RIVER RETREAT LODGE

Master fishermen and adventure-seekers alike flock to the recently re-imagined River Retreat Lodge in Irwin, Idaho, just a hop and a skip away from Idaho Falls.

Formerly known as the Old Irwin Lodge, Elizabeth Douville and her family purchased the 5-acre property from its previous owners in October 2020. The secluded lodge features six outdoor-themed suites, each with unique vintage displays from canoes to national park signage. The property also features a museum-quality staged lodge where guests can enjoy gourmet breakfast in the Great Room, and a fully landscaped garden, complete with a gazebo and stunning mountain sunset vistas.

After a round of renovations on those six rooms, the lodge had its grand re-opening in July of 2021 and emerged as a reimagined bed and breakfast primed for customized fly fishing and outdoor adventure for all visitors.

“One of the biggest draws here in Swan Valley is our proximity to that scenic south fork of the Snake River,” says Douville. “Everyone wants to catch that trophy trout, and this area is a favorite of many fishermen.”

With the motto ‘Revel in Adventure, Retreat to Serenity,’ the River Retreat Lodge team acts as your adventure concierge for the duration of your stay at their secluded lodge.

“Our main goal is to help people find adventures, and we will do so without a fee,” Douville says.

Sitting just 30 minutes from Palisades Reservoir and within two hours of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, River Retreat Lodge is in the ideal location for outdoor connection.

“We do host events here and work with a lot of local vendors,” Douville says. “We can source just about anything to help people host an unforgettable retreat, and are happy to recommend the area’s top talent to guests who aren’t flying blind as they plan.”

Douville and her team are pros at utilizing their many contacts to create entirely customized outdoor-oriented retreats for all types of guests, from wedding parties to retirement retreats. They can host flyfishing clinics, offer locally catered dinners, recommend bespoke hiking itineraries and even coordinate rentals for days of reservoir dipping through their partners in Alpine, WY. ■

"ULUM reflects the splendor of its natural surroundings with a focus on connection, well-being and approachable adventure for refined travelers looking to bridge quality and comfort with the restorative virtues of nature.”

—May Lilley, Chief Marketing Officer of Under Canvas.

Immerse yourself in iconic Southern Utah with a one-ofa-kind experience at ULUM Moab, a new, luxury outdoor resort from the minds behind Under Canvas. From the sun-drenched lobby, to the airy patio, to the seemingly endless open spaces surrounding the resort, ULUM Moab reflects nature inside and out. During the day, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy national park exploration assisted by an Adventure Concierge. Come nightfall, high-end relaxation, al fresco dining and acoustic music awaits.

ULUM Moab offers an elevated outdoor hospitality experience, with safari-inspired suite tents featuring ensuite bathrooms, private patios, and high-end West Elm furnishings; a full-service restaurant with a Southwest-influenced menu and al fresco dining; dipping pools, a yoga deck, and daily complimentary, wellness-focused programming. Steps from the property is Looking Glass Rock, an exceptional natural rock arch and focal point around which the property was designed.

“Our mission is to inspire connections to extraordinary people, places and the planet by enhancing access to the outdoors,” says May Lilley, Chief Marketing Officer of Under Canvas. "Immersing guests in the grandeur of Utah’s unique natural landscape while also enjoying high-end amenities including Parachute bed linens and robes, Aesop shower products, a daily yoga flow and even a morning latte.”

ULUM Moab has been thoughtfully designed to illuminate and embrace the landscape it inhabits. Nature lovers can commune in high style with peace of mind thanks to the company’s “Mindful Approach” to sustainability. This commitment to celebrating and protecting the natural environment comes to life through its low-impact development practices and innovative design (which features organic materials such as local stone and polished concrete) and its work with The Nature Conservancy.

For the ultimate adventure, take your Southwest journey a step further with an unforgettable road trip along the breathtaking 1,100-mile Grand Circle. Along the way, in addition to ULUM Moab, you can stay at five uniquely wonderful Under Canvas camps (including Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon) and visit some of the most epic national parks in the country. ■

“Many people want that makeup-free glow, whether it be with preventative care, lash lifts, or simply tinted SPF for their fun in the sun.”

—Daphne Garcia, Master Aesthetician

When you’re out having fun in the sun, trust the professionals at Form Derm Spa to help your skin stay hydrated and glowing. Master aesthetician Daphne Garcia shares her top tips for maintaining healthy skin while traveling:

The Prep

The road to glowing vacation skin starts before you even embark. If you have a few months to gear up, Garcia has a few tricks up her sleeve to promote healthy skin ahead of time.

“Laser resurfacing can reverse the signs of aging, address pigment concerns and tighten the skin; while micro-needling with a PRP add-on will have your skin cells performing at their most youthful for the duration of your trip.”

For more timely treatments, the exfoliating and moisturizing Hydrafacial® is a popular choice to minimize the chances of breakouts while traveling, while dermaplaning can soften fine lines, and removes vellus hairs from the face for smooth product application.

“Another quick add-on for a makeup-less look is your classic wax, lash lift and tint,” Garcia says. “That gives you that ‘I just got out of the pool, and I still look like this’ confidence.”

On The Road

While en route, dryness is the ultimate skin enemy, particularly when flying. “Dehydration risk is high due to decreased fluid intake plus that cabin air drying out the skin, which can affect your skin barrier function.”

Garcia encourages mid-flight touch ups of hyaluronic acid serum, paired with a ceramide moisturizer to prevent that trans-epidermal water loss in the air. Most FormRx serums and products are TSA compliant, for storage in carry-ons and hiking bags alike.

Vacation Savers

For sun protection, Garcia says that mineral-based SPFs and regular reapplication are key. “Mineral SPFs physically block UV rays from penetrating the skin, whereas a chemical SPF requires a chemical reaction to prevent exposure.”

Hats, sunglasses, and UV protective clothing are also crucial to shielding other parts of the body. Take special care to look after care the neck and chest areas.

Other products in this pro’s travel bag include quality salicylic acid cleansers to break down oils and pollutants, mineral-based SPF powder brushes in every possible bag, and a vitamin C antioxidant serum to increase SPF efficacy. Just in case, FormRx’s Curing Nectar is also always on hand to treat sunburn and irritation. ■

Summer is in full swing! Have you been anywhere on vacation yet? If you haven’t already, now might be the time to start planning your perfect summer vacation getaway. A great vacation can come in all sizes and shapes and many different locations. Some might prefer to take a trip to the other side of the country, others might prefer to explore a part of Utah that they've never seen before —or would like to see differently. Here are three fantastic locations to consider when planning your perfect summer retreat.