This Utah "Glampground" Is Home to a Vintage Drive-in Theater and Luxury Cabins

Ofland Escalante (formerly Yonder Esclante) goes by a new name, but still has all the same amenities that guests love.

While the name Ofland Escalante might be new to travelers' ears, if you frequent Utah's Escalante area, the property itself won't be.

Formerly Yonder Escalante, the brand recently updated its name to Ofland (meaning "of the land") to honor its goal of helping guests connect with the great outdoors. With talks of growing and opening more Ofland sites around the country, they thought there was no better time for this change than now, as they hint at exciting announcements.

Guests staying at Ofland can choose precisely how much they want to rough it, from full camping to glamping in cabins resembling traditional hotel rooms. At traditional campsites, you can set up a tent and cook for yourself, or on the other end of the spectrum, stay in the recently opened deluxe cabins with private baths.

When I visited Ofland, I opted for the deluxe cabin. While I love the outdoors and exploring our great national parks, I also love a comfy bed and private room to veg out in after a long hike. What set Ofland apart for me went beyond the cabins and even the amenities (which were abundant). Ofland creates a communal space to meet other campers and guests.

Ofland Escalante

• Deluxe Cabins offer all the luxury of a hotel with all the fun of camping.

• The huge outdoor showers are spa-like, making the glamping experience much better.

• The vintage drive-in theater is a unique experience day or night.

• Several food options make dining while camping a breeze and are all delicious.

I arrived very late, but the staff was just a call away to check me in. The person at the front desk was somehow more excited than I was and couldn’t wait to give me all the tips about where to hike, what to eat, and a generally warm welcome.

When morning came, I booted up for my first hike but was encouraged to stop by the outdoor lodge to fuel up with complimentary coffee and homemade Rice Krispie treats. Upon returning to camp after a long day in the nearby slot canyons, I found a relaxed and welcoming gathering place around the communal fire pits. Several friendly dogs came to say hello, and I shared a drink with a fellow guest who gave me tips on the hike I planned to do the next day. The next evening, around the hot tub, I brought a small portable speaker and chatted with other guests about music and hikes.

The best thing about Ofland is that it combines the best of camping and hotels. You can have all the luxury of a hotel room (if you want it!) with all the community you typically find at campgrounds.

To learn more about what Ofland offers, read my full review below.

The Rooms

Ofland offers a variety of accommodations for every type of visitor.

Tiny cabins are the smallest offering. They sleep two and have a queen bed, a microwave, and a mini-fridge. These also include a glass wall bedside to wake up with a view of nature. Vintage Airstream trailers are also available, sleeping up to three people, with a sink, prep area, and Wi-Fi. Traditional campsites at Ofland Escalante use the shared bathrooms around the Ofland property — but have no fear; these are spa-level showers and amenities. The very large outdoor showers include luxury toiletries and towels and are spotless. There are also indoor showers located near the main lodge.

The newest addition to Ofland, where I stayed during my visit, is the Deluxe Cabins. These cabins can sleep four people with a queen bed and a queen sleeper sofa. They include wifi, a porch, a private parking space, a kitchen area, and a private bathroom and outdoor shower. The bathroom has the same level of upscale toiletries as the shared bathrooms, just more privacy. The outdoor shower even includes a heat lamp for colder days. The kitchen was such a nice thing as we could store the leftovers from our DIY meal kit in the fridge and heat them in the microwave the next day. They also provided coffee and tea, which helped us get ready for our early morning hikes. While I got to sleep in the comfort of my own bed, I loved still having a personal firepit to make s'mores over at night. The deluxe cabins provided all the luxury of a hotel room with the best parts about camping.

Food and Drink

There are quite a few options for meals at Ofland. A food truck is open for breakfast and dinner and serves up hefty portions of breakfast burritos, burgers, and tater tots. I had the portobello burger and the massive side of half fries and half tots — it was perfect after a long day of hiking.

But guests who want to fully maximize the facilities can also buy DIY meal kits that let you mix and match proteins with sides. The dishes come pre-seasoned and mostly prepared, so they’re beginner-friendly, but still guarantee a delicious meal. The kits also come with everything you could need to cook over your campsite's fire pit, from oven mitts to utensils and even s'mores for desert. There are also a few grills around the property if you’re in a hurry and don’t want to wait for an excellent ol’ fashioned campfire. While the kits claim to feed two, we found we had more than enough for a third portion, which we snacked on the next day.

The general store sells DIY kits as well as a variety of snacks and grab-and-go options like fresh salads and grain bowls, along with a plethora of locally made beverages from wine to kombucha. These types of meal options took the pressure off of camp cooking. There was no need to pack coolers filled with supplies or worry about burning something over the fire, and best of all, we could eat what we were craving that day instead of being limited by typical campsite-friendly food options.

Activities and Experiences

Ofland's location puts many local hikes, activities, and excursions within perfect reach, and the staff was more than happy to tell us what was worth our time and what wasn't. (The website also lists staff's favorite hikes, tours, and companies to work with.)

However, Ofland's on-site amenities shine as well. A pool and hot tub are perfect for relaxing and recovering from challenging hikes, while an outdoor lodge has fire pits, ample seating, and complimentary coffee and baked goods daily. Attached to the lodge is the previously mentioned general store where you can buy snacks, supplies, and merch. There are also laundry facilities on the property so guests can pack light, and pets are welcome at no extra charge.

Undoubtedly, the most impressive activity Ofland offers is the vintage drive-in theater. A scenic field with an impressive daytime view is filled with vintage cars — each outfitted with a functional radio and a heater for colder nights. Guests can pick their favorite car and watch classic movies every night of the week. A vintage Airstream is outfitted to provide free popcorn and other classic movie snacks for purchase. I watched "Breakfast at Tiffany's" for the first time and was able to adjust the volume and heat level while indulging in all the free popcorn I wanted.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Ofland has one ADA-compliant tiny cabin, complete with a roll-in shower.

To stay true to its new branding and being “of the land,” Ofland has implemented projects to increase the park's sustainability. It plans to eliminate single-use plastic and is working to source snacks, food, and supplies from local vendors whenever possible. One unique project was Ofland's collaboration with local indigenous tribes to create a film about the importance and preservation of dark-sky areas like the one Ofland is a part of. This film plays every night at the drive-in theater before the main show.

Location

Ofland puts guests smack-dab in the middle of some of Utah’s great attractions, but this also means it’s a bit of a journey. Located equidistant from the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas airports, driving from either major airport takes just under five hours, so a rental car is highly recommended. However, you’ll be at the center of the action once you're there.

A short drive from Ofland will take you to five national parks, four state parks, two national monuments, one national forest, and one national recreation center, to say nothing of the countless other beautiful hikes that aren’t part of the parks system.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Ofland Escalante is independent, so while it is not part of any loyalty program, it does have a booking calendar on its website that allows you to search for the best deal.

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