Southern Utah boasts some of the most incredible landscapes we’ve ever seen. With flaming red rock, towering sandstone labyrinths, and a few of the most popular national parks.
However, with so many tourists flocking to places like Bryce Canyon, Zion, Lake Powell, and Moab, there are a few lesser-known areas that are rivaled in beauty but without all the crowds.
One of those underrated spots is Kanab. Here are four of our favorite places to visit near Kanab where you can soak in the remote beauty without fighting the crowds!
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4 of the Best Places to Go in Kanab, Utah
Table of Contents
- 1. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
- 2. Moqui Cave Museum and Sand Caves
- 3. Toadstools Trail
- 4. Belly of the Dragon Tunnel
1. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
The Coral Pink Sand Dunes are unique in the fact that they are not formed near water like most sand dunes.
In fact, you’ll find these rolling hills scattered with desert wildflowers and tucked in between junipers, pinion, and ponderosa pines.
The dunes are estimated to be about 10-15,000 years old and were created by eroding Navajo Sandstone cliffs.
This is also the only major dune field in the entire Colorado Plateau.
The sand is less of a pink shade and more of a golden orange, depending on the angle of the sun.
The fine sand is soft to the touch and less grainy than most sand.
The 2,000 acres of sand dunes are continually shifting due to the wind and can move as much as 50 feet per year.
These unique and beautiful dunes only see an average of 50,000 visitors a year, compared to the 4.3 million visitors that annually descend upon the nearby Zion National Park.
We absolutely loved exploring the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. We brought boogie boards and the boys spent hours sliding down the dunes and playing in the sand.
The best part is that we only saw a handful of other people the entire time we were there.
Here are a few things to note when planning your visit:
Visiting the Coral Pink Sand Dunes:
- There is a Day Use fee of $10 per vehicle. Bring cash for self-pay if a ranger is not on duty.
- Sleds and sandboards are available to rent at the visitor center for $25.
- If you don’t want to hike on the dunes, there is an observation deck located near the visitor center.
- This is a popular spot for ATV riding. We found that the most affordable rentals are through Canaan Motorsports, starting at $250 for a half-day rental. You can also take a guided ATV tour, starting at $50 per person for the 30-minute express tour. If you do rent an ATV, be sure to check out the Sand Highway which follows through a narrow canyon for several miles.
- Be sure to pop into the visitor center to view their collection of sand from around the world.
- There is a short 0.5-mile nature loop trail with informational signs. Beyond that, the entire park is open to hiking and exploring.
- This is the only place in the world where you can find the Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle. In an effort to keep them off the endangered species list, there are marked conservation areas for the beetles. Please be respectful of the boundaries.
- There is a campground available, sites begin at $20 per night. Make reservations in advance during the holiday and peak summer season. Primitive camping is available on the nearby BLM lands.
- The park is open year-round during daylight hours.
- The dunes are located in a remote area about 30 minutes from Kanab. Plan ahead and pack enough food and water, particularly if visiting in the summer when the temperatures are high.
2. Moqui Cave Museum and Sand Caves
Moqui Cave Museum
The Moqui Cave is more than just a roadside attraction. This sandstone erosion cave 5 miles north of Kanab has a fascinating history.
Archaeologists believe this cave originated as a food store and place of shelter for the Anasazi people.
During the prohibition era, it served as a subterranean speakeasy. In the 1950’s it was reopened as a tavern and dance hall.
Today it serves as a small natural history museum and gift shop.
It houses an impressive collection of ancient Indian artifacts, 140 million-year-old dinosaur tracks, pottery, arrowheads, and the largest collection of phosphorescent rocks and fossilized minerals in the US.
If you’re hungry, grab a bite to eat at the Cave Cafe, a small food truck that can often be found parked outside the cave museum.
Moqui Sand Caves
Most people stop to visit the museum, but few people know that the coolest attraction is just down the road.
About 0.4 miles south of the Moqui Cave Museum, you’ll find the Sand Caves, also known as the Moqui Caverns.
The caves are located on the east side of the road, the same side as the cave museum.
Just past milepost 69 (if you’re coming from Kanab), you’ll find a small pullout on the left side of the road across from the caves. From there you can see the caves and a well-beaten path.
The trail leads to the base of the mountain where you can scramble up rocks to reach the cave. The total distance is about .25 miles roundtrip.
The Sand Caves are actually man-made caves that were once used to mine sand to make glass.
The caves have several large openings that allow sunlight to filter in. It makes for the most beautiful photos. Just use caution as some of the openings lead to sheer drop-offs.
The best time to come is an hour or two before sunset when the light shines directly into the cave. The cave continues back for about 200 feet and is fun to explore with a flashlight.
These caves are free to visit, easy to access, and definitely worth a stop!
*Related post: if you’re looking for another underrated spot in Utah, check out our guide, Sanpete County: A Utah Hidden Gem!
3. Toadstools Trail
About 40 minutes east of Kanab you’ll find a short 1.5-mile roundtrip trail that leads to the coolest rock formations.
The trailhead is located in the southern portion of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. There is a sign that marks the small parking lot just off Highway 89. As a bonus, there is no fee to hike this trail!
The trail is clearly marked and follows closely alongside a dry creek bed. There is little elevation gain and is a great hike for kids.
My boys loved this hike because there were so many rocks and hills to climb along the way.
They kept getting sidetracked from the trail and getting lost in their imaginations.
Once we made it to the hoodoos, they were in heaven! From here the trail ends and you are free to explore.
It felt like we were walking on a different planet as the terrain is scattered with hoodoos and toadstools.
As a side note, you can tell the difference between a toadstool and a hoodoo due to the cap rock that precariously balances on top of the toadstools, just like a mushroom. A hoodoo is a tower with a wider base.
The first toadstool you come to is a giant red one that has been featured in many photographs and guide books.
But don’t stop there! As you continue to the left you will be rewarded with a landscape of geological formations that vary in color from white to deep red.
You can even capture some views of the stunning Paria River Valley.
With so many fun places to hide, climb, and explore at this natural playground, be sure to set aside a few hours!
Just be sure to bring plenty of water, especially in the summer. There is not much shade along the trail.
*Related post: for another one of Utah’s best-kept secrets, check out our guide to visiting Utah’s Pink Lake!
Other hikes near Toadstools Trail:
- Buckskin Gulch: Buckskin Gulch is one of the most popular slot canyon hikes in Utah. The trail runs continuously for 15 miles through a canyon, making it one of the longest slot canyons in the world. You do not have to complete the entire trail to enjoy the beauty. Permits are required for day hiking and overnight backpacking.
- Wire Pass Trail: The Wire Pass Trail is a popular entry point into Buckskin Gulch. The hike is only 3.7 miles roundtrip but offers dramatic views and a narrow slot canyon. You’ll even find ancient Indian hieroglyphics on the canyon wall. Advanced permits are not required for this hike, but there is a self-pay station for day use.
- Paria River Valley: This region is known for its colorful Paria Badlands. You can also explore the “Old Pahreah Townsite” ghost town.
- Coyote Buttes: There are two separate areas for the Coyote Buttes. The Coyote Buttes North is located on the Arizona side of the border, and the Coyote Buttes South is located on the Utah side of the border. The famous “Wave” hike is located in Coyote Buttes North. Permits are required for hiking the buttes. Limited permits are released by a lottery system for “The Wave” trail.
- White Pocket: White Pocket is a great alternative to The Wave. You’ll discover remote beauty, without casting your lot for a lottery permit. A high clearance 4WD vehicle is required to reach the trailhead. The trail itself is only about 1-mile roundtrip. If you don’t have the right vehicle, consider booking a guided tour. Here is another tour option for you to compare.
- Lower Hackberry Narrows: An easy 1.5-mile trail through a slot canyon with ankle-deep water.
*Related post: for another underrated place to visit in Southern Utah, check out our guide A Weekend Getaway in Bluff Utah!
4. Belly of the Dragon Tunnel
Mount Caramel Junction is about 20 minutes north of Kanab. This is the gateway town to Zion National Park.
Its lesser-known claim to fame is the Thunderbird Restaurant, home of the “ho-made” pie. I just love quirky small towns like this.
Most people just drive on through these small towns, but if you take the time to explore you may just find some unexpected gems.
Just down the road is Orderville, where I actually lived for a few years when I was younger. It’s always a bit nostalgic driving the main drag through town.
The name comes from its early history when they practiced the “law of order”, an experiment in communal living. Everything produced by the town belonged to the common order. They even ate together in a common dining hall and kitchen in town.
If you have time, stop and grab some lunch at Soup Town Cafe.
From the window, you can get a view of “V” mountain where each graduating class paints their year on a rock. It will keep your kids busy trying to find the oldest year.
And if your kids are anything like mine, they will love stopping at the Orderville Mine Rock Shop. They have some brilliant rocks and gems for sale of all shapes, sizes, and prices. My boys had the best time picking out a few small treasures.
We also loved staying at Whispering Pines, a beautiful and remote Conestoga wagon campground nearby.
But our favorite stop near Mount Caramel Junction is the Belly of the Dragon Tunnel. This cool tunnel is actually used for drainage, but it looks just like you would imagine the inside of a dragon’s belly to look like!
The tunnel is very easy to access. It actually runs right under Highway 89, but most people drive right over without realizing it even exists.
To get to the tunnel, if you’re heading from Kanab to Mount Caramel Junction, look for a gravel road on your left about a half-mile before you reach the town. This is known as the Barracks Road, but it isn’t marked.
You’ll follow this road for about 0.25 miles until you come to a dirt parking area on your left just before the entrance of the tunnel.
Once you’re in the tunnel, you can spend time exploring and walk through to the other side. Since it is used for drainage, do not enter if there is water or it has been raining.
If you have extra time, continue up the wash for about 4 miles and you’ll come to a beautiful little slot canyon.
It’s a great spot to get out and stretch your legs on a road trip!
Another relatively unknown place near Mount Caramel Junction that I’m anxious to visit, is the Sugar Knoll Red Caves.
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A few more things to do in Kanab:
*See our Complete Guide to Kanab for Families for more details and information
- Best Friends Animal Sanctuary: This is the largest sanctuary for homeless animals in the country. It is open to the public for tours and adoptions. Stop by the visitor center to play with animals and engage in interactive educational experiences. Sign up in advance for a free guided tour, spots fill up fast. Check the calendar for special events like Kittens & Coffee or Strut Your Mutt. Visit the Village Cafe where you can enjoy a vegetarian buffet and salad bar for only $5. The dining room overlooks the stunning Angel Canyon and Grand Staircase Escalante.
- Kanab Creek: From the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, you can access Kanab Creek. This water hike wades through a slot canyon and would be the perfect hike for a summer day.
- Peek-a-boo Slot Canyon: This dramatic slot canyon is located 9 miles north of Kanab along Highway 89. Due to the deep sand, a guided ATV tour is highly recommended. It is such a fun tour and includes sandboarding down the dunes!
- Little Hollywood Museum: For a small town, Kanab has actually seen its fair share of the big screen. Visit this free museum to learn about Kanab’s movie history and visit old movie sets.
- Canyoneering Tour: Discover incredible beauty and incredible adventure on this family-friendly canyoneering tour through a remote slot canyon. We booked this canyoneering tour through the Huntress slot canyon and loved it!
- Stargazing Tour: For a fun and unique experience, book a Campfire and Stargazing Tour at an old movie fort.
- Heritage House Museum: Take a free tour of this historic home to experience what life was like in the 1800s and learn some interesting and valuable history of the area. For example, Kanab had the first all-female town council in the United States, four years before women could even vote!
- Dinosaur Tracks: Over 20 species of dinosaurs have been discovered around Kanab. This 1-mile round trip trail leads to 185 million-year-old dinosaur tracks! The trail is a little steep and rocky, but doable for kids just use caution.
- Jackson Flat Reservoir: Rent paddleboards, try out the disc golf course, go fishing, or just enjoy the walking trails at this lake.
- Red Pueblo Museum: This free museum houses an extensive collection of Indian artifacts.
We hope you find time to explore this beautiful area of Southern Utah. I just know you will fall in love with its remote beauty!
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amazing post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog post. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
Hey! I’m also a fellow blogger! I’m based in southern Utah and I’m headed for a little solo retreat to Kanab today! I stumbled across your post and just wanted to stop and say thank you! I’m going to a bunch of places you named! Amazing photography, very detailed, and well written! Thank you!
Hi Jessi! Thanks for taking the time to leave such a kind comment. I still can’t believe your experience and am so glad you made it home safe after your solo trip, hope you still managed to have a wonderful time despite the scary ending. xo