Best Things to Do in Kanab, Utah: Insider Guide (2026)
Kanab, Utah earns its place on Southwest itineraries through simple geography: within 90 miles of this town of 4,500 people, you can access five national parks, two national monuments, the world’s longest slot canyon, and some of the most sought-after permit hikes on the continent. The activities below range from full-day wilderness hikes requiring advance permits to easy sunset drives you can decide on after dinner.
1. Hike Buckskin Gulch — The World’s Longest Slot Canyon
Buckskin Gulch runs 13 continuous miles where walls press to 3 feet wide and soar 100 to 200 feet overhead. The Wire Pass Trailhead (42 miles from Kanab) connects to the gulch after 1.7 miles. Go 3 to 5 miles in and return — that covers the most dramatic terrain. Permit: $6/person at recreation.gov or the trailhead iron ranger. Never enter with rain forecast upstream.
2. Enter the Lottery for The Wave
The Wave is a swirling, layered sandstone formation in the Coyote Buttes North area of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Only 64 people per day are permitted: 48 via online lottery (recreation.gov, 4 months ahead, $9/application) and 16 via walk-in lottery drawn at the BLM Kanab office at 8:30 a.m. The hike is 6 miles round-trip with no marked trail. Acceptance rates run 10-15% in peak months — apply, but don’t build your whole trip around it.
3. Explore Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Twelve miles from Kanab, Coral Pink Sand Dunes are tinted deep salmon-pink by iron oxide in the surrounding Navajo Sandstone. The dunes reach 110 feet. A non-motorized zone keeps hikers away from OHV traffic. Sunrise and sunset are the best times — low light turns the sand from pink to deep red-orange. Day use: $15/vehicle. Camping: $25-$35/night.
4. Day Trip to the Grand Canyon North Rim
The North Rim is 79 miles south via US-89A and Highway 67. The Kaibab Plateau drive through aspen and pine at 8,000 feet is half the experience. Bright Angel Point delivers a full canyon panorama with none of the South Rim crowds. Entry: $35/vehicle. Open mid-May to mid-October only.
5. Drive to White Pocket
White Pocket combines swirling sandstone formations with brain-rock surfaces and multi-colored clay hills inside the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument — no permit required. The catch: 25 miles of sandy desert road requires high-clearance 4WD. The drive from Kanab is 65 miles (2 to 2.5 hours). Guided tours from Kanab run $150-$200/person. No facilities — bring all water.
6. Walk the Little Hollywood Museum
Kanab served as a filming location for over 200 Western films between the 1920s and 1970s. The Little Hollywood Museum at 297 W Center St (free admission) documents this history with props, costumes, and a replica Western set. Allow 30 to 60 minutes. It reframes everything you see driving in the surrounding canyon country.
7. Hike Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon
A shorter, tamer slot canyon south of Kanab — about half a mile of pink and orange sandstone, ideal for families or those who want slot canyon scenery without a full-day wilderness commitment. Permit: $6/person at recreation.gov or the BLM office. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.
8. Drive Johnson Canyon Road at Sunset
Six miles east of Kanab, turn north on Johnson Canyon Road. The paved section passes cream and red sandstone walls, open ranch land, and the ruins of a Gunsmoke TV set. No fee, no permit, any vehicle. Late afternoon light in the canyon is excellent. Easy 30-minute drive that rewards any evening you’re not sure what to do.
9. Stargaze on BLM Land
Kane County has a Dark Sky designation. Drive any dirt road 5 to 10 miles from town, cut the headlights, and wait 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust. The Milky Way is visible to the naked eye on clear nights from March through October. Free, no planning required beyond a clear sky forecast.
10. Hike the Squaw Trail
The Squaw Trail starts from the north end of 100 East Street in Kanab — a 1.8-mile round trip that climbs 600 feet to a city-view overlook. You see the full Kanab valley, the Vermilion Cliffs, and canyon country extending to the Arizona border. Free, no permit, 1 to 1.5 hours. A good use of an evening hour before dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kanab most famous for?
Kanab is most famous as the nearest town to The Wave lottery and Buckskin Gulch slot canyon, and as the gateway to the Grand Canyon North Rim. It earned the nickname Little Hollywood for its role as a Western film location from the 1920s through the 1970s.
How far is Kanab from Zion National Park?
Kanab is 82 miles from Zion’s south entrance via US-89 and UT-9 — about 1 hour 15 minutes. Zion is a natural day trip from Kanab, and many travelers combine the two on a broader Southwest road trip.
See our 3-day Kanab itinerary for a full day-by-day plan, or browse the complete Kanab destination hub for accommodation and hidden gems guides.
