Kanab Utah: 7 Reasons to Visit and Stunning Landscapes
Kanab Utah is a hidden gem. With its proximity to National Parks like Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, it’s the perfect location to take a break from the crowds at National Parks. Unique and pristine landscapes like slot canyons, secret caves, and some of the best night skies for stargazing make Kanab Utah a haven for outdoor adventure.
Less than an hour from the East entrance of Zion National Park is your home base for National Parks and National Monuments. Explore caves, slot canyons, and mesas by day, and experience some of the best star-gazing in the U.S. when you visit Kanab Utah. Home to some of the Southwest’s most beautiful and unique landscapes, channel your adventurous spirit in one of our favorite off-the-beaten-path destinations.
After you read this post, download our free 3-day Kanab Utah itinerary filled with no permit-required adventures!
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Where Is Kanab Utah?
Kanab is about 3 hours away from Las Vegas in Southwestern Utah, bordering Arizona. Flying to Las Vegas is your best option if you plan on exploring National Parks like Zion and The Grand Canyon while exploring Kanab.
- Las Vegas to Zion National Park: about 2 hours
- Las Vegas to Grand Canyon National Park: about 4 hours
- Kanab, UT to Zion National Park: about 40 minutes
- Kanab, UT to Bryce Canyon National Park: 1.5 hours
- Kanab, UT to Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim): 1.5 hours
Flying into Salt Lake City is also an option. It is about 5 hours away from Kanab but more central if you plan on exploring the Utah Mighty Five.
The Utah Mighty Five
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Zion National Park
You can’t go wrong with either, but since we want to focus on exploring Kanab, let’s save the Utah road trip for another time and focus on our favorite attractions near Kanab. You will need a vehicle to get around Kanab, so we recommend renting a car or a campervan for a southwest road trip.
Travel Tip: Rent a 4×4 vehicle or all-wheel drive vehicle. Reaching some of Kanab’s most desired destinations requires driving down unpaved, sandy, muddy, rough roads, which is part of the fun!
Other Things to Note: When we travel to Utah, friends and family unfamiliar with the area assume the common misconception that it is a dry state. There is a large Mormon population, but that does not mean that there is no alcohol served here. However, different liquor laws in Utah make alcohol consumption less accessible. Alcohol is still available for purchase, and most restaurants serve it, there are just rules and regulations different than what most people are used to.
Your Guide To Kanab Utah
- 7 Best Things To Do In Kanab Utah
- Kanab Utah Restaurants
- Places To Stay In Kanab Utah
- National Parks Near Kanab Utah
- Attractions Near Kanab Utah
7 Best Things to Do in Kanab Utah
- Volunteer and Tour Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
- Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
- Try for a permit to hike The Wave
- Hike to the Toadstool Hoodoos
- Sandboard the dunes at Coral Pink Sand Dunes Park
- Rent a 4×4 or hire a guide to explore White Pocket
- Experience one of the longest slot canyons in the world
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
You cannot leave Kanab Utah without visiting Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Within the alluring Angel Canyon is where you’ll find the largest animal sanctuary in the country, whose mission is for us to live in a No-Kill nation. The sanctuary spans 4,000 acres and is surrounded by 30,000 acres of BLM land, making it a great place to explore while you volunteer for the day.
The best day of our trip to Kanab was a day outing with one of the adoptable dogs. A staff member recommended a local hike with breathtaking views and a steady incline to tire out our pup. (If we didn’t have to fly back to New York, she would have come home with us) Even if you don’t volunteer, get a driving tour through Angel Canyon and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to see horses, pigs, goats, dogs, cats, bunnies, and more. Learn about the history of what makes this place so special with a free tour, and bring some tissues along when you stop by Angels Rest. They also offer a $5 vegan lunch buffet!
Price: Free, but donations are appreciated.
Travel Tip: The sanctuary also allows visitors to host animal sleepovers. There is on-site lodging and the Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile in the city of Kanab.
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
One of the most remote geological wonders of the country. Sandstone and slickrock create colorful wave-like formations with vibrant hues of red and orange. Vermillion Cliffs is home to other famous landmarks and hikes like The Wave, White Pocket, Cathedral Wash, Spencer Trail, Paria Canyon, and Buckskin Gulch. There are no paved roads once you reach the monument, which is where your 4-wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicle comes in handy.
