Glamping With Under Canvas: Glacier or Yellowstone Camp?
At times it's hard to see the positives amidst the pandemic we find ourselves in, but two that I can think of are cherishing extra given time with loved ones and a newfound appreciation for the great outdoors. And, when the two are combined, wonderful memories are sure to be made. As I seek safe ways to travel this summer, one thought keeps coming to mind: glamping! If done right, glamping gives you the hotel experience (something I've been missing!) while being socially distant and in the outdoors - a win win!
One of my favorite experiences of 2019 was our stay at Under Canvas Yellowstone last July. It was a memorable few days enjoying the beauty of the region with a touch of luxury. Since many of you inquired about it, this summer I wanted to check out Montana's second Under Canvas location outside Glacier National Park. So, a few days ago, we packed our overnight bag and drove the thirty miles to camp to settle into a tent for the night. I'm writing this not to dive into the full Under Canvas experience (you can read my Yellowstone Post for that), but to compare the two Montana locations by highlighting their differences, and which one I recommend you book a stay at during your time in Big Sky Country, as many tourists visit both national parks while exploring the state.
**One note before I dive in... Avid campers may roll their eyes when I say this, but Under Canvas, in my opinion, definitely lends more towards the camping side of "glamping". Don't get me wrong, Under Canvas is great and I've loved both our stays, just go in knowing you are camping but with a comfortable bed and bathroom, and don't expect electricity and butlers, which is sometimes available in other "glamping" experiences. The term covers a wide range, so I just want to make sure to set the right expectations.
Location: Location, location, location. Location is everything, isn't it? As we turned off Highway 2 and pulled into Under Canvas Glacier, I immediately knew this summer's experience was going to be different than last year's simply based on the location. As with any Under Canvas camp, the proximity to a national park is one of the company's best features (in this case, just 5 miles from Glacier National Park's west entrance). Hidden amongst the trees, the Glacier camp (UCG) feels secluded and private, though not much to write home about in terms of views. On the other hand, Under Canvas Yellowstone (UCY) is all about the view! Nestled in a green meadow, the tents at UCY may be side by side, but you don't mind sacrificing privacy for the stunning mountain view. Waking up each morning and taking it all in with a cup of coffee on the porch was a highlight of our stay!
The other noticeable difference due to location was the noise level. With UCG being right off the highway, we could hear the steady hum of traffic throughout the night (along with the occasional train), which looking back is probably why earplugs were included in our welcome bag. It wasn't terrible, but definitely a stark contrast to the almost unsettling stillness in the middle of the night at UCY.
Tents: Each Under Canvas location offers a wide range of safari-style tent configurations - from the basic safari tent with three twin beds to suites with pull out couches and en suite bathrooms - so you're sure to find the right fit for your party, both in terms of size and price. During our stay at UCY we booked a suite, while at UCG we booked a deluxe tent with an adjacent teepee (or hive as Under Canvas calls them). With the same interior style and sleeping capacity, the main difference was the bathroom, which I found significant. The UCY bathroom was much nicer, with a full separate shower, large vanity and sliding barn door giving guests plenty of privacy. It was impressive for camping, which led to my disappointment when I saw the UCG bathroom to be what felt like half the size and you had to pull a curtain down for any privacy (even more disappointing since the photos online looked more like the UCY bathroom). I'd take it any day over going to the communal bathroom, but it definitely had a more "roughing it" feel than our UCY experience.
If you're traveling with kids, both of these tents are great options that can sleep 4-6 adults and have plenty of room for the whole family. If you have older children who feel comfortable being on their own (but are in safe distance to you), book a tent with the hive. It will be an adventure they won't soon forget! And if safari tents aren't unique enough for you, UCG is the company's only camp to offer treehouses.
Amenities: I feel as though I can't fairly compare all of the two camps amenities, as some noteworthy differences were primarily due to COVID-19 safety measures. For starters, while staying at UCG staff members were not allowed inside our tent, resulting in them not coming by to start a fire in our wood burning stove as we settled in for the night or dropping off hot cocoa and coffee on our porch as we woke up. Though these are two simple amenities, they added a lot to our Yellowstone experience. I also noticed little details missing inside the tent, such as a decorative throw at the foot of the bed and reading material - again I'm assuming COVID related - and I have to assume all Under Canvas camps are currently following the same protocol (here is a full rundown of their 2020 operations update). Pandemic precautions aside, the biggest difference is UCG does not have an on-site dining option, whereas UCY had a fantastic restaurant open for breakfast and dinner set inside a rustic lodge adding to the overall vibe. I'm still raving about the trout I ate one night for dinner, and having the option to fill up on a hearty breakfast before heading into the park was a great start to the day.
I can't recommend Under Canvas enough for an out of the box summer experience. For those of you visiting Montana, I recommend putting your money towards a few nights all out in a suite or stargazer tent at Under Canvas Yellowstone. The oddities of 2020 aside, between the stunning surroundings, on-site restaurant and nicer bathrooms, it was hands down a better experience, one we'll definitely repeat some day! But if you happen to just visit the Glacier region, a night glamping should be on your itinerary. I know you'll love it! For those of you not heading to Big Sky Country anytime soon, no worries, as Under Canvas currently has camps near 7 national parks, all of which are open this summer, with 4 more coming soon. Happy camping!
