10 Jaw-Dropping Places to See Near Kanab, Utah
Kanab is an outdoor paradise in Southern Utah, just north of the Arizona state line. Centrally situated between Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon’s North Rim—not to mention Antelope Canyon, the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, and the iconic Wave Trail, Kanab is the place to be if you love adventure and picture-perfect sights.
There’s so much to do in and around Kanab, and we’re not just talking about things to pass the time. We’re talking about crossing multiple bucket-list activities off your list by making this southern Utah town your home base for a week (or more).
Here are 10 can’t-miss, jaw-dropping places to see near Kanab, Utah!
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1. Zion National Park
While many people stay in the park or in the nearby town of Springdale, Kanab works just as well as a home base for visiting one of the most popular national parks in the United States.
Zion National Park is about 30 miles from Kanab, and it takes about an hour to enter the park and arrive at Zion’s Visitor Center—where you’ll then park your car and hop on a shuttle bus (unless you’re visiting between November and March).
Two of the most popular—and picture-perfect—things to do in Zion include hiking Angel’s Landing and walking The Narrows. Zion is a jaw-dropping national park worth seeing, and these two hikes are two of the most iconic hikes in America!
Hiking ‘The Spine’ of Angel’s Landing
Hiking The Narrows in Zion National Park
2. Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is about a 1.5-hour drive from Kanab, Utah, making it another doable day trip.
Two of the most popular things to do in Bryce Canyon include driving the 38-mile Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive and hiking the Queens Garden and Navajo Loop trail.
You can start this trail from either Sunset or Sunrise Point. If you’re looking for one of the most jaw-dropping views of Bryce Canyon, park at Sunset Point and begin your hike there. This way, you’ll walk the switchbacks of “Wall Street” first.
Wall Street was, by far, my favorite view along this trail, but the most expansive view of Bryce Canyon’s famous hoodoos came from an overlook right before Sunrise Point. The view of the hoodoos from the Rim Walk between Sunrise and Sunset Point is also amazing!
Wall Street, Bryce Canyon
Rim Walk, Bryce Canyon
3. The Wave
The Wave is a once-in-a-lifetime hike on the border of Utah and Arizona, equal parts hard to secure a permit to visit and JAW-DROPPING to photograph in person!
Although the application for getting a permit has changed from an in-person daily lottery to a mobile-based geofence lottery, it’s still one of the most difficult permits to get for a hike in the US.
We won our permit after entering the in-person lottery for 15 days in a row during our 2021 Travel Season. Winning alongside us was a couple who had been applying online for 15 years and a family who flew in—just for the day—to hike “The Wave” after applying online for a similar amount of time. Learn everything you need to know about securing your Wave permit here!
Once you win, you can either hire a guide or self-hike to one of the most unique rock formations in the world. Note: The Wave is dog-friendly, so be sure to include your pup in your application!
If you can’t get a permit to hike The Wave in Coyote Buttes North, consider hiking Coyote Buttes South, Wire Pass Trail, Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon, or The Great Chamber instead. There are so many incredible places to explore nearby!
The Wave
4. Antelope Canyon
About 1 hour and 10 minutes from Kanab, UT, is Page, AZ, another small town great for adventure. Three of the most jaw-dropping places to see in Page include Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell.
Antelope Canyon is a breathtaking slot canyon divided into two sections: Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, each offering a unique experience. Upper Antelope Canyon is the more popular of the two, mainly because of its stunning light beams. If you want to see them at their best, plan your visit between May and September, ideally between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Be sure to book your tour early, as spots fill up quickly!
If the light beams aren’t a priority or you prefer a less crowded experience, consider Lower Antelope Canyon instead. We booked our Lower Antelope tour with Ken’s Tours. Lower Antelope Canyon is a slightly more physical tour than Upper, requiring you to descend and ascend ladders along the way. Our tour was around midday, but our guide said tours later in the day were often better—simply because fewer people visit then. In his experience, the last tour of the day is the best in Lower Antelope Canyon because it’s usually the smallest tour, with no tour behind you to rush you through the canyon.
There aren’t usually light beams in Lower Antelope Canyon, so picking a tour time based on that is less of a factor. However, the day we were visiting, our guide said there were light beams visible around 10:30am, so it is possible. (Just remember, you’ll have a better chance of seeing light beams inside the canyon at Upper Antelope Canyon.)
Heads Up: You must book a guided tour to visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. Your tour guide will lead you safely through the canyon, show you the best photo ops, and remind you to put your iPhone camera settings on “vivid warm” mode for the most beautiful pictures! No video is allowed, so be sure to have your phone on “live mode” to create boomerangs that show a snippet of what it’s like walking through these incredible slot canyons.
Lower Antelope Canyon
Horseshoe Bend
5. Grand Canyon North Rim
When most people think of the Grand Canyon, they think of the South Rim. However, the North Rim—about 1.5 hours from Kanab—offers a completely different experience, one that’s quieter, higher in elevation, and surrounded by lush forests.
The North Rim sits at around 8,000 feet in elevation, making it cooler than the South Rim and offering stunning views from unique vantage points like Bright Angel Point, Cape Royal, and Point Imperial—the highest overlook in the park. The drive to the North Rim winds through dense pine and aspen forests, and if you’re lucky, you might spot bison near the entrance.
For those who love hiking, trails like the North Kaibab Trail offer a more rugged and less-traveled route into the canyon. Lodging and dining are limited, with the Grand Canyon Lodge being the main option for overnight stays, but the rustic charm and incredible canyon-edge views make it worth the trip.
