Mindful Dining At Under Canvas Zion & ULUM Moab

If you love camping but enjoy it even more with luxurious comforts that keep you immersed in nature, chances are you know Under Canvas—a leader in the world of glamping. With upscale safari-style accommodations nestled within idyllic natural surroundings, Under Canvas properties can be found in eleven locations including in Utah's famously vibrant Moab and Zion destinations.

Travelers that visit this stunning region typically explore both locations, particularly seeking out the otherworldly red rocks of Arches National Park and the impressive canyons of Zion National Park. Due the strenuous nature of hiking and exploring these national parks, where you stay—and perhaps more importantly where you dine—is crucial to having the best trip out west.

"By providing exceptional onsite dining, we allow guests to spend more time at our beautiful properties – enjoying a leisurely al fresco breakfast, savoring cocktails and appetizers during golden hour, watching the sunset behind the red rock cliffs – and avoid the stress of planning meals," tells Marissa Valdez, Director of Food & Beverage at Under Canvas, when asked about the importance of having healthy cuisine at these properties in enhancing the overall stay.

"Many of our Under Canvas locations share common core dishes and recipes, with unique components woven into the menus to reflect their respective regions of the country."

With that, here's a look at Under Canvas Zion and ULUM Moab, and how to refuel at each.

Under Canvas Zion

Under Canvas Zion is seamlessly integrated into a red-rock canyon, effortlessly blending into the backdrop of Utah's radiant beauty. Located on 196 acres bordering Zion National Park, it's just 20 miles from the main entrance of Zion National Park and the town of Springdale.

This property is fully solar powered, sourcing renewable energy from its own onsite solar array. As an extension of its commitment to mindfulness and overall wellness on property, they have a restaurant for its guests to unwind and fill up on nutritious foods.

"Our love for the outdoors inspires the culinary program at Under Canvas Zion," says Valdez. "Our menu, curated to be delicious and approachable, features products and tastes from around the region. It is meant to encourage connections among guests and fuel the adventures of the day."

Embers serves as both communal hub and restaurant for cafe-style dining inside or out. In the mornings, guests can opt for hot breakfast items ranging from oatmeal and classic American hash to french toast and bagels with lox. Guests can also treat themselves to fresh juice, tea or coffee/ espresso to kickstart their day.

For dinner, nothing beats dining al fresco with stunning red rock views of the national park. Embers is seasonal, so offerings are changing monthly. That said they feature a variety of fresh dishes from the brand's signature menu including salads, charcuterie, fresh trout, grains, vegan and vegetarian dishes, and locally sourced cocktails and refreshments.

Starters include cashew and white bean dip with roasted and fresh veggies; a graze board with a variety of meats and cheeses with local honey and fruits; and roasted cauliflower with stewed red peppers. There's also a selection of salads ranging from the In the Garden with seared snap peas, shaved fennel, baby kale, sweet pepper, shallot and herb vinaigrette to a Sundried Tomato Caesar with Parmesan and lemon.

When it comes to the mains, expect dishes like the Blueberry Dijon Chicken with roasted veggies, mashed potatoes and blueberry mustard to a maple marinated skirt steak with grilled asparagus, mashed potatoes and blue cheese. Embers also offers a selection of plant based dishes that include a lentil bolognese with nutritional yeast and a classic kids menu with favorites like tenders and fries.

Finish off dinner with a Flourless Chocolate Torte with berry jam and whipped cream; The Moon & Stars vanilla cheesecake or local gelato.

ULUM Moab

ULUM is the new luxury outdoor resort brand from the team behind Under Canvas. Taking glamping to a whole new level, this lavish resort is steps from the incredible Looking Glass Arch and is situated on 200 acres of stunning desert landscape. ULUM Moab's architecture showcases and integrates the landscape, with a contemporary lobby featuring floor-to-ceiling glass windows with unparalleled views of Canyonlands National Park and beyond.

Each spacious 360-square-foot Suite Tent features a king-size bed with plush Parachute linens, a lounge area with West Elm furnishings, a private 70-square-foot deck, and an ensuite bathroom with a rain shower and Aesop bath products. They even have an evaporative cooling fan and wood-burning stove ensuring you're as comfortable as can be no matter the season.

Offering everything a luxury hotel would, the property features an an expansive terraced deck with dipping pools, firepits, a yoga deck, comfortable lounge spaces, live acoustic music and of course a fine dining restaurant.

"ULUM Moab's culinary program is inspired by the beauty of our location, the flavors of the Southwest and high-desert landscape, and the growers of the region," continues Valdez.

ULUM Moab's lobby building and adjacent terraced patio is home to its full-service restaurant and espresso and smoothie bar. The restaurant offers creative Southwest-inspired menu and fresh ingredients with views of Looking Glass Arch.

The dinner menu is outstanding with that include Ancho Brisket Tacoes with pickled jicama, radicchio, cotija, salsa verde, corn tortillas, escabeche and lime; The Canyon Graze with items like smoked salmon, prosciutto, a variety of cheeses and local accoutrements like prickly pear jam and honey; and elevated vegetables like the slow roasted carrots with spicy coconut cream and the grilled avocado with roasted corn, pepper aioli, cotija and pickled nopales.

The Greens & Things section offers inspired salads that include the green apple and jicama salad with arugula, spiced pepitas, pickled red onion, beehive creamery cajun cheddar and sour cherry vinaigrette, as well as the Green Chile Caesar with grilled romaine, shaved parmesan, garlic crouton and a chile caesar dressing.

The main entrees, however, really steal the show given the depth of flavors and textures presented in each dish. Highlights include the Smoky Juniper Trout with toasted shallot, roasted broccolini, charred tomato, radicchio, pine nuts; the bison burger with bacon, cotija pimento cheese, pickled red onion and a red wine barbecue sauce; the sage dry rubbed Bison Teres Major Steak served with roasted yukon potato, roasted carrots, charred tomato puree and herb oil; and finally a Verde Roasted Chicken with charred corn, pickled onion and jalapeno grits.

The vegetarian dishes are equally impressive with popular items like the Chili Rubbed Cauliflower with spiced chickpeas, lime crema and pickled sweet peppers and the Pimento & White Bean Ragout with smoked portobello, black garlic balsamic and citrus wild rice.