North Rim of the Grand Canyon ⍖

We all know and love the Grand Canyon, but did you know you can actually get off this beaten path when you plan a stop at the second-most-visited National Park in the nation? That's right! About 10% of all visitors to Grand Canyon National Park visit the North Rim, which means in the summer time, it's a great way to escape the crowds and the heat!

At more than 8,000 feet in elevation, this high-altitude destination is one of our go-to summer adventures. Here are a few of our favorite hikes, overlooks, and cookies:

• Stroll out to Bright Angel Point and meander the Transept Trail
• Take a relax on the Adirondack chairs at the Grand Canyon Lodge
• Drive Cape Royal Road all the way to the end, Cape Royal
• Hike the Cape Final Trail to the vista at the Cape Final Overlook
• Stop for cookies on the way (there and back) at Jacob Lake Inn

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Kayak the Colorado River ⍖

A water-based adventure is a must, and the cool river waters and towering sandstone walls of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area are just the cure for a hot summer day. Kaying down the Colorado River through Horseshoe Bend is undoubtedly one of our favorite adventures. The teams at Kayak the Colorado and Kayak Horseshoe Bend make planning this excursion a breeze with their backhauls, kayak rentals, and friendly staff.

As much as we love kayaking, we know that not all folks are keen on this type of adventure. You're in luck. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is so much more than just the Colorado River. It's also home to Lake Powell (which, yes, is the Colorado River in reservoir form), where sun, water, and beach vibes all come together in the most spectacular way. Here are a few of our favorite Glen Canyon and Lake Powell adventures:

• Kayak the Colorado River through Horseshoe Bend
• Rent a jet ski, bring some snacks, and explore Navajo Canyon
• Go big, rent a party boat for the day, and tour Lake Powell
• Take a guided kayak tour of Antelope Canyon (bottom-up)
• Splash around at Lone Rock or the Chains on Lake Powell

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Cedar Breaks National Monument ⍖

This hidden gem is about as good as it gets. Cedar Breaks National Monument is always on the top of our summertime list. Sitting at 10,000 feet in elevation, summers are a breeze at this little-known National Monument. Perched atop the top of the Grand Staircase, Cedar Breaks and showcases the Pink Cliffs, which is the upper most "stair" of this landscape and the same rock-band that you see at Bryce Canyon National Park.

When you arrive at Cedar Breaks, it has a way of taking your breath away, and not just in elevation. Unfolding in front of you is a half-mile-deep geologic amphitheater that is dotted with 1,000-year-old bristlecone pines, kaleidoscopic wildflower meadows, and, of course, sunset-colored formations. Here are a few of our favorite things we do when visiting the high country of Cedar Breaks:

• Hike to Ramparts Overlook and Spectra Point
• Take a dark sky tour with one of the Park Rangers
• Get to know the oldest tree in the world, the Bristlecone Pine
• Go for a cold plunge on the way home at Navajo Lake
• Explore Ashdown Gorge Wilderness, adjacent to Cedar Breaks

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Zion National Park ⍖

Everyone should go! But the reality is, Zion is having growing pains. Parking lots fill early in the day and shuttle buses are cramped. We'll do our best to help you formulate a plan to negotiate the congestion in Zion Canyon. We can also point you to the less crowded eastern sections of the park. Just 39 “fun to drive” miles from Basecamp 37°.
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Antelope Canyon ⍖

Without question, this is most famous and photographed slot canyon in the world. With credentials like this, you can imagine crowds will follow, and they have. If this is on your bucket, please go! Guided tours are required for access to both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon, and reservations are a necessity. For a different point of view, consider renting kayaks or taking the guided boat tour from Antelope Point Marina, a leisurely one hour trip into the Antelope Canyon from Lake Powell. BaseCamp37° is conveniently located about halfway between Zion NP and Antelope Canyon.
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Bryce Canyon National Park ⍖

One of our favorites! Cool temps dampen the crowds in the shoulder season, while the high elevation of Bryce Canyon tempers the summertime heat of Southern Utah. We enjoy the back way to Bryce, via the Skutumpah Road (weather permitting) for a quick view of Royal Bull Gorge and an easy side trip down Willis Creek Slot Canyon.
88 miles from BC37°
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Grand Canyon National Park ⍖

BaseCamp 37° is 89 easy miles from the Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge. Arizona Highway 67 provides the main access to the North Rim. Stop for cookies at Jacob Lake to add to your picnic. Its always cool up there, so this is a great option to take a break from the summer time heat.

Most facilities at the North Rim close every year on October 15 and reopen in Mid May. You can still make day trips to the North Rim until Arizona Highway 67 is closed for the winter, usually around December 1.
65 miles from BC37°
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Horseshoe Bend Viewpoint ⍖

One of the most iconic images in the Southwest, Horseshoe Bend has seen staggering growth in it’s popularity. The parking lot and trailhead are just south of Page, Arizona on US 89. The three quarters of a mile trail will deliver you to a 1000′ vertical drop off, where the Colorado River slices through the sandstone in a near perfect horseshoe formation. The National Park Service runs the public access point to Horseshoe Bend, click here for latest info on parking.

Beating the Crowds ⍖

*Zion, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend Viewpoint have captured the imagination of the Instagram era, and each has done so for very good reasons. Pack your patience, sunscreen, extra water and be prepared for a dose of chaos at each. BaseCamp37° suggests these alternatives for those looking to avoid the masses. First consider Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon as an alternative to Antelope. Secondly, take in Horseshoe Bend from the bottom up, floating under the 1000′ cliffs lined with people.

