A Wedding Guide to Luxury Glamping with Under Canvas
With several accolades from a variety of travel publications — including Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler — Under Canvas is now a well-known accommodation for those who want to experience the grandeur of the great outdoors. The group offers what they call “upscale, outdoor hospitality” — also known as glamping — near popular destinations like Yellowstone, Zion, and the Great Smoky Mountains.
But for this Under Canvas wedding and elopement overview, we’re focusing on their desert locations at Moab, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon. They all offer phenomenal views of the American Southwest and provide easy access to some of the most remarkable outdoor attractions in the world.
And for an outdoor wedding or elopement, you can create a magical and memorable experience that you and your guests will cherish for a lifetime.
Under Canvas Southwest Desert Locations
***NOTE: These locations operate between March/April through October only. Check the individual accommodation websites for their annual operating dates.***
Under Canvas - Grand Canyon
At 160 acres, Under Canvas Grand Canyon has tons of room to accommodate you and your guests and give everyone a taste of the American Southwest — with a touch of luxury. Secluded in juniper and piñon forests, you’ll not only be able to escape the worries of the world, your wedding crew will have easy access to the South Rim entrance of the Grand Canyon. It’s a nature lover’s paradise.
Along with the landscapes, Under Canvas offers private hiking and driving tours along with bike tours and jeep safaris. You can explore the Grand Canyon with expert guides who know the best trail secrets and views.
HOW TO GET THERE
Under Canvas - Grand Canyon sits just 60 miles north of Flagstaff off US-180W. The easiest way to get there is from the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport. Both American and United Airlines operate there through their regional carriers American Eagle and United Express with flights landing daily. Even though the journey there is more difficult, you may find you’re only able to fly into Phoenix International Airport and drive 3 hours north.
This location is perfect as a base for your adventures to:
Grand Canyon National Park - 25 minutes from South Rim
Sedona - 1hr 45 minutes
Horseshoe Bend - 3 hours north
Under Canvas - Moab
Located a mere seven miles from Canyonlands and Arches National Park, Under Canvas Moab is an outstanding spot for an outdoors wedding or elopement. You and guests can celebrate your new life together within landscapes that include sandstone cliffs, towering plateaus, and other beautiful formations only found in the Canyon Country of Utah. During your stay, you and guests have access to some of the most coveted hiking, biking, and climbing destinations in the world. And with their focus on upscale accommodations, you’ll do it all with a touch of luxury.
HOW TO GET THERE
The accommodation is seven miles North of Moab off US Route 191, but there are a few paths to get there. The travel option that has the most options is Salt Lake City International Airport - Located 236 miles from Moab, this is the closest major airport to Under Canvas Moab. From here, you can rent a car and drive for 4 hours. Or you could fly into Walker Field Airport in Grand Junction, CO - Located an hour and forty-five minute drive from Moab.
This location is incredibly close to so many epic locations for you to explore:
Arches National Park - 10 minutes from park entrance
Canyonlands National Park - 30 minutes from park entrance
Dead Horse Point State Park - 25 minutes
Under Canvas - Lake Powell - Grand Staircase
At 220 acres, Under Canvas - Lake Powell is larger than the other two desert options. This location has phenomenal views as it sits atop a Canyon Rim Plateau and offers direct access to its own slot canyon. You and your wedding party can hike through and on top of mesas and experience magnificent sunsets. Plus, there are endless trails that navigate through an oasis of red-rock formations.
Most importantly, this location is unique as it has quick access to:
Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument - 12 minutes
Horseshoe Bend - 25 minutes
Antelope Canyon - 22 minutes
Lake Powell - 13 minutes
Page, Arizona - 23 minutes
HOW TO GET THERE
Located in Big Water, AZ, the closest airport to Under Canvas - Grand Staircase is in Page, Arizona. The Page Municipal Airport (PGA) is 15 minutes from Big Water, and Contour Airlines is the commercial company flying there from Phoenix. Las Vegas, Phoenix, Flagstaff, and St. George are other major cities in the area where you can rent a car and drive from 2.5 to 4.5 hours to get there.
Weddings & Pricing
Under Canvas offers two tiers for wedding events: 30 guests and under and over 30 guests. Each category has its own set of rules covered below, but here are the key things to know regardless of the size of your wedding party.
Under Canvas doesn’t offer catering, planning services, or event rentals.
They have preferred vendor recommendations to set up your event.
Your guests must stay at Under Canvas as there are no day-use options.
You can only book large parties through their Group Sales team, and there are venue fees besides their rates. Contact the Canvas Group Team: By phone at 406.404.1861, email at groups@undercanvas.com, or via form at their events page.
30 guests and under
You must book for two nights.
No loud parties. They encourage chill ceremonies focused on campfires and stargazing.
They do not offer package pricing.
Again, there’s limited space, so you must book through their Group Sales Team.
They apply blackout dates, which includes most major holidays.
The team recommends booking events of this size at least 6 months in advance.
Over 30 guests - Buyout
Having over 30 guests requires you to book out the entire accommodation for at least three nights.
You’ll get exclusive access to the entire property
Again, they do not offer package pricing.
Blackout dates still apply.
The team recommends booking events of this size at least a year in advance.
Your guests can pay for their tents individually, but you must put down the deposit.
Weather
All three locations are in high altitudes with a desert climate. There can be drastic variations in temperatures, so always check the weather again before you arrive. Under Canvas is only open from March/April through October, so we’ll skip over the average weather for other months.
For the best climate for a wedding, focus on the first and last months they’re open — either March/April or October. Temperatures can drop into the mid-70s with the upper 40s at night, so you can dress accordingly and miss out on a lot of the extreme weather seen between May and September.
But just because those are the best months, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a magical ceremony. In the late Spring through Summer, expect hot days and chilly nights. You’ll most likely be distracted by the extraordinary views, but prepare accordingly. Also,
Beyond Spring and Fall, it’s possible to set up a wedding, but be prepared to experience some extreme heat or cold. If you plan to hike, bike or take part in any outdoor activities, be sure to check the weather for that day, and always take an extra set of clothes for extreme weather events. Regardless, Under Canvas has everything you need to create a beautiful ceremony no matter what Mother Nature has in store.
Wedding ideas
Under Canvas gives you the opportunity to create the wedding of your dreams. You can immerse in the landscapes of the Southwest and take advantage of the scenic views and beautify starry night skies.
There are a ton of fire pits on site, so everyone can certainly get that campfire feel. And you can definitely create a Southwest vibe with fun, lively music and food. The Group Team has the vendors to make it all happen.
But remember, Under Canvas calls it Glamping! It’s possible to really create a luxurious feel to your ceremony in the great outdoors and still connect with nature.
Amenities
Housekeeping upon request
Picnic Area & Grills
Pet-Friendly
Organic Bath Products
West Elm Furnishings
Adventures Concierge
USB Battery Packs
Fire Pit & S'mores
Complimentary Camp Activities (Music, Yoga, etc.)
On-site Dining
Experience Coordinators
On-site Slot Canyon (Lake Powell)
Outdoor Activities
Canyoneering
White water rafting
Hiking
Hummer safaris
Mountain biking
Stargazing