For years, Kanab, Utah has been one of our favorite places to explore in Southern Utah. Each time we visit we find new places that take our breath away!
Our most recent discovery was an ATV tour to Kanab’s Peek-a-boo slot canyon (also known as Red Canyon) with Kanab Tour Company.
Not to be confused with the more popular Peek-a-boo Canyon in Grand Staircase Escalante, this lesser-known canyon is a local’s secret that rivals the beauty of Antelope Canyon.
We absolutely loved this tour! Not only did we get to hike through the incredible slot canyon, but it was an adrenaline rush and included several other stops along the way!
What to Expect on a Tour of Kanab’s Peek-a-boo Slot Canyon
Table of Contents
- Checking in for your tour
- First Stop: Sand boarding
- Second stop: Kanab’s Peek-a-boo slot canyon
- Third Stop: Indian ruins
- Fourth stop: Hidden Lake
- Fifth Atop: Angel’s Rest Pet Cemetery
- Kanab Tour Company tour information:
- What to bring:
Checking in for your tour
The trail to Kanab’s Peek-a-boo slot canyon is not well marked and leads through deep sand, so a guided ATV tour is highly recommended.
Even vehicles with 4WD often get stuck along the way so don’t risk it and attempt to drive to the canyon on your own!
We booked our tour with the Kanab Tour Company and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience!
Be sure to book your reservation in advance and plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to your tour to check-in.
Once you are checked in, you’ll receive your helmet and eye protection and a safety briefing.
You’ll then be given directions to the Peek-a-boo Canyon trailhead and staging area where you’ll meet your guide and get all loaded up. Our guide was Kirk and he was phenomenal!
We chose to do a ride-along with the tour guide, but guests 18 years and older with a valid driver’s license can drive their own ATV.
First Stop: Sand boarding
Once everyone was buckled up and geared up, we took off through the sandy desert trails.
We soon arrived at some steep sand dunes where we experienced an adrenaline rush as we raced up and down the dunes in the ATV! It was so thrilling, and you better believe I screamed!
If you are looking for another thrilling ATV trail, check out the Devil’s Racetrack in San Rafael Swell!
We parked at the top of the pink brushed dunes where we had the opportunity to try sandboarding.
We love snowboarding so my boys were thrilled when they found out that they would be able to try boarding down the dunes.
We strapped on the boards and took turns carving in the sand. It was very similar to snowboarding, but without the cold, which I loved!
If you don’t want to strap your feet in, you can also just sit on the board and sled down.
Second stop: Kanab’s Peek-a-boo slot canyon
We loaded up and continued along the sun-blazed stretch of sand, fringed with desert wildflowers. The scenery here really is spectacular.
We descended into a ravine where we parked and walked to the entrance of the slot canyon.
As we began traversing through the snaking ravine shaped by geological forces, I was immediately reminded of our visit to Antelope Canyon.
With silky folds of flaming red rock and pink Navajo sandstone, it truly is a natural wonder.
This canyon even boasts the same pillars of light filtering through the crevices.
The boys loved playing in the light beams, especially after Kirk showed them how tossing dust magnifies the light stream.
The beauty of Kanab’s Peek-a-boo slot canyon rivals that of Antelope Canyon.
However, unlike Antelope where we were herded through the canyon like cattle, during this tour we had the entire canyon to ourselves.
It was a surreal experience to take in the striking beauty of the canyon in solitude.
And if you’re interested in exploring a slot canyon that doesn’t require 4wd access, check out the stunning Kanarra Falls Trail, Jenny’s Canyon, and Shelf Canyon.
As we walked through the weathered Navajo sandstone canyon, Kirk shared insightful history and pointed out interesting facts.
The Moki steps and “lizard condominiums” were our favorite, as well as “the gymnast”, a massive log precariously perched high up the canyon wall after a flash flood.
He also poured water on different stones to reveal Jurassic period fossils of a coral reef, starfish, and crinoids dating back to the time when this desert was submerged at the bottom of an ocean. So fascinating!
I would have felt fulfilled if the tour had ended there, but we were excited that there was still more in store!
*Related Post: For another fun family slot canyon tour in Kanab, check out this family canyoneering tour!
Third Stop: Indian ruins
Our next stop was at some well-preserved Indian ruins tucked into the alcove of a cliff.
Here we saw ancient granaries used to refrigerate and store meat. Kirk even showed us the remains of thousand-year-old cobs of corn.
Petroglyphs and painted handprints can also be found decorating the cliff wall.
Kirk also pointed out the nest of a ringtail cat hidden in a crevice high on the cliff. The tell-tale sign is all of the dried waste matter that can be found at the opening. A little gross, but mostly cool!
Fourth stop: Hidden Lake
This next stop is completely unexpected. As you’re riding along the dusty desert trail, the barren landscape is soon transformed into a rich oasis.
This patch of fertile land is fed by an underground spring that bubbles up inside a dark cave.
We ducked into an opening at the base of a swirling sandstone cliff and were immediately rewarded with a cold draft to combat the heat of the day.
It was hard to see in the dark cavern, but we could just make out the vast hidden lake. The boys skipped rocks and practiced their echoing, and I just basked in the coolness.
Kirk told us that a few brave souls have scuba-dived through the underground tunnels under the lake, but I was quite happy staying above water!
Fifth Atop: Angel’s Rest Pet Cemetery
When Kirk told us that our last stop was at a pet cemetery, I immediately thought of Steven King’s Pet Sematary! Thankfully it was nothing like that.
Angel’s Rest is part of the Best Friend’s Animal Sanctuary and is where people from around the world come to lay their beloved pets to rest. I had never seen anything like it.
We walked among the countless rows of miniature headstones while the light gently grazed the Crayola blue sky and the sound of hundreds of wind chimes filled the air.
It was so peaceful and a beautiful end to our incredible tour. For another one of our favorite ATV tours in Southern Utah, check out the West Rim Trail at Sand Hollow!
*Related post: for another one of Utah’s best-kept secrets, check out our guide to visiting Utah’s Pink Lake!
Kanab Tour Company tour information:
- Tour pricing: 2 person ATV $259 | 4 person ATV $349 (price based on group size and vehicle selection)
- Tour duration: 3 hours
- Tour departure times: Monday – Saturday 9 am & 1 pm year-round | 4:30 pm available March 15 – October 15
What to bring:
- Cold water is provided, but I brought extras just in case since our tour was in the summer.
- I also packed snacks in case the boys got hungry since it is a longer tour.
- Helmets and protective eyewear are provided, but I would recommend bringing a hat and sunglasses to use when not riding in the ATV.
- A bandana or face covering is recommended for protection against the sand while driving. Face coverings are available for purchase at the office.
- Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes for hiking.
- Be sure to apply sunscreen, the desert sun can be brutal!
- And don’t forget to bring your camera and/or GoPro, this is an adventure you will definitely want to document!
Thank you Kanab Tour Company for hosting us, this tour is the perfect combination of adrenaline-packed adventure and staggering beauty!
We absolutely loved exploring Kanab’s Peek-a-boo slot canyon and can’t wait to come back and try one of the many other tours that they offer! For more awesome things to do in Kanab, check out our Kanab Utah Guide for Families!
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Other posts you may like:
- 4 Reasons Why Kanab is Southern Utah’s Best Kept Secret
- Timber + Tin: The Best Place to Stay in Kanab
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