Here's What to Do in Kanab

👉 Jump to: Best Things to Do | National Parks & Monuments | More Outdoor Recreation | Family-Friendly Attractions

I’m a frequent Utah visitor with insights into the absolute best things to do in Kanab!

This guide overviews big-name national parks and other popular destinations. But I also share several hidden gems, like mysterious slot canyons and lesser-known hiking trails. Bookmark our guide on where to stay in Kanab so you have time to see all the sights!

18 Best Things to Do in Kanab

Zion National Park

Utah’s most popular national park bustles with life during all four seasons.

The landscape views at Zion National Park — *Admire stunning views at Zion National Park*

Utah’s most popular national park is only 35 minutes from Kanab. There’s really no excuse not to visit one of the state’s top attractions since you’re already so close!

There’s magic in every season at Zion National Park. Enjoy refreshing slot canyon water hikes in the summer and abundant wildlife in the spring. Encounter fewer crowds in the winter and marvel at autumn foliage during the fall months.

I highly recommend the Narrows hike for the ultimate Zion National Park experience. Check out the Watchman Trail near the entrance for a fun hike without ample crowds. Or hike down to the Virgin River via the Pa’rus Trail.

Lake Powell

Beat the summer heat with a boat ride around Lake Powell, home to one of the highest natural arch formations in the world.

Lake Powell is one of the best places to visit during a hot Utah summer. Hit up your friends who own a boat or rent your own to find refuge in the cool waters.

Laying lakeside and simply doing nothing is my ideal vacation. Lake Powell allows vacationers to unleash their lazy side, sip on an adult beverage, get a suntan, and watch the wakeboarders pass by.

Lake goers who need a more stimulated vacation should check out Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the top things to do in Utah. Don’t miss your chance to visit one of the highest arches in the world, right on Lake Powell.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Disappear deep into the Utah desert at this star-gazing oasis.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 648-2800 | Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park Website | Hours: Sunrise – sunset daily | Entrance: $15 per vehicle

Get ready to have a blast at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Mountains of sand carved and shifted by wind create a beautiful palette of soft pinks, reds, and whites. Go check out this southwest Utah natural art anomaly for yourself!

Coral Pink Sand Dunes is one of the state’s best places to go off-roading. Plus, its proximity to Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks makes it a great place to set up basecamp for a week or two while exploring the nearby sites.

Pack your camping essentials and sleep under the park’s starry night sky.

Buckskin Gulch

Utah’s deepest slot canyon is also one of the longest in the world.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 644-1300 | Buckskin Gulch Website | Hours: Sunrise-sunset daily | Entrance: $6 per person, $6 per dog

Want the experience of a famous Utah slot canyon but without the crazy national park crowds? Buckskin Gulch is the place to go!

Wade in pools up to your waist as you strategically maneuver the ever-narrowing walls of one of the world’s longest slot canyons. Buckskin Gulch is a whopping 32 miles round-trip and is located in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. Be sure to snag a backpacking permit from Recreation.gov to explore the whole canyon.

Slot canyons are one of the only enjoyable places to hike during a hot Utah summer, thanks to their shade and water. But be sure to check the weather beforehand and be wary of rain clouds — flash floods are a risk. You’ll also want to bring all the important hiking essentials with you into the belly of the canyon!

Paria Canyon

Get lost (in a good way) on Paria’s endless supply of canyon trails.

View of the beautiful and iconic The Wave, reflecting on the water — *The Wave, an iconic hike within the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 688-3200 | Paria Canyon Website | Hours: Sunrise-sunset daily, overnight permits required | Entrance: Free

The hiking possibilities are endless in Paria Canyon. The thick Navajo sandstone of the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area defines its desert landscape. This beauty contributes to Paria Canyon’s popularity as a top backpacking spot.

Make your Buckskin Gulch experience a multi-day adventure by continuing your hike into the Paria Canyon slots. I recommend hiking here a day or two before venturing to the nearby Wave, one of the most iconic hikes in Arizona.

Hike the Wave

One of the most popular hikes in the Southwest emulates a marine desert experience.