The Wave ⍖

Scoring a Wave permit is difficult at best. To apply for the daily lottery, visitors will need to be within the geo-fence area, have a mobile device, and have a recreation.gov account. The cost per permit application is $9.00. The geo-fence area extends north of Kanab to just beyond Glendale, UT, east to just beyond Page, AZ, west to near the western edge of the Kaibab Paiute Reservation, and south to Jacob Lake, AZ. And yes, BaseCamp37 sits snuggly in the middle of the geo-fence area so you can apply right from your cozy tent. Visitors must submit their application online between 6am and 6pm, TWO days prior to their desired hiking date, and results will be emailed at 7:15pm. Winners will need to pick up their permit and attend a mandatory safety briefing in either Kanab or Page at 8:30am sharp the next day, for a hike the following day. Winners will also pay a $7 per-person fee to receive their permit.

The next best thing to securing a Wave permit is having a back-up plan to see the lesser known, but equally stunning siblings of The Wave. We can help you formulate such a plan. For those with an adventurous spirit and vehicle to match, the trailhead for The Wave can be reached directly from BaseCamp 37° without driving a single stretch of asphalt.
45 miles from BC37°
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White Pocket ⍖

For our money, White Pocket is every bit as impressive as The Wave and does not require a permit, just the fortitude and skill required to navigate the sandy roads within the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. Local Guides offer trips for those without a proper vehicle. BaseCamp 37° has detailed maps and directions to White Pocket for those equipped and daring enough to drive themselves.
45 miles from BC37°
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Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument ⍖

This mammoth area features several access points with an untold amounts of colorful formations, slot canyons, and desolation . GSENM starts about 15 miles east of BaseCamp 37°. We strongly advising using the resources provided at the GSEMN Visitor Center in Kanab. The friendly folks at the BLM will have updated road conditions as well as suggested itineraries. Some of our favorites include the primary shooting location for The Outlaw Josey Wales Paria Townsite , the Toad Stools (very easy access), the Hackberry Slot Canyon , and the Cottonwood Narrows .
10 miles from BC37°
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Lake Powell ⍖

Unfortunately, low lake levels have left us fewer options at Lake Powell. Here is the latest from the Park Service: NPS website

Local Kanab Hikes ⍖

The Visit Southern Utah website has a great collection of maps to many local destinations within a few miles of BaseCamp 37°. Click here to print.

Check out what a 6 day plan looks like to really soak in the beauty Southern Utah.

Best Friends Animal Society ⍖

A big part of the Kanab community, Best Friends is one of the largest animal sanctuaries in North America. Best Friends, is north of town, 16 miles from BaseCamp 37°. Insider tidbit: The cafeteria is open to the public for lunch. $5 all you can eat vegan buffet. The views from the deck are breathtaking.
14 miles from BC37°
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Buckskin Gulch & Wire Pass ⍖

Wire Pass is a short slot canyon that allows easy access into Buckskin Gulch. At 12.5 miles in length, Buckskin Gulch is one of the longest slot canyons on the planet. You will need two important items for a fun and safe day in Wire Pass & Buckskin Gulch.

#1: Current road conditions for House Rock Valley Road, check at the GSENM Visitor Center in Kanab.

#2: Current weather conditions and a forecast. You do NOT want to be anywhere near this area during rain, the flash flood potential is great and can be exceedingly dangerous. Cottonwood Cove and Paw Hole are also accessed via HRVR. BaseCamp37° provides some of the closest accommodations to these hiking gems.

Kayak The Colorado River and Horseshoe Bend ⍖

A world class full day adventure through Glen Canyon and down the Colorado River. Book a backhaul service and all your kayaking with Kayak the Colorado or Kayak Horseshoe Bend and paddle your way through sheer canyon walls, petroglyphs, and warm sunny beaches. Be sure to bring a lunch, plenty of water, and sunscreen. This trip starts and ends at Lee's Ferry in Arizona, which is the start of the Grand Canyon.
88 miles from BC37°
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Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park ⍖

The most accurately named State Park in Utah, over 3000 acres of dunes in hues of pink and coral. This is basically an ATV park, with most of the terrain available to off road enthusiasts. The road to the state park is paved, however, all of the side roads feature deep sand. We tend to leave our Toyota FJ near the pavement and explore these areas via ATV.
29 miles from BC37°
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Cedar Breaks National Monument ⍖

Another favorite to beat the summertime heat in Southern Utah. The rim at Cedar Breaks sits about 10,000 feet above sea level and overlooks a fabulous natural amphitheatre of orange and pink formations. For those seeking even thinner air, Brian Head Peak is just up the road, where a gravel road will take you to the top at 11,307 feet.
81 miles from BC37°
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Kodachrome Basin State Park ⍖

This area was “discovered” after appearing in the Sept. 1949 issue of National Geographic. Later it was named after the famous brand of film. Off the beaten path with a good network of trails for hiking and mountain biking, Kodachrome Basin State Park can be reached on pavement from Bryce Canyon or from the south via the Cottonwood Canyon road. This byway suffers frequent closures, always check with the GSENM Visitor Center in Kanab for updated conditions. We enjoy this southern approach when conditions permit. Favorites along the way include quick hikes into Hackberry Slot Canyon, the Cottonwood Narrows, and Grosvenor Arch.
90 miles from BC37°
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Permit Information ⍖

Wire Pass Trailhead & Permits

Lone Tree Reservoir Trailhead & Permits

Cottonwood Cove — requires South Coyote Buttes permit, much easier to obtain
Paw Hole — requires South Coyote Buttes permit, much easier to obtain
North Teepees — no permit required
South Teepees — no permit required
White Pocket — no permit required
Steamboat Rock — no permit required