Every once in a while, during our van life trips, my husband and I start to get a bit claustrophobic. We step on each other’s toes and find that being productive becomes less and less achievable. So to avoid getting on each other’s nerves, we take a mini-vacation on our trips. We found it really helps to find a safe, secluded space for a few days where we can have more room to breathe. We were two weeks into the road trip and found ourselves in the desert heat for a few days in a row, so I requested a stay in a more roomy, more desert escape-like space, for my birthday. After a few hours of research, we found the dreamiest desert escape nearby!

In this blog post, I will talk about all the different lodging options Yonder offers, along with their various amenities, and why this place reminded me of a five-star luxury resort rather than an RV resort. This beautiful desert escape might not seem like a lot, but read on, and you’ll see why I love this place.

WHERE IS IT LOCATED?

Yonder is located in the small town of Escalante, Utah, just off Highway 12.

Address: 2020 UT-12, Escalante, UT 84726

It is conveniently located between Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park so it can make for the perfect stop on the way to either.

Choose your type of stay

Air Stream – $269/night

We opted to stay in the Airstream as it is the most spacious on-site lodging option. We spent three magical nights in this beautiful Airstream and found it to be the most tranquil escape from the heat. The beautiful white walls and the minimal design mimicked the style we have in the van, so it was easy to make ourselves feel right at home. Each Airstream has a queen bed and a massive day bed, which Atlas claimed as his own bed. The Airstreams also each have a fire pit outside as well as a small dining area, a wet bar, microwave, and mini-fridge. The space is also temperature-controlled which is key in the summer in Utah. After spending a few days before in 100-degree weather, we didn’t want to leave the Airstream for a good few hours after we arrived.

Cabin – $229/night

Before we headed out, I knew we had to experience some cabin vibes as well! So we packed up our stuff in the Airstream and moved to one of the beautiful Yonder cabins. We spent one night there and got exactly the taste of cabin life we wanted! These beautiful custom cabins have 11′ high ceilings and glass walls that immerse you in the landscape. Each cabin has climate control, a mini-fridge, microwave, lounge area, and a wood-burning fire pit. We spent our last night here and were definitely sad to leave it. I wish we had more time!

Deluxe RV site | 30′ max- $129/night | 41′ max – $129/night

There are 67 pull-in RV sites that are fully equipped with various hookup options. A perfect option for travelers that have a home on wheels!

Van life / Campsite – $69 / night

***Pop-up campers/trailers under 13′ are permitted.*** This is a great option if you have a van that is less than 13′. Because we stayed in an airstream and a cabin, I didn’t get to test this site, but from the looks of it, and all the happy van lifers on-site, I wouldn’t imagine it being any less luxurious than the rest of the Resort. Each leveled site has a picnic table, charcoal grill, firepit, 30amp & 50amp electrical, and water hookups.

There is a dump and a water station for RV and van lifers on the way in or out of Yonder.

Amenities

Pool / Hot tub

On our last day at Yonder, I took a dip in the pool, which was much needed! The pool has fantastic views, so it was the perfect way to start the day. We spent over an hour at the pool but had to head back in to escape the heat.

** Dogs are not allowed in the pool but can sit in the sade in the pool area**

Bathrooms

There are two different shower areas on site. One is by the Airstreams and cabins, and the other is in the main office building. Personally, I loved the outdoor showers in the building by the cabins/Airstreams. This was such a perfect way to escape the desert heat. I think I took all the showers cold! My favorite touches in the bathroom are the Dyson hair dryers and the plants in each outdoor shower area.

Dining/lounge area

The indoor/outdoor dining/lounge area is perfect for hiding from the sun but still being outside. You can meet new people, have a nice meal or read a book! There are plenty of plugs to charge your phone, and there is always tea, ice water, and coffee available. There are also board games, a curated library, and fire pits for guests to enjoy.

Retro Style Drive-in Movie Theater

Enjoy a movie from the comfort of a fully restored classic car equipped with sound and heaters. Concessions are offered during movie times in a fun retro style Airstream.

Food on site

Each unit has its private fire pit, which is great for cooking the DIY meals you can purchase from the general store or anything else you brought from home.

Laundry on site

Yonder has amazing laundry facilities on-site for extremely reasonable prices. There are 2 laundry buildings, both with AC and tables to sit at while you wait. Doing some laundry before heading on the road again in our van was terrific.

Things to do nearby

You can find more information along with images of hikes on Alltrails!

Petrified Forest State Park

• Drive distance from Yonder: 1 mile
• Best time to visit: March – November
• Distance: 1.9 miles loop
• Skill: moderate
• Elevation: 492 ft
• Pet friendly: yes, dogs must be on a leash

Lower Calf Creek Falls

• Drive distance from Yonder: 35 minutes
• Distance: 6.7 miles out and back
• Skill: moderate
• Elevation: 866 ft
• Pet friendly: yes, dogs must be on a leash
• Best time to visit: Open year around

Bighorn Canyon

• Drive distance from Yonder: 20 minutes.
• Best time to visit: March – November
• Distance: 6 miles out and back
• Skill: moderate
• Elevation: 380 ft
• Pet friendly: yes, dogs must be on a leash

Devils Garden

• Drive distance from Yonder: 45min
• Best time to visit: April- November
• Distance: 1-mile loop
• Skill: easy
• Elevation: 88 ft
• Pet friendly: yes, dogs must be on a leash

Zebra Canyon

• Drive distance from Yonder: 30min
• Best time to visit: April- November
• Distance: 6 miles out and back
• Skill: moderate
• Elevation: 380 ft
• Pet friendly: yes, dogs must be on a leash

Nearby food

Our favorite restaurant in town was Esca-latte. We loved stopping by here and grabbing pizza to take back to our Aistream at Yonder! We also enjoyed sitting out on their patio and having some drinks with our pizza.

Read enough? Book your stay here, and let me know what your experience is like!