7 Most Sustainable Eco-Lodges in Utah
The state’s landscapes range from red-rock formations and high-alpine forests to remote desert plateaus. For those planning a mindful adventure in the American Southwest, Utah’s most sustainable eco-lodges offer an inspiring place to start.
What are eco-lodges?
Eco-lodges are accommodations in undisturbed, remote natural areas where both construction and operation have the lowest impact possible on the environment. They are not only part of the local community, but they are active participants in protecting nature and culturally sensitive areas.
Eco-Lodges in Utah
Here is a map to see where these eco-lodges are located:
ULUM Moab
ULUM Moab is an upscale tented lodge tucked into a secluded high‑desert basin south of Moab, Utah. Just steps from Looking Glass Arch and with views stretching across Canyonlands National Park.
Guests stay in stylish suite tents that blend comfort, style and a sense of adventure in nature. ULUM Moab offers a variety of activities that showcase its spectacular surroundings: guided stargazing under dark‑sky conditions, Colorado River rafting (half‑ and full‑day), stand‑up paddleboarding, cold‑ and hot‑plunge pools, and wellness‑focused offerings such as cosmic sound baths and yoga. Creative workshops like homemade soap making, jewelry crafting and paint nights are also part of the program, along with live acoustic music and nightly s’mores around the fire.
ULUM Moab is designed for minimal impact: the lobby incorporates local stone and natural woods, and safari‑style tents are built into the landscape with low‑level lighting, low‑flush toilets and housekeeping on request to conserve energy and water. The on‑site restaurant sources seasonal, locally grown ingredients, the property follows International Dark Sky principles to reduce light pollution, and guests can charge electric vehicles at Rivian Waypoints Level‑2 chargers.
Zion National Park Lodge
Nestled in a cottonwood grove beneath the towering sandstone cliffs of Zion Canyon, Zion National Park Lodge is the only in‑park lodging within Utah’s iconic Zion National Park. Built in 1925 by renowned park architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood, the historic lodge blends harmoniously with its red‑rock surroundings. A fire in 1966 destroyed the original hotel, but it was quickly rebuilt and later restored to its 1920s character; the original cabins are now on the National Historic Register.
Accommodation options include charming 1920s cabins, comfortable lodge rooms and spacious lodge suites. Activities start right outside the door: guests can join free “Ride with a Ranger” bus tours, board narrated open‑air trams to the Temple of Sinawava, or visit the nearby Zion Canyon Visitor Center to learn more about the park.
Sustainability is a core value at Zion Lodge. Through its Play Forever program, the lodge encourages guests to reduce their footprint by shortening showers, turning off taps and lights and using recycling bins. Refillable water stations throughout Zion Canyon support the elimination of single‑use plastics. Visitors are reminded to recycle, pack out litter, respect wildlife, stay on designated trails and keep noise low to protect the canyon’s fragile ecosystems. By following these guidelines, guests help preserve the beauty of Zion National Park for generations to come.
Clear Sky Resorts’ Bryce Canyon
Clear Sky Resorts’ Bryce Canyon glamping experience sits on an 80‑acre private canyon near Cannonville, Utah, just off Scenic Byway 12. The resort is a short drive from Bryce Canyon National Park and is ideally located for day trips to Kodachrome Basin State Park, Zion National Park and other natural wonders of southern Utah.
Guests can choose from a variety of themed sky‑dome accommodations, ranging from intimate “Big Dipper” domes to larger domes like “Stardust,” “Nova” and others. On‑site activities include morning yoga sessions with canyon views, guided Discovery Walks through the property’s terrain, projection‑screen movie nights and live music performances during the warmer months.
Sustainability at Clear Sky Resorts’ Bryce Canyon property focuses on supporting the surrounding environment and community. Through Kind Traveler’s Every Stay Gives Back program, the resort contributes to Grand Staircase–Escalante Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to conserving and educating visitors about the national monument. The sky-dome lodges use a geodesic design made from triangular panels, creating a strong, lightweight structure that requires fewer materials. Dual-pane low-e glass walls provide insulated, energy-efficient, floor-to-ceiling views, allowing guests to enjoy natural light and canyon scenery with less need for heating, cooling or artificial lighting.
Sundance Mountain Resort
Sundance Mountain Resort is a rustic luxury resort nestled beneath 12,000‑foot Mount Timpanogos in Utah’s Northfork Canyon. Actor Robert Redford acquired the land around 1968-69 and envisioned a community where art, nature and people could thrive in harmony. The resort sits on land once homesteaded by the Stewart family and still echoes the heritage of the Ute tribes who first inhabited the canyon.