To get the best out of the scenic features, we highly recommend hiring a tour company like Dreamland Safari. The simplicity of the desert landscape is wondrous yet intimidating. Expert guides can enhance your experience with their knowledge and navigation skills. If this doesn’t seem accessible, there are other scenic drives to take along the monument, where its walls are saturated with cultural remnants.
Rich in Native American and Old Western history, drive along 89A through House Rock Valley, over the Navajo Bridge, or stop on US Highway 89 for views from afar at the Antelope Pass Scenic Overlook. For a look at ancient dwellings, stop at West Bench Pueblo for a maze-like stroll through sagebrush that reveals petroglyphs.
- Price: free
- Jeep Rental: $250-$350 (daily price)
- Tour Guide: $200-$1,000 (depending on destination/length)
The Wave
Test your luck by attempting to win the lottery for one of the most difficult hiking permits to get. The trailhead for one of the most sought-after hikes begins in Utah, but to reach The Wave, you cross the border into Arizona. Cross off hiking from one state to another from your bucket list with a moderate hike across unique terrain. This natural wonder is why we made the trip to Kanab in the first place. Read everything you need to know about getting a permit and hiking to The Wave on our blog post.
- Price: $6 lottery application/$7 recreation fee per person & per dog
- Distance: 6.7 miles roundtrip
- Trail type: out & back
Toadstool Hoodoos
An often overlooked and underrated quick and easy hike along Highway 89. Walk less than a mile for fun (and phallic) photo opportunities among toadstool-shaped red sandstone formations. Toadstool Hoodoos is a clearly marked trail located in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The base and the top of the toadstools are made up of two different types of sandstone. The bottom half is softer, wearing away to give the hoodoos their unique shape.
This hike is often overlooked, but it’s super easy and fun to explore. Driving on the highway, you can easily miss it, use Google Maps to locate the trailhead. Follow the wash trail until the mushroom-shaped Toadstool hoodoos come into view. If you’re feeling adventurous, venture left past the hoodoos onto a ledge to view Paria River Valley. Marvel at the view into a canyon of another garden of toadstools and white rock badlands. Then, follow the trail back to the parking lot.
- Price: Free
- Distance: 1.8 miles roundtrip
- Trail type: out & back
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Known for its pink and orange sand hills, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park offers a variety of rentals and tours to suit your needs. Nestled in the desert only 30 minutes from Kanab Utah, zip through the dunes on an ATV or UTV tour, rappel into the Coral Cave, or sled down a sandy hillside. The sand is a collection of eroded sandstone in the valley between the Moquith and Moccasin mountains, giving it its vibrant hue. Wind patterns can move the mountains of sand by up to 50 feet every year! Hike, bike, or rent a sandboard to experience this unique landscape shaped over centuries.
- Price: $15 per vehicle
- Rentals: $25 per sandboard/sled (on a first-come, first-served basis)
White Pocket
Couldn’t snag a permit for The Wave? Luckily, Utah has a backup plan. About 2 hours outside of Kanab in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument sits other-worldly scenery in White Pocket. No permit is required to hike here. However, you may need a guide. The road is a series of deep, sandy ruts where a lot of tourists get stuck. Book a guide or rent a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle.
The trailhead is on BLM land, accessed from the House Rock Valley Road, about 40 miles east of Kanab on Highway 89. From House Rock Valley Road, take BLM 1017 east for about 6 miles to Pine Tree Rocket Ranch. To reach the parking lot for White Pocket, turn left at the farmhouse and drive north on 1087. Just short of 4 miles, there will be a fork in the road, and you will stay left. Drive 5.5 miles until you reach the parking area. Once you’re in the parking lot, there are no developed trails in the area, just a trailhead as an access point to White Pocket. So please be aware of your surroundings and carry a satellite GPS if you do not use a guide.
