By the time summer arrives in the Valley, most of us start doing the math.
How many weekends until fall?
How quickly can we get somewhere cooler?
How far are we willing to drive to escape triple digits?
The good news is you don’t have to travel far to feel like you’ve completely left reality behind.
Just under three hours north of Surprise, tucked outside the small mountain town of Williams, Arizona, Backland is becoming one of Northern Arizona’s most unique luxury escapes. Set on 160 private acres and surrounded by more than 300,000 acres of national forest at roughly 7,000 feet in elevation, the destination feels worlds away from the desert heat waiting back home.
The drive itself becomes part of the experience.
Leaving the Valley behind, the landscape slowly shifts from saguaros and open desert to tall pines, cooler air, and forest roads that signal you’ve officially entered getaway mode. By the time you arrive, the temperature drop alone feels like vacation.
Backland describes itself as a luxury nature resort, but this isn’t camping in the traditional sense.
There are no sleeping bags.
No searching for level ground.
No sacrificing comfort.
Instead, guests stay in luxury tented suites designed to immerse visitors in nature while still delivering elevated comforts including king beds, en-suite bathrooms, climate control, panoramic windows, and private outdoor spaces.
For 2026, the experience becomes even more elevated with the addition of a new category of glamping suites featuring private outdoor hot tubs.
Thoughtfully designed into the layout of select accommodations, the hot tubs create another opportunity to enjoy the surrounding scenery without ever leaving your suite.
Picture ending the day with a soak beneath cool mountain air after spending the afternoon outdoors.
Coffee on the deck in the morning.
A quiet evening under the stars.
No schedules to follow.
Inside the suites, one of Backland’s signature features continues that connection to the outdoors. Positioned directly above the king bed, a skylight frames unobstructed views overhead, creating an experience that feels equally memorable whether you’re waking with the sunrise or winding down after sunset.
Of course, part of what makes Backland stand out isn’t just where you sleep.
It’s what you do once you’re there.
Guests can spend the day exploring Backland’s onsite experiences including nature trails, kayaking on the private pond, fishing, beach lounging, frisbee golf, evening fire pits with complimentary s’mores, bird watching, and some of Arizona’s best stargazing.
For families, it becomes the kind of place where kids stay outside longer than usual.
For couples, it feels like a weekend reset.
For anyone needing a break from emails, errands, and the constant pace of life, it offers something increasingly hard to find: quiet.
And if you want to venture beyond the resort, Backland makes a surprisingly ideal home base for exploring Northern Arizona.
Williams, located about twenty minutes away, offers classic Route 66 charm with vintage signs, local shops, nostalgic diners, and a slower pace that feels refreshing compared to city life. Guests can hop aboard the historic Grand Canyon Railway for a scenic ride to the South Rim, wander downtown, or enjoy dinner before returning to the resort for the evening.
Families may want to spend an afternoon at Bearizona, a drive-through wildlife park where visitors can spot bears, bison, wolves, and other animals in natural environments. It’s close enough for an easy outing while still allowing plenty of time back at the property.
Outdoor lovers can explore nearby Sycamore Falls, only minutes away, or use Backland as a launching point for Grand Canyon adventures, guided excursions, and hiking experiences.
This summer also introduces another reason to linger after sunset.
Backland plans to debut private clear dining pods placed throughout the property, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy dinner beneath Arizona’s dark skies. The experience pairs perfectly with the upcoming observatory, which expands the resort’s evening stargazing offerings with heated seating and staff-led observations.
At a time when travel often feels rushed and packed with plans, Backland offers something different.
A place to slow down.
To stay outside a little longer.
To trade screen time for starry skies.
And to remember that sometimes the best summer escape isn’t found across the country.
Sometimes it’s waiting just up north.
The best summer escape isn’t always far away, sometimes it’s waiting in Northern Arizona’s cool pines.