Night settles differently in the American West. In Yosemite, granite cliffs glow softly in the fading light while the scent of pine drifts through the air. In the desert landscapes around Moab, the sky opens wide, revealing constellations sharp enough to feel within reach. These are places where the outside world quiets down, and where opening a book can feel as natural as lighting a campfire.
This summer, those quiet moments in nature are becoming the backdrop for something more communal. World of Hyatt has announced the return of Camp Unwritten, a literary-inspired travel experience created with Reese’s Book Club, following its debut last year. The 2026 edition brings readers together at two luxury glamping destinations in the American West, pairing immersive outdoor settings with conversations led by bestselling authors.
The concept is simple: step away from screens, settle into nature, and rediscover the pleasure of stories shared in person. Two limited-time camps will take place this summer, one in California’s Yosemite region and another in Utah’s red-rock country, each inspired by a different genre of fiction.
Love stories beneath Yosemite’s granite peaks
The first chapter unfolds from May 4 to 6 at Under Canvas Yosemite, a new safari-style camp located just minutes from Yosemite National Park. Surrounded by towering trees, dramatic rock faces and some of the most iconic scenery in the United States, the property blends the romance of classic camping with the comforts of an upscale stay.
Guests sleep in canvas tents designed for comfort, with plush beds, wood-burning stoves and private outdoor space that opens onto the landscape. The pace is intentionally slower here. Mornings begin with fresh air and long views, afternoons invite quiet reading or outdoor exploration, and evenings are shaped by conversation under the stars.
This Yosemite gathering leans into romance, both in literature and in mood. Bestselling author Rainbow Rowell, whose new novel Cherry Baby is due for release on April 14, 2026, will join the camp, alongside a surprise additional Reese’s Book Club author. The setting promises a weekend shaped by meet-cutes, slow-burn storytelling and the kind of cinematic backdrop that makes a love story feel entirely plausible.
It is easy to see why Yosemite was chosen for this chapter. Few places lend themselves so naturally to reflection. The landscape encourages people to look up, slow down and notice small details, the very habits that reading, and good travel, tend to reward.
Plot twists in the red rocks of Moab
A month later, the mood changes completely. From June 8 to 10, Camp Unwritten moves to ULUM Moab, where the scenery trades forest stillness for desert drama. Near Looking Glass Arch and within view of Canyonlands National Park, the retreat is set among sweeping sandstone formations and vast open skies that feel especially theatrical at sunrise and dusk.
If Yosemite offers the emotional landscape of romance, Moab is built for suspense. The camp here will be led by authors Lauren Ling Brown and Andrea Bartz, both known for fiction that turns on tension, secrets and unexpected revelations. Their discussions and genre-inspired programming will bring a more charged energy to the gathering, one suited to readers who like a little unease with their scenery.
ULUM Moab also adds a distinctly polished layer to the outdoor experience. The safari-style suites are designed to frame the desert rather than compete with it, while amenities include dipping pools, wellness experiences and a massage cave. It is a setting that makes room for both adventure and retreat, with enough stillness to read in peace and enough atmosphere to make every conversation feel heightened.
Why literary travel is finding new ground
Camp Unwritten arrives at a moment when many travelers are looking for more than beautiful places. They want experiences that feel shared, tactile and grounded in the present. In an era shaped by screens, endless notifications and short attention spans, the appeal of gathering around a story in the open air feels surprisingly powerful.
Katie Casey, AVP, Global Marketing, World of Hyatt, pointed to that desire for connection when discussing the return of the event. “In a culture shaped by an increasingly digital world, members have told us they are craving shared stories and meaningful IRL connections. We saw this firsthand at last year’s Camp Unwritten where new friendships sparked, old ones deepened, and outdoor rituals gave members more space to recharge,” said Katie Casey, AVP, Global Marketing, World of Hyatt.
The partnership also reflects the growing pull of literary travel in broader forms. For some, that means following the footsteps of famous writers. For others, it means choosing a destination where reading itself becomes part of the journey. Camp Unwritten leans toward the latter, creating places where books are not simply packed for the trip, but help shape it.
“At Hello Sunshine, we believe stories are meant to be experienced—not just read,” said Maureen Polo, CEO of Hello Sunshine. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with World of Hyatt for a second year to bring Reese’s Book Club to life in unforgettable settings across the country, where book lovers can gather under the stars, connect with beloved authors, and celebrate the power of storytelling together.”
A different kind of escape
For travelers, the appeal lies in the combination. These are not simply author events, and they are not just luxury glamping breaks. They sit somewhere in between: part retreat, part social gathering, part nature escape. The setting matters as much as the schedule, and the atmosphere matters as much as the itinerary.
What emerges is a style of travel that feels both contemporary and deeply old-fashioned. It asks people to leave behind the daily scroll, spend time outdoors and surrender to a story for a while. In Yosemite, that may mean reading beneath the trees with granite cliffs in the distance. In Moab, it may mean listening to a thriller discussion as the desert sky darkens into black.
Either way, the larger travel insight is clear. More people are seeking journeys that slow them down rather than speed them up. And as literary experiences move beyond bookstores and festival halls into forests, deserts and national park gateways, they suggest that one of travel’s most lasting luxuries may simply be this: time, space and a good story in the right place.