- Price: free
- Tour Guide: $150-$250
- Jeep Rental: $250-$350
- Distance: 1.2 miles
- Trail Type: off-trail, out & back
Buckskin Gulch
Hike the longest and deepest slot canyon in the Southwest. This hike begins at the same trailhead as The Wave, so consider the conditions of the road. Entry requires a permit, but it Is not a lottery system like Coyote Buttes North.
There are several ways to experience this slot canyon; the length of your hike depends on the route you decide. The most popular route is about a 23-mile round trip, which most hikers complete in two days with an overnight camping trip. Only 20 overnight permits per day are allowed and require advance booking.
It is possible to hike part of the Buckskin Gulch in one day if you have two vehicles to park at opposite ends. For an accessible day trip, we recommend beginning at the Buckskin Gulch or Wire Pass trailhead. Wire Pass will be a shorter hike to the slot canyon, but the parking lot will be more crowded. Once in the canyon, you can expect obstacles such as rock scrambling, quicksand, muddy or water-filled potholes, and narrow passageways. You can hike as far into the canyon as you’d like before turning around the way you came to return to your vehicle.
- Distance: 5.6 miles one way/11.2 miles out and back
- Cost: $6 per person/$6 per dog
Travel Tip: For your safety, please check weather conditions before entering the canyon. If there is even a small chance of rain, flash flooding will make this extremely dangerous, even deadly.
Kanab Utah Restaurants
- Angel Village Cafe: You can’t beat this $5 vegan lunch buffet. Locals call this the best lunch in town!
- Wild Thyme: This restaurant serves southwestern-inspired fare using organic ingredients. They have gluten-free and vegan options and a full selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. The food and service were so nice we went twice!
- Peekaboo Canyon Woodfired Kitchen: A small vegetarian restaurant affiliated with Best Friends Animal Society! This is the spot when you’re craving artisanal wood-fired pizza and a local craft beer. They also have sandwiches, salads, and vegan options for every meal!
- Sego: Sego is a melting pot of global cuisine. Located inside the Canyons Boutique Hotel, this restaurant serves unique plates, pleasing every palate, in an upscale atmosphere that will transport you to your latest fine-dining experience.
- Iron Horse Restaurant & Grill: Have some fun in this quirky western-themed outpost for pub fare, beers, and BBQ. Bring your cash if you want in on a poker game with a family of raccoons!
- Rocking V Cafe: An eccentric restaurant geared toward comfort. From the food to the atmosphere, the theme here is “cozy.” They have plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. (And beer!)
- Willow Canyon: *Not a lunch spot, but stop in for delicious and creative coffee drinks, a great book selection, and if you forgot to pack hiking gear, Willow Canyon has you covered!
Places To Stay In Kanab Utah
Budget-Friendly Hotels in Kanab Utah
- La Quinta By Wyndham Kanab
- Hampton Inn
- Best Western
- Comfort Suites Kanab
- Red Canyon Cabins
*Pricing varies by season, check your dates on TripAdvisor.
Unique Stays in Kanab Utah
Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile
Nestled in the heart of Kanab is this 40-room pet-centric motel. If you’re traveling with your pet, this place is a luxury for everyone! With a fenced-in dog park, slide-out pet beds, and, did someone say, free treats? For humans, your free vegan lunches are included with your stay. Bring your tickets to the buffet in Angel Village Cafe at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, just 5 miles away.
Canyons Boutique Hotel
The only hotel of its kind in Kanab, and it is especially convenient if you’re dining at Sego. After a day of exploring, relax by the in-room fireplace and soothe your muscles with a soak in your spa-like jacuzzi tub. Dog-friendly rooms are available upon request if you call in advance.
Cave Lakes Canyon Glamping Resort
Tucked away within a stunning 1500-acre canyon lies Kanab’s best-kept secret. Surrounded by alluring red sandstone and miles of natural springs, this glamping resort provides luxury accommodations while combining a traditional camping experience. The property offers guests a private playground with limitless adventures. Explore all day or take time to reset and recharge in your private canvas tent. Cave Lakes Canyon isn’t just a place to stay in Kanab; it’s an unforgettable experience.
New to Glamping? Read my blog post to get a better idea of the concept and decide if it’s the right fit for you!
