📸 25 epic things to do in Kanab in 2023: famous, secret and more (2023)

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Kanab is best known for being the home of The Wave lottery. Hiking this incredible natural landmark is hands down the best thing to do in Kanab, Utah.

Due to its popularity and sensitive nature, permits are required to visit and are difficult to obtain. A lottery is held every day in Kanab and only 16 permits are issued to the lucky winners, plus a few others that are issued in advance in an online lottery.

If you are planning a trip to Kanab, you can and should apply online for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hike this modern wonder of the world.

Adventurous travelers will find a hike through the narrow rock channel of Wirepass one of the best things to do in Kanab.

Wirepass Slot Canyon is an incredibly narrow passage in Buckskin Gulch.

At over 15 miles, it is the longest known slot canyon in the entire world!

Visitors not lucky enough to get a permit for The Wave should still endeavor to explore one of thebest canyons in the usaand Wirepass.

Just outside of Kanab it's a short walk of less than a mile (0.8 to be exact) to some of the Southwest's most mesmerizing scenery, as well as an astonishingly dark night sky.

The Toadstool Hoodoos are a collection of well-named and overlooked geological wonders that most visitors pass by.

Located about 40 minutes outside of the city of Kanab, a star-studded trip to this enchanted desert is one of the best things to do in Kanab by any measure.

Just outside of Kanab, there is a special place where adults can enjoy playing in the sand like children.

Let's just say these aren't just old sand dunes; These are coral red sand dunes!

Although the color is certainly more orange than pink, it glows with a very unusual hue that seems to change with fading light.

Motor enthusiasts love the dunes for their soft landing and forgiving surface, but the best thing to do here is grab a sandboard and slide down the steepest incline you can find.

Zion National Park is the most famous and most visited of Utah's "Mighty 5" national parks. Taking at least one day trip to this paradise of indescribable beauty is a must on your Kanab itinerary.

From Kanab, the eastern entrance is only a 30-minute drive.

Get there as early as possible to avoid lines and find parking, and bring your ownpass parks!

North of Kanab is one of the largestPopular and famous slot canyons in Utah: The "Peek-a-Boo" slot cannon.

Getting to this incredible underworld requires either a long hot hike through exposed desert or a fun UTV ride!

Because the Utah desert can be unforgiving and day hikes are so much fun, we recommend going with oneTour a UTV.

This is truly one of the best things to do in Kanab as you get to see one of the best slot canyons in Utah while driving with local experts.

As you continue north to Carmel Junction, you may notice some weird holes in the canyon walls near the midpoint.

Although they don't look particularly special from the side of the road, the colors and design of these hidden caves, known as Moqui Caves or Moqui Sand Caves, are absolutely incredible to behold.

Please note that the hike is very short but VERY steep. It should only be attempted by people in good physical condition wearing suitable footwear.

The dragon's belly looks like a creepy mythological cave. It's a fun scene to photograph and well worth the stop.on the way to Zion or Bryce NPs.

In fact, the cave you'll find was originally built as a water drain for Highway 89.

While this project was long abandoned, the Belly of the Dragon near Kanab has become an attraction for visitors traveling to the nearby national parks.

No walking is required, but you do have to descend a short distance to enter. People with physical disabilities may have difficulty entering the cave.

While most of the best things to do in Kanab revolve around hiking and the great outdoors, there is one specific spot in the city that every animal lover should visit.

HeBest Friends Animal Shelterit is the largest sanctuary of its kind in the country. According to them, "Best Friends has become the heart of a collaborative no-kill movement and a model for the future of animal welfare."

On any given day they house over 1600 animals! You can take a tour of the sanctuary, plan to volunteer, take an animal on a field trip, or even stay overnight.

Anyone traveling to or through Kanab is entering the vast area that is part of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

This vast region occupies most of the desert betweenPage, Arizonay Kanab, UT.

In this colorful desert are some of the most spectacular painted landscapes, delicate arches, slotted canyons, hoodoos, and generally stunning scenery.

You could spend your whole life exploring its mysteries and still not find all the hidden treasures lurking everywhere.

Speaking of hidden gems, Bucktank Draw is one of the best things to do in Kanab that nobody knows about.

Like much of the region, Bucktank Draw consists of striped sandstone, carefully sculpted by wind, sand, rain and ice.

The special thing about this area is that there are no signs, permits or restrictions. For now, it remains largely unknown. This means dark skies, great for stargazing, and rarely a soul in sight!

Just across the state line is one of the most amazing cities in all of America; It truly is the jewel of the American Southwest.

Page is home to Arizona's most famous tourist and photographic destinations, including Antelope Slot Canyons and Horseshoe Bend.

