Sand Castles

With their vast landscapes and abundant sun, desert resorts offer a dazzling wellness escape

- Stephanie Vermillion

IN WELLNESS TRAVEL, nature isn’t just the backdrop—it’s a lead character. And few ecosystems illustrate its starring role like our planet’s dazzling deserts. Jaw-dropping vistas across these remote and otherworldly locales provide a sense of perspective. From hiking dunes to biking across red rocks, it’s easy to get your cardio in through desert adventures, while splashes of sparkling stars promise humbling meditation come nightfall.

The desert’s power is real, and according to Jimi Kilpatrick, assistant general manager of the new ULUM Moab retreat in Utah, the terrain’s beauty grounds visitors in the present moment. “The hoodoos, spires, mesas and buttes promote a childlike sense of wonder that’s impossible to resist,” says Kilpatrick. “Being physical is almost essential for exploring this rugged terrain.”

The ULUM getaway is a new branch of glamping favorite Under Canvas, known for its accommodations near U.S. national parks, from the Grand Canyon to Glacier National Park. ULUM opened its splurge-worthy safari tents near Canyonlands National Park in the arch-dotted southeastern Utah desert this spring. It’s a case study in the potential of desert-meets-wellness vacations. Guests can enjoy traditional health and wellness activities such as hiking, climbing and golden-hour yoga. Mindfulness experiences like guided nature walks, astronomy and plant-identification strolls also connect visitors with nature—and life—on a deeper level. “The desert promotes gratitude and self-reflection by minimizing regular distractions and maximizing moments of mindfulness,” says Kilpatrick.