22 Absolute Best Things To Do in Kanab Utah (+ Where to Eat & Stay)

Kanab is a small Utah town that packs a big punch! It is an outdoor lover’s paradise and the gateway to East Zion.

Kanab features slot canyons, off-roading adventures, hoodoos, caves, tunnels, and more! It also includes some clever museums and unique tourist attractions like the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. It’s a quick drive to several other popular spots, including Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, the famous Wave hike, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and Zion National Park.

I’m Matt and I’ve made several visits to the area and paid for several tours of the backcountry sites to see if they’re worth it for you. Keep reading to learn all about Kanab.

IMPORTANT: The North Rim of the Grand Canyon recently experienced extensive damage due to a forest fire and will remain closed throughout the 2025 travel season. Visit the NPS Site for more up-to-date information.

Before We Begin (Important!): Dirt Roads & Sightseeing Tours

This is a remote region, and the public land around here is mostly managed by
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). They don’t really make land accessible, nor do they provide
information freely as the National Park Service does.

This difficulty keeps people away, which is the appeal of a lot of the sites around here. But they can be difficult to reach. Most dirt roads can be rough and/or have deep sand where you might get stuck. For that reason, I recommend tours for most people.

I booked a full-day tour with Coral Cliffs Tours. They took me to Red Canyon, Great Chamber, Old Paria, and White Pocket – all of which require navigating dirt roads that can be difficult depending on the day and season. I used them because they were the most affordable. They did a great job, and were also quite flexible. I paid my own way and get nothing from them.

There are plenty of other companies in Kanab as well. Also consider tours of Coral Pink Sand Dunes and other UTV tours.

Kanab’s Outdoor Adventures

The Wave

The Wave is an incredible geological feature that straddles Utah and Arizona. The 6.4-mile round-trip hike brings you to rocks that look like a wave, hence its name. This hike is incredibly popular in the hiking world and as such, you must be selected in a lottery process to be able to hike it.

The Wave is administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is technically named Coyote Buttes.

The two options for getting tickets to hike The Wave are:

• The advanced lottery, where you apply 4 months in advance for a spot.

• Or you can try for the daily lottery, two days in advance of your trip. You must apply for this on the recreation.gov mobile app. The app determines your location; you must be within close range of Kanab (basically between Mount Carmel, Utah, and Page, Arizona) when applying.

This is one of the most competitive permits to obtain in the entire country! Only 48 people (or 12 groups) get selected in the advanced lottery and only 16 people (or 4 groups) get selected in the daily lottery each day.

Some things to know before you go:

• The Wave is technical and difficult to hike. This is a backcountry area without a designated trail. You need to have a good map and GPS system or a tour guide to take you so that you do not get lost on your way.
• To get to the trailhead, 4-wheel drive vehicles are suggested.
• Cell service is spotty or non-existent in the area.
• Be prepared.

I have never been able to obtain the permit for The Wave, so I can’t provide a review for you.

White Pocket

Not sure you want to deal with the hassle of a lottery system? White Pocket is located in the Vermillion Cliffs area, which is also where The Wave is located, but this is a hike that does not require a lottery or ticketing system.

White Pocket is often billed as “the backup option to The Wave,” but as a tour guide told me, they are both excellent; just different. And he thinks The Wave has been elevated in status solely because the permitting process makes it exclusive.

White Pocket is a mile-long area of swirling white, red, and multicolored rocks! It looks like another planet.

Before I visited White Pocket, I looked at the photos and thought it looked strange, but questioned whether it was “beautiful,” or “cool.” After visiting, I can say it is the coolest location in the Kanab area that I’ve been to.

While there is no lottery system for White Pocket, the difficult road to get there keeps the crowds from visiting. While some of the roads are dirt but drivable (as long as they aren’t rained out), there are some roads that require 4-wheel drive.

Some things to know before you go:

• There are no designated trails and the exploring starts about 1000 feet off the end of the road.
• Due to the lack of trails, it is important to keep in mind where you are and possibly bring a GPS system with you, if possible, so that you do not get lost.
• Cell service is non-existent or spotty in this area.

Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch Hike

Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch is an incredible hike with spectacular slot canyons, and it’s fairly easy!

