Visit Kanab, Utah
Kanab, Utah is one of the best destinations in Southern Utah for outdoor adventure. This small town is surrounded by incredible red rock landscapes, slot canyons, and hidden gems and it’s perfectly located just 45 minutes to a few hours from national parks like Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Canyon North Rim. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or using Kanab as your basecamp, there’s no shortage of things to do. From off-road tours with ROAM Outdoor Adventures to scenic hikes and local restaurants, this guide covers our favorite ways to explore, eat, and stay in Kanab.
We want to remind you to practice the LEAVE NO TRACE principles while visiting Kanab and the surrouding area. Please remember to stay on trail, pack out all trash, and explore prepared. Don’t carve into any rocks. It is illegal! Check out our hiking tips here
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Outdoor Activities in Kanab, Utah
Kanab is surrounded by incredible hiking trails, slot canyons, and scenic drives. Here are some of the best outdoor adventures you can experience while visiting:
The Great Chamber (Cutler Cover)
The Great Chamber, also known as Cutler Cove, is one of the most famous natural wonders near Kanab. This massive sand cave was carved by wind and erosion over thousands of years. The hike to the cave entrance is short but sandy. Be prepared for soft sand and some rock scrambling.
While you can drive yourself, we booked a Kanab tour guide to handle the deep sand roads and make sure we didn’t miss any turns. It’s not required, but highly recommended if you don’t have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. Pro tip: bring sunglasses or a buff on windy days. The sand can really blow around!
Roam Outdoors Adventure Tour
Via Ferrata
One of the most unique adventures you can do in Kanab is the Via Ferrata in Cave Lakes Canyon. “Via Ferrata” means Iron Way in Italian and is a climbing route made of iron rungs and cables bolted into the rock face. It allows you to safely scale canyon walls without needing technical climbing experience.
We booked this experience through ROAM Outdoor Adventure Co. and their guides made sure we were clipped in and safe the entire time. The climb was exhilarating and the views of Cave Lakes Canyon were incredible. To finish the route, we rappelled back down the wall which was an exciting way to end the adventure.
Roam Outdoors Adventure Tour
Guided Slot Canyon Tour Near Kanab
Exhilarating is the perfect word for this experience. We are not experienced canyoneers, so rappelling down into a slot canyon felt both exciting and a little intimidating at first. It ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.
This tour explores a hidden slot canyon near Kanab and is offered in two lengths: a 2.5 hour tour, which we chose, and a 4 hour tour that starts farther up canyon and includes additional rappels. The guides provided all of the gear and instruction we needed to feel safe and confident.
If you have never tried rappelling before this is an amazing place to start. The scenery is stunning and the experience of descending into a narrow red rock canyon is something you will never forget. Bring a camera and capture the adventure.
Roam Outdoors Adventure Tour
Belly of the Dragon
Belly of the Dragon is one of the most photogenic and easy stops near Kanab. This manmade tunnel was originally built to channel water under Highway 89, but over time flowing water carved unique grooves and curves into the sandstone, creating the “dragon-like” appearance it is known for today.
The tunnel itself is short and makes for amazing photos, especially when the light hits just right. If you want to keep exploring, you can continue hiking past the tunnel into the wash for a longer adventure. It is a great stop for families, photographers, or anyone looking for a quick and memorable experience.
All Trails
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a must-visit when you are in Kanab. The sweeping dunes get their unique color from Navajo sandstone and are especially beautiful in the soft light of early morning or evening. Watching the sunlight sparkle off the sand is an unforgettable experience.
The park is dog friendly and offers several ways to explore, from hiking and sandboarding to riding OHVs in the designated areas. Hiking the dunes can be a serious workout, so bring plenty of water and take breaks as needed.
On our most recent visit we booked an adventure with ROAM Outdoor Adventures and had an amazing time experiencing the dunes with a guided tour.
State Park Website
Roam Outdoor Adventure Co
We first met Roam Outdoor Adventure in 2021 and had a great experience! Since then we’ve stay in touch and even had one of the co-founders film our wedding. We returned in 2024 and the awesome experience continued! We highly recommend checking them out for multiple reasons. 1) they deliver a fantasitc experience 2) they have so many options 3) they are locally owned and operated by families and folks that are from the area! Use code AZHIKE10 for 10% off your booking. The code is case sensitive.
Roam Outdoor Adventure Website
Buckskin Gultch
Buckskin Gulch is one of the most jaw-dropping slot canyons in the Southwest and a must-see if you are near Kanab. Located right on the Arizona and Utah border, this incredible canyon is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
A permit is required to park at the trailhead, and we strongly recommend purchasing it in advance at recreation.gov because cell service in the area is very limited. BLM rangers do patrol the area, so make sure your permit is visible before you hit the trail.
As with all slot canyons, flash floods are a real risk and can occur even if it is not raining directly overhead. Check the weather forecast for the entire watershed before you go, and always be ready to turn around if conditions look unsafe. And, of course, practice Leave No Trace principles to help keep this special place pristine for future visitors.
