Under Canvas North Yellowstone - Paradise Valley

Under Canvas North Yellowstone - Paradise Valley offers a unique and upscale "glamping" experience, seamlessly blending the allure of the outdoors with comfortable, safari-style accommodations. Situated in the breathtaking Paradise Valley, this Michelin Key Selected property consistently garners excellent reviews for its stunning location, attentive service, and well-appointed tents.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Under Canvas North Yellowstone - Paradise Valley is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as a "wonderful place" and a "unique experience." It scores highly across various metrics, including a 9.6 for location, 8.9 for cleanliness, 8.9 for comfort, and 8.9 for staff on Booking.com, leading to an overall "excellent" rating of 8.9. Reviewers express a strong desire to return, highlighting the property's ability to connect guests with nature without sacrificing comfort.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several standout features:

• Location: The camp's setting on 50 acres of ranchland along the Yellowstone River, with views of the Absaroka Mountain Range and lush Montana landscape, is a major draw. Its proximity to Yellowstone National Park's north entrance (less than an hour's drive) allows for easy access to attractions like Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley, known as "America's Serengeti" for wildlife viewing.
• Design & Ambiance: The "refined, riverfront rusticity" of the camp, with its safari-inspired canvas tents and mountain-inspired decor in the lobby featuring West Elm furnishings, creates a chic yet authentic outdoor atmosphere. Nightly campfires and stargazing sessions, often accompanied by acoustic tunes, enhance the immersive experience.
• Amenities & Activities: The property offers a range of complimentary activities such as morning yoga classes (with Lululemon mats), indoor and outdoor games, and unlimited nightly s'mores. Guests also appreciate the water refill stations and refillable aluminum water bottles provided, reflecting the camp's commitment to sustainability. An adventure concierge is available to help arrange guided excursions like fly fishing, river floats, horseback riding, hiking, and whitewater rafting.
• Eco-Conscious Approach: Under Canvas is noted for its "Mindful Approach" to development and operations, focusing on minimizing environmental impact through features like pull-chain showers, low-flow toilets, low-level lighting to reduce light pollution, and organic bath products.

3. Room Quality

The tents at Under Canvas North Yellowstone are described as "luxury," "high-spec," and "very comfortable and design." They feature:

• Comfort: King-sized beds with plush linens are standard, ensuring a comfortable night's sleep.
• Private Bathrooms: All tents include en-suite private bathrooms with pull-chain showers, low-flow flush toilets, and organic Essential Oils bath products.
• Heating: For chilly evenings, each tent (excluding Kids Tents) is equipped with a cozy wood-burning stove, with complimentary firewood provided.
• Design & Features: Tents are set on elevated decks and often include private decks with lounge chairs to enjoy the magnificent surroundings. Stargazer tents boast star-viewing windows above the beds, allowing for "under-the-covers constellation spotting." While there is no electricity in the tents, USB battery packs are provided for charging devices, along with battery-powered fans and lanterns.

4. Dining Experience

The camp's riverfront restaurant, Embers, offers a "delicious" and "wonderful" dining experience.

• Menu: The menu emphasizes seasonal and regionally inspired produce, featuring dishes such as fresh trout, wholesome grain bowls, salads, bison burgers, and Western-style barbecue mac 'n' cheese. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available.
• Breakfast: Fresh breakfast spreads are served daily from 7 am to 10 am, with options ranging from $10 to $20 each. Some reports mention a breakfast burrito, yogurt, fruit, granola bars, and pastries. Complimentary coffee and tea are also available.
• Dinner & Evening: Dinner is served from 5 pm to 9 pm. In the evenings, Embers also functions as an outdoor bar, offering a selection of wines and local craft beers under the starry skies. Guests frequently enjoy outdoor eating with live music and campfires.
• Grab-and-Go: House-made grab-and-go options like sandwiches, salads, and parfaits are available for guests heading out for daily adventures.
• Policy: It is important to note that a strict "no food in tents" policy is enforced for health and safety reasons, aligning with Under Canvas's mindful approach to its pristine surroundings.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback consistently highlights the "unbelievable," "friendly," and "extremely helpful" nature of the staff. Reviewers praise their attentiveness, excellent support, and willingness to assist with local insights and activity recommendations. The presence of guest experience coordinators further enhances the personalized service, helping visitors plan their adventures.

6. Location & Accessibility

Under Canvas North Yellowstone - Paradise Valley boasts a prime location:

• Neighborhood: It is situated in the picturesque Paradise Valley, known for its lush Montana ranchland, soaring peaks, and the Yellowstone River. The camp itself offers over a mile of pristine riverfront access.
• Attractions: The camp is less than an hour's drive from the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, providing convenient access to park highlights such as Mammoth Hot Springs (around an hour's drive) and Lamar Valley (about two hours away), renowned for its abundant wildlife. The charming town of Livingston is 20 minutes away, and Bozeman is 45 minutes away.
• Transport: Private parking is available at the camp, and guests are advised to have their own car for exploring the national park. A $35 pass is required to enter Yellowstone National Park by car. The property is located approximately 47 miles from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. However, areas of the resort may be difficult for guests with limited mobility.

7. Value & Pricing

Under Canvas North Yellowstone - Paradise Valley offers an upscale glamping experience. While specific pricing can vary seasonally and by tent type, rates generally start at around $279 per night. It's important to consider that breakfast is not typically included in the room rate but is available for purchase daily. The value is perceived as good by many, with a Booking.com rating of 7.6 for "Value for money." Guests feel the cost is justified by the unique experience, comfortable amenities, stunning location, and included complimentary activities like yoga and s'mores.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few recurring points are mentioned by guests:

• No Food in Tents: For health and safety, and in line with their environmental approach, guests are strictly prohibited from bringing food into their tents. Beverages are permitted.
• Limited Hot Water: The pull-chain showers in the en-suite bathrooms have limited hot water, a design choice to reduce water usage as part of the camp's sustainability efforts.
• Lack of Connectivity: There is no WiFi or TVs available in the tents or communal areas, a deliberate choice to encourage guests to disconnect and engage with nature and each other. Limited cell phone service may also be experienced.
• Accessibility: Due to the outdoor and undisturbed nature of the camp, some areas may be challenging for guests with limited mobility.
• Wood Stove Operation: While wood-burning stoves are provided, guests need to be comfortable with lighting and stoking them for warmth during cooler nights. Staff can assist with lighting them in the evenings. Occasionally, fire bans may prevent the use of wood stoves.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. trip.com
3. mrandmrssmith.com
4. hyatt.com
5. agoda.com
6. undercanvas.com
7. agoda.com
8. midlifeglobetrotter.com
9. sunset.com
10. tablethotels.com