Welcome to my guide on the must-see attractions in Kanab, Utah! Nestled between stunning national parks and breathtaking landscapes, Kanab is a hidden gem that offers an array of adventures for every type of traveler. I’ve been roaming the Southwest desert for the past eight years and have seen some of the most beautiful places you can’t miss on your next road trip to Kanab.
Kanab, Utah is a high desert sitting at an elevation of around 5,000 ft so the weather is nice to explore all year round. The summer temps can get warm still and Winter is a great time to visit as temperatures are cooler. It is still high elevation though so you can expect snow in the Winter! Be sure to stop by the visitor center to check on road conditions before wandering off-road!
What is special about Kanab Utah?
Utah is commonly known for its Mighty 5 National Parks (Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef) but there are so many beautiful places to see outside of those parks. Kanab has many hidden gems of its own with similar rock formations that are more remote, much less crowded, and sure to blow your mind.
Is it worth it to go to Kanab?
I love the Southwest desert and have made multiple trips out to Utah and Arizona every year since 2016. Kanab has been a favorite little town in Utah to spend time around, whether I am passing through or as my final destination. While the town itself is quite small, the surrounding area has so much to see and hikes of all levels! It is harder to reach some places with a standard vehicle so I’d recommend checking out some tours to access the easy-to-hike hidden gems.
I’ve spent a lot of time exploring Kanab and below are the can’t-miss stops on your trip to Kanab!
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Things to do in Kanab
The Great Chamber / Cutler Cove
This may be the newest cool feature that’s taken over social media in recent years. It looks like a huge cave but is actually an alcove that is only accessible by a high clearance 4wd or a side-by-side vehicle. The hike over is very short from the unmarked parking lot and you will see it the whole time you approach it.
How to get to The Great Chamber at Cutler Point
On Google Maps, you can find it under “Great Chamber” or “Cutler Point” in Kanab, Utah. The easiest way to get there if you have a 4wd vehicle is from Johnson Canyon Road. Your entrance to the dirt road will start by the Crocodile Staging Area and the drive took us about 40 minutes with winter conditions.
No 4wd? No problem!
You can book a tour to visit The Great Chamber and Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon from a side-by-side vehicle.
Peekaboo Slot Canyon (Red Canyon Slot)
While you are out there, pair your visit with a trip to Peekaboo Slot Canyon, also known as Red Canyon Slot— this is different than the better-known Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon in Escalante.
Getting to the trailhead: It’s usually recommended that you need a 4WD vehicle to access the trailhead but in the winter when the snow is firm, we got through just fine without needing a high clearance or 4WD mode. If you don’t have a 4WD car, consider visiting this canyon in the winter while the snow is firm.
Peek-a-boo Slot Canyon is a short hike. The walls start off not too tall before it all opens up, but then you re-enter the canyon with even taller walls.
Make it a full hiking adventure and book a private tour to experience the Grand Staircase and Zion’s backcountry on the way to the slot canyon!
Belly of the Dragon
Belly of the Dragon is located 17 miles north of Kanab in Carmel, but a quick 20 minute drive will get you to this unique sight. It is easy to access and only 0.3 miles off Hwy 89. You can park right at the “trailhead” but there really isn’t much of a trail. The entrance is right where you park and there may be some water that runs through this short cave depending on recent weather conditions.
The walk through the cave/ tunnel is very short, and this is the highlight of this stop. You don’t need to plan to spend too much time here to explore.
Twin Hollows Campground is also just beyond Belly of the Dragon if you are looking to camp nearby, but it may be inaccessible in the winter.
Moqui Cave Museum
Located 6 miles north of Kanab, Utah the Moqui Cave Museum is a unique spot to visit and to take a break from out heat or cold of the outdoor activities. There is an admission fee and be sure to check if they are open before you go. There is a food stand outside of the museum and on a hot day, the acai bowl is a must!
Moqui Caves
Even if the Moqui Cave Museum is closed, you can see the natural Moqui Caves outside for free, right off hwy 89. This is the popular Moqui Caves travelers share on social media, not the museum, but on Google Maps, these caves are called Sand Caves and when you see it, you will understand why.
These sandstone caves are small in height but extend far back. The ground is all sand and there are several openings in the cave to views of Kanab and Hwy 89.
Park at the small pullout across the street. You will see these caves from the highway. The hike to it is very short and there is no actual trail. Just follow the line that best leads to the wall, and climb up it. I’d recommend staying towards the very left where there are some better, less vertical, ledges, and make sure your shoes have good traction so you don’t slip off.