This approximately 5-mile out-and-back trail takes you through two slot canyons: the short (maybe 1 mile) Wire Pass canyon, and the very long (maybe 16 miles) Buckskin Gulch canyon.

The important thing to know here is to park at the Wire Pass trailhead (not the Buckskin Gulch trailhead) – this provides a shorter and more scenic route to Buckskin Gulch. It’s about 3.5 miles roundtrip to hike through Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch and back.

But if you can, continue into Buckskin Gulch for as long as you feel comfortable. Buckskin Gulch is known as the longest and deepest slot canyon in America. We went a mile, turning our entire hike into a 5.5-mile hike.

The trail is mostly flat, but there is one short ladder to navigate in Wire Pass, and some of the trail can get sandy. It can also get wet after rain.

Some things to know before you go:

• To get to it, you have to drive on dirt and gravel roads for over 30 minutes. Most cars can do this, but it is bumpy and slow!
• You have to pay a fee to hike this trail. You can pay at the parking lot, but the service is spotty. It’s best to pre-pay online for your tickets. Find out more about getting a permit.
• This trailhead has a huge parking area and has multiple pit toilets.
• Cell service is non-existent or spotty in this area.

Toadstool Hoodoos

For a much shorter and easier access hike, try Toadstool Hoodoos. The trailhead is located right on Highway 89.

This 1.8-mile out-and-back trail is an easy trail, but like most of Kanab’s trails, is in full sun.

Walk along the desert trail until you reach the first set of hoodoos. These basically look like rock mushrooms. Further down the trail is a second set of hoodoos, and with more exploration, I am sure you can find others.

Places like this are great for kids to scramble around the rocks and play.

Some things to know before you go:

• Bring plenty of water as the trail is in full sun and very hot in the summer.
• There are no bathrooms at this trailhead.

The Nautilus

If you want another adventure fairly close to Toadstools, try the Nautilus. This is a unique, swirling rock formation that has actually formed a natural slide – kids can actually slide down this rock.

I don’t think this is a major attraction. It’s primarily for those looking for an off-the-beaten path exploration, a short hike, or some scrambling.

This 0.9-mile out-and-back hike is a quick and fun trail! Follow along the sandy wash and look for an opening in the rocks and a dead juniper tree on your right. These will be just past the white dome shapes that are streaked with orange. Disregard all domes you pass on the left!

LEARN: All you need to know about Hiking in the Desert.

To get there, use GPS to get directions to White House Trailhead or these directions. You’ll turn south at the Paria BLM Contact Station (within Mile 20, marked by a sign for the Contact Station) and turn left before the contact station. Head south on a dirt road for a little under two miles. Before you get to the White House Trailhead, the road will bend to the left, but don’t follow the bend. Instead, you’ll see a dead-end parking area straight ahead (enough for about three cars). Park here and walk east on the dry wash until you see a sloped
white rock formation on the right with a dead Juniper tree in front. Leave the wash and walk past the
Juniper tree to find the entrance to the Nautilus.

Some things to know before you go:

• This trail is in full sun and can be very hot! Bring plenty of water!
• There are no bathrooms at this trailhead, but if you go just a bit further down White House Trailhead Road to the White House Trailhead, there are bathrooms there.
• Climbing up the Nautilus can be very slippery as it is a natural slide, so be careful!

The Carstacks

The Carstacks in Catstair Canyon are a truly unique feature to stumble upon in the desert!

These cars are stacked and bolted together in only two spots with the purpose of helping support the road above. Obviously, they were not super effective and the road had to be reconstructed. But it does make for a fun desert adventure now!

This 0.5-mile out-and-back trail is rated moderate only because of some climbing over and around rocks to get to the cars, but for most people, it is an easy hike.

To find the cars, go just over 38 miles east of Kanab on Highway 89. You will find a small pullout on the right if heading there from Kanab. Here, there is only space for a few cars to park. You will see a survey marker sign in front of you and a trail leading out behind it.

Follow this trail down with the rock wall on your left. You will continue on to a wash where you will do almost a 180-degree turn as it curves around the rock heading back towards Highway 89. You will follow this along as the trail begins to get rockier. Climb around and through the rocks until you spot the cars.

Some things to know before you go:

• This trail can get flooded in heavy rains and is a drainage area.
• Be careful around the rocks as they can be slippery and harder to navigate for young children.

