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Kanab, Utah, is the perfect base for family adventures in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona, with slot canyons, surreal hoodoos, and stargazing skies you’ll never forget.

A striking red sandstone formation near Kanab stands against a clear blue sky, featuring a tall, narrow column topped with a flat boulder, in a desert landscape with layered rock textures.

The Wave Lottery: Worth the Try

You’ve probably seen photos of The Wave’s surreal, swirling rock formations. Located in Coyote Buttes North, part of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, this fragile site is one of the most sought-after hikes in the U.S. To protect the landscape, only 20 hikers per day are allowed—10 through an online lottery months ahead and 10 by walk-in lottery held in Kanab the day before.

Since our Airbnb was just minutes from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Visitor Center, our family decided to give the walk-in lottery a try. We filled out a form, picked up a number, and joined a room full of hopeful hikers. It felt like a high-stakes game of bingo! Our number wasn’t called, but the process was fun and gave us ideas for next time.

Important: Please don’t hike The Wave without a permit. The fines are steep, and the landscape is too special to risk damaging.

Wire Pass Trail: A Family-Friendly Slot Canyon

Three people wearing hats and outdoor clothing stand in a narrow, winding slot canyon near Kanab, surrounded by high red rock walls. Sunlight illuminates the top of the canyon while the rocky ground adds to the rugged beauty.

Even if you don’t win The Wave lottery, you can still hike Wire Pass Trail, which shares the same trailhead and offers spectacular slot canyons. After 8 miles on a bumpy dirt road, we reached the trailhead and set out on the sandy path.

The first mile leads through a dry riverbed into narrow canyons with smooth, wavy sandstone walls that look like natural sculptures. Our kids loved testing the echoes as they walked between the tall, colorful cliffs.

We eventually came to an 8-foot drop. Since our kids weren’t ready for the scramble, we turned back, but even the portion we hiked was unforgettable. It felt like a quieter, less-crowded version of Antelope Canyon.

Toadstool Hoodoos: A Short Hike With Big Payoff

Two people wearing hats stand on red rock formations with unique, balanced stone shapes against a clear blue sky in the desert landscape near Kanab.

On the drive between Page and Kanab, we stopped for the Toadstool Hoodoos hike. This easy 1.5-mile round trip took us to a cluster of whimsical rock formations shaped like giant mushrooms. Hoodoos form when a hard caprock protects the softer sandstone beneath as erosion carves the land.

Our kids thought they looked like something out of a video game. The short hike was scenic, uncrowded, and perfect for families looking for a unique stop.

Glen Canyon Dam: A Quick Educational Stop

A wide view of a massive concrete dam near Kanab, holding back a deep blue reservoir, surrounded by red rocky cliffs and desert landscape under a clear sky.

On our way back from Page, we pulled over at Glen Canyon Dam and the Carl Hayden Visitor Center. The views from the bridge are dramatic, and inside we found exhibits about the power of the Colorado River and the engineering behind the dam. Dinosaur tracks on display kept our son fascinated. It was a short but worthwhile visit.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park: A Surprise Hit

A woman and a child, both wearing sunglasses, playfully pose with outstretched arms on the bright orange sand dunes of Kanab under a blue sky, with distant hills and sparse vegetation in the background.

Only 20 minutes from Kanab, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park became one of our kids’ favorite stops. The soft, glowing dunes stretch as far as you can see, and at sunset they turn an incredible shade of pink.

Our children spent hours climbing, sliding, and running down the sand. ATVs are popular here too, but we were happy with just our cameras and the kids’ endless energy.

Where We Stayed

We booked a three-bedroom, two-bath Airbnb townhouse in Kanab. It was comfortable, affordable at $110 per night, and conveniently located near everything, including the BLM office and Coral Pink Sand Dunes. For families, this kind of setup offers far more flexibility than nearby hotels.

Where We Ate

A bowl with a piece of glazed salmon topped with chopped herbs and chili flakes, served over rice and steamed bok choy in a rustic Kanab-inspired setting. A spoon rests in the bowl, presented on a dark surface.

Kanab’s food scene surprised us with variety and flavor.

  • Rocking V Cafe – The most popular restaurant in town, with hearty dishes and great service. The venison chops stood out, and the upstairs art gallery is worth a look.
  • Sego Restaurant – Creative, upscale plates in a boutique hotel setting. Pricey but memorable, better suited for a date night.
  • Peekaboo Canyon Wood Fired Kitchen – Our family favorite. A vegetarian restaurant with wood-fired pizzas and tempting desserts. If you only try one spot in Kanab, make it this one.
  • The Soda Fountain – Old-fashioned ice cream that was the perfect treat after a day outdoors.

Stargazing in Kanab

A clear night sky filled with bright stars above silhouettes of trees, some illuminated by a warm orange light in the foreground, reminiscent of the tranquil evenings near Kanab.

At night, we stepped onto our Airbnb patio and looked up at skies filled with stars. For city dwellers like us, the sheer number of visible stars was breathtaking. Kanab’s dark skies make it a natural planetarium. Don’t miss the chance to look up!

Other Things to Do Nearby

If you have more time, consider:

  • Little Hollywood Museum – Old Western movie sets filmed in the area.
  • ATV and slot canyon tours – Guided adventures for exploring rugged terrain.
  • Horseshoe Bend – Just outside Page, Arizona, and stunning at sunset.

How to Get to Kanab

Kanab is situated near the Arizona–Utah border. It is approximately 1.5 hours east of St. George, Utah, and 1.5 hours west of Page, Arizona.

By Air

The closest major airports are:

  • Las Vegas (LAS): Approximately a 3.5- to 4-hour drive to Kanab. This is a very popular and scenic route.
  • Salt Lake City (SLC): Approximately a 5-hour drive to Kanab.

From either airport, a rental car is essential for reaching Kanab and exploring the surrounding area, as public transportation is extremely limited.

Pro Tip: Flying into Las Vegas and driving to Kanab provides a great introduction to the stunning desert landscape.

Is Kanab Worth Visiting?

Kanab is one of those small towns that feels like a hidden gem in the American Southwest. Even without winning The Wave lottery, we found incredible hikes, whimsical hoodoos, and wide-open skies.

With its family-friendly trails, stargazing, and good food, it’s an ideal base for at least 2–3 days of exploring, or longer if you can.

More to Explore Nearby

Kanab, often called “Little Hollywood” for its cinematic red-rock scenery, is centrally located to some of the American Southwest’s most stunning national parks, slot canyons, and geological formations.

  • Zion National Park – Visit one of the most popular national parks in the US, known for its towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and challenging, scenic hikes like The Narrows and Angels Landing.
  • Bryce Canyon National Park – Explore the world’s largest collection of hoodoos (irregular rock spires) within a series of natural amphitheaters, offering breathtaking views and unique hiking trails.
  • Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park – Discover a unique landscape featuring acres of vibrant, coral-colored sand dunes, perfect for hiking, photography, and off-road vehicle riding.
  • The Wave (Coyote Buttes North) – Attempt to secure a rare permit to hike to this bucket-list geological wonder, famous for its surreal, swirling patterns of colored sandstone.

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