Heck, I’d come back as a vanlifer for those outdoor showers alone.

In our year 2022, high-desert “bohemian” getaways like Joshua Tree or Marfa are on the verge of being overrun. The Airbnb-Instagram industrial complex and its throngs of venture capitalists, influencers, gurus, and clout chasers have begun slowly stripping these places of their idiosyncrasies, turning them into Pinterest-ready paradises for festival-wear fetishists.

So when The Daily Beast was invited to check out Yonder Escalante, a chic new camping resort in the southern Utah desert—featuring neatly designed A-frame cabins, restored vintage Airstreams, and a drive-in theater with parked classic cars—I must confess: I was skeptical.

My cynical ass hauled itself out to the middle of nowhere late this summer fully expecting to be floored by the natural splendor (who wouldn’t be!) but with a nagging sense of mistrust of yet another sleek, Instagrammable glamping retreat.

Instead, I let go. And I found myself deeply enjoying a long weekend of wonder.

Yonder Escalante is part RV park/part campground/part upscale lodge situated on a 20-acre plot of land right up along Scenic Byway 12—emphasis on scenic because holy hell this drive is just one gasp after another.

The resort’s distance from major cities (Vegas, five hours west; SLC, five hours north) seems to weed out the trend-chasers I so grumpily decried, so much that it feels like a real haven for true believers and adventure seekers.

A relaxed, unpretentious, and carefree experience makes sense considering the glampground was built by a father-son duo who lived the real RV life and came away wanting to create a space for fellow travelers who seek more than “just a parking spot.”

And it definitely is way more than that. Accompanying the 22 cabins, 10 Airstreams, and 35 RV spots is a laundry room along with a spa-like bath house with luxury toiletries and private outdoor showers. A food truck offers breakfast burritos and oatmeals by morning; several delicious sandwiches, including a house smash burger, along with Dole Whip soft-serve and heapings of tots and fries at all other hours. A general store sells DIY meal kits, snacks, and alcoholic beverages. And a mid-century, open-air communal lodge features fire pits overlooking the vast, dusty desert landscape.

The pool/hot tub is a welcome oasis before or after a full day of exploring the surrounding areas. Indeed, there’s an immense amount of stuff to look at and hikes to consider. And Yonder Escalante is the perfect home base for the requisite day trips as it sits within driving distance of both Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks and their countless sights, as well as the myriad slot canyons, hoodoos, and river trails dotting the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. A simple daytime drive east on Route 12 turns into a thrill ride on the Hogsback, a stretch of the byway that climbs to the narrow crest of a ridge with immediate drops in the hundreds of feet on either side of the road.

On this particular trip, we hiked Bryce Canyon’s Queens / Navajo combination loop, which included the famed “Wall Street” and its steep, narrow switchbacks; the Devil’s Garden, a remote playground of sandstone formations and arches several miles down the bumpy Hole-in-the-Rock Road; and Lower Calf Creek Falls, a nearly seven mile out-and-back to a 126-foot waterfall tucked away deep within the canyons.

Nothing like multi-hour hikes through some truly extraterrestrial-looking landscapes to reset the neurons in this media-addled brain, release some dopamine, and experience pure, uncut awe.

But it was back at Yonder Escalante where I was more surprised to capture some of that childlike joy.

Since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by Airstreams. Something about that retro-futuristic curved aluminum shape—like a sci-fi silver bullet to somewhere, anywhere that isn’t here—has long led me to stop and gawk whenever I spot one. (Shoutout to the person who parks theirs on my favorite cobblestone street in Red Hook.) And so every time I approached our Airstream trailer, I admittedly felt giddy to be there. Absolute dweeb, I know.

I’ve been camping plenty of times and am certainly guilty of wincing at glamping as “inauthentic” or “bougie.” But the Yonder experience sacrifices none of the simple pleasures that make camping enjoyable in the first place. Like cooking on an open flame.

“There’s nothing like a campfire and a can of beans,” Tom Waits once sang, and while there were sadly no cans of beans available, Yonder does offer a delightful series of DIY meal packages: A local whole chicken, spatchcocked and sous-vide in advance so that it stays juicy and you only need to brown it to your liking; or a generous cut of steak from a family-owned meat processor in Kanab; and sides of various fresh and fully seasoned veggies along with—of course—a s’mores kit.