Sand Caves

These are some fun, little caves in the sandstone – it was once a sand mine for a glassmaking operation. Our family has really enjoyed this as a little roadside attraction, but it became popular enough that they built a
parking lot (located at the turn off to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary), and it now requires a 3-mi
round trip hike to see the caves.

You also have to be agile enough to scramble up the red rock.

We’re not sure they are worth the 3-mile hike, but they are photogenic.

Once you get into the caves, you can enjoy the cool sand and the views in a nice shady spot. This is a popular area, so you may have to wait for your turn to stand in one of the windows of the cave for a photo!

Some things to know before you go:

• Bring plenty of water, it is a full sun trail and hot during the day.
• Wear shoes with a good grip.
• Watch kids closely as this trail and the caves have cliff edges.

Belly of the Dragon

Belly of the Dragon is an interesting little roadside stop just north of Kanab.

It’s actually a manmade drainage tunnel underneath the highway, but because it’s carved through the sandstone, it’s quite photogenic.

It’s turned into a popular little spot to pull over and walk through the tunnel, which literally only takes a minute.

You can easily find this trail by using GPS and you will turn off the highway onto a dirt parking area. There are no bathrooms here. It is located just south of Mount Carmel Junction.

Some things to know before you go:

• Bring a flashlight! The tunnel gets dark.
• Watch your footing as the ground is very uneven through the tunnel.
• The rocks in the tunnel can be slippery, so just be cautious as you walk through.
• You do have to climb down some rocks to get to the tunnel, but this isn’t too hard for most.

Old Paria

Old Paria is a beautiful area that used to be a small outpost until the late 1920s. This area has also been used as a set for many Western movies. The colorful mountains of Old Paria give the area a unique and beautiful setting.

The ghost town is located in a portion of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Old Paria can be accessed from Highway 89, between Kanab and Page. The road down into Old Paria is dirt and can be tricky to navigate without 4WD.

While you can no longer see the movie sets here, due to a fire, you can still visit the old cemetery, enjoy the incredible views, and stop by the bathrooms and informational signs.

You should not attempt a visit when it’s rainy or expected to rain. The roads can be washed out and there is also the possibility of flash flooding.

DISCOVER: How to Connect Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks: 11 Amazing Stops not far from Kanab.

Red Slot Canyon (Peek-a-boo)

Red Slot Canyon, also known as Peek-a-boo Canyon (not to be confused with the more famous Peekaboo Slot Canyon in Escalante), is an incredible slot canyon near Kanab. It is accessible through deep sandy roads leading to a 0.7-mile hike.

If you do not want to attempt these roads in your vehicle, there is an 8.7-mile hike you can take.

This is often billed as the alternative to the much more famous (and crowded) Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona.

While you can visit it for free, if you can get there in your vehicle, I recommend a tour company unless you have a good off-roading vehicle and are comfortable driving sandy roads.

Things to know before you go:

• Rainy weather is dangerous in slot canyons and can cause flash floods that can be deadly.
• The rainy weather can also wash out the roads here.
• There is little to no service and if you get stuck on the roads, you could be stuck for a while.
• Bring lots of water as it is hot and in full sun.

Museums & Other Must-Visit Spots in Kanab

There’s more to do in Kanab than just hike! Here are some great spots we like.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Do you love animals?

The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is a stop you have to make! Free tours will take you in a van around the expansive property to places like Dogtown, Catworld, Horse Haven, Marshall’s Piggy Paradise, Bunny House, Parrot Garden, and Wild Friends areas.

You can also volunteer to spend time with the animals.

Visit Angel’s Rest Cemetery and the Gratitude Garden, or hike the trails inside the sanctuary. Don’t forget to make a stop at the shop. All proceeds go toward the animals.

The trails inside the sanctuary:

• Hidden Lake is a 1.5-mile trail to a water-filled cave. This is a must if you are visiting!
• Angel’s Overlook is another 1.5-mile trail that brings you to a beautiful overlook in Angel’s Village. You can also stop here for lunch at the cafe!

Make sure to stop by the visitor center first for tour information and to get started!

Little Hollywood Land: Museum & Trading Post

Did you know Kanab was once known as Little Hollywood?

This rustic museum is located in downtown Kanab and is FREE to visit! They do accept donations to keep the space going.

