Of Land Escalante
Architect: Dan Weber, Anacapa Architecture
Partner, Project Manager: Geoff April
Project Type: Commercial
Project Location: Escalante, Utah
Structural Engineer: Gilson Engineering
Interior Design: Roy Hospitality
Photographer: Melissa Kelsey
Status: Built
Set within the vast desert landscape outside Escalante, Utah, Upland creates a quiet oasis—redefining the campground as a place of comfort, connection, and immersion in the land.
The site accommodates a range of experiences, from bring-your-own RV and tent camping to luxury cabins and restored vintage Airstreams—allowing guests to engage the landscape on their own terms while maintaining a cohesive, design-forward environment.
At the heart of the project is the transformation of an existing clubhouse, where the program is expanded by moving outward. The addition is entirely open-air, extending the lodge into a covered outdoor living space defined by a bar, in-ground fire pits, and lounge-style seating. This shift reinforces an essential idea: the shared experience of the campground should remain rooted outdoors.
Comfort is layered through thoughtful design—heat lamps, fireplaces, and shade structures—but never at the expense of the environment itself. Guests remain connected to the elements, able to feel the temperature shift at dusk and experience uninterrupted views of the surrounding desert.
The result is a modern outdoor hospitality destination in Escalante—one that prioritizes presence, landscape, and a more authentic way of gathering.