One of the most jaw-dropping views in the Grand Canyon North Rim is found about an hour before sunset at Cape Royal. The Cape Royal Trail is an easy, paved trail leading to a main canyon overlook, along with various side trails for additional canyon views. Stay through sunset and enjoy the view, which only gets prettier and prettier!
RTL Tip: Stop for world-famous cookies at Jacob Lake Inn on your drive from Kanab to the Grand Canyon North Rim. (You can thank us later! 😉)
Cape Royal, Grand Canyon North Rim
6. Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Looking for a fun adventure that’ll make you feel like a kid again? Grab your friends or your loved ones (or both!) and head to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Be sure to bring your pup, too!
Sand sledding at Coral Pink Sand Dunes is like hitting the slopes—only instead of snow, you’re flying down soft, sun-warmed dunes of vibrant pink sand. Grab a sandboard or sled (rentals are available on a first come, first serve basis at the park entrance) and get ready to zoom down the rolling hills. The best part? No freezing temperatures or bulky winter gear—just sunshine, blue skies, and… a whole lot of sand in your face. (Bring goggles; it’s windy!) Climbing back up for another run is a workout, but the ride down is worth it.
You can also book a guided ATV tour or rappelling tour. Learn more about rentals and activities at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes here. This state park is only about 30 minutes from Kanab.
Dog-Friendly? Yes!
Sand Sledding, Coral Pink Sand Dunes
7. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
This one’s just as jaw-dropping as the rest on the list but for an entirely different reason: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary provides a healing home to as many as 1,600 animals.
Spanning 3,700 acres of stunning desert landscape, Best Friends rescues and rehabilitates dogs, cats, horses, pigs, bunnies, birds, and even farm animals. The organization’s mission is to make the country no-kill by 2025, and their flagship sanctuary in Kanab serves as a model for compassionate animal care. Visitors can take guided tours, volunteer to help with feeding and socializing animals, or even stay overnight in one of the pet-friendly cottages, making it a truly immersive experience for animal lovers.
One of the most popular parts of the sanctuary is Dogtown, where rescued dogs receive love, training, and medical care as they wait for their forever homes. Cat World is another favorite, with spacious, enrichment-filled environments where cats can roam and play. There’s also Horse Haven, Piggy Paradise, and the Bunny House, ensuring every animal gets specialized care. Beyond the sanctuary itself, Best Friends plays a vital role in nationwide rescue efforts, from saving animals from natural disasters to helping shut down puppy mills. Whether you're looking to adopt, volunteer, or just spend time with some incredible animals, a visit to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is an inspiring and unforgettable experience.
Learn more and plan your visit here!
8. Red Hollow Slot Canyon
Red Hollow Slot Canyon is a hidden gem near Orderville, Utah, offering a short but stunning hike through narrow, winding sandstone walls. Unlike some of the more famous slot canyons in the region, Red Hollow is relatively easy to access and far less crowded, making it a peaceful alternative for adventurers looking to explore the unique beauty of southern Utah. The hike is about 1.5 miles round trip, with a gradual start before leading into the breathtaking, sculpted narrows.
Depending on recent weather conditions, you may encounter some shallow water or sandy stretches, but the route is generally beginner-friendly. There are a few tight spots where you'll need to squeeze through, adding a fun, adventurous element to the hike. Red Hollow is especially beautiful in the morning or late afternoon when the light filters through the narrow passage, creating a glowing effect on the canyon walls. If you're in the area and looking for a short, scenic slot canyon experience without the crowds, Red Hollow is well worth a visit and less than a half hour from Kanab.
Dog-Friendly? Yes, but… it’ll be hard for dogs to continue once you arrive at the portion of the hike that requires a rope. Even before that, there are sections where you’ll likely need to assist your dog because the path is narrow and requires some rock scrambling.
9. The Toadstools
The Toadstools, located along Highway 89 between Kanab, UT, and Page, AZ, are a fascinating collection of hoodoos—unique rock formations that resemble giant stone mushrooms. These unusual formations were created through erosion, where softer sandstone bases wore away over time, leaving the harder caprock perched on top. The result is a landscape that looks almost otherworldly, with towering red and white rock pillars scattered across the desert.
The hike to the Toadstools is an easy 1.5-mile round-trip trek through a sandy wash, making it accessible for most visitors. Along the way, you’ll pass through a mix of colorful badlands and desert scenery before arriving at the main hoodoo area. The largest and most famous toadstool is an impressive, perfectly balanced rock formation that makes for incredible photos, especially at sunrise or sunset when the colors really pop.
RTL Tip: Looking for a fun road trip idea? From Kanab, visit Sunset Canyon National Monument, which is close to Flagstaff, if you want to grab lunch. Then, you can go to Horseshoe Bend and the Toadstools on your way back to Kanab. It’s a long day, but a great way to see a variety of unique things!
Dog-Friendly? Yes!
10. The Belly of the Dragon, Moqui Caves, and Dinosaur Tracks
We’re rounding out this list of 10 jaw-dropping places to see near Kanab, Utah, with not one but three final places to explore—The Belly of the Dragon, Moqui Caves, and Kanab’s Dinosaur Tracks.
These are all relatively quick, short activities, so that’s why we’re grouping them together. Pick one that interests you most, or take an afternoon to explore all three! You can even add a fourth excursion—to “Sand Arch”—to round out your mini road trip near Kanab, Utah.
Dog-friendly? Yes!
Belly of the Dragon
Moqui Caves
Dinosaur Tracks
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