The museum preserves real sets from different Western movies, and you can meander around and read about them. This is a fun place for kids to run around and play!

They have a trading post here to grab some fun knick-knacks and they also offer a chuckwagon cookout depending on the time of year.

The best movie set is from the movie The Outlaw Josey Wales with Clint Eastwood.

Look for Movie Stars

Continuing with the Little Hollywood theme, the town has signs erected all over for actors and actresses who starred in movies filmed in Kanab. You’ll be surprised at the number of Hollywood movie stars who have walked the streets of little old Kanab, Utah.

The movie stars usually stayed at the Parry Lodge (see below) You can still stay in the Parry Lodge today, or eat in the dining room, where they have several signed photos of the stars from that era.

The movie stars also went to the Moqui Cave (see below) to drink at a bar inside the cave. You can still visit the Moqui Cave and see the historic bar today.

Once Upon A Time

This is a relatively new museum in town, and unfortunately, it was closed when I visited. My understanding is that it is an eclectic history museum.

It gets very high ratings, served food on site, and is certainly a place I’ll stop by next time I’m in town. It looked very well done.

Kanab Heritage House Museum

This is another FREE museum in Kanab. It is inside a beautiful house built by Henry & Mary Bowman from 1892-1894. It was the first “modern home” built in Kane County. Through the years, it was home to many prominent residents of Kanab. In 1975, George Russell Aiken convinced the city to buy the house and he got to work restoring the beautiful home to its former glory.

Today, you can take free guided or self-guided tours through the house to learn about its inhabitants and Kanab’s history.

Moqui Cave Museum

This museum has been built right into an actual cave near Kanab and is a fun and interesting stop.

The cave was originally bought in 1951 by Garth and Laura Chamberlain. They turned it into Southern Utah’s first dance hall and bar.

Remember those Hollywood movie stars? This is where they came to drink at night. You can even see the bar they used to pull up to.

Since then, it has been turned into a museum featuring Native American artifacts, interesting rocks, western movie memorabilia, and a gift shop.

Parry Lodge

This historic hotel has been here since 1892!

It was established by Chauncey and Gronway Parry – the Parry Brothers. These brothers played a big role in getting tourism to Zion National Park started, as well as turning Kanab into Little Hollywood.

They hosted many Hollywood celebrities in their lodge: John Wayne, Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ronald Reagan, and more.

Today, you can sleep or eat where those famous stars once did. The rooms are all named after movie stars. The dining room is elegant and has pictures of the famous stars that once frequented the hotel.

Need a place to stay while visiting Zion? Check out The Best Places to Stay at Zion National Park and Where to Camp at Zion National Park.

Where Should I Eat in Kanab?

Peekaboo Canyon Wood-Fired Kitchen

Don’t be scared away by the vegetarian menu. This restaurant knows how to make incredible food! They are known for their wood-fired pizza and you don’t want to miss out!

Nomad Coffee

This very quirky alien-themed place is a must-visit. Well known for their coffee, breakfast sandwhiches, and wild decor.

Kanab Creek Bakery

If you want to start your day off right, head to Kanab Creek Bakery for coffee, pastries, and incredible breakfast sandwiches! This spot has some of the best French pastries and everyone around knows it, so you can expect some lines here.

Brown Box Cafe

This new and popular little bakery/cafe serves up delicious salads and sandwiches for lunch, but they are most famous for their “Kanookie,” a word deriving from Kanab and Cookie. It’s a crazy good cookie covered in ice cream.

Rocking V Cafe

This artsy spot in downtown Kanab is a town favorite and for good reason! They serve great food with staples like buffalo tenderloin, filet mignon, adobe chicken, creme brulee, and more!

Sego Restaurant

Sego is one of the highest-rated restaurants in town and features duck lo mein, scallops, noodle dishes, satay, tuna, pork belly, and more on its upscale menu.

Escobar’s Mexican Restaurant

This laid-back Mexican restaurant is one of our personal favorites in Kanab! The best part is that our kids DEVOURED their food here! You can expect to find all the traditional Mexican favorites, along with some fresh salads.

Big Al’s Burgers at the Junction

If you are looking for a traditional drive-in style burger and ice cream cone, Big Al’s is for you! They have some seating inside, but have a huge dining space outside. This comes in handy because it is usually packed!