While this isn't technically in Kanab, the drive between them is just over an hour, and this is one place you can't skip when visiting southern Utah.

Find the complete guide with25 epic things to do in Page here, or book a tour of the famous Antelope Slot Canyons using the button below.

*Note: Tours are the ONLY way to visit these special Navajo sites*

While Arizona sandstone slots get the most attention, Utah is actually home to moreslot cannonsthan anywhere else in the known world.

Among the hundreds scattered throughout, Red Hollow Canyon is one of the most accessible and photogenic of all.

You'll find this startlingly amazing display near the small town of Orderville, which sits up the driveway in the middleBryce Canyon y Zion NPand less than an hour from Kanab.

No one needs to be sold on the size ofGrand Canyon National Park; After all, it is one of the official Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

However, what most people don't realize is just how amazing the northern rim section of the park is. In fact, the vast majority of park enthusiasts who have visited both prefer the North Rim to the South for the views, crowds, and high-season weather.

If time permits, reserve a day out of Kanab for the short drive south. Although not directly adjacent, Kanab is the closest town to the entrance to the northern rim.

I WANT TO VISIT? READ OURS
COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE GRAND CANYON NORTH RIM

Another technically in Page, but too awesome not to mention, Horseshoe Bend should be included on any Southwestern road trip that stops in Kanab.

While it's amazing at any time of day, a sunset visit to this iconic attraction is a very special moment...and a photo op!

Horseshoe Bend is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, but the parking lot is patrolled by the Navajo tribes, sopass parksI won't get you into this one!

Similar to Grand Staircase-Escalante, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument protects a large stretch of wilderness between Kanab and Page.

Some of the monument's best features are visible from the street side, including the physics-defying Balanced Rocks.

While this isn't worth a trip from Kanab alone, it's definitely worth planning a day trip from Kanab to Page.

The aquatic oasis now known as Pipe Spring National Monument is an important site for the desert dwellers who have called this place home for thousands of years, including humans, animals, and plants.

This reserve protects the important natural resources but also the history of the region. It has remains and stories from its first settlers, including Native Americans, Mormon ranchers, and more.

While Pipe Spring National Monument won't offer many scenic photo ops, it is one of the best things to do in Kanab for those interested in the rich history of the great American Southwest.

If you have never been canyoning but are looking for adventure activities in Kanab, oneElkheart Slot Secret Canyon Guided Tour(aka Huntress Slot Canyon) should be at the top of your list!

Tucked away in a remote part of the desert near Carmel Junction, a colorful, narrow-walled canyon awaits visitors willing to scramble, crawl, climb, and move through the cascading tunnel.

What better way to escape the scorching temperatures of southern Utah than with a day at the beach?

With so many of the best activities in Kanab requiring long hikes in warm temperatures, taking time to relax on Lake Powell's Lone Rock Beach is a great alternative.

Lake Powell is located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, so bring your own againpass parks!

Moqui Cave has become a southern Utah landmark. This historic, family-owned and operated roadside attraction educates travelers on the rich history of the Native American tribes that once called this region home for decades.

Those looking for activities with historical and cultural context near Kanab will not find a better place.

The Chamberlain family have created a piece of living history at Moqui Cave that is well worth exploring on your way to or from Kanab.

Johnson Canyon's beautiful film set has provided an idyllic western setting for over 600 shows and movies, the most famous of which was Gunsmoke.

During the day, this ancient setting still delights visitors with its peaceful surroundings and fun old prop buildings.

However, at night, the spooky remains of this fictional town have become a veritable ghost town destination for the superstitious.

From the ground, Big Water might not look like much.

However, at the right time of day and with a bit of aerial perspective, the blue earth and golden hills in Big Water are stunning.

The city of Big Water barely appears on the map and has very limited services. It's just over halfway from Kanab to Page on Highway 89.

Wahweap Overlook offers a picnic area with an unrivaled view of the green and orange landscape of Lake Powell below.

If you don't have the time or interest to visit the lake itself, you should at least stop for this stunning sight on your way to Page.

Zion National Park's fame catches up with most visitors without realizing that the best state park in all of Utah is just beyond.

Snow Canyon State Park is home to a dozen incredible and diverse natural features that should be on every photographer and outdoor enthusiast's itinerary. These include lava tubes, slot canyons, petroglyphs, and most importantly, petrified sand dunes!

Thinking of adding this amazing scale to your to-do list? Be sure to read oursCOMPLETE GUIDE TO SNOW CANYON STATE PARKso you don't miss anything during your visit.

Lee's Ferry Landing offers sweet relief with a cool freshwater river for swimming.

It is also the starting point for those planning a Grand Canyon rafting trip.

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