News from Modern Campground

Modern Campground

Rivian, Under Canvas Team Up to Offer Charging Stations at Glamping Resorts

Rivian and Under Canvas have teamed up to provide Waypoints charging stations at two of Under Canvas’ safari-style glamping resorts. According to a release, Under Canvas will be offering Rivian Waypoints charging stations at both the Moab and Lake Powell-Grand Staircase locations. Although the chargers will only be available to guests, they will not be restricted to Rivian owners and are available to other EV owners.

These charging stations are Rivian’s first collaboration with a hospitality company and are part of the 10,000 Waypoints Rivian announced last year, including locations across Colorado’s 42 state parks. The Waypoints are a generic Level 2 AC charger with J1772 connection with the ability to reach 11.5-kW charging speeds in contrast to the Rivianspecific Level 3 Adventure Network chargers. Rivian estimates that the Level 2 charger can power between 16 and 25 miles (26 and 40 kilometers) per hour into its battery packs, meaning that the Waypoints can be used as an overnight charging solution, but not a quick stop.

The move is the next stage in Under Canvas’ goal to promote carbon emission reduction. The company also aims to put eco-friendly facilities like low-flow toilets, solar power, and pull-chain showers. The hospitality company has designed its resorts to reflect the terrain around them and promote open, green spaces within their boundaries. Under Canvas’ Moab and Lake Powell, glamping resorts will begin operations in March, and the plans are for Rivian Waypoint charging stations to be ready for the day of opening.

In conjunction with this launch, Under Canvas will offer free charging starting from the opening date until Earth Day, April 22. After that, guests can pay for charging using the Rivian app.

Logan Named Third Best Glamping Location

Online rent-a-car magazine Sixt.com has ranked Logan (Ohio) third on its list of the top 20 best locations to glamp in the United States. According to a report, a survey revealed that Logan follows closely behind Grand Canyon Junction, Arizona, and just ahead of Virgin, Utah. “If you ever went camping as a child, you probably remember crackling campfires, melty s’mores, and warm family memories,” the article reads.

“You might also remember the struggles of putting up a tent and walking to the bathroom in the dark. Glamping or glamorous camping changes all that. The best glamping destinations elevate how we experience the great outdoors, often with electricity, ensuite bathrooms, and more.”

The 20 destinations which made it to the list were placed on a five-point scale across five categories: wow factor, amenities, nearness to local attractions, uniqueness, and accessibility. Logan scored four points for uniqueness and wow factor, and five on each of the other factors, for an average score of 4.6. “In the heart of the Hocking Hills Region, just outside Columbus, Logan is a top destination for glamping and outdoor adventure in Ohio. There’s plenty to do here both indoors and out,” Sixt said.

Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls

It also mentions accommodation at the Cedar Falls that features yurts and geodomes, which not only look cool but have private bathrooms and kitchenettes. It recommends Neville Adventure Park with paintball, four-wheelers, and ropes course for local activities. For dining, it notes that Hocking Hills Winery offers an array of charcuterie boards and snacks, or you can get delivery from local restaurants. Sixt’s Lily Rogers observed that because of being close to local attractions while still having the whole glamping experience, Logan is one of the most unique glamping destinations in the nation.

Okanagan Rail Trail, O'Keefe Ranch Receive Fund for Tourism Projects

British Columbia’s (Canada) provincial government officials have allotted nearly CA$1.4 million for tourism initiatives within the North Okanagan.

According to a report, a large portion of the cash will be used to fund the construction of Coldstream Station on Kalamalka Road near the start of the Okanagan Rail Trail.

The province has contributed CA$624,257 to the construction project, including an event plaza, parking, washrooms, and visitor information, and be a starting point for the Okanagan Rail Trail.

Construction of a glamping site in O’Keefe Ranch, pitched in 2019, is also moving forward. The province has initially put forward a CA$245,085 to fund the glamping site, which would see ten glamping tents pitched at the ranch.

