Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Affeld
Hi Amy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been drawn to adventure and the outdoors. I grew up in Wisconsin, and when I was younger, I worked on a fishing boat in the Bering Sea—an experience that shaped my love for wild places. Later, I shifted gears into sports broadcasting, where I spent years immersed in fast-paced city life in Seattle, Washington. But I always found my way back to Kanab, Utah. A place I’d been drawn to and visiting for years, and in 2012, it happened: I bought ten off-grid acres just outside of town.
For five years, this little slice of high desert was my personal escape—a place to camp, hike, and disconnect. Eventually, I decided to share it. In 2017, BaseCamp 37° became the first glamping resort in the Kanab area. And today, eight years later, we’re proud to be women-owned and operated, creating a space where eco-luxury meets rugged adventure.
What started as a side project has grown into a full-time passion and home. I love welcoming people to Southern Utah and sharing the space that means so much to me with travelers from all over the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t exactly been a smooth road—more like a rugged trail with a few surprise switchbacks. When you build something off-grid in the desert, you learn pretty quickly that nature is in charge. The sun, wind, rain, snow, and dust all take their toll, and our beloved tents need new canvas about every two years. But as much as the desert keeps us on our toes, it’s also what makes this place magical—the same wild weather that wears things down also paints the sky with sunsets you’ll never forget and shapes the rock formations we love.
Since opening BaseCamp 37°, we’ve taken on two remodels—both my house and the guest lodge. The lodge now has two full kitchens, two and a half baths, and outdoor spaces with fire pits, a cowboy pool, and a grill for those perfect desert BBQ nights. It’s been a labor of love, but seeing guests enjoy the space makes it all worth it.
And then, of course, there was the pandemic. Like so many small businesses, we had to pivot, rethink, and just hang on at times. Being independently owned, there’s no corporate safety net—just a lot of figuring it out as we go. But that’s also what makes this place special. We lean on our community, friends, and family to keep things running, and in return, we get to create something personal and grounded. BaseCamp 37° isn’t just a business; it’s a piece of our hearts and a whole lot of desert grit.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about BaseCamp 37°?
At BaseCamp 37°, we don’t just offer a place to stay—we offer a chance to immerse yourself in nature, far from the noise and closer to the stars. Our eco-luxury glamping resort sits quietly off-grid, powered by the sun and cradled by the sweeping landscapes of the Grand Staircase. Here, the desert isn’t just a backdrop—it’s part of the experience.
What sets us apart is the feeling you get when you arrive at camp. The views are vast and humbling, with nothing but open sky and high desert horizons stretching out before you. There’s a sense of stillness and awe that invites you to slow down, breathe deeper, and reconnect—whether that’s with nature, your travel companions, or yourself.
Our safari-style tents offer cozy, comfortable California king beds, but it’s the private open-air decks that often draw people in. Sunrises paint the endless sky in soft golds and pinks, and at night, the stars seem to spill endlessly across the sky. Our guest lodge is there for gathering, complete with full kitchens, fire pits, and an outdoor cowboy pool for those hot desert days.
We’re proud to be women-owned and operated but also fiercely proud to be small and independently owned. Every part of BaseCamp 37° has been built with the help of friends, family, and our local community. There’s no fancy big whig behind us—just a love for this land and a dream we’re figuring out step by step.
Our readers should know that when they stay with us, they’re supporting something small, local, and full of heart. BaseCamp 37° isn’t just a glamping site; it’s a space to relax, recharge, and remember how good it feels to be surrounded by wild places.
How do you define success?
For us, success is measured in the quiet moments—the way a guest pauses to take in the sweeping views or how the stars seem a little brighter at night. It’s knowing that people leave BaseCamp 37° feeling rested, recharged, and carrying a little piece of southern Utah’s magic with them.
We find success in the connections we make, the stories we hear around the fire pit, and the guests who return season after season. When people come back, it means this place feels like home—and that’s the greatest compliment we could ask for.
Pricing:
- BaseCamp 37° offers nightly rates well below corporate glamping sites nearby. We are an unpretentious option.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://basecamp37.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basecamp37/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BaseCamp37.Kanab
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@virtualpacific-northwest7253
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/basecamp_37/
