It’s called glamping for a reason…so bougie mamas like me can make their kids’ camping dreams come true, without having to actually camp. I’m a five-star-hotel-kinda-girl, not a camper. I’ve always thought it’s only hotels’ little luxuries that can give me that relaxing vacay feeling. But now, I’m not so sure. As I sat on our porch in the Middle of Nowhere, USA, sipping my coffee, staring at the wide-open landscape, I felt pretty darn relaxed. My endless list of “to-do’s” escaped me. I felt a sense of peace that I just don’t get from hotels. I’m sure it helped that my bank account was at peace, too. BaseCamp 37 is one of the last affordable glamping sites I could find, so it’s perfect if you want luxury glamping in Utah, without the luxury price.
The Location
This spot is ideal if you’re looking to get away from it all and be unreachable – well, as unreachable as you want to be. Your phone will work just fine, if you’re so inclined to use it. The Wi-fi was good enough in the clubhouse to stream an NBA playoff game…I didn’t say I completely detached from society.
We felt like we were in our own little world there, but we were only a few miles from little Kanab and some of the best restaurants in the west. Insider’s tip: grab takeout from Wild Thyme Cafe, Rockin’ V Cafe, or Escobar’s, and enjoy the amazing views from your very own tent porch:
Kanab is a great place to set up camp (or in this case, have someone do it for you) because it’s central to so many national parks and adventures in Utah, like Zion National Park, Antelope Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon. I sure hope you like canyons.
Most of those bucket list parks are only 30-90 minutes from BaseCamp. Or if you’d rather stay local, there are plenty of adventures in Kanab like hikes, slot canyons, caves, ATV’s, and sandboarding.
This was us back in 2021!
The Glampsite
The glampsite felt like a quiet sanctuary after escaping the chaos we call ‘Las Vegas.’
With only five tents on site, there were just a few other guests. Two and a half bathrooms and one mega Jenga were plenty for all of us. Our kids did hog the hammocks though!
Pulling up to the glampsite on the gravel road, I felt a bit out of my hotel-y comfort zone. But I definitely wasn’t missing the insane hotel parking fees or long lines for check-in. Stephanie (the onsite manager, or ‘concierge’ if you will) gave us a warm welcome at the gate and showed us around. Her playfulness won over the kids quickly and she made us all feel right at home. Maybe too much at home…
I think because of the lower price point, I wasn’t expecting this place to be as nice as it was – from the modern bathrooms to the clean and organized clubhouse to the stylish tent decor. Ah, I was so relieved we made a good pick!
Okay, I know what you’re thinking…
I can’t do those camping bathrooms!”
– every human over 40
Well, trust me when I say, this is no KOA bathroom. The rainfall shower and soft bath towels were better than we have at home. You just have to be able to walk the 60 or so feet to get there from your tent, because the tents don’t have bathrooms. This is camping, after all.
The Clubhouse
The Clubhouse is where the three bathrooms are located as well as some dining spots, two kitchens, and everything you need to store and cook your own food. And the endless supply of s’mores was great…or was it???
On a side note, I had never thought about it, but the concept of a s’more is not globally known. I taught a few different intrigued foreigners what a s’more is and how to make one. I’m sure I changed some lives that day.
If you have kids in tow, they won’t be bored, with paths to run free, board games to play, cornhole and Mega Jenga to fight over, ahem I mean play with, and even a real telescope for stargazing (although we had no clue how to use it!).
And happy kids = happy parents.
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about crossing paths with other guests, but it’s only as social (or unsocial) as you want it to be. But as shy as I can sometimes be, I actually enjoyed meeting guests from all over the world.
One couple in particular we’re still in touch with after a fun night exchanging silly European travel stories. What a weird twist of fate…in the middle of the desert in Utah my husband and I, two Europe-lovers, crossing paths with a couple from France at the start of their American road trip?
The Tent
I never imagined a camping “tent” three times the size of most European hotel rooms. Just look how massive this thing is!
We had plenty of space for the four of us.
As for temps, I thought I might freeze at night, but after we adjusted our temp-controlled fireplace to the lowest setting, it was just the right amount of coziness under our heated blankets. We were realllllly roughin’ it.
The Best Part
The price.
Glamping has become so trendy that some glampsites are charging more for a tent than you’d pay for a nice hotel room! If anyone knows, it’s me – a travel advisor who keeps an obsessively close eye on prices. Rates at BaseCamp 37 start at $186 a night. Now that, I can do. I’m so glad I found luxury glamping in Utah, but without the luxury price.
This glamping adventure, initially intended more for the kids, turned out to be my very own escape, one that my bougie self didn’t want to leave. I may not be a camper, but I’m definitely a glamper. I can’t wait to go back to BaseCamp!
If you need help planning your next Utah adventure, send me an email at jennifer.mcfadden@fora.travel. I’d love to!
Visit my Amazon page for some cute ideas to make camping with kids extra special!