Dark Sky RV Park
If you rent a campervan or RV, this is the best camper experience we’ve ever had! Dark Sky is a boutique-style RV park with a cozy communal space, ambient fire pits, a camp store, laundry, a bathhouse with radiant floors, and more. The amenities offered and the untouched landscape it sits on give the feeling of a desert retreat. They even have rental offerings on-site for your off-road adventures! Meet fellow travelers during Dark Sky’s Thursday evening social hours and enjoy a homemade pizza on the terrace!
👉🏻Check out these unique stays and book here!
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
If you need some animal therapy or a snuggle session with an adoptable cat or a dog, host a sleepover in a cottage at the sanctuary. Spend a night or two in Angel Canyon, and give a loving animal their own vacation. The cottages are fully furnished and spacious and offer the comfort and amenities of a rental home with unmatched views. Wake up and take your new best friend for a morning stroll through the canyon, and marvel at horses galloping yards away from your doorstep against the red cliff backdrop.
Travel Tip: Become a Best Friends member to receive a discounted nightly rate!
Vrbo
For a private or tranquil abode, find a space that suits your needs. Get local recommendations when you book a stay through a Vrbo host. Find apartments and houses, or rent a private room or bungalow in the heart of Kanab. Download the app for a seamless booking experience and to stay in communication with your host.
National Parks Near Kanab Utah
Zion National Park
Kanab Utah to Zion National Park is less than an hour’s drive. After spending the day in a National Park, Kanab is your quiet escape. Plan ahead to beat the crowds and test your limits by hiking Angel’s Landing.
Bryce Canyon National Park
One day is all you need to explore the famous hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park. If you need a day to recharge, take a scenic drive through the National Park and marvel at the views from many accessible lookout points. Bryce is the best National Park to spend the day driving along the canyon and taking short strolls for views of the hoodoos. I had some gnarly blisters during our Utah road trip, so I was thrilled that Bryce was an easy National Park to check off my bucket list without the footwork!
Grand Canyon National Park
At a 90-minute drive, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is closest to Kanab. Drive south on 89A, and once you reach Jacob Lake, the drive becomes a designated National Forest Scenic Byway and a State Scenic Parkway. Keep an eye out for plenty of wildlife! With fewer crowds than the South Rim and stunning scenery, it’s worth the trip. *Note that the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park is closed from late November to mid-May.
Travel Tip: If you plan on hiking Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, you must obtain a permit.
Take a Day Trip to Page, AZ
Visit some of Northern Arizona’s natural landmarks, such as:
- Lake Powell
- Antelope Canyon
- Horseshoe Bend
- The New Wave
Kanab Utah is 1 hour from Page, AZ, and 3.5 hours from Flagstaff.
Things to know when visiting Kanab Utah
Places close early. I don’t mean, like, Happy Hour early, but bars are scarce, so restaurants go by traditional kitchen hours.
Get an annual parks pass if you’re visiting national parks. An annual pass is valid for one year, and at $80, it practically pays for itself after only two National Parks! (Most entrance fees are $35 per vehicle.)
Don’t forget layers and sun protection for your comfort and safety. Temperatures change drastically in the desert. Depending on the time of year you visit, you may begin the day in warmer temperatures but need a base layer and an outer layer once the sun dips behind the red rock cliffs. During the day, there is no escaping the sun. Make sure you use sun protection and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
👉🏻 Here is a full list of our hiking essentials
You can never have too much water with you. Don’t underestimate the power of the desert sun, even in cooler temperatures! Staying hydrated is so important, especially if you overindulge in the evenings.
Fun Fact: Kanab has been named “Little Hollywood” for its popularity in shooting films here.
Overview
There’s no wonder why Kanab Utah was named “Best Small Desert Town 2023” by Travel and Leisure Magazine. We ended up spending more time in Kanab than we originally planned. It is a stunning place to explore with no crowds, which we love! Kanab is a recreational haven for outdoor enthusiasts and animal lovers!
Our goal is to enjoy the land while protecting it. Always practice Leave No Trace Principles and follow additional rules and guidelines on the trails to keep this land as beautiful as we found it!
Be sure to download and save our 3-day itinerary for Kanab, Utah!
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