Who are we?
John & Scott
Hello. We’re Scott and John with Billy & Boo. Finding new ways to help people enjoy the outdoors has been a long-time obsession of ours.
For decades we have enjoyed camping, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, wakeboarding, skiing, snowboarding, 4WD trekking, and more. We have gotten much enjoyment out of backcountry adventures as well as more developed state / national parks.
We thought this project would be a great way to make outdoor enjoyment accessible to more people.
Gaining a respect & appreciation for nature,
is best done by experiencing it. Recognizing we all have different tolerances for ‘roughing it’, a dome glamping experience seemed like the perfect fit to go solo, a special outing with someone you love, or an entire family experience.
A blend between tent camping and fine hotel stay, glamping provides some conveniences, but still requires outdoor adaptations.
Welcome to your new experience.
Thanks for checking us out. We are grateful for your patronage and feedback.
Our Journey to The HUB
Welcome to THE HUB @ Dolan Springs. Its name alone conjures up many thoughts – a place to come together and connect, a center for cycling and mountain biking, a base from which to explore new adventures in different directions. Or a retreat to regroup, relax, and recharge – restoring balance to your life.
Our journey began by looking for new and creative ways to experience the outdoors. We traveled the West and embarked upon many journeys – some successful and some…well…’interesting’ you might say.
Some friends who relocated to Dolan Springs, AZ invited us to their home. We immediately connected with the area; the mountains, Joshua trees, welcoming people, free range cattle roaming the community, and the serenity of the outdoors. They had a vacant plot of land. By the time we left, the idea to build a dome was born. Eventually, we purchased their land and completed construction of this first dome with special amenities for mountain bikers and dog owners.
During construction, we made many friends, visited the family-owned business in Oregon who makes the dome kits, and traveled to stay in some domes erected by others. Many lessons were learned along the way…and we’re still learning.
We wanted not only a place to sleep, but somewhere to make new memories. Spend time on the deck enjoying the view and outdoors while having a cup of coffee. It provides a hub from which to explore activities within the region including hiking, biking, learning about the native American inhabitants, and visiting the glass skywalk over the Grand Canyon.
We are committed to supporting community. It is why we volunteer with the Dolan Springs Trails System and buy local when possible. And don’t forget to stop by Canyon Café and say hello to Julie; the kindest waitress in Dolan Springs.
Why A Dome?
During our travels for ‘research’, we stayed in many alternate accommodations from primitive tents to furnished yurts to tiny home communities to geodesic domes. Our intent was to connect more people and foster a deeper respect and appreciation for the outdoors. The structure choice became obvious - the dome with a bay window. With the dome, we still felt connected to the outdoors while having lots of room to move around and be comfortable. Other accommodations separated you from the outdoors once you stepped inside. And who wants to be cut off from the outdoors while you sequester yourself in a tent during a rainstorm? The dome gives you options that the others simple cannot.
The geodesic dome is one of the strongest structures known to man. It can withstand strong winds and inclement weather while keeping you comfortable and safe. This dome meets the flame resistance requirements established by the California State Fire Marshal.
Furthermore, it uses sacred geometry to support wealth, musical talent, health, and spiritual wellness. It is said that by orienting the door 2 degrees south of true west maximizes the structure’s conduction of the natural and powerful energies of the terrestrial and celestial energy grid. So we did! Check out the details of Nakshatra Avittam in our welcome book once you arrive. I think you’ll find a magical feeling once you arrive. Plus once you find the exact center of the dome geometry, you can hear your voice in 4D stereo. It’s kind of cool.
Our Outdoor Values
We believe strongly in respecting the outdoors while enjoying it. For that reason, we subscribe to several basic values:
- Leave No Trace – Anything we pack in, we pack out or put in designated trash/recycle receptacles. Nobody wants to see your candy bar wrapper blowing across the cactus desert floor! This includes pickup up after your pet when they leave their trace – if you know what we mean?
- Outdoor Education – The more we know, the more you can appreciate. We offer a nature scavenger hunt at the dome (it’s not just for kids), contacts for educational excursions, guided talks / walks, and more. It took nature millions of years to produce the beautiful landscape you see outside the dome window. Let’s appreciate it as much as we can.
- Recreate Responsibly – Staying on designated pathways will ensure the greatest enjoyment with least amount of disruption to the fragile ecosystem and the animals relying on it. If you get poked by a cactus or Joshua Tree, it’s their evolutionary way of saying ‘you’ve stepped off the trail’. If in doubt, follow the open range cows. They know how to tread wisely.
