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What It’s Like Grand Canyon Glamping at Backland Eco-Resort

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Last Updated on May 27, 2024 by Sarah Puckett

Embarking on a journey to the Grand Canyon is a bucket list adventure, but what if your escape to this natural wonder was accompanied by a touch of glamping luxury nestled in the heart of Arizona’s wilderness?

Welcome to Backland, a unique Grand Canyon glamping resort that redefines the art of blending opulence with the untamed beauty of the Kaibab National Forest. In this blog post, we review our recent stay at Backland’s eco-conscious haven, where plush accommodations meet a commitment to positive environmental impact.

Disclaimer: Backland hosted us in a Sky Suite glamping tent for 2 nights during our trip to the Grand Canyon. All opinions, as always, are own. If you decide to book a stay at Backland after reading our review, we’d be so grateful for you to use our affiliate link! We’ll receive a commission at no extra charge to you, which helps us keep this page running. Thank you for your support!

Overview of Backland Glamping near the Grand Canyon

Nestled in Arizona’s scenic landscape in Williams, Arizona and only an hour and a half from Grand Canyon National Park, Backland is a luxury eco resort featuring 10 spacious glamping tents that blend comfort with environmental stewardship. Emphasizing the power of meaningful outdoor encounters, Backland invites guests to unplug, breathe in fresh air, and stargaze while enjoying comfortable, sustainable lodging.

Location

Backland, true to its name, is located in a remote area of the Kaibab National Forest about a half hour drive southeast of downtown Williams, Arizona.

The last 8 miles of the drive to Backland is on maintained dirt forest service roads. Any vehicle should be able to make the drive without issue in normal conditions, but do pay attention to road conditions and call the resort if you have any concerns during the drive.

Backland recommends downloading a third-party app with audio-guided instructions to get to the resort, but if, like us, you prefer to minimize your cell phone apps, you can easily navigate your way to Backland via the Google Map directions linked on their website’s Location page. The main thing to pay attention to is that you should NOT turn right onto Forest Service Rd 18 off of Garland Prairie Road, even if Google prompts you to. This will lead you to a locked gate. Instead, follow the directions as shown in the map below and turn onto Forest Service Rd 18 from Rosalida Springs Rd.

Glamping Tent Options at Backland

Backland offers 4 different suite options in their glamping tents.

  • Backland Suite: Sleeps up to 4 with a king bed and queen sofa bed
  • Sky Suite: Same as a Backland Suite, plus a 16-foot skylight over the bed for stargazing
  • Grand Suite: Sleeps up to 6 with a king bed, queen sofa bed, twin bed, and rollaway bed
  • Grand Sky Suite: Same as Grand Suite, plus a 16-foot skylight over the king bed for stargazing.

Sky Suite Review

We stayed in a Sky Suite (Tent #5 to be exact). The glamping tent features a comfortable king-sized bed beneath a 16-foot long skylight. This was our favorite feature of our tent. Tim and I both caught a few shooting stars from the comfort of bed during our stay! Plus, as someone who tends to have night sweats, I appreciated the breathable bedding. Rarely do I find a hotel bed with comforters and sheets that prevent me from sweating overnight, so this was a big plus in my book.

The tent also features a Kuerig coffee and tea area (with pods, mugs and creamers provided), a microwave, pull-out sofa, living room table, desk and chair, and bedside end tables.

The bathroom has a sink, shower, toilet, and closet for resetting the electric hot water. One thing to note is that we did have issues with the hot water heater during our stay, which took over an hour to resolve with the help of Backland staff. Part of the adventure of glamping is being prepared to be flexible. While Backland is a luxury glamping stay, it is nevertheless glamping.

The bathroom is equipped with shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, but you might want to bring your own conditioner, if, like me, you are prone to tangles. Towels and washcloths (including darker ones for makeup, dirt, etc.) are also provided.

The tent is climate-controlled, with remote-operated heating and cooling units. We had no issues with the heat during our November stay!

The far end of the tent features floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors that open out to a lovely patio overlooking the forest. Our patio had two chairs and a sun lounger. This was a perfect spot to enjoy the sunrise! Oh, and don’t worry about unwanted light coming in in the mornings. There are separate privacy and blackout curtains on the windows/doors so you can let in as much or as little light as you’d like!

Amenities and Activities

  • Stargazing: In addition to skylights in the Sky Suites, Backland also offers complimentary telescopes available at reception to enhance your stargazing experience.
  • Spa: You can request a massage from the spa during your visit.
  • Pond and beach: An excellent spot to watch the sunrise, the pond and beach outside of reception have ample spots to lounge, yard games, fishing poles, and kayaks.
  • Fire pit and s’mores: In the evenings, there are complimentary s’mores by the fire pit outside of reception.
  • WiFi: WiFi is free and available in reception only.

Restaurant and Meals

The onsite restaurant at Backland features seasonal and local ingrediants. The complimentary breakfast features fresh fruit, yogurt, hard boiled eggs, cereal, granola, and a build-your-own crepe station. Juices, coffee, and water are also available.

Backland’s restaurant also offers a decadent cooked-to-order dinner (additional cost), and boxed lunches to fuel your adventures to nearby destinations like the Grand Canyon or Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.

Final Thoughts on Grand Canyon Glamping at Backland

For a tranquil natural environment near popular day-trip destinations in Arizona like the Grand Canyon, Page, and Flagstaff, Backland is a unique glamping option that invites guests to embrace the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort.

Read more Arizona travel guides:

Sarah and Tim at Ooh Aah Point In grand canyon national park

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