What Else Can I Do Near Kanab?

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is an amazing place if you have kids. It’s about 45 minutes outside of Kanab.

Here you can camp, off-road, hike, play in the sand, and even sandboard or sled down the dunes!

Entrance to the park is reasonably priced, and there are campsites available for overnight stays as well. Sandboards and UTVs can also be rented at the park on a first-come, first-served basis.

Some things to know before you go:

• It is in full sun and hot, so bring lots of water.
• You have to walk a significant way to get to the dunes and it can get tiring walking to and from them through the deep sand.
• Find out all you need to know about visiting Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

East Zion

About 30 minutes from Kanab is the East entrance to Zion National Park. The East section of Zion features some incredible sights like the Checkerboard Mesa and the Zion Mt. Carmel Tunnel. As well as one of our favorite hikes, the Canyon Overlook trail!

The Canyon Overlook trail is a mile-long trail that brings you to sweeping views of Zion National Park.

You can easily drive to the visitor center on the south end of the park to jump on the shuttle and explore the rest of Zion National Park if you have time.

LEARN: Can You Drive in Zion National Park? (What You Need To Know)

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is a wildly popular spot in Glen Canyon Recreation Area near Page, Arizona, and only a little over an hour away from Kanab.

To visit, you need to pay a small entrance fee to enter the Horseshoe Bend Parking lot. From here, hike the 1.5-mile out-and-back trail that leads to an incredible overlook of Horseshoe Bend. The trail is easy and relatively flat.

The views are incredible, but you may have to wait a bit to get the perfect photo of the bend, due to crowds. Make sure to stay behind guard rails as there are steep drop-offs.

Things to know before you go:

• Bring lots of water! It is in full sun and hot.
• Expect crowds! This is a popular spot!

DISCOVER: The 12 ABSOLUTE BEST Activities When Visiting Page, Arizona (+ Where to Eat and Stay)

Pipe Spring National Monument

Located only about 25 minutes away from Kanab, Pipe Spring offers some really interesting history along with some fabulous views of the Arizona Strip.

The natural springs here were once used by Native Americans, then by explorers, and then by settlers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

They have a nice visitor center, historic cabins, orchards, longhorn cattle, and a wonderful little hike to an overlook with panoramic views.

Does Kanab have Cell Service?

While Kanab has cell service, once you leave the city, cell service will be spotty. Make sure to download maps before you leave town to head on hikes.

Does Kanab have Hotels?

Kanab has many hotels and lodging options to choose from. Besides the Parry Lodge, mentioned above, there are many chain hotels and Airbnbs to choose from. Check out my article on The Best Unique Hotels & Resorts In Kanab, Utah, for help finding somewhere to stay.

Does Kanab Have a Grocery Store?

Yes, Kanab has two small grocery stores: Honey’s and Glaziers. This makes it handy for grabbing meals or things you might have forgotten for your trip!

Can You Rent 4×4 Vehicles for Off-Roading in Kanab?

Yes, there are many rental spots in Kanab for off-roading vehicles. These are especially needed if you are going to places such as Red Canyon (Peekaboo Slot Canyon).

Are There Any Tour Guides in Kanab?

Yes, there are many tour guides and tour options for Kanab. These tours will take you to places you can only reach via 4×4 or on more difficult trails that you may want a guide for. Kanab Tour Company, Dreamland Safari, and Expedition Kanab are just a few of the choices around town. Check their websites for tour options and pricing.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

A lot of people visit Kanab during their trip to the Grand Canyon. Many of the things we mention here are only 1-2 hours away!

We have included Kanab and what to do in the latest update of our Ultimate Grand Canyon Bundle Itinerary, which also includes an audio guide with over 4 1/2 hours of stories and information about the area. Let us help you plan your vacation to Kanab and the Grand Canyon!

Zion National Park is also near Kanab and can be crowded with visitors, especially during peak season! Planning and navigating a trip to Zion National Park can be frustrating because of its popularity. The crowds and shuttle system can be confusing to navigate.

Lucky for you, we have you covered. Most travelers want to visit the most popular sites, yet still avoid crowds (as much as possible). We have a detailed itinerary that gives you a step-by-step game plan so you can get to the best places at the right times!