Glampground Proposal Submitted in Utah

Grand County (Utah) Commission hosted a public hearing regarding the proposal of a glampground to be located near the junction of Highway 191 and State Route 313.

According to a report, the proposed project called “Entrada Moab” would require the commission to accept the application for the Overnight Accommodations Overlay to the property of 544 acres.

It is currently zoned as Range and Grazing and is bordered by Bureau of Land Management property, primarily employed for leisure.

Entrada Camps and Conservation, the applicant, is under contract to purchase the property from Intrepid Potash mining company if the overlay is approved. The description of the project defines it as a luxury eco-retreat centered on environmentally responsible tourism. It will comprise 16 tent sites, an activity center including a spa, swimming pools, and a panoramic deck and trails.

At a site plan review, the applicant would have to provide a public water source; the wastewater would be treated onsite with the Orenco brand system.

According to the applicant, accommodations will start at $2,000 per night.

The letter, which ECC Managing Director Matt Kareus signed, also states that he founded Entrada Camps and Conservation to bring a new model of low impact, high-value sustainable tourism to the American West, beginning in Grand County and that he has seen firsthand how thoughtful, well-managed tourism can provide substantive economic benefits to local communities and people. He also added that it could be a powerful force for the conservation and protection of the natural world.

The developers have stated that they plan to put the majority of the property in a conservation easement to protect open spaces in the Scenic Resource Protection District along the North Highway 191 corridor. The developed areas will be hidden from view from the highway.

“Our intention is to preserve as much land as possible from development–from current development, from future development,” Kareus said.

Grand County resident John Weisheit, who is the Colorado Riverkeeper of the non-profit Living Rivers, asked applicants if they’d spoken with the staff of the National Park Service about how the development would affect groundwater needed for an ecosystem in the Arches National Park.

“We have been working with a hydrologist that’s been involved in drilling a lot of the wells in the area, recently and in years past, and he assures us that we won’t run into conflict with the Arches protection zone,” Kareus said, adding that they will address the matter with the park service at some point.

Weisheit urged Kareus to contact the BLM to ask about areas of critical concern that could be affected and also suggested that he drill a monitoring well to ensure that water withdrawals aren’t affecting other water users.

“The entire Colorado River Basin is in a shortage situation right now where we don’t have any more water to spare, quite frankly,” Weisheit said. “So we have to think about these things. We have to think about long-term resiliency and sustainability.”

Kareus explained that the company is talking with a hydrologist to develop a water management plan, with sustainability as a top priority. The neighboring property owner Brian Hayes also called in to the meeting to endorse the proposal, saying he prefers the proposal to other kinds of development that could otherwise happen on the property.

“Rather than having, in the future, potentially numerous second homes or other developments, we think this is a good opportunity to protect the land as open space, to protect the viewshed,” Hayes said.

Commissioner Kevin Walker noted that any type of overnight accommodations development is a delicate issue and requested more details on how the commission can ensure that the developer will follow the word on its promises regarding conservation and open space.

Grand County Associate Planner Elissa Martin said that the agreement for development would legally restrict the applicant to the requested 16 units.

Due to how ordinances are written and drafted, the conservation easement and future employee housing cannot be included in the agreement. Kareus declared that if there was an option to bind the terms legally, he was prepared to adhere to them.

The Grand County Planning Commission recommended that the commission approve the request subject to the requirement that six deed-restricted employees housing units are included in the master plan. However, the language of the OAO doesn’t permit the housing needs of employees to be included within the agreement for development.

County Attorney Christina Sloan recommended that the commission decline the request because the county is currently undertaking a study of RV and campground zones. She suggests that the county refuse all RV and campground OAO Rezone requests until amendments to that zone in the land-use code can be made, and a carrying capacity study can be done.

The public hearing on the proposal was open until February 9. The commission will decide on the proposal at a future meeting.