Are you planning a road trip through the Southwestern USA? Consider Kanab, Utah as one of your stops! With several popular National parks nearby and many of its own geological wonders at your fingertips, this small town serves as the perfect hub for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Sometimes referred to as “Little Hollywood” due to its film-making history and abandoned film sets, Kanab also offers its own local history along with casual restaurants and charming places to stay.
Places to stay:
While one can stick to the big hotel chains like La Quinta, Comfort Suites or Holiday Inn out of ease, comfort or a build-up of hotel points, Kanab has a variety of smaller, unique lodging that may be more wallet-friendly or just plain fun. Keep in mind that some places may close during the off-season so always check the website or call directly. Here are a few places to consider:
- Canyon Boutique Hotel (www.canyonshotel.com) – features charming boutique style rooms, hot breakfast and a hidden gem, the Sego restaurant.
- Best Friends Roadhouse (www.bestfriendsroadhouse.org) – features 40 beautiful pet-friendly rooms and suites, a fenced dog park, a dog splash zone, a dog washing station, sanctuary tours, and a general store.
- Red Canyon Cabins (435-767-9593) – featuring adorable, individual red-roofed cabins within a 3 minute walk to the BLM visitor center.
- Flagstone Studios (www.flagstoneinn.com) – featuring extended-stay rooms with a modern vibe and kitchenettes, attached to Peekaboo Canyon Wood Fired Pizza.
- Parry Lodge (www.parrylodge.com) – this Hollywood hotel from the 1930’s features a casual restaurant, a pool and free parking.
Other food for thought…there are many other options in and around Kanab when it comes to lodging. Don’t forget to look at RV resorts, bed and breakfasts, Airbnb’s and campgrounds.
Places to eat:
Being a small town, you will only find a limited number of “chain” restaurants such as McDonalds and Wendy’s. The good news is that Kanab offers a variety of local restaurants that each have their own charm. Just be aware of seasonal closures. Here are a few spots in town:
- Wild Thyme- (www.wildthymekanab.com ) This stylish, family-owned restaurant has a casual menu with a couple of surprises. I am a fan of the Tropical Piggy, the yellow curry and falafel and the pistachio chicken. For dessert, try out the gluten free lava cake!
- Rockin V Café- (www.rockinvcafe.com) – This self-proclaimed “relaxifying” restaurant offers a fun, artsy vibe and a planet-friendly attitude. Make sure to visit the Rafters Gallery upstairs.
- Sego Restaurant- (www.segokanab.com) Located inside the Canyon Boutique Hotel, Sego offers a regional new american cuisine. Make sure to try the charcuterie board or the Prickly Pear Margarita.
- Kanab Creek Bakery (www.kanabcreekbakery.com) – This European style café offers brunch (until 2pm) and an all-day grab-and-go menu.
- Peekaboo Canyon Wood Fired Kitchen (www.peekabookitchen.com) – located at the Flagstone Boutique Inn, they offer artisanal pizza and locally inspired dishes. If the weather is right, sit on their outside patio.
- Iron Horse Restaurant at Denny’s Wigwam (www.ironhorsekanab.com) – This cute, touristy stop has a little bit of everything. From an old Western set to a quirky gift shop to timber-clad restaurant, it’s more than an eating experience.
Budget friendly option: Shop at Glazier’s Market or Honey’s Marketplace for groceries and make your own meals for lunch/dinner.
Things to do:
- Coyote Buttes North aka The Wave – You most likely have seen photos of this famous hiking destination. Featuring gorgeous wave-like patterns across sandstone formations, the Wave is a highly sought-after hike for many adventurers and photographers. With that being said, this magical place can only be visited after obtaining an extremely competitive permit. Permits for a total of 20 visitors are issued through two options: a monthly lottery that runs 4 months in advance OR a walk-in lottery that takes place the morning before in Kanab, Utah (check schedule as sometimes multi-day drawings are held). The online lottery is now being run through www.recreation.gov and the in-person lottery is currently being held at the Kanab Community Center gym. Check out www.blm.gov for more in-depth information.
If you plan to be in Kanab for a few days, I would highly recommend trying for in-person permits as part of your itinerary. (Note: It does not cost anything to enter the in-person lottery. You only pay $7/per person and/or dog if you win). If you win, great! If not, you still have the rest of the day to explore other places. Keep in mind, the road to the trail head (House Rock Valley Rd) is not paved and is sometimes impassable during inclement weather.
Buckskin Gulch – Buckskin Gulch is one of my favorite places. There is a certain mystery, danger and allure to it that keeps bringing me back. So what is it? Buckskin Gulch is the longest slot canyon in the USA and some even say, the world. Featuring what seems like endless towering walls of wavy sandstone that light up in golden hues when hit by the sun, this slot canyon goes on for almost 14 miles!! If just visiting for the day, you can make a day trip to Buckskin Gulch by doing an out/back hike. Day passes can be obtained at the trailhead for $7 per person and dog (on-line says $6, but during our Oct 2020 trip, the sign said $7). This can also be done as a through-hike or overnight hike, but this requires more planning and is rated as difficult. You will need a shuttle service or car shuffling and advanced on-line permits for overnight hikes. Check out www.blm.gov for more info.
Note: Buckskin Gulch is accessed via two different trail heads via House Rock Valley Rd, which can be impassable during inclement weather. There is no water source at Buckskin Gulch trail head or Wire Pass trail head. There are vault toilets at Wire Pass trail head.
Warning: always check weather conditions before entering any slot canyon. Flash floods are a common occurrence and can be deadly. It could be raining miles away and still sneak up on you. Check on-line weather sources or call the BLM Kanab Field Office 435-644-4600 for weather and current canyon conditions.
- White Pocket – Part of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and also accessed from House Valley Rock Rd, White Pocket features one square mile of swirling, multi-colored, otherworldly formations that hikers can climb and explore for hours.
Note: White Pocket is reached by traveling 16.4 miles along House Rock Valley Rd and an additional 11.8 miles on a sandy road. A high clearance 4×4 vehicle is needed due to deep sand along most of the road. If you do not have a 4×4 vehicle, there are places in Kanab that offer tour guide services or 4×4 rentals. Bring water as there is none at the trailhead.
- Paria River/Canyon – The beautiful Paria River/Canyon is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 95 miles long in southern Utah and northern Arizona. It can be a fun place to explore for a day trip or for several nights via camping. A permit is required and can be obtained for day hikes at the trailhead via self-serve envelopes or on-line for advanced overnight permits through www.recreation.gov. One suggestion is to camp/RV at the White House campground and explore south along the Paria River. Make sure to bring plenty of water and plan to get your feet wet.
- Hire a tour guide – There are many tour companies that offer guides/tours to some of places listed as well as others such as Peek-a-Boo slot canyon, ATV tours, Coyote Buttes South, canyoneering tours, Inchworm Arch, National Park tours.
- Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument – Spanning across nearly one million acres of America’s public lands, the options are endless when it comes to sightseeing in this area. From slot canyons to arches to monoliths to rock art panels, this natural area provides many unique experiences. For exploration ideas, check out www.blm.gov.
- Toadstools Hoodoos – Located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the Toadstools feature multiple balanced rock formations and beautiful views as part of a 1.5 mile hike just off Highway 89. This hike is kid and dog friendly.
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park – (www.stateparks.utah.gov) – A popular destination for ATV riders, hikers and sightseers, the Coral Pink Sand Dunes are a beautiful result of Navajo sandstone grains being carried by the powerful forces of the wind to create rust-colored sand dunes. These dunes are estimated to be 10,000-15,000 years old. Have a couple of days? Consider camping (fees vary). Park day-use fees available for purchase on-line: $10 per car; $5 for Utah seniors 62 and older.
Let’s not forget that Kanab is a reasonable driving distance from so many other amazing places such as:
- Zion National Park (1.5 hours)
- Bryce Canyon National Park (1.5 hrs)
- Grand Canyon National Park North Rim (1.5 hours/78 miles to North Rim, only 10% of GCNP visitors go to the North rim, road closes during winter due to snow, check nps.gov site)
- Lake Powell, Utah/Arizona (about an hour)
- Horseshoe Bend, Arizona (1 hr 15 min, $10/car entrance fee)
- Antelope Canyon (1.5 hrs, tour guides needed, check for closures due to COVID)
I hope this quick summary put Kanab, Utah on your radar as a must-see destination in the Southwest. Whether you use it as a basecamp for other southern Utah/northern Arizona exploration or as your final destination, you will find plenty to do here that will not disappoint.*
*Disclaimer: Please research any hikes, permit requirements, parks, hotels, restaurants and tour companies you plan to visit or use. Not only does this area have seasonal/winter closures, there are many changes happening due to COVID. Also consider the desert and surrounding climate may be different than where you are from so be realistic about your athletic, driving and navigating/mapping abilities and bring plenty of water!
Have you been to Kanab? Feel free to add any recommendations or comments.