6 Best Hotels in Escalante, Southwestern Utah

Each of the eight rooms in this smart, contemporary lodge in downtown Escalante has a patio with grand views of the surrounding mountains, plus plenty of cushy perks like French presses and fresh-ground coffee, plush bedding, and 50-inch smart TVs. The accommodations are ideal for longer stays, with plenty of room to spread out and kitchens in some rooms. The guest laundry is another handy amenity.

In a dramatic, New Mexico adobe–style building, this upscale inn with spacious rooms and lots of big windows is 5 miles west of town—at the mouth of a canyon on the edge of the national monument—and has hikes right outside its door, as well as hosts who are happy to provide guidance on regional treks. Most rooms are in the main inn, with a few others in neighboring buildings, and some have private exterior entrances. Rates include a delicious full breakfast, and several units have kitchenettes or kitchens. The three-bedroom log cabin is a great option for larger families and groups but comes with extra charges for breakfast and cleaning. The Inn's North Creek Grill, open seasonally for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, is popular for its wood-fired pizzas and scenic patio dining.

Of the several hip glamping resorts that have opened in southern Utah in recent years, this sprawling compound on the west side of Escalante might just offer the best balance of a gorgeous contemporary design—accommodations are in sleekly restored Airstream trailers and cozy glass-walled cabins—and a welcoming communal spirit, thanks to an inviting patio served by a food truck, a huge pool, and a drive-in movie theater with seating in vintage autos. Note that only the deluxe cabins have private baths; guests of all the other accommodations have access to the common bathhouses, which are beautifully appointed with indoor-outdoor showers and look like those you might find at a posh spa. This pet- and family-friendly resort also has about 70 RV sites. The on-site general store carries a nice selection of craft beverages and prepared foods.

Although there's nothing fancy about this low-slung adobe motel on the edge of downtown Escalante, the simple rooms have all the basics you need for a comfortable night or two—microwaves, fridges, coffeemakers, HDTVs, climate control—and one larger suite with a kitchenette sleeps six. In the evenings, guest gather around the shared firepit.

If you don't care about frills but do plan on adventuring in the area, consider one of this property's seven simple but cute log cabins, which share a bathhouse, or the large family cabin that sleeps four and has its own bathroom; tent sites are also available. On premises there's an outdoor gear store and a restaurant, and you can book fly-fishing and hiking excursions, as this property is also a tour operator.

Sitting on a peaceful pinyon- and sagebrush-shaded mesa a couple of miles north of town, this mini glamping compound comprises seven warmly outfitted yurts, each with year-round climate control, top-of-the-line linens, a patio with gas grill, a well-stocked kitchen or kitchenette, and an ample sitting area with a TV. Most of the yurts sleep up to four guests, but two larger ones can accommodate seven. Complimentary breakfast is delivered to your yurt the afternoon prior, so that you can reheat it and enjoy it at your own pace the following morning.