View of the beautiful sandstone layers of The Wave on a sunny day — *Sandstone layers of The Wave were formed by rain and wind erosion*

📍 Google Maps | The Wave Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $13 permit

The Wave is arguably the most popular hike in Utah. Though technically, it straddles two state lines. Start the hike in Utah and arrive at your destination across the border in Arizona.

The multi-color sandstone layering of the Wave formation gives it an ocean-like resemblance. It’s one of the coolest natural features to experience in the middle of the desert. This hike now requires a permit and operates on a lottery system via Recreation.gov due to its increasing popularity.

National Parks & Monuments

North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Arizona’s prized natural wonder is only a short day trip from Kanab.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (928) 638-7888 | Grand Canyon National Park Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $35 per vehicle

Want to experience Grand Canyon National Park without the crowds? The North Rim is far less populated than other areas of the park. It’s less than 90 minutes south of Kanab and one of the best places to visit in Arizona.

Most national park-goers enjoy a scenic walk around the North Rim. But more daring visitors can opt to take a horse or hike deep into the gorge. Refer to our Grand Canyon packing list so you arrive prepared!

📚 Related Reading: Where to Stay Near Grand Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Watch the sun set behind hundreds of vibrant sandstone spires.

Bryce Canyon is one of the top national parks in Utah and can’t be missed the next time you’re in the Kanab area. The commute is just under 90 minutes, making it the perfect day trip.

Hike among the orange hoodoo spires during sunrise. Or enjoy my favorite national park activity: packing a picnic and venturing to a sunset lookout. The soft evening hues reflect off the sandstone spires, creating a storybook image, that’s perfect for a social media post.

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Break away from the crowds at this lesser-known, out-of-the way gem.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 986-7120 | Cedar Breaks Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $25 vehicle pass

Cedar Breaks National Monument is a great alternative to Bryce Canyon National Park. The entry fee is cheaper, and far fewer tourists can be expected. Additionally, Cedar Breaks is more accommodating to visitors with pets as the 2.2-mile Sunset Trail is open to leashed dogs.

And the views? They’re just as stunning, in my opinion. Abundant wildflowers add to summer scenes, while golden aspens demand a fall leaf-peeping trip. Don’t sleep on this lesser-known gem located just over an hour north of Kanab.

– Abigail Bliss

More Outdoor Recreation

Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon

One of Utah’s most photogenic slot canyons suits hikers of all fitness levels.

Travel Lemming's Editor Abigail and her friend, posing at the slot canyon — *Abigail and her friend testing this year’s best* ***backpacking packs***

View of the snowy Peek-A-Boo slot canyon in February — *Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon in February*

Couldn’t snag a permit for the nearby Wave? Head to the lesser-crowded Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon instead. The stratigraphic layers on the walls create the same type of wave illusion.

Reaching this site requires only an easy 0.7-mile hike — if you have a high clearance, 4WD vehicle. It’s best navigated with a small UTV or ATV when conditions allow. Off-road tours here are a thrilling experience.

Alternatively, you can reach Peek-A-Boo via a moderate 7.5-mile hike. Check the weather for possible surprise monsoons before wiggling your way through the iconic slot canyon!

White Pocket

Layered pinks, reds, and white line the ever-narrowing canyon walls of White Pocket.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (453) 688-3200 | White Pocket Website | Hours: Sunrise – sunset daily | Entrance: Free

White Pocket is another great alternative to The Wave hike. Similar features await at this popular hiking spot right across the border in Arizona. The sandstone layers give it as much character as The Wave but with far fewer crowds.

You’ll be delighted to know there’s tons of BLM land around White Pocket if you have an off-roading vehicle. This makes it easy to camp for free near the trailhead.

⚠️ Caution: Please do not attempt to get to this trailhead without a 4WD vehicle. You will likely get stuck and it may take upwards of hours to get help with the spotty cell service out there.

Great Chamber

This is one of the best places to ride an ATV near Kanab.

📍 Google Maps | Great Chamber Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Extensive hiking and ATV trails set the stage at Great Chamber. Be advised that this is another 4WD-required area, so only attempt to get to the trailhead in a high-clearance vehicle.

Be sure to also bring plenty of food and water to replenish, as many of the hiking trails are through strenuous sand.