Once you reach the top, traverse and walk to the cave. It gets flatter the closer you get.
Buckskin Gulch
Buckskin Gulch is one of the longest slot canyons in the world! It can be connected with Paria Canyon for an epic multi-day backpacking trip between the canyon walls. It’s about 10 miles one way to hike the full canyon but that could take more than a day. The walls get extremely narrow and the canyon remains deep for miles. Depending on when you go, there can be cesspools (deep water/ mud) you have to walk through and maybe even quicksand — it’s a worthwhile adventure!
There are two trailheads to access the slot canyon, both off House Rock Valley Road from Hwy 89. The Buckskin Gulch Trailhead is 4.5 miles from Hwy 89 and the second, but equally common, access is from Wire Pass Trailhead, 8.3 miles from the highway.
Wire Pass is a great option for day hikers as you get to experience the narrowness of the canyon right away.
The dirt road to the trailheads can get very bumpy, sandy, gnarly, and even completely washed out in the winter, so be prepared for that. I made it to the Wire Pass Trailhead in the summer in an AWD vehicle.
Permits are required for day hikers and campers and you can reserve yours here. Day hikers cost $6 per human and $6 per dog.
The Wave (North Coyote Buttes)
An iconic destination, The Wave beckons with its surreal beauty. The Wave in Utah is the most coveted permit in the USA and with good reason. It is located on the border of Arizona and Utah and you need a permit year-round to visit. The otherworldly landscape captivates at every turn, creating a memorable journey.
You can read more about how to get a permit and explore the Wave here.
White Pocket (Vermillion Cliffs)
White Pocket is located about halfway between Kanab, Utah and Page, AZ. It is 2 hours from Kanab Utah if you enter from the south which we did. In the Winter, the dirt road from the north may be impassable if there have been storms. While they recommend having a 4WD high clearance vehicle to enter from the south, I think you could maybe get away with an AWD as the road wasn’t very rough.
White Pocket looks like another planet. It’s part of the Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness and is a great alternative hike to the Wave if you didn’t win permits. The two-tone white and pink striations in the rocks make the landscape very unique, maybe even more than the wave.
It’s BLM camping out here so find a good campsite and then go explore!
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Just a short drive from Kanab, the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is a breathtaking playground for outdoor enthusiasts. This unique landscape features vibrant, coral-colored sand that shifts and dances with the wind, creating stunning patterns and textures.
The dunes, formed from the erosion of Navajo sandstone, rise up to 100 feet high, offering exhilarating opportunities for hiking, sandboarding, and photography. Whether you’re exploring the vast expanse on foot or racing down the slopes on a board, the beauty of this area is sure to leave you in awe. Be sure to visit during sunrise or sunset when the light casts an enchanting glow over the dunes!
Toadstool Hoodoos
A hidden gem just north of Kanab and easily accessible right off hwy 89, the Toadstool Hoodoos are an incredible sight that shouldn’t be missed. These whimsical rock formations resemble giant mushrooms, standing tall against the backdrop of the desert landscape.
The hike to reach them is relatively easy, making it accessible for families and casual hikers alike. As you wander through this surreal terrain, take time to appreciate the intricate patterns in the rocks and the stunning views of the surrounding area. Bring your camera—the Toadstool Hoodoos are a photographer’s dream, especially during golden hour when their unique shapes are beautifully illuminated.
Lower Hackberry Canyon
For those seeking an adventure off the beaten path, Lower Hackberry Canyon is truly a hidden gem and offers a stunning escape into nature. This slot canyon presents a captivating blend of towering walls and intricate rock formations that create a magical atmosphere as you navigate through its narrow passages.
The hike can be be in water for much of it so be prepared with appropriate footwear for a water hike and plenty of water. As you make your way deeper into the canyon, you’ll encounter breathtaking views and unique geological features that showcase the raw beauty of Utah’s wilderness.
For more ideas on how to plan a winter road trip to Kanab, watch our 5-day road trip from Los Angeles to Kanab, Utah video here. There are some other hidden gems to see on the journey in this video that aren’t listed in this blog post 😉
Where to Stay in Kanab
Booking travel soon?
Please consider using my affiliate links below. It costs nothing additional for you but helps me maintain the ever-increasing costs of running a travel blog:
General travel through Tripadvisor here.
Book your flights here.
Book your accommodations here on Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com, and VRBO.
Book your car rentals here.
Book your tours here.
Book your travel insurance here.