Open Sky Zion

Experience off-grid luxury on an 80-acre private mesa west of Zion National Park, featuring handcrafted South African safari tents and fine dining.

Open Sky Zion represents a highly refined approach to off-grid hospitality, situated on 80 private acres of high-desert wilderness near Virgin, Utah. Founded in 2017 by Bygnal Dutson, Nathan and Nolan Jessop, and Lorin Harker, the property officially opened to guests in 2021 after a meticulous design and construction process. The founders utilized their collective expertise in land development and architecture to create a luxury retreat that functions entirely off-grid, preserving the rugged beauty of the surrounding sandstone cliffs while offering modern comforts. Located roughly 15 miles west of the south entrance to Zion National Park, the resort is accessed via a winding, three-and-a-half-mile dirt stretch of Dalton Wash Road. This remote positioning, bordering vast tracts of Bureau of Land Management territory, ensures that the property remains enveloped in profound quiet, far removed from the crowded tourist corridors of Springdale.

The accommodations consist of 13 custom-order safari-style canvas tents, handcrafted in South Africa and built on elevated wooden platforms to maximize views and minimize environmental impact. These camps are generously spaced across the property to guarantee privacy, tucked into natural sandstone alcoves and juniper-studded slopes. Inside, the tents offer a level of comfort that rivals high-end boutique hotels, featuring king-sized beds with premium linens, indoor gas fireplaces, heated bathroom floors, and Starlink internet. The top-of-the-line Star Seeker camps are designed with glass-ceilinged stargazing lounges and copper clawfoot soaking tubs positioned before floor-to-ceiling windows. For families or larger groups, the Milky Way camp provides a two-bedroom layout spanning 960 square feet. Most of the camps also feature both indoor and outdoor showers, private patios with personal fire pits, and a welcome basket filled with trail snacks and s'mores ingredients.

Dining at the resort is centered around Black Sage, an on-site restaurant that serves upscale, farm-to-table dinner daily, except on Tuesdays. The culinary program emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, paired with a curated selection of beer and wine, all served against a backdrop of sweeping desert views. Guests can also opt for room service delivered directly to their tents. Beyond dining, the 80-acre property features five miles of private hiking trails, including the Hoodoos and Lower Rim Trails, allowing for exploration without leaving the resort. A spring-fed pond serves as a central oasis, complete with lounge spaces, a paddleboard, and a kayak for guest use. For mountain biking enthusiasts, the property provides direct, easy access to the Guacamole Trail, one of the premier riding routes in the region. At night, the resort's high elevation and distance from city lights make it an exceptional location for observing the night sky, with telescopes provided at each camp to view the Milky Way.

Where to Stay — Curated accommodations hand-picked by Basecamp West. Glamping, boutique hotels, historic lodges, and unique stays across the American West.