Within a three hours drive from this small city you can ascend thousand foot cliffs, squeeze between towering slot canyon walls, picnic at the base of a hundred foot waterfall, descend into a valley of hoodoos, and much much more. The best hikes in Kanab will give you some of the most unique and jaw-dropping hiking experiences in the world.
You may have never heard of Kanab, UT but this small city is centrally located to some of the best hiking not just in the country, but the world. The diversity of landscapes will make you feel like you’re on another planet each day. And with small town charm and hospitality, Kanab is one of our favorite hiking cities.
Kanab sits on Highway 89 in Utah, just above the northern border of Arizona. Lodging is cheap, the food is surprisingly impressive, and it’s surrounded by protected parks, monuments and open land. This makes it an ideal home base for adventurers and hikers alike.
The hiking near Kanab is world-class and it’s difficult to create a ranked list because there are so many factors to consider. Driving distance, driving accessibility (some roads require 4×4 with high clearance), time of year, and permit availability should influence your priorities. Below we’ll highlight the best hikes in Kanab so that you can make the most of your time.
Only one day in Kanab? It may be hard to pick, but the overall most spectacular hike in Kanab is Angels Landing in Zion National Park. This popular trail takes you on a thrilling mountain climb to the middle of Zion Canyon that cannot be described in words. Just keep in mind the growing popularity of this hike, weather conditions and possible permits.
The Best Hikes in Kanab
Zion National Park
If you only had one day in Kanab and you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, Zion will not disappoint. Just an hour from Kanab, it’s a magical canyon with a couple bucket list hikes to choose from. You can stay just outside the boundary of the park in Springdale, Utah as well, but either way this park is worth the drive.
The bucket list items you need to do in Zion National Park
Looking for thrills? Look no further. One of the most justifiably popular hikes in the country, Angels Landing is a thrilling ascent that takes you to the skinny perch of a 1,500 foot cliff that sits within the epic walls of Zion Canyon. Pro tip – wake up early and start hiking before the sun is up to 1) avoid heavy crowds at the top and 2) to get a variety of shadows and views to admire on your victory march back down the mountain. In busier months a shuttle reservation is required.
Check out our video slideshow for hiking Angels Landing.
Perhaps you’re willing to get your feet wet (literally) and trek through the Virgin River and its stunning curves through the canyon. Hiking the Narrows is a uniquely unforgettable experience where you’ll wade upstream through the narrowest portion of Zion Canyon. Make sure to rent the proper gear – we used Zion Outfitters Shop and had a quick & easy experience, and of course pay attention to weather and safety precautions.
Key Things to Know
If you’ve hiked Angels Landing or The Narrows, chances are you’ll be looking for solid food & beverage options nearby. The town of Springdale is built specifically to cater to Zion, so it has everything you need. But keep in mind some places will close down during the slower winter seasons.
For coffee, check out Feellove Coffee, just outside the southern entrance to the park. They make killer breakfast burritos and tasty drinks. Another great spot is Deep Creek Coffee Company for their bagel sandwiches and smoothies.
For lunch and a beer, try to nab a spot outside at the Zion Canyon Brew Pub. Order a local beer from Zion Brewery and a Brew Pub Burger.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is one of the most uniquely stunning landscapes in the country, especially if you can get there in winter and witness the snow-covered hoodoos. It’s just 90 minutes from Kanab, and once you arrive at the parking lot you are immediately welcomed by the spectacular panoramic views from atop the rim of the canyon. Of course, we recommend hiking down into the canyon to truly experience its beauty.
How to see Bryce Canyon National Park in a day
There are a number of hikes that take you into the depths of Bryce Canyon, and we recommend grabbing a park map and combining as many as possible. Wall Street to Peekaboo Loop to Queens Garden Trail (can also add on Navajo Loop) will take you to the far corners of the park and provide the best overall experience. Bryce Canyon is above 7,000 feet elevation, so the ups and downs of the hike can be challenging.
Key Things to Know
There’s no downplaying the mystical nature of Bryce Canyon National Park, but 1 day is also sufficient. The town of Bryce, similar to Springdale near Zion, is built to support the tourism of the park. You can find most amenities year round, although things do close down in winter seasons. When it’s open, the local favorite is The Lodge at Bryce Canyon Restaurant for tasty entrees that can be hearty or healthy.
Grand Staircase Escalante
Due to the remoteness of Grand Staircase Escalante, driving to trailheads will take you at least 2.5 hours from Kanab, but it’s undeniably worth the drive. The expansive wilderness is rich with geologic diversity. And with a patchwork of dirt roads that run on forever, you’ll bask in the beauty and solitude of the southwest desert.
Two spectacularly diverse hikes in Grand Staircase Escalante
After a gorgeous 78 miles of weaving along Highway 12 you’ll arrive at Lower Calf Creek Falls trailhead, one of the most rewarding hikes in southern Utah. It’s an easy 7 mile hike along Calf Creek that ends at the amazing 130 foot waterfall. This hike is great for dogs.