Guests can choose from a range of accommodations, including mountain homes and cozy rooms and suites. Year‑round amenities include “The Springs” relaxation pools, an Art Studio that offers creative workshops, a tranquil spa and guided fly‑fishing. In winter the resort comes alive with downhill skiing and snowboarding on groomed slopes, a terrain park and a Nordic Center with about 9 miles of cross‑country ski trails. Families and beginners can join group lessons or multi‑week programs through the ski & snowboard school, while equipment rentals and demos make it easy to hit the slopes.
Sustainability is at the heart of Sundance’s operations. Conservation easements protect more than 2,000 acres of forest and meadows, and the Redford Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve adds another 860 acres dedicated to balancing art, nature and community. The resort’s green lodging program encourages linen reuse, uses environmentally preferred cleaning products, and offers in-room recycling. Pure mountain-spring water supplies the entire property, and the onsite glassblowing studio transforms discarded bottles into hand-blown art and tableware. Buildings incorporate reclaimed wood, locally quarried stone, water-saving fixtures and low-VOC paints, while annual restoration projects remove invasive plants and support native vegetation.
BaseCamp 37°
BaseCamp 37° is a secluded yet connected glamping hideaway just outside Kanab, Utah, offering sweeping views of the 37th parallel. This small, women‑owned property has only five well‑appointed safari‑style tents, each facing expansive desert vistas so guests can enjoy the night sky and the sounds of the high desert.
The camp’s accommodations include spacious tents with king‑size beds and private decks, some sleeping two and others accommodating up to three adults. Visitors can base themselves here to explore southern Utah’s national parks and public lands: hike the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, kayak through Horseshoe Bend, cruise Lake Powell, wander Cedar Breaks National Monument, or join local guides for dark‑sky tours and backcountry hikes.
Each tent is powered by its own solar array for device charging and lighting. The off-grid glamping setup keeps the footprint minimal, with only a small number of tents carefully built by the owner and her community.
Under Canvas Bryce Canyon
Under Canvas Bryce Canyon is a DarkSky‑certified glamping resort located about fifteen minutes from the crimson hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park. Set on 700 acres of high‑alpine juniper forest at 7,600 feet, this 10th and newest Under Canvas outpost invites guests to sleep beneath star‑studded skies while antelope graze nearby.
The camp blends safari‑style tents with upscale amenities, offering an immersive way to experience southern Utah’s natural beauty.
Daily on‑site activities include live music, morning yoga, kids’ programming and nightly campfires with s’mores. Guests can also arrange guided hikes, canyoneering, white‑water rafting and other adventures through the camp’s Adventure Concierge, or explore nearby attractions like Red Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Staircase‑Escalante.
Under Canvas operates with a mindful approach that prioritizes low‑impact development and resource conservation. Solar power, pull‑chain showers, low‑flow fixtures and rechargeable battery packs reduce water and energy consumption. Recycling, towel‑reuse programs and partnerships with brands that produce zero‑waste, plant‑based bath products help minimize waste. Dedicated green spaces, DarkSky‑certified lighting and an intentional lack of Wi‑Fi encourage guests to connect with nature while protecting the night sky and surrounding ecosystems.
Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa
Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa is a luxury retreat set on 240 acres along the Colorado River near Moab, Utah. Surrounded by the region’s red‑rock mesas and iconic arches, the ranch pairs the heritage of a working riverside property with upscale lodging and panoramic views. Its tranquil riverside setting and proximity to Arches and Canyonlands national parks make it an appealing base for U.S. travellers seeking both comfort and adventure.
Guests can choose from a range of accommodation types including Mesa Studios with sweeping mesa views, River Studios with private decks, Balcony Studios featuring claw‑foot tubs, Mesa Suites with kitchenettes, multi‑bedroom Family Suites and a four‑bedroom Ranch House. Activities on‑site cater to all ages and interests: horseback‑riding excursions, guided mountain‑bike tours, UTV/Jeep off‑roading adventures, and complimentary and guided hikes.
Sorrel River Ranch builds its sustainability around its working-ranch heritage and strong land connection. The homestead garden and greenhouse supply seasonal produce for its farm-to-table restaurant, while solar power helps reduce the property’s footprint. House-made goods in the mercantile and small-animal paddocks for guest learning reinforce a self-reliant, education-focused ethos. The ranch also supports Moab’s Youth Garden Project, extending its environmental efforts into the community. Overall, Sorrel aims to preserve the region’s natural beauty and promote a more sustainable future for Moab.
Map
More eco-lodges in the U.S.
Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.