Out in front of each trailer or cabin is a fire pit and plenty of space to just hang out. And so we happily did so for all three nights, almost like a ritual: Return from a long day of hiking, spark up the fire pit, sit around for hours drinking beer, taking in the crisp desert air and staring up at the darkest sky I’ve seen in years with a hazy band of the Milky Way visible.

And then we go to bed and do it all again.

CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Slot Canyons Inn, a thoroughly unique bed-and-breakfast and wedding venue located among the cliffs and canyons of Escalante, offers the ultimate Southern Utah getaway. Breathe in the high mountain desert air while marveling at the rich history of this ancient land.

Joette-Marie Rex and her husband, Jeff, opened Slot Canyons Inn in 2006. Their family has owned the property for nearly 40 years and initially built a summer house, then relocated there full-time in 2000 and started expanding.

“It’s peaceful,” Rex said. “The skies are so clear you can see almost 100 miles in daylight, and the stars are so bright that the Milky Way truly fits its name.”

The Rex family also restored a dilapidated pioneer home, the Isaac Riddle Cabin. Originally built in 1899, the cabin was taken apart log by log and moved from the meadow to the hillside overlooking the Escalante River. Today, it welcomes visitors from all over the world with a blend of modern necessities and antique charm.

Slot Canyons Inn is located between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks on Scenic Byway 12, about 5 miles west of the town of Escalante. North Creek and the Escalante River converge on the secluded 160-acre property, which is located at the mouth of a tranquil canyon. Wildlife abounds, so don’t be surprised if you see deer, wild turkeys and other native animals from your private balcony.

The property lies on the western edge of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a picturesque region of canyons, arches, plateaus and cliffs. This area offers a myriad of outdoor activities, including hiking, off-roading, canyoneering, rappelling, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, wildlife viewing and photography, while Native American petroglyph and pictograph sites provide a fascinating glimpse into the past.

In fact, archaeologists from Brigham Young University spent several years excavating directly behind Slot Canyons Inn after the discovery of Paiute, Fremont, Anasazi, Early Archaic and Paleoarchaic artifacts. Radiocarbon analysis determined the site to be the oldest on the entire Colorado Plateau, dating back approximately 11,000 years.

“It’s only a five-minute walk from the inn,” Rex said. “It’s right here in our backyard.”

Slot Canyons Inn welcomes guests with comfortable furnishings and high-quality beds after a long day of exploring Southern Utah’s epic natural beauty.

The accommodations draw inspiration from the local Native American and Southwestern heritage, and each room offers something a little different. The family-friendly Spooky Gulch suite, which includes a kitchenette and private patio with a barbecue, sleeps up to six guests, while the cozy Anasazi room features a king bed, jetted tub with a separate shower and kiva fireplace perfect for two.

Visitors can choose to book a room in the main building or the new eco-friendly building, which is sided with reclaimed wood from a beautifully weathered old barn. The 1,600-square-foot Isaac Riddle Cabin is a comfortable option for larger groups.

The reimagined North Creek Grill, offering farm-to-table meals and event catering, is set to reopen in the spring of 2023 with a new menu and an enclosed dining area for guests to enjoy all year long. Built in 2010 by the Rex family, the restaurant highlights fresh local ingredients, including free-range eggs, homemade prickly pear cactus jelly and grass-fed beef raised on the property.

Breakfast is included with every reservation, and it’s the stuff of legend. Guests are treated to a different entrée each morning, accompanied by homemade granola and yogurt as well as freshly baked sweet breads and muffins.

“You’ll see why it’s our favorite meal of the day,” Rex said. “We joke that if you’re still hungry after breakfast, it isn’t our fault!”

Slot Canyons Inn also offers a breathtaking setting for destination weddings and other special events. A variety of locations on the property can accommodate wedding parties of as many as 250 guests or as few as 12.

The layout allows smaller events to reserve only Slot Canyons Inn or the Escalante Cliff House, a stunning vacation rental home nearby, and still enjoy privacy. The entire property, which provides lodging for up to 80 guests, can be rented out for larger gatherings.

Escalante’s panoramic vistas and starry skies are the perfect backdrop for creating memories to last a lifetime, and Slot Canyons Inn is ready to welcome you for an unforgettable getaway.

“It’s like a mini national park,” Rex said. “Once you see it, you’ll fall in love with it just like our family did 40 years ago.”

Book your stay at SlotCanyonsInn.com.

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

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