If you can drive the 3+ hours from Kanab, including the final 26 miles of dirt road, you can experience Peekaboo and Spooky Slot Canyon, the best overall slot canyon hike in the country. You’ll climb up, repel down, dive under and squeeze through the spectacular canyon walls.
Key Things to Know
Most of the driving around Grand Staircase Escalante is through open landscapes, occasionally passing through small towns that slow down over winter months. It’s advised to pack plenty of water, snacks, perhaps meals for longer hiking days since you’ll often be out in the remote wilderness.
As you drive back from one of your epics hikes, stop in Escalante along Highway 12 at Ranch Dog Kitchen for some hearty & gourmet hot dogs. Enjoy outside and under the umbrellas in their picnic area.
Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch and Horseshoe Bend
The beauty of this area is that you get to head a different direction on Highway 89 and then get 8 miles of gorgeous terrain along House Rock Valley Road, a manageable dirt road leading to one of the best trailheads in the area.
Important to note that the popular hike The Wave is also located at the Wire Pass Trailhead along House Rock Valley Road, but there is a strict lottery process and very limited permits. We wrote about the lottery process for the Wave so that others can try. If you strike it lucky and get permits, enjoy the heck out of it! Thousands of people try every month and never get the chance. So, due to the rarity of this hike, we decided to highlight two others.
The perfect combination of hiking and sight-seeing near Kanab
Just an hour from Kanab, the Wire Pass trailhead that leads to Buckskin Gulch is a fantastic day hike. Kids and dogs will enjoy this one, and the historically curious will enjoy perusing the many petroglyphs along the walls at the end of this hike. Note that you’ll have to pay for a permit at the trailhead.
After hiking Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch, head back on the dirt road. Instead of turning west back towards Kanab, take Highway 12 east. Over the next 38 miles you’ll cross into Arizona, over the Glen Canyon Dam and into Page. Pay for parking at the lot and take the easy 1.5 mile stroll to the edge of the cliffs to soak in the views of the Colorado River at Horseshoe Bend, one of the most iconic views in the country. This attraction has gotten progressively busier over the years, so please be considerate and do not leave trash. Also, be cautious along the rim, as there are many areas where there is no railing to protect kids or dogs from the edge.
Key Things to Know
Page has plenty of options for lodging and food, and is less than 90 minutes from Kanab so you shouldn’t have trouble finding anything. A popular attraction is Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona, although it requires reservations and a guided tour to visit.
Coyote Buttes South and White Pocket
A 4×4 car with decent clearance is necessary for these two trails, as are permits for the Coyote Buttes South, but don’t let that hamper your motivation to hike these two extraterrestrial landscapes. Air down those tires, pack an offline map, and enjoy these hard to access treasures of Arizona wilderness.
Explore multiple rocky landscapes of the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument.
An adventurous 3 hour drive from Kanab will put you on another planet. If you can manage to get permits, hike the 6 miles around Coyote Buttes South to feel like you’re stuck in geologic time. Flowing rock formations tower above the sandy trails, and due to the remoteness of this hike you’ll almost surely explore it in solitude.
After hiking Coyote Buttes South, continue on the rugged dirt roads and head to the lunar landscapes of White Pocket in Marble, Arizona. Not a ton of length to these trails, but you can easily spend a few hours exploring the bubbling colorful landscapes.
Key Things to Know
There are very little amenities out in the Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness, but that’s the price you pay for gorgeous remote hiking. Getting to these trailheads does require confident and skilled off-road driving so please be prepared. And as usual in the desert, temperatures can be extreme so stay hydrated.
Best local hikes in Kanab
If you don’t want to drive very far or deal with the crowds of the national parks, there are some great local hikes in Kanab. If you’re looking for a solid workout and rewarding views, check out the Squaw Trail right in the heart of Kanab. It’s just over 3 miles, but you also have the option of adding another 4 miles by doing Cliffs Trail and Toms Canyon Loop. The panoramic views at the top give you the perfect birds eye view of the town.
Check out our video slideshow for hiking Squaw Trail in Kanab.
For another fun adventure close to Kanab, you can drive about 5 miles north on Highway 89 and explore the Moqui Caves. Once you park, you take a brief walk and then start ascending up the sloped canyon walls. In total you’ll wander about a mile.
Drive another 10 miles north on Highway 89 and you can also explore the Belly of the Dragon. It’s kid and dog-friendly, but remember to bring a flashlight and expect to get dirty.
Places to eat in Kanab
For a small town of less than 10,000 people, Kanab has a wonderful selection of restaurants.
Hit up Wild Thyme Cafe for mouth-watering entrees that have descriptions like “grilled chicken breast encrusted with ground pistachios and southwest spices in a light poblano cream sauce. Accented with a sweet pepper pico. Served with sage butter smashed potatoes and broccolini. Their Kanab Cowboy ribs are also amazing, especially paired with one of their fancy cocktails.
Attached to a cute boutique hotel, Sego Restaurant has a fun atmosphere and a variety of land & sea entrees like scallops, beef filet and duck lo mein.
On the fancier side, Vermillion 45 is a French & Italian bistro with a solid wine selection and excellent cocktails. Popular entrees includes short rib stew, duck confit and lobster risotto.
.
