March 18, 2021
Real Honeymoon: Road Trip Western United States
By Annie Chambers
Ariana and Endri came to me ready to break out of NYC, craving open roads and western National Parks. They left after their Maine wedding to being a 2-week road trip adventure out west and back! There are a lot of logistics to a cross country road trip: finding the best 10 + hotel stays in each location mapping driving directions between each, best activities and dining in each location. Not to mention, Ariana owns a business in New York, so needed cell service on certain days, which altered where she could stay (some parks have limited service).
Stop 1: Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
Stop 2: Billings, Montana
Stop 3: Yosemite (Pray, MT)
Stop 4: Jackson, Wyoming
Stop 5: Park City, Utah
Stop 6: Zion National Park
Stop 7: Moab, Utah
Stop 8: Aspen, Colorado
Stop 9: Denver, Colorado
Stop 10: Kansas City
Stop 11: Louisville, Kentucky
I rounded up the amazing glamping spots and lodges where they stayed. For info about the hotels along the way or specific ideas for local tours and restaurants, contact me directly.
The trip was absolutely perfect. We can’t stop talking about it and have told all of our friends about Crafted Escapes. The itinerary and time in each place was just right and the accommodations were even better than we expected. We were thrilled with the decision to stay domestic for our honeymoon. We didn’t realize how much beauty there was in our own backyard. The road trip was just the adventure we needed after being cooped up for the previous 6 months. We learned how to fly fish, ate incredible food, and saw moose and bears in the wild. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
MOUNT RUSHMORE
Recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as a ‘Best Resort in the World’, ‘Top 10 Resort in the United States’ and #2 in ‘Top Resorts in the US – Midwest & West’, Under Canvas Mount Rushmore is tucked within Ponderosa Pines and Common Juniper, located on an original gold mining settlement less than 4 miles from Mount Rushmore National Monument. Offering upscale accommodations and majestic views of Mount Rushmore and the surrounding Black Hills, Under Canvas is a one-of-a-kind home base explore Custer State Park and the Black Hills of South Dakota.
We highly recommend the tents with your own toilet for privacy and ease.
Yellowstone National Park
Pray, Montana
Sage Lodge is a boutique lodge featuring 50 guest rooms including a 34-room Lodge rooms and four standalone Ranch Houses. It is nestled on the idyllic banks of the Yellowstone River. It’s a quick 35-minute drive to Yellowstone National Park. Set on over 1,200 acres of rural landscape, on-site amenities include a private casting pond, hiking and biking trails, expansive views of the Paradise Valley and over a mile of Yellowstone River access. Sage Lodge is home to The Grill, a rustic and relaxed restaurant with indoor and outdoor vantage points, featuring a menu that is inspired by the open wood-fired grill, along with The Fireside Room, a more casual eatery with a full premium bar. The Spa, Sage’s on-site luxury spa, offers a full-service menu of treatments with a focus on herbal fusions, natural botanicals, and seasonal specialties. These clients did wolf tracking!!
“The food at the Sage Lodge was the best food we had on the whole trip. I think it’s the wood burning oven!”
Jackson, Wyoming
Hotel Terra, rated as Jackson Hole’s #1 resort in the 2020 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, is a modern boutique ski hotel located at the base of one of the world’s most iconic ski destinations. Indulge in upscale amenities and breathtaking mountain scenery where indoor elegance combines with outdoor adventure. Hotel Terra is located only one mile from the south entrance to Grand Teton National Park, one of the most spectacular, awe-inspiring places in America. Occupying much of the Jackson Hole valley, the park is home to massive mountains, pristine lakes and rivers and abundant wildlife.
Often underrated, Grand Teton National Park is one of my favorite parks. I visited daily the summer I lived in Jackson. Highly recommend!
Zion National Park
Recognized in ‘Top 40 Resorts in the US – Midwest & West’ by Condé Nast Traveler, Under Canvas Zion is located upon 196-acres of remote desert terrain just 20 miles from the entrance to Zion National Park and the charming town of Springdale. Operating under wide-open desert skies in Virgin, Utah, Under Canvas’ safari-inspired glamping destination is a haven of solitude in the American Southwest, surrounded by views of soaring sandstone cliffs and majestic red rock. Under Canvas locations feature seasonal food and beverage offerings that prioritize locally-sourced ingredients from nearby purveyors.
Talk to the camp specialist to set up your activity itinerary: Canyoneering, Paddleboard & Kayak Tours, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Guided Hiking, etc.
Moab National Park
Sorrel River Ranch
Sorrel River Ranch was our favorite. It was so nice to be away from the touristy towns and be immersed in the scenery.
