Summer Camp for Grown-Ups? We Know A Place. (2024)

Sending the kids to sleepaway camp and seeking your own version? We’ve got just the place for adult summer camp.

The finished product feels like its own kind of grownup summer camp: a stunning locale chock-full of exciting ways to spend the day.

The Lodge at Blue Sky highlights the undeniable beauty of the American West—think expansive sky, towering mountains, and unspoiled wilderness—and pairs nature’s abundance with luxury accommodations and enough indoor and outdoor activities to keep even the most active among us having a blast. Located just outside of Park City, Utah, the resort blends the natural beauty of the Wasatch Mountain Range with understatedly elegant interiors and organic architecture. The finished product feels like its own kind of grownup summer camp: a stunning locale chock-full of exciting ways to spend the day.

Best-in-class service and accommodations are only one part of The Lodge at Blue Sky equation; there are also seemingly countless opportunities to take advantage of all the fresh air and nature that this unique part of the country, and luxury resort, have to offer. Wildlife hikes, mountain bike excursions, guided fly-fishing adventures, alpine art classes, and restorative equine therapy are just the beginning of the offerings available to guests of all ages. As part of Auberge Resorts Collection, isn’t hard to see why this Utah hotspot is racking up accolades.

The Great American West

Nestled on 3,500 stunning acres, The Lodge at Blue Sky is less than half an hour from the lively offerings of Park City while managing to be a secluded oasis set a world apart. A scenic 40-minute car trip from Salt Lake City International Airport, your drive to the property will find you winding through picturesque mountain vistas and rugged terrain, the resort is located just outside the historic town of Wanship. Upon arrival at The Lodge at Blue Sky, guests are greeted by the serenity of the mountains the warmth of the welcoming lodge, and the ranch lifestyle. Sprawling meadows, towering pine forests, and crystal-clear streams help set the stage for an adventure-filled and rejuvenating experience that forges meaningful connections with the land, animals, and people that call Blue Sky home.

A Special Brand of Mountain Magic

The genuine heart of the property shines through at every turn, and that’s no accident. Owners Mike and Barb Phillips are true stewards of the earth, and their property provides a peek into the future of sustainable travel. Together, Mike and Barb have designed five mediums through which guests can reconnect with the natural world:

1. The simple natural finishes that define the property’s architectural design (like the living grass roofs)
2. The delicious mountain modern cuisine incorporates tons of sustainable ingredients
3. The wellness sanctuary perched on a precipice (and incorporating local ingredients in treatments)
4. The High West distillery, a rarity in Utah, which crafts small batch whiskey from grain to glass
5. Curated local adventures for guests of any age

Giving Back to Nature

Guests are welcome to witness the care the animals receive, including massage therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic work, special horseshoe work, and time in the solarium.

Barb also founded and runs the Saving Gracie Equine Healing Foundation, a horse sanctuary on the property that is now home to all kinds of farm animals. Guests at The Lodge at Blue Sky are invited to learn the profound transformational effects that equine therapy can have on both humans and horses. At Gracie’s Farm, the female-led team of FarmHers uses sustainable farming practices and the rescue horses are trained using natural horsemanship, rather than “breaking” a horse. Guests are welcome to witness the care the animals receive, including massage therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic work, special horseshoe work, and time in the solarium. Other ways to enjoy Gracie’s Farm include cow cuddling, feeding the chickens, and working with the horses on everything from grooming to feeding, to arena and trail riding. Gracie’s Farm was one of our favorite ways to engage with nature and bond with the creatures who live on this remarkable land.

Adventure of All Kinds

While The Lodge at Blue Sky is family-friendly, the resort truly has a special magic that brings the spirit of summer camp alive for adults. Activities on-site offer countless unique ways to make the most of the natural beauty and your vacation time. They range from rock climbing, clay shooting, 4×4 trips in the wilderness or on a tack, to archery and ax throwing. Or for a softer pace, opt for the serenity of a guided hike with a wildlife biologist to spy deer, elk, and birdlife, or a sage ceremonial blessing by Shoshone Chief Darren Parry, who shares stories passed down to him by his grandmother and other tribal elders.

Fly-fishing enthusiasts will find paradise in the crystal-clear streams, where expert guides lead expeditions in pursuit of trout. Games and entertainment are also an option, from Disc Golf— which will get you out exploring nature—to movie nights under the open sky, of course also featuring gourmet popcorn and homemade S’mores along with some retro movie choices that will definitely channel that childhood nostalgia.

