Best Things to Do in Kanab, Utah (2026 Travel Guide)
Kanab, Utah does not announce itself the way Zion does with its towering walls, or Bryce Canyon with its orange amphitheater of hoodoos. It is a quiet canyon-country town of about 4,500 people sitting at 4,925 feet in the heart of the Colorado Plateau — and that understated quality is precisely what makes it one of the most strategically brilliant bases in the American Southwest. Within 90 miles of Kanab, you have five national parks, two national monuments, a state park built around coral-colored sand dunes, and some of the most sought-after permit hikes on the continent. Whether you have come to chase the lottery for The Wave, descend into the world’s longest slot canyon, or simply drive roads through red rock country that looks like another planet, this guide covers everything you need to plan your trip.
Why Kanab Belongs on Your Southwest Road Trip
Kanab sits at the intersection of three states worth of extraordinary geology. Utah Highway 89 runs straight through it, making the town a natural stop between Zion National Park (82 miles northwest) and Page, Arizona — home of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend (85 miles southeast). Bryce Canyon is 80 miles north. The Grand Canyon North Rim is 79 miles south. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument begins almost at the eastern edge of town. No other small town in the region puts this much within reach.
Hollywood figured this out long before most travelers did. From the 1920s through the 1970s, Kanab served as a filming location for over 200 Westerns, earning the nickname “Little Hollywood.” John Wayne filmed here. Clint Eastwood filmed here. The landscape that made perfect movie backdrops for fictional frontier towns turned out to be the real thing.
Best Things to Do in Kanab, Utah
1. Enter the Lottery for The Wave
The Wave is one of the most visually stunning geological formations in North America — a swirling, layered sandstone formation in the Coyote Buttes North area of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Access is tightly controlled by the BLM: only 64 people are permitted per day, split between 48 online lottery permits and 16 walk-in permits drawn the morning before each hiking date.
The online lottery opens four months in advance through recreation.gov and costs $9 per application. Walk-in permits are drawn at the BLM office in Kanab at 8:30 a.m. and cost $7 per person. The hike is 6 miles round-trip with no marked trail — you navigate by landmarks using the printed permit map. Acceptance rates hover between 10 and 15 percent for peak months. Apply as far in advance as possible and plan multiple activities so you are not relying on this permit alone.
Permit info: recreation.gov | BLM Kanab office: 669 S US-89A, Kanab, UT 84741 | Distance from Kanab: ~40 miles to Wire Pass Trailhead
2. Hike Buckskin Gulch — The World’s Longest Slot Canyon
Buckskin Gulch is 13 miles of continuous slot canyon — the longest in the world — where walls rise 100 to 200 feet overhead and narrow to as little as 3 feet wide. Unlike Antelope Canyon, which requires a guided tour and premium pricing, Buckskin Gulch is hike-in wilderness terrain. You will scramble over boulders, wade through pools, and feel the canyon close in around you in ways photographs simply do not capture.
The most popular entry point is Wire Pass Trailhead (US-89 mile marker 25), which connects into Buckskin Gulch after 1.7 miles. From there, do an out-and-back of any length or continue 16 miles to the confluence with Paria Canyon. A day-use permit is required: $6 per person, available at the trailhead iron ranger or in advance through recreation.gov. Do not enter if there is any risk of rain — flash floods move through this canyon without warning.
Permit: $6/person | Trailhead: Wire Pass, ~42 miles from Kanab | Best for: Intermediate to experienced hikers
3. Explore Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
About 12 miles from downtown Kanab via Highway 89 and Hancock Road, Coral Pink Sand Dunes is one of the few places in Utah where you can walk through dunes tinted deep salmon-pink by iron oxide in the surrounding Navajo Sandstone. The dunes reach up to 110 feet tall. A dedicated non-motorized section lets hikers experience the dunes without OHV noise. The best experience is the walk from the main parking area up into the dunes at sunrise or sunset, when low-angle light turns the sand from pink to deep red-orange.