All Trails
National Parks
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States and it is easy to see why. Towering red cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and scenic drives make this park a bucket list destination for many travelers.
We recommend planning your trip in advance and deciding which hikes and activities you want to do first. Some of the most popular trails such as Angels Landing and The Narrows require permits or can be closed due to weather or rockfalls. Zion also operates a mandatory shuttle system during the busy season, so check the current schedule and trail conditions before your visit.
NPS – Zion
Bryce Canyon National Park
Hoodoo you love? We love Bryce Canyon! This is one of our favorite national parks because of its stunning beauty, iconic hoodoo rock formations, and excellent hiking trails. Even though it is not right next to Kanab, it is only about an hour and a half away and makes a perfect day trip.
Bryce Canyon can be experienced in a single day by stopping at scenic viewpoints along the rim, or you can spend several days exploring different trails that take you down into the canyon for a closer look at the hoodoos. We have visited in both late summer and mid-January and found each season to be a completely different but equally breathtaking experience. Keep in mind that Bryce Canyon sits at around 8,000 feet above sea level, so plan for cooler temperatures and be prepared for the elevation.
NPS – Bryce Canyon
Cedar Break National Monument
Cedar Breaks National Monument is about an hour and a half from Kanab and sits at an impressive 10,000 feet above sea level. After driving past the turnoff several times, we finally made a visit during the winter and were blown away by the beauty of the snow-covered amphitheater.
Winter visits are peaceful but limited, as most of the scenic roads and facilities are closed. There are still a few winter activities available, such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, but access can be challenging. We are already planning to return in the summer to experience the full range of viewpoints, wildflower blooms, and hiking trails that make Cedar Breaks such a special stop near Kanab.
NPS – Cedar Breaks
Pipe Spring National Monument
Pipe Spring National Monument is located about 20 miles southwest of Kanab in the Arizona Strip and offers a fascinating look into the region’s history. This national monument tells the story of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians who have lived in the area for generations, as well as the Mormon pioneers who settled here during westward expansion.
The site features historic buildings, artifacts, and interpretive exhibits that connect visitors to the past. If you are interested in the history of the Arizona Strip, southern Utah, or the settlement of the American West, this is a must-visit stop. We were glad to experience a place that preserves such an important piece of history.
NPS – Pipe Spring
Grand Canyon National Park North Rim
This might be our favorite of the Grand Canyon’s rims, but it’s also much more difficult to get to because of seasonal closures or long dirt roads. We’ve been to the North Rim many times and have stayed in Kanab overnight during some of those trips, it’s about 1 hour from the North Rim Lodge. The turn off for Tuweep is about 20 minutes from Kanab, but there is about 60 miles of dirt road before you get to the campground. The North Rim is more remote and has much more limited services and cellphone service. We suggest researching your trip in advance and making sure you are prepared with enough fuel, water, food, warmth, etc. Check our our blog on our Northern Arizona Road Trip where we visited the North Rim!
NPS – Grand Canyon North Rim
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Lake Powell of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is about 45 minutes to an hour from Kanab, and during the summer you’ll see a lot of boaters heading in that direction. Further away in Glen Canyon is Lees Ferry, the Colorado River gateway to the Grand Canyon. There are many hikes and water recreation opportunities in the area and it’s one of our favorite places in the state of Arizona. Glen Canyon is full of history and some of it controversial! We highly suggest the helicopter tour from Page, AZ too!
NPS – Glen Canyon NRA
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef isn’t necessarily a neighbor to Kanab, but it’s within reach, making Kanab a great rest spot on your drive. The National Park is fascinating and definitely worth the visit! We like to think of it as gelogical timeline sitting above ground. We spent multiple days at the park and can’t wait to return one day for more fun and exploration.
NPS – Capitol Reef
Places To Stay in Kanab
Cave Lake Canyon Ranch
Cave Lake Canyon Ranch is a secluded retreat on the northern edge of Kanab, offering a unique and peaceful place to stay. The property sits in a private canyon with multiple lodging options and opportunities for outdoor activities right outside your door. It is the perfect place to reset after a day of exploring the Kanab area.
Zion's Shadow Suites
A quick and easy one night stay in Kanab and these suites were perfect!
Red Canyon Cabins
We stayed the night in Kanab before continuing our journey the next day. These Cabins were right off the main road and close to town. They fit our itinerary and need perfectly!
Places To Eat in Kanab
Sego Restaurant
This award winning restuarant is on the pricier side, but is absolutely fantastic! They serve small dishes are meant to be shared so you can try a variety of foods and tastes. We suggest making a reservation for guranteed seating. – Location
Wild Thyme Cafe
Great restuarant with many locally sourced ingredients or grown in their own garden. We had a great dinner here and would love to come back for breakfast. – Location
