Our first night at Under Canvas North Yellowstone, a gentle rain turned into a ferocious storm, blowing gusts of wind across the Paradise Valley right down the flue of the tiny but mighty wood-burning stove in our tent. We unzipped the heavy duty canvas door and window flaps for a few minutes, stoked the fire and crawled back under the down duvet of the king bed to listen to the drama outside. We felt completely safe and cozy in the sturdy safari-inspired tent, designed by the founders of Under Canvas, now with 13 locations, all near national parks.
Up at the expansive lobby tent, furnished with West Elm classics, hot breakfast was being served (healthy, hearty and really delicious with kids' options) and guests were chatting about the day’s plans.
The historic lively town of Livingston, Wyoming is an easy 20 minute drive and the entrance to Yellowstone National Park is an hour south. Stop at Chico Hot Springs for a long soak and lunch and watch for elk, moose, wolves and grizzly bears. The Paradise Valley, aptly named, offers glorious views of the Absaroka Beartooth Mountains and Gallatin Range, ranging in elevation from 4,500 to 10,921. Ask the cool kids at the Under Canvas front desk for pets and family-friendly hikes and activities nearby.
One morning (we visited in September), we woke to find the season’s first snow on the peaks of the mountains. From the deck of our tent, coffee in hand, I watched the clouds part, revealing the bright white peaks. The staff was nonchalant while guests excitedly peered through the lobby telescope searching for wildlife amongst the snowy ridges. Each Under Canvas lobby tent is stocked with books on local history, games, gear, merch and snacks. While tents have USB battery packs to power the lamps, you’ll find outlets (if you must) in the lobby. For families, book a Kids’ Tent with two twin-size beds with luxe linens and positioned directly adjacent to the standard tent where the folks sleep soundly.
The Paradise Valley, aptly named, offers glorious views of the Absaroka Beartooth Mountains and Gallatin Range.