For When It’s Time to Relax

The unique pleasures of The Lodge at Blue Sky are seemingly endless, but when you need a break from the adventures, the spa awaits. Set on a cliffside overlooking Alexander Creek, the Edge Spa provides holistic treatments inspired by the mountains and utilizes ingredients native to the land. A favorite of ours was the cold plunge tubs, which you can experience while being guided by a Wim Hof-accredited expert who will lead you through preparation and breathing techniques allowing you to reap optimal benefits. We also love the quiet room for pre-post treatment bliss—and don’t forget to ask about their CBD oil massage or summer cacao ceremony (which utilizes centuries-old Aztec and Mayan wisdom) to really dig into your relaxation journey.

Those in pursuit of holistic wellness will find sanctuary via body and skin treatments, forest bathing, and sound baths, along with more traditional wellness activities like yoga and pilates which restore balance and vitality amidst the natural beauty of the pristine surroundings. Of course, since this is Blue Sky, there’s also an option to take a helicopter to enjoy yoga on top of a nearby peak. As for other wellness activities unique to Blue Sky, the on-site energy journeys include Chakra clearing and sleep rituals, all led by the resort’s resident healer Sugar.

A Space to Call Home

All accommodations include outdoor areas, many with plunge tubs, the ideal private spot to catch summer sunsets or to take in the impressive and vast night sky.

Whether you and your SmartFlyer travel advisor opt for your stay to be a cozy room, elegant suite, or secluded cabin, each of the property’s forty-six accommodations is adorned with handcrafted details and framed by sweeping, awe-inspiring, panoramas. Accommodations are split into four styles: Two-Bedroom Suites, Creek Houses, Earth Suites, and the Sky Lodge. The Two-Bedroom Suites are 2,000-square-foot signature apartments, ideal for group getaways and family reunions, as are the Earth Suites which feature connecting options to create additional space. Meanwhile, the adult-only Creek Houses are set amid a grove of Aspen trees and feature floor-to-ceiling windows. The Earth Suites feel like natural extensions of the land, designed right into the hillside and featuring living grass roofs. All accommodations include outdoor areas, many with plunge tubs, the ideal private spot to catch summer sunsets or to take in the impressive and vast night sky. And don’t forget to open your ears to enjoy the special treat of nature’s stunning soundtrack.

Fine Dining with a Western Twist

The rich flavors and heritage of Utah shine at The Lodge at Blue Sky’s dining options—including at the main restaurant Yuta, a culinary haven where farm-to-table dishes celebrate the bounty of Utah’s harvests. For a more casual dining experience, guests between Father’s Day weekend through Labor Day weekend can enjoy Texas craft barbecue and traditional Tex-Mex each Friday night at SmokeWood, a state-of-the-art mobile food trailer. Just a short walk from the lobby, you can also indulge in the rich flavors and heritage of Utah with an exclusive High West whiskey tasting, at Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870. In addition, multiple private dining experiences including mountaintop yurts and wildflower field picnics can be arranged with the help of your SmartFlyer travel advisor.

Much of the creativity on display at the various F&B outlets here is the result of executive chef Guillermo Tellez. A Mexico native and the first recipient of the James Beard Foundation’s Felipe Rojas-Lombardi Award of Achievement for Hispanic Chefs, Guillermo is also an alumnus of a variety of renowned restaurants including Charlie Trotter’s New York Sodexho, Executive Dining Concepts and Red Owl Tavern in Pennsylvania, and Flora Farms in Baja California’s San Jose Del Cabo. His food brings a sophisticated, and delicious, palette to every menu.

For those eager to reconnect with nature and the food they eat…you can even start the day by picking your own eggs at the farm and having the chef cook them up for you.

For those eager to reconnect with nature and the food they eat, Gracie’s Farm School offers guests hands-on experiences that illuminate the wonders of sustainable farming and ranching; you can even start the day by picking your own eggs at the farm and having the chef cook them up for you. WildKitchen offers another outlet for guests; this al fresco dining outpost, with numerous guest chefs throughout the summer, is set in an alpine field and has become a favorite spot for morning breakfast (if you’d like, you can get there by horse and buggy). Uniquely, WildKitchen was designed by the filmmaker Guy Ritchie and featured in his Netflix series The Gentlemen. Ritchie is devoted to the outdoors, barbecue, and back-to-basics living, and has combined all of those loves here.

Who’s it For?

Ultimately, The Lodge at Blue Sky appeals to a sophisticated luxury traveler who values authentic experiences, pristine natural landscapes, and the opportunity to adventure amidst the splendor of the Utah mountains. While here, there are opportunities to find solace in the property’s expansive wilderness, lounge by the infinity pool or in your beautifully appointed suite, picnic in the wild meadows, or enjoy white tablecloth service at the farm-to-table restaurant and, of course, explore the myriad adventures Blue Sky has to offer. If soaking in every last drop of summer out West is calling to you, The Lodge at Blue Sky will provide the activities and relaxed Western lifestyle to make you feel right at home—and excited to explore this slice of the world.