They’ve guided us for generations. Civilisations built belief systems and wove myths from them, we pin our wishes on them — heck, the atoms of the most ancient form our DNA. Our relationship to the stars anchors our place in the universe, but the joy of gazing up at the night’s cosmic ballet is a simple, timeless one. It’s something luxury glamping group Under Canvas understands resolutely, adding windows to the heavens above the beds in its Stargazer Tents and taking a playful approach to astrotourism. When it comes to star ratings, several billion isn’t bad.
In a hyper-illuminated world, spotting comets and constellations from your bed, extra-sparkly romantic meals and key life moments spectacularly backlit by nature feel all the more precious. That’s one of the many reasons Under Canvas partners with DarkSky International, which shines a low-level spotlight on how to protect and preserve nighttime skies to safeguard nocturnal wildlife, buoy mental health, steady circadian rhythms and keep the air clean and clear by monitoring starry-sky parks and offering education on the importance of natural lightscapes.
STELLAR STAYS
Five Under Canvas properties are the first Dark Sky-certified lodgings in the world, all set a short drive from iconic American landmarks: the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, ULUM Moab in Utah (near Arches National Park) and Lake Powell (the first property to be certified). After sundown, all have next to no light pollution, except perhaps a flickering campfire, unobtrusive guiding light or wandering torch; so, depending where you’re based, you could read the constellations, see the Pleiades cluster, Perseid and Geminid meteor showers slashing the black, the sparkling swirl of the Andromeda Galaxy, the brilliant splatter of the Milky Way’s core and the curve of the Earth’s penumbra with the naked eye. Bring binoculars and you might spy Mars, Jupiter, Saturn’s rings and deeper space oddities, or — every two or three years — have a once-in-a-Blue-Moon moment.
It’s quite the send off to sleep, leaving you refreshed for exploring the lunar-like landscapes the next day, hiking trails, canyoneering, hopping on horseback, kayaking or exploring in an ATV, until you once again gather for dinners of dishes inspired by the region (think bison chilli and carnitas tacos), songs and s’mores, and another after-dark show.
SEEK ENLIGHTENMENT
It’s dazzlingly apparent that these are sights worth preserving, and there’s no keeping you in the dark on an Under Canvas getaway. Activities vary by retreat and depend on the date you’re staying, but all certified properties (and those not yet certified) offer fun and exciting ways to appreciate what’s above us.
As part of Under Canvas Moab’s ‘Supernova’ or ‘Stellar’ programmes, a local astronomer will lead you on planetary walks and constellation tours; then you’ll huddle around telescopes to see the bigger picture. At various camps, discover how much you’ve learnt at night-sky trivia. On full-moon hikes, you’ll get acquainted with the scenic topography and grow accustomed to the sights and sounds of the desert. Some camps lay out scavenger tours around the most glittering viewpoints too; or you might just lie down and gaze up alongside fellow guests, deciphering the stars using a stargazing app.
FEEL HEAVENLY
With Under Canvas, seeing stars is actually good for your health — gazing up at them can help to relieve stress, focus your thoughts and intentions, and ground you in the moment; some awestruck contemplation is spiritually uplifting, too. Starbathing is a more lo-fi form of ‘gazing’, where you simply sit in the moment, snug in a blanket, and take in the firmament’s majesty. Swap ‘sun’ for moon salutations with guided alfresco yoga classes after dark; more meditative activities include sound-bath-healing sessions and Zion’s night-sky painting: setting up an easel in a quiet corner to capture the Milky Way.
INFINITE FUN
When Dom Pérignon invented champagne, he compared it to ‘tasting the stars’ — Under Canvas inspires a similar galactic giddiness at parties where the gods provide the glitterball and staff shake up cocktails muddled with pop rocks, edible glitter, star-shaped ice cubes and on-theme garnishes; plus pours of non-alcoholic moon milk or starburst cider. Gatherings are held around the fire pit too, for sci-fi-esque stories as you toast s’mores, snack on Mars and Milky Way bars, and sip hot chocolate.
Take part in all-ages space crafting in the Great Smoky Mountains, getting science-fair nostalgia by making solar-system and star mobiles; or at North Yellowstone — Paradise Valley, turn gemstones into wearable jewellery to remind you of your intergalactic encounters.
GOLD STARS ALL ROUND
Alongside being considerate custodians of the night sky, Under Canvas has joined forces with non-profit the Nature Conservancy to fund local environmental projects and help raise awareness of climate change (guests have the option to donate at check-in). Staff volunteer their time to keep the parks and reserves pristine, and operations are kept Earth-kind down to the smallest details. To fully immerse guests, there’s no WiFi or televisions; electricity is provided by rechargeable battery packs; cutlery (and some crockery too) is biodegradable; pull-chain showers and low-flow toilets conserve water; and, at several camps, energy comes from solar panels.
It’s not exactly roughing it (all tents have a real bed and ensuite) but contemplating your bit part in the vastness of the land and magnitude of the universe can be humbling, giving the kind of astronomical perspective that highlights just how important preserving the night sky is. You might feel a little starstruck, but thanks to Under Canvas’s efforts, you’re guaranteed good nights.
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