About 80 miles east of Springdale and roughly 75 miles south of Bryce Canyon, this small southern Utah town sits against the Vermilion Cliffs near the Arizona state line. With a population just under 5,000, Kanab moves at a much slower pace than the busy gateway towns pressed up against the national parks. But that’s kind of the whole appeal.
From here, you can actually get to Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon without changing hotels every night. Parking? No problem. Dinner reservations? Usually not a headache. And when the evening light hits those cliffs, you might just find yourself lingering outside your hotel a little longer. For road trippers and photographers, Kanab feels like a grounded, quieter alternative to the usual Southern Utah stops.
Setting And First Impressions
The red rock hits you before anything else. Heading south on Highway 89, the Vermilion Cliffs rise up to the east, layered in rust, coral, and cream. The high desert sprawls around 5,000 feet above sea level, so summer heat stays a bit more tolerable than in lower Arizona towns. Sunsets here? They don’t hold back. The sandstone soaks up the light and throws it back, stretching golden hour until you lose track of time. If you’re into photography, you’ll probably pull over more than once as you roll into town.
Downtown Kanab runs along Center Street for just a few walkable blocks. Old Western facades, a couple of independent galleries, and spots like Rocking V Cafe (where locals and travelers actually eat) line the stretch. The pace? Honestly, it’s slow. There’s just one traffic light, which kind of says it all. Folks call Kanab “Little Hollywood” because over 100 film and TV projects shot here over the years, and you can still spot pieces of that history in the shopfronts and signs.
The town feels lived in, not staged. You can grab your morning coffee, walk the main drag in ten minutes, and hit a trailhead or scenic drive within half an hour. That blend of convenience and calm is what really sets Kanab apart from the crowds closer to the parks.
Best Things To Do Nearby
The scenic drives here are reason enough to stick around. If you head south on Highway 89A toward Vermilion Cliffs and Marble Canyon, you’ll catch some of the most jaw-dropping desert road views anywhere—plus, there’s hardly any traffic. Going north, Highway 89 hugs those bold red canyon walls and eventually brings you to Zion’s east entrance. For something different, take Cottonwood Canyon Road into Grand Staircase-Escalante. It’s a bumpy, unpaved adventure past the wild shapes of the Cockscomb and those crazy Bentonite Hills. If you’re into photography, these routes are gold, especially early or late in the day when the light goes soft and dramatic.
If hiking’s more your thing, you’re in luck. Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon waits just nine miles up Highway 89—a short, super-rewarding stroll through tight sandstone twists. Wire Pass trailhead leads you right into Buckskin Gulch, which, honestly, is one of the longest slot canyons out there. And hey, if you get lucky with the daily lottery, The Wave in Coyote Buttes North is about a 45-minute drive from Kanab. For something closer, the Sand Caves trail is a quick hop to funky carved alcoves that overlook the valley. Not bad for a quick afternoon escape.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park sits roughly 25 minutes northwest, and honestly, it feels like you’ve landed on another planet. Kick off your shoes and wander barefoot, rent an ATV if you’re feeling adventurous, or just stroll the short boardwalk at sunset. The dunes are wildly photogenic and, surprisingly, not crowded at all. And if you stick around after dark, you’ll catch some of the best stargazing in Southern Utah—no exaggeration.