Day use fee: $15/vehicle | Distance from Kanab: ~12 miles | Camping: $25-$35/night | Best time: Sunrise and sunset
4. Drive to White Pocket
White Pocket combines swirling rock formations with brain-like sandstone surfaces and multi-colored bentonite clay hills within the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument — and unlike The Wave, no permit is required to visit. The catch: getting here requires about 25 miles of sandy desert road that demands a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. Do not attempt in a standard rental car.
The drive from Kanab is approximately 65 miles one way and takes 2 to 2.5 hours. Most visitors either hire a guided tour from Kanab — outfitters run half-day and full-day trips for approximately $150 to $200 per person — or rent an appropriate vehicle. The site has no facilities. Bring all water, food, and emergency supplies. Afternoon temperatures in summer can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Permit required: No | Distance from Kanab: ~65 miles | Vehicle required: High-clearance 4WD
5. Day Trip to the Grand Canyon North Rim
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is 79 miles from Kanab via US-89A and Highway 67 — a drive through the Kaibab Plateau, through meadows of aspen and ponderosa pine at 8,000 feet, and down to viewpoints that are more dramatic and far less crowded than the South Rim. The North Rim receives roughly 10 percent of South Rim visitation.
Bright Angel Point at the Grand Canyon Lodge juts out onto a narrow promontory with sheer drops on both sides. The canyon stretches 10 miles to the South Rim and a mile down to the Colorado River. Open mid-May through mid-October only — Highway 67 closes for winter. Entry is $35 per vehicle (covered by America the Beautiful pass).
Entry fee: $35/vehicle | Distance from Kanab: 79 miles (~1 hr 45 min) | Open: Mid-May to mid-October
6. Walk Through Kanab’s Little Hollywood History
Kanab served as a filming location for more than 200 Western films and television episodes between the 1920s and 1970s. Stars including John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, and Maureen O’Hara passed through town during that era. The Little Hollywood Museum on Center Street documents this history with props, costumes, photographs, and a replica Western town set. Admission is free. Allow 30 to 60 minutes.
Admission: Free | Address: 297 W Center St, Kanab, UT 84741
7. Hike Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon
Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon sits on the southern edge of Kanab and requires a $6 BLM permit to access. The slot winds through pink and orange sandstone for about a half mile — shorter and tamer than Buckskin Gulch, making it well-suited for families and hikers who want slot canyon scenery without a full-day wilderness commitment. Permits available at recreation.gov or the Kanab BLM office.
Permit: $6/person | Best for: Families and first-time slot canyon hikers
8. Drive Johnson Canyon Road at Sunset
Turn north off US-89 about 6 miles east of Kanab onto Johnson Canyon Road — paved for the first several miles, passing through narrow canyon walls of cream and red sandstone, open ranch land, and the remnants of a Gunsmoke TV Western set. No permit, no fee, accessible in any vehicle. The late afternoon light in the canyon is exceptional. It is a perfect no-effort evening option after a long day in the backcountry.
Where to Stay in Kanab, Utah
Kanab has a strong hospitality scene for a town of its size. Book well in advance for spring and fall — the town fills fast during peak season.
- Best Western Plus Kanab (Mid-Range, $120-$200/night): Clean rooms, outdoor pool, and included breakfast. Reliably one of the highest-rated hotels in town.
- Canyons Boutique Hotel (Mid-Range to Upscale, $160-$260/night): Design-forward rooms referencing the Southwest landscape. Walking distance to downtown restaurants. Pets welcome with a fee.
- Quail Park Lodge (Budget to Mid-Range, $95-$160/night): Retro-modern motel with a loyal road-tripper following. Pool on property. Books out fast in peak season.
- Camping: Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park campground ($25-$35/night). BLM dispersed camping free on surrounding public land. Paria Contact Station primitive campground $5/night.
Where to Eat in Kanab
- Rocking V Cafe: The best dinner in Kanab. Locally sourced, seasonally changing menu. Mains $16-$32. Closed Tuesdays. Expect a wait on weekends.
- Sego Restaurant: Inside the Canyons Boutique Hotel. Seasonal American cuisine and the best craft cocktails in town. Mains $18-$38. Reservations recommended in peak season.
- Houston’s Trails End Restaurant: Kanab institution since 1980. Reliable breakfast and lunch with generous portions. Breakfast $8-$14.
- Vermilion 45: Best coffee in town. Opens early. Espresso drinks and pastries for the trail.
Best Time to Visit Kanab, Utah
Spring (mid-March through May) and fall (September through October) are the strongest seasons: temperatures run 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, canyon light is at its best, and crowds are smaller than peak summer. Summer highs of 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit are manageable with early starts but punishing on full-day desert routes. Winter brings 20 to 40 degree temperatures, 30 to 50 percent lower hotel rates, and genuine solitude — viable for slot canyons and lottery hikes, but the North Rim closes mid-October.
| Season | Temp Range | Crowds | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar-May) | 55-80F | Moderate-High | Hiking, photography, all activities |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | 85-100F | Peak | Early-morning hikes, North Rim |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | 50-80F | Moderate | Best overall conditions |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | 20-45F | Low | Budget travel, solitude, slot canyons |
How to Get to Kanab, Utah
Kanab has no commercial airport. Fly into Las Vegas (161 miles, ~2.5 hours via I-15 and US-89), St. George, Utah (80 miles, ~1.25 hours), or Salt Lake City (300 miles, ~4.5 hours). Las Vegas is the most common gateway for Southwest road trips. A rental car is non-negotiable — there is no public transit to or within Kanab. Rent the highest-clearance vehicle your budget allows; consider 4WD if White Pocket is on your itinerary.
Practical Tips for Visiting Kanab
- Book permits early. The Wave lottery opens four months before your target date. Buckskin Gulch and Peek-A-Boo sell out fast in spring and fall. Check recreation.gov as soon as your dates are confirmed.
- Carry more water than you think you need. One liter per hour of hiking in summer is the standard desert recommendation. Shade is scarce.
- Flash flood awareness is not optional. Slot canyons can fill within minutes from storms miles away. Check National Weather Service forecasts before every slot canyon entry.
- Download offline maps before leaving town. Cell service is unreliable in most canyon country around Kanab. Gaia GPS and AllTrails both support offline downloads.
- Fuel up in Kanab. Gas stations thin out fast once you leave town. Fill the tank every time it drops below half.
- The America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year) pays for itself here. Covers Grand Canyon ($35/vehicle), Zion, Bryce Canyon, and every other NPS site on your Southwest itinerary.
- Plan like the small town it is. Make dinner reservations. Build buffer time into every day. City habits will work against you here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Kanab, Utah
How many days do you need in Kanab?
Three to four days covers the highlights: one day for Buckskin Gulch or The Wave, one day for the Grand Canyon North Rim, one day for Coral Pink Sand Dunes and local exploration, and a half-day buffer. Add a full day if White Pocket is on your list. A week in and around Kanab is easy to fill without repeating yourself.
Is Kanab worth visiting without a Wave permit?
Absolutely. Buckskin Gulch, White Pocket, the Grand Canyon North Rim, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes each offer scenery that rivals The Wave. Many visitors who did not get a Wave permit leave saying they did not miss it — which tells you something about the depth of what else is here.
What is Kanab, Utah known for?
Kanab is known as the gateway to Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Vermilion Cliffs — particularly as the nearest town to The Wave lottery and Buckskin Gulch. It earned the nickname “Little Hollywood” for its history as a Western film location from the 1920s through the 1970s, and is recognized for world-class canyon country hiking and stargazing.
Do you need a permit to hike near Kanab?
Several popular hikes require permits: The Wave ($9 application, $7/person if selected), Buckskin Gulch ($6/person), and Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon ($6/person). White Pocket, Johnson Canyon Road, and most BLM areas require no permits. National park entries require standard fees or an America the Beautiful pass.
Kanab rewards the traveler who plans ahead. The permits that seem like obstacles are really just gatekeeping some of the most extraordinary terrain on earth from being loved to death. Get your applications in early, build flexibility into your itinerary, and you will find a corner of the Southwest that feels nothing like the national park crowds — and everything like the reason people fall in love with this landscape in the first place.
Planning a Southwest road trip? Browse our complete guides to USA destinations for more trip-planning resources covering national parks, canyon country, and beyond.
