Under Canvas and Backroads Unveil Exciting All-New Itineraries and Announce Expansion Plans to Bring More Adventures to U.S. National Parks

Leading outdoor hospitality brand and premier active travel brand join forces in Bryce Canyon, Zion, the Great Smoky Mountains and the Black Hills of South Dakota
January 17, 2024
Denver, CO

Under Canvas, the leader in upscale, outdoor hospitality, and Backroads, the leader in luxury active travel, announced today their plan to significantly expand the adventures available to travelers across U.S. National Parks, aiming to more than triple the amount of their collaborative experiences over the next two years. In addition, the expanded line-up this year includes an all-new, glamping-only itinerary in Southwestern Utah with stays exclusively at both Under Canvas Bryce Canyon and Under Canvas Zion.

After first establishing a relationship in 2019 with trips in Montana’s West Yellowstone, and subsequently operating successful glamping tours in Tennessee and South Dakota, Under Canvas and Backroads are poised to further expand their trip selection for outdoor enthusiasts with more than 185 scheduled trips through 2025. From the scenic beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota to the dramatic red rock and hoodoo vistas of Southwest Utah, to the ancient Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, these world-class trips allow guests to enjoy a Backroads active adventure by day and by night continue to immerse themselves in nature with Under Canvas’ upscale glamping retreats. These properties embrace their natural setting, while featuring indoor luxuries, allowing guests to discover the outdoors in comfort and style.

Backroads is renowned for its expert Trip Leaders and flexible active vacations that offer travelers flexibility on each day of every trip. Ample support provided by multiple Backroads vans allows for a variety of daily route options suitable for differing levels of ability. The company’s collaboration with Under Canvas pairs three favorite multi-adventure trips with accommodations at Under Canvas’s stunning camps offering gorgeous tents, furnished with plush king-size beds, luxe linens and ensuite bathrooms. In addition, a stay at Under Canvas includes onsite complimentary programming such as live acoustic music, daily yoga, stargazing, outdoor games and nightly s’mores around the firepits, as well as a lobby tent that acts as a social, communal hub for café-style dining and lounging.

Backroads trips staying at Under Canvas properties in 2024 include:

“Since opening our first camp more than 10 years ago near West Yellowstone, Under Canvas has dedicated itself to inspiring connections with extraordinary places, people and the planet by enhancing access to the outdoors,” said Libbie Rice, Chief Commercial Officer of Under Canvas. “We have enjoyed our collaboration with Backroads over the years, and we’re excited to elevate our collaboration, aiming to offer even greater opportunities for active travelers to immerse themselves in the best of outdoor adventure and connect with nature through our two brands.”

“Guest feedback from our South Dakota trips with Under Canvas has been terrific,” said Tom Hale, Backroads Founder, President & CEO. “Backroads guests love the experience of sleeping in the deluxe glamping tents and sharing tales of the day’s activities over s’mores by the campfire in the evening—it’s really the perfect ending to an adventure-filled day. Whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart, sleeping under the stars is a great way to enjoy a Backroads national park vacation. The trips have been a popular addition to our summer schedule, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with Under Canvas far into the future.”

Backroads trips featuring Under Canvas properties are all available for immediate booking. For more information, visit backroads.com or call 800-462-2848

ABOUT UNDER CANVAS

The leader in upscale, outdoor hospitality, Under Canvas is the ultimate outdoor destination experience. Its safari-inspired accommodations perfectly embrace their natural surroundings while featuring indoor luxuries, allowing guests to discover their outdoor self in comfort and style. Under Canvas currently operates 11 locations: North Yellowstone-Paradise Valley, West Yellowstone and Glacier in Montana; Moab, Zion, Lake Powell-Grand Staircase and Bryce Canyon in Utah; Mount Rushmore in South Dakota; Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee; Grand Canyon in Arizona and Acadia in Maine. To provide a luxury outdoor resort experience, Under Canvas launched ULUM—a bespoke resort brand that debuted its first location 20 miles south of Moab, Utah, in spring of 2023. This exceptional outdoor resort offers Suite Tents exclusively, a full-service restaurant, three dipping pools, and in-tent amenities such as electricity, coffee and tea, Aesop bath products and more. For more information, please visit www.undercanvas.com.

ABOUT BACKROADS

Backroads was founded in 1979 by Tom Hale and has been a leading innovator in active and adventure travel for 45 years. Guests join Backroads to bike, hike and so much more—on expertly planned active adventures highlighting the unique character of each destination. The company offers multiple ways to go active: Biking, Walking & Hiking and Multi-Adventure tours; Active Ocean & River Cruises, Safari, Culinary and Snow Adventures; and Dolce Tempo trips for travel at a more relaxed pace. Backroads also offers Private Trips, Women’s Adventures and Family Trips designed for three distinct age groups: Families with Teens & Kids (best for ages 9+), Families with Older Teens & 20s (one or more kids age 17+) and Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond (one or more kids age 20+). Repeat guests and referrals from past guests make up many of the travelers that Backroads hosts each year in hundreds of locations across the globe. For more information, please visit backroads.com or call 800-462-2848.

 

Backroads Media Contact
Liz Einbinder
liz_einbinder@backroads.com
510-292-2753