BaseCamp37

Let’s talk about monsoon season… specifically thunderstorms and lightning in the high desert. ⛈️

Summer in southern Utah means afternoon thunderstorms rolling through are common occurrence. They’re one of the most beautiful parts of the season, bringing dramatic skies, cooler temperatures, incredible rainbows, and much-needed rain to the region.

They also bring lightning, which is one of the leading causes of wildfire in the West, especially in remote areas where a single strike can smolder for hours or even days before anyone notices.

Of course, not every wildfire starts with lightning. Many are completely preventable. Whether you’re enjoying a campfire, towing a trailer, using equipment, or recreating on public lands, we implore you to follow all local, state, and federal fire restrictions.

A few tips if you find yourself outside when a storm rolls in:

⚡ If you hear thunder, it’s time to head inside or tuck under a covered porch. A building, your tent, the Guest Lodge or hard-topped vehicle is your safest place to wait out the storm.

⚡ Avoid ridgelines, exposed viewpoints, isolated trees, and open areas until the storm has passed. Don’t make yourself the tallest thing out there.

⚡ Remember that storms can build quickly. If you’re hiking or kayaking, pay attention to the forecast before you head out and keep an eye on the sky.

⚡ If you see lightning start a small brush fire, report it as soon as it’s safe to do so. These types of calls make a huge difference in response time. Contact the local sheriff’s office or the public land agency managing the area, such as the BLM or U.S. Forest Service. The sooner someone knows about it, the better the chances crews can catch it while it’s still small.

Without a doubt, monsoons are one of our favorite parts of summer around camp. They’re incredible to watch, and even better from the comfort of your own private porch.

A little red rock, blue skies, and white clouds here along the 37th parallel. ❤️🤍💙 We hope you all had a safe and wonderful celebrating the USA and our 250th birthday!

Swipe right to see what an all-American summer looks like at BaseCamp37, and yes, we’ve got you covered on good vibes and s’mores! 🇺🇸⛺️🤠 So book that tent, and we’ll see you in the high desert!

About last nights sunset 😍⛺️

Monsoon season is here, which means our afternoon storms oftem lead to a few magical happenings here at camp:

💧 Rain nearby feels like someone switched on the AC and it makes for absolutely dreamy evening temperatures.

☁️ Clouds linger as sunset approaches setting the stage for increbilbe sunsets, just like this one.

🌈 Rainbow on repeat (we saw two yesterday) because the sun reflects off the water droplets.

☀️ When this combines, violá, you've got yourself one of the best sunsets in the Southwest.

Swipe to see camp from above, 📸

The older we get, the more we realize that family vacations aren’t really about the destination. They’re about creating memories your kids will talk about years later.

At BaseCamp37, we are proud to have created a space where families can flourish and reconnect, and the scenery ain’t half bad either. 🤠⛺️❤️

This Father’s Day, we’re grateful for all the dads helping create those experiences for their families and choosing to spend some of them here with us in the high desert.

Happy Father’s Day (and Summer Solstice) from BaseCamp37.

And to Mike and - we hope these memories are still ones you and your family still cherish. Thank you for sharing them with us and letting us continue to celebrate you all year after year. 💕

A quick update on the Rock Canyon Fire and what it means for visitors exploring the Kanab area, particularly Buckskin Gulch and the Wave. 👀🔥⬇️

The fire continues to burn in northern Arizona, and House Rock Valley Road is currently closed at the Utah-Arizona state line going south. Officials have indicated that additional closures farther north could become necessary if conditions change.

If you’re planning to visit destinations along House Rock Valley Road, including White Pocket, Coyote Buttes South, Paria backcountry trailheads, or dispersed camping areas, it’s important to check current conditions before you go and have a backup plan in mind.

The good news is that the Wire Pass Trailhead, which provides access to The Wave and Buckskin Gulch, remains accessible via Highway 89 between Kanab and Page. That said, the Rock Canyon Fire is currently burning just south of the area, so visitors should stay informed and be prepared for changing conditions. As with any wildfire situation, flexibility and situational awareness go a long way.

As always, we’re keeping an eye on things and will continue sharing updates that may impact our guests and visitors to the region.

Safe travels, and thank you to the firefighters and support crews working on the incident. ❤️🙏🤠

Wildfire season (and monsoon season, but more on that later) is part of living and traveling in the American West, and it’s something we take seriously at BaseCamp37.

When guests ask us about smoke, nearby fires, or changing conditions, we’re not taking any guesses on the details.

We’re actively monitoring the situation every day using resources like Watch Duty, InciWeb, and the U.S. Wildfire ArcGIS maps to track fire activity, thermal hotspots, containment updates, and even aircraft operations.

If you’ve never used before, it’s one of the best wildfire awareness tools available. You can follow active incidents, see evacuation zones, track firefighting aircraft, and receive real-time updates as conditions change.

A few tips if you’re traveling in the West this summer:

🔥 Download Watch Duty before your trip.

🔥 Check air quality in addition to fire location. Smoke can travel long distances depending on weather and wind patterns.

🔥 Rely on official sources for updates rather than social media rumors.

🔥 Don’t assume a visible smoke plume means your plans are impacted. Many fires remain far from recreation areas, communities, and travel corridors.

The reality is that not every fire impacts travel, air quality, or recreation opportunities. Sometimes a dramatic smoke plume on the horizon looks far more concerning than the actual risk to visitors. That’s why we rely on data, official reporting, and local knowledge rather than speculation.

Whether you’re joining us next week or later this season, know that we’re paying attention so you don’t have to spend your vacation refreshing fire maps.

We’ll keep watching. We’ll keep communicating. And if conditions ever require changes to plans, you’ll hear it from us first.

📍 Photo taken by this week as crews continue responding to the Rock Canyon Fire.