Glamping at BaseCamp 37°: Perfectly Peaceful, and Perfectly Appointed
Why “glamp” at BaseCamp 37° outside Kanab, Utah? For a remote, peaceful, wilderness experience without having to sleep on the ground or haul a boatload of gear.
My time at BaseCamp 37° felt like heaven after seven straight nights of tent-camping in southern Utah, and it came with more than a few surprises. I went into the weekend expecting real beds, platform tents, flush toilets, and kitchen facilities, but Amy and Curt have added special touches and amenities that I never would have thought to think of.
Here are a few of my favorite things (cue Julie Andrews; yes, I realize she’s a bit out of place in the Utah desert, but she and the Von Trapp children would love it here):
- The remote location: BaseCamp is just 9 miles from Kanab, but with only 4 tents, 2 small buildings, and property that nudges up to BLM land, it offers the peacefulness of dispersed camping. Stand still, and the quiet is complete.
- The PowerHouse - inside: This is my name for the building, not theirs, but this little place packs a punch. The tents are each a stone’s throw from a central community-use building that has two full bathrooms (with showers, flush toilets, fluffy towels, etc.), a full kitchen and refrigerator, lounging area, and more. We of course enjoyed cooking and hanging out as a group in this comfy area, but I’m an early riser and always appreciate a separate space where I can make coffee, read, or work without disturbing others.
- The PowerHouse - outside: The outside of the PowerHouse might just be better than the inside, with its outdoor cooking area, rustic bar, and fire pit. I loved hanging out after a long day of exploring, enjoying the company, the brilliant night sky, and slowly sinking into the evening.
- The HotWaterBottleBabies: Oh. My. Goodness. We visited in mid-October, which was really pushing the end of the glamping season, and the overnight lows got mighty low. Brrr! Of course the tent had blankets, down throws, and a small propane heater, but the HotWaterBottleBabies chased the chill away like nothing else. Each night, Amy and Curt diligently prepared sweater-covered bottles filled with steaming hot water. I cuddled mine at the campfire (as we sampled gourmet s’mores) and later tucked it near my feet in bed. The little guy stayed warm all night - loved it!
Check out the website for a full list of tent and glampground amenities. No worries about staying charged up - the tents have solar power supply.
When you visit, be aware of one potential gotcha: the time zone! BaseCamp is right near the state border and phones will constantly flip back and forth between Mountain and Pacific time. Curt and Amy are even divided, with Curt generally choosing Pacific time, and Amy Mountain time (!). When making plans, be sure to choose a time zone and stick with it. Read more about BaseCamp Time here.
So where can you explore from a BaseCamp 37° home base? Their website lists a bunch of ideas. With just one full day, we chose this loop adventure:
- North on 89, then east on 12
- Stopped at Red Canyon in the Dixie National Forest. We didn’t stop, but there’s a Red Canyon Visitor Center too.
- Drove to Bryce Canyon, stopping at the Visitor’s Center first for a brief overview. Then drove straight through the park to the south end (it’s 18 miles from the park entrance to the end), turned around and drove north, hitting each view point along the way. Really, the view points in “the box” offered the most-jaw-dropping scenery: Paria View, Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point, and Sunrise Point.
- Continued on 12 east to Cannonville where we picked up Cottonwood Canyon Road and drove it all the way to 89, stopping at Grosvenor Arch along the way.
- Took 89 west back to BaseCamp. We had ideas about stopping at The Toadstools, but alas, when we passed it was full dark and the crew was hungry.
Before leaving Kanab, make time for the Kanab Creek Bakery (yum). And if you’re headed towards Vegas, stop by Valley of Fire and hike the Fire Wave Trail - it’s a nice little substitute if you couldn’t get a permit to hike The Wave in Paria Canyon!
Keep scrolling (beyond the map below) for more photos of BaseCamp 37 ° and area sightseeing. Happy Glamping!