Kodachrome Basin State Park

Camp away from the crowds at this state park, home to a plethora of trails and natural arches.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 679-8562 | Kodachrome Basin State Park Website | Hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: $10 per vehicle

Camp amid towering spires in Kodachrome Basin State Park, which is located less than 2 hours outside of Kanab. Bold red and orange tones create the most stunning backdrop for a desert hiking photoshoot.

I recommend visiting Grosvenor Arch, a double arch anomaly that you have to see to believe. Witness the double sandstone arch in the wintertime when snow is lightly flaked atop the landmark. It’s one of the most scenic times to visit Utah

Via Ferrata

Hang on for dear life as you scale giant rock formations.

A woman rappelling on the huge rock formations

📍 Google Maps | Via Ferrata Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: tour prices vary | 👉 Book Via Ferrata Rappelling tour on Viator

Scale giant granite walls by clipping into iron ladders on a via ferrata above Cave Lakes Canyon. The wilderness area is less than an hour outside of Kanab. This is the perfect excursion for adrenaline junkies and those looking to spice up their hiking experience.

Book with a professional guide and start climbing to new heights! This experience is ideal for beginner climbers and is the perfect segue into a life of rock climbing.

One of my favorite parts is the way down. Sit back, relax, and enjoy an effortless rappel down the steep cliff wall.

Family-Friendly Attractions

Belly of the Dragon

Get swallowed up by nature at this easy-to-access roadside attraction.

📍 Google Maps | Belly of the Dragon Hiking Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Venture into the belly of the beast at this unique natural tunnel. Belly of the Dragon is just north of Kanab and requires only an easy 0.5-mile hike. It’s one of the best trails in Utah for families.

This adventure is ideal during a hot summer afternoon, as the tunnel shade provides a cool escape from the desert sun. This roadside attraction is also on the way to Zion National Park, so you might as well get out and stretch your legs if traveling between the two.

Hike to the Toadstools

Experience an out-of-this-world landscape just outside of Kanab with bold, whimsical features.

View of the unique and small hoodoo formations at Toadstools — *Unique hoodoo formations*

📍 Google Maps | Toadstools Website | Hours: Sunrise to sunset | Entrance: Free

Experience Utah’s extraterrestrial landscape while hiking the famous toadstools. This Grand Staircase-Escalante landmark is as whimsical as it gets in Utah. Mushroom-like rock formations set the stage here, creating a fun playground environment.

This is one of my favorite places to get lost in Utah due to the scant number of tourists and the allowance of furry friends — pet owners rejoice! The hike around the toadstools is 1.8 miles round-trip, and easy enough for kids and small pets.

Don’t forget to check out our ultimate Utah packing list to ensure you bring all the desert hiking essentials.

Moqui Cave

An art gallery, museum, and gift shop inside a cave — this is the ideal attraction for families with kids.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 644-8525 | Moqui Cave Website | Hours: 9 am – 7 pm Mon-Sat, Closed Sun | Entrance: $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children

Moqui Cave resides just outside Kanab and right up Highway 89. It’s easy to miss, so drive slow and be on the lookout! This unique site was purchased in the 1950s and converted into a dance hall and bar. Today, it houses artwork, iridescent gems and minerals, and Puebloan artifacts.

Moqui Cave is one of the best things for families to do when visiting southern Utah. This is especially true in the hot summer months, as the cave never surpasses 65 degrees. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop on your way out to purchase some authentic Native American jewelry!

Little Hollywood Land

Tired of hiking? Visit one of Kanab’s main tourist attractions all about Wild West cinema.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 644-5337 | Little Hollywood Land Website | Hours: 11 am – 9 pm daily | Entrance: Free (suggested donation of $5 per adult)

Hollywood in the middle of the Utah desert — who would-a thunk it? This is the perfect Kanab attraction to give your feet a rest from hiking. Visit the Little Hollywood Museum and Trading Post to learn about the cinematography of the Wild West.

Walk among real movie sets and props, shop for Native American jewelry, and sit down at the in-house restaurant. Be sure to snap some Western-themed photos with the whole family to take some tangible memories back home.

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Thanks for reading! Leave me a comment if you’d like any extra help planning your trip. Want to explore further? Up next, check out our guide to the best things to do in St. George!

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Here’s What to Do in Kanab