welcome to OutpostX, an otherworldly glamping experience in utah

outpostx is an ‘ancient-future’ eco-retreat in southern utah

Welcome to OutpostX, an ‘ancient-future’ sustainable lodging experience envisioned by Chamber Stays in Southern Utah. The project unfolds as a 240-acre property that merges a movie set with a hotel, inviting guests to enter a new world where technology has been carefully limited and nature abounds. Nestled near seven national parks, including Zion National Park, OutpostX fully immerses in the region’s natural beauty; the complex sits on a seasonally dry 100-acre lake bed that turns into a cracked clay landscape in summer, an otherworldly sight reminiscent of a barren sci-fi desert planet. Meanwhile, the lake bed freezes over in winter, creating a mesmerizing geometric marble pattern.

Cave Lux | all images © Chamber Stays

Travis Chambers, founder of Outpost X, comments: ‘Having visited places like Tulum, the Sahara Desert, and the Middle East, I have always been struck by the distinct atmosphere and unique sense of place that these locations offer. This inspired me to create a space that deviates from cookie-cutter principles often seen in U.S. architecture. Outpost X is a testament to that inspiration, offering a lodging experience that transports guests to a new and exciting world.’ The eco-lodge retreat is currently under construction, with 80% of the project completed, and expected to open to visitors in August 2023. The company also launched an Indiegogo campaign, raising $671,132 so far.

the cave-like lodge uses industry-leading realistic faux rock materials

chamber stays envisions four otherworldly lodging concepts

OutpostX comprises ten units featuring four unique architectural concepts that combine stunning architectural styles from around the globe. The Chamber Stays team took about two years to develop these concepts, offering a glimpse into a realm beyond our own. The first one, Fantasy Lux, is the company’s latest artistic triumph designed for a fully immersive and dreamlike experience. It features panoramic windows and a skylight that provide breathtaking views of the surroundings while flooding the interior with natural light. Guests get to enjoy a slide-outside bed for stargazing, a stone platform rain shower, a pull-out couch, and a fully-equipped kitchenette furnished for total privacy and comfort.

an ‘ancient-future’ concept where technology has been carefully limited

Next up is the Cave Villa, a one-of-a-kind architectural masterpiece. The exterior of this cave-like dwelling is built using industry-leading realistic faux rock materials and techniques by Universal Rock. The uneven finishes and textures add to the charm of this fully immersive experience. Inside, guests encounter luxurious furnishings for total privacy and comfort, including the OutpostX EcoBed that allows one to slide their bed outside for a night under the stars. Speaking of stars, the Zen Domes invite guests to indulge in the ultimate stargazing experience with complete privacy. This fully transparent dome and one-way mirrored bathroom eliminate light pollution and open up an unparalleled, unobstructed view of the sky. ‘Relax in the peaceful ambiance and rejuvenate your mind and body with the benefits of red light therapy,’ adds Chamber Stays.

Lastly, built by the famous TV host and survival expert Matt Graham, a Bali-inspired treehouse dubbed Sky Lodge offers breathtaking views of the entire playa. The king-size hanging bed suspended from the ceiling adds to the adventurous feel of the space, while the sky deck provides a perfect spot for stargazing or enjoying a stunning sunset.

Not only do the four concepts come fully equipped with a range of luxurious amenities tailored to each specific design, but Chamber Stays has also crafted a shared space with a host of services available for communal use: hot clay bath / private rock spa, sauna, and jacuzzi / bonfire circle / pottery making spin wheels for using clay from the site / outdoor clay bath spa from the lake bed / on-site caretaker / 300 sq. ft cave in the common area with waterfalls going into hot tubs / in-ground trampolines / cold plunge / earth lodge communal fire stove / and a stocked refrigerator with whole foods.

Cave Villa bedroom

construction timeline and prices

In the first construction phase, Chamber Stays is building ten units, including three cave units, one fantasy unit, four domes, and two sky lodges. In the second phase, OutpostX will introduce its transparent BioDome Spa with a sauna and a hot tub to help guests escape and rejuvenate. Powered by a temperature-controlled environment, coupled with lush flora, the spa will also offer therapeutic clay baths using clay from the dry lake bed and cold plunge tubs to help guests unwind.

uneven finishes and textures add to the charm of this fully immersive experience

In the third and final phase, the team aims to terraform and restore the area. This also includes an expansion of a lake to include ten units on the water with battery-powered jet boards and year-round heated water. ‘Our plan is to build a 100,000-gallon water reservoir and lush poplar forest, using mycelium and carbon to attract wildlife and retain moisture. The lake bed will trickle into a delta of nourished soil and create a sustainable wildlife ecosystem without taking water from the aquifer. Through these terraforming techniques, we are working to bring liveliness back to the soil, enabling biodiversity to bloom and guests to experience all the animal life that this part of the world has to offer,‘ explains the team.

Chamber Stays has successfully secured all necessary permits from the local authorities to build and operate the eco-friendly and fully off-grid project — including permits for installing solar power, a well, and septic systems. **While half of the construction for the main area is complete (with a planned opening for visitors in August), the timeline for building a desert forest might exceed initial calculations. The execution of such an ambitious idea is fraught with uncertainties, and the company cannot guarantee its successful completion.**

Zen Dome exterior

Fully self-funded, the project is now live on IndieGogo, allowing the company to expand the property with the clay spa biodome and planting of the forest for generations to enjoy. People who back the campaign can book their experience at a highly discounted price (1+ Night): Fantasy Lux | $550 instead of $1100; Fantasy | $345 instead of $690; Zen Dome | $245 instead of $490; Sky Lodge | $175 instead of $350. You can find more information about the campaign on OutpostX’s Indiegogo page.

BioDome Spa

about travis chambers, the mind behind outpostX

Chamber Stays is the brainchild of Travis Chambers, who has a vast experience in the media and hospitality industries. He had previously led a company called Chamber Media, where he routinely built and tore down film sets worth $100k. This experience inspired him to create a lodging concept reminiscent of the most surreal movie backdrops but is also sturdy enough to withstand the test of time and provide a lasting experience to its guests. He is pioneering a design aesthetic he calls “ancient future,” which combines ancient times with modern luxury and sci-fi, imagining a future world that has embraced nature at the core of its technology.

Outpost X is Travis’s second endeavor in designing and constructing unique lodging options for travelers, following his initial success with a lakefront chalet in Idaho. Despite only a few posts announcing the place’s opening, the property was booked out for most of spring and summer. Through his expertise in cost engineering, Travis was able to build 30% cheaper than standard pricing with features like a water slide to the lake, zip line, lounge cargo net, and rock wall, making it the highest occupancy new property in the area.

a sauna and a hot tub help guests escape and rejuvenate