Utah is one of our favorite destinations to visit any time of year! It offers diverse beauty and endless outdoor adventures. We lived in Utah for several years and still go back to visit often. Over the years, we have stayed at countless hotels, campgrounds, and vacation rentals, and I’m excited to share a list of our favorite and most unique places to stay in Utah!
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Top 9 Unique Places to Stay in Utah
Table of Contents
- Zen Nest
- Outpost X
- Whispering Pines
- Goblin Valley Yurt
- Monument Valley View Cabins
- Bluff Dwellings Resort
- Timber & Tin
- The Dwellings
- Black Rock Mountain Resort
Zen Nest
While scrolling through social media, I came across Zen Nest, and the photos and videos literally stopped me in my tracks. I knew I had to experience it for myself!
Zen Nest is located on the outskirts of Duck Creek Village near the summit of Cedar Mountain in Southern Utah. It is perched on a dramatic cliff overlooking a canyon of creamsicle colored hoodoos. It feels like you’re staying in the heart of Bryce Canyon National Park!
Two different units are available to book. The Falcon is a modern double A-frame home built in 2024, and the Eagle is a charming cabin built in the 60s and renovated in 2020.
We planned a girls’ weekend here with my mom, sisters, sister-in-laws, and nieces, so we reserved the entire property, and it was amazing! Together, it sleeps up to 20 people, so it’s easy to split the cost with a large group.
We spent the weekend soaking in the hot tub overlooking the canyon, roasting s’mores at sunset, riding ATVs through wooded trails, making homemade pizza in the outdoor pizza kitchen, relaxing in the sauna, hanging out in the game room, enjoying slow mornings cooking breakfast together, and staying up laughing late into the night. It truly was an unforgettable weekend!
I love that guests have access to 3 UTVs and 6 E-bikes for a discounted rate while staying at Zen Nest, it is such a huge perk! We took the ATV trail to Strawberry Point, a few miles away, and the view left us speechless.
In addition to the UTVs and E-bikes, other amenities include 4 hot tubs, 3 fire pits, an outdoor pizza kitchen, a sauna, and a cold plunge bath. It also has an awesome game room and other entertainment, including a pool table, pinball machine, ping pong table, foosball table, gaming consoles, and more!
We love the location of the Zen Nest. It is close to some of Southern Utah’s most beautiful hidden gems, like Cedar Breaks, Strawberry Point, and Navajo Lake.
It is also less than an hour from popular destinations, like Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and Brian Head Resort.
This is one of the most incredible places we’ve stayed, not only in Utah, but in all of our travels! It really is the perfect destination for a girls’ trip, family reunion (although it’s not recommended for young kids as there are steep drop-offs), couples trip, bachelorette party, or group retreat!
Outpost X
Outpost X is located near Beryl, a small rural town about an hour north of St. George. After driving down a long dirt road, it will feel like you’ve arrived on a different planet. Or at least stepped onto the set of a Star Wars movie.
There are 3 different accommodation options, the Cave Rooms, Zen Domes, and Viking Tents.
I’ll be honest, I thought that the prices were a bit steep for the Cave Room and Zen Dome. The Viking Tent was a little more reasonable, so we went with that.
We stayed on a chilly weekend in March, and the tent was cozy and warm with a heater and electric blanket. The bed was also very comfortable with plenty of blankets.
The biggest draw to staying here is that they have electric sand cruisers that are available for guests to use. The property is built on the outskirts of a dry lake bed, and as we drove across the cracked landscape, it felt like we were driving on another planet. It was such a blast!
You’ll find hidden spots around the property that are fun to discover, like hammocks, a staircase, and an old wooden bed.
There is a sauna and a few hot tubs (although they were drained during our stay), a meditation room, trampolines, and a complimentary soda bar. This is by no means a luxury resort, it has more of a hippy vibe, but it definitely is a unique place to stay in Utah!
Whispering Pines
If you like the idea of camping, but prefer sleeping on a comfortable bed, then Whispering Pines is the place for you!
This glamping retreat features spacious Conestoga wagons equipped with comfy beds, gas heaters, cozy electric blankets, an air conditioning unit, a mini fridge, a microwave, and a coffee & hot chocolate station.
Each unit has a fire ring, BBQ grill, picnic table, and hammock. We also love that you have a private bathroom with flushing toilets, such a luxury when camping!
Activities around the campground include a zipline, trampoline, basketball hoop, swings, and a horseshoe pit. They also offer guided horse trail rides for an additional fee.
Whispering Pines is owned and operated by the sweetest family, and they often put on musical performances and host camp sing-alongs.
Our stay here truly was magical with days spent exploring the woods and evenings spent roasting s’mores around the campfire and sleeping under the stars (in a warm comfortable bed)!
For more information, see our in-depth guide A Utah Glamping Adventure at Whispering Pines.
Goblin Valley Yurt
The landscape at Goblin Valley State Park is otherworldly, and it is such a treat to wake up to these views!
There are only 2 yurts available at this state park. They can be reserved up to 4 months in advance, and they book up quickly. If you’re lucky enough to snag a reservation, you’ll be able to sleep in one of the most scenic destinations in the state.
These yurts are tucked into the base of towering colorful sandstone cliffs. They comfortably sleep up to 5 people and are equipped with heating and air conditioning units.
One advantage of spending the night is that you can witness the beauty of the park at sunset and sleep under a coal-black sky twinkling with a sea of stars.
For more information and recommendations, see our First Time Guide to Goblin Valley State Park.
Monument Valley View Cabins
When we stayed at the Monument Valley View Cabins, I couldn’t get over the fact that Monument Valley was just steps from our front door!
From our front porch, we could see iconic formations such as the Mittens Buttes and Elephant Butte.
It was incredible to watch the sunrise over the valley in the morning and see the golden light illuminate the landscape in the evening.
Only guests at the cabin are allowed to access this part of the park, and it felt like we had the whole valley to ourselves.
For the best view, be sure to book the “Premium View Cabins”. These are situated right on the rim, with a second row of cabins behind them.
The cabins are basic but comfortable with a queen bed, bunk beds, a full bath, and a kitchenette. They also have heating and air conditioning.
Guests staying at the cabin can enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast at The View Hotel just down the road.
During your stay, I also highly recommend booking a guided tour of Monument Valley and stopping for a photo at Forrest Gump Point.
For more tips and recommendations, see our Monument Valley Travel Guide.
Bluff Dwellings Resort
Bluff is a bit of a hidden gem. It flies right under the radar and is one of the few Southern Utah destinations that isn’t overrun by tourists.
We didn’t know much about the area and were pleasantly surprised at how much we loved our weekend here.
Bluff Dwellings Resort is the perfect home base for your weekend adventures. The hotel seamlessly blends into the surrounding sandstone cliffs and is designed to reflect the history of the native Ancestral Puebloan dwellings.
We stayed in a hotel room which was great, but they also offer glamping tipis and larger Dwellings perfect for families.
We loved the outdoor fire pits, swimming pool, hot tub, obstacle course, and playground. The on-site cafe is also delicious, we especially loved the Navajo Ash Bread and Artichoke Bread.
The Cliffside Trail is a short trail that takes you above the resort with beautiful views. Our favorite time to do this hike is at sunset.
One of the things we love most about staying at Bluff Dwellings is that they are partnered with Wild Expeditions.
This tour company offers adventure tours that depart daily from the hotel. We booked a River & Hummer Expedition and had the best time kayaking down the beautiful San Juan River and taking an adventurous Hummer tour to see ancient ruins.
Learn more about our experience in our full guide, The Best Things to Do in Bluff, Utah.
Timber & Tin
Kanab has become the adventure capital of Southern Utah. There is so much to do, including canyoneering, ATV tours, sandboarding, hiking, exploring caves, and so much more.
You’ll want to spend a few days exploring this beautiful pocket of the state, and Timber & Tin is the perfect home base.
We love this unique property because it offers spacious units perfect for families. They come with a full kitchen, living room, and multiple bedrooms. Your whole family will be comfortable and feel right at home. You may never want to leave!
What makes this property unique, is that each unit has a rooftop deck complete with a fire pit and hammock! We loved spending evenings roasting s’mores and lying in the hammock under the stars.
Other amenities include a historic barn that has been transformed into a game and theater room.
The outdoor space is also great with a swimming pool, hot tub, picnic pavilion, lawn games, and fire pits. It has such a fun and cozy ambiance in the evenings.
For more details, read our full review, Timber + Tin: The Best Place to Stay in Kanab.
If you’re looking for fun things to do during your stay, see our guide, 14 Amazing Things to Do in Kanab!
The Dwellings
If you’re planning to visit Zion National Park as a family, one of my best tips is to stay at The Dwellings in La Verkin.
These vacation homes are beautiful, spacious, reasonably priced, and only about 30 minutes from the park entrance.
What makes these homes extra special is that the backyard overlooks the scenic Virgin River Valley. It is absolutely beautiful at sunset.
The River Rock Roasting Co. is right next door and serves delicious hand-tossed pizza, sandwiches, salads, and homemade pastries with sweeping views of the valley.
We also love walking down to the river, where you’ll find rope swings and the perfect summer swimming hole.
For more information and recommendations, see our guide A Weekend Exploring Zion National Park’s Hidden Gems.
Black Rock Mountain Resort
For a unique luxury stay, I recommend booking the St. Moritz Penthouse Suite at Black Rock Mountain Resort just outside Park City.
This incredible suite is more like a house with a full kitchen, 3 bedrooms, a loft with bunkbeds, a game room, and a show-stopping two-story floor-to-ceiling window.
This suite sleeps up to 10 people so it’s perfect if you want to invite a few families, or split the cost for a girls’ weekend or couples getaway.
This particular suite is a bit of a splurge (and totally worth it!), but the condo-style hotel also offers affordable 1 and 2 bedroom suites that are still spacious for families.
A few of the highlights that we love about this hotel is the heated outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, huge game room, and an amazing on-site restaurant.
They also offer complimentary shuttle service to the nearby ski resorts and have an onsite ski and mountain bike rental shop.
The location is great, it’s close to Park City and Heber City with so much to do in the area. It is one of our favorite getaways any time of year!
For recommendations, see our guides:
- The Best Things to Do in Park City in the Fall
- 10 Fun Things to Do in Park City in the Winter
- 8 Best Things to Do in Park City in the Summer.
As an added bonus, if you click this link to make your reservation, you’ll receive 30% discount on your entire stay, as well as a $30 nightly credit that can be used at the on-site Overlook Restaurant or market. This is such a fantastic deal!
I hope this guide has helped you discover some of the best and most unique places to stay in Utah!
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