In all the times that we’ve explored Utah, some of my favorite memories were from the amazing hikes near Kanab, Utah!
If you’re looking for recommendations about which hikes to prioritize on your trip, then you’ve come to the right place!
In this post, I’m sharing the top 10 hikes in and near Kanab that you should consider, but spoiler alert…Belly of the Dragon and Toadstool Hoodoos are my absolute favorites!
Alright, let’s jump right in!
1. Coral Pink Sand Dunes Nature Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.8 Miles
Type: Out & Back
One of the best hiking trails near Kanab, Utah, is the Nature Trail.
Located inside Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, this easy path offers a great introduction to the park and is dog-friendly, too!
Time your visit for around two hours before sunset so that you can see the dunes transform into a pink color and watch the surrounding sandstone cliffs turn a vibrant red.
You’ll also avoid the heat of the day and don’t have to suffer due to the lack of shade.
Just be aware that the trail is not well-marked, and the area is prone to high winds.
So, plan accordingly and get ready to walk across the stunning sand dunes the park is known for.
You can also rent boards/sleds for $25.00 so that you can sandboard through the area.
Just remember to return them before 8:30 pm since this is when the visitor’s center closes.
This is one of the best state parks in Southern Utah, and you’re sure to enjoy it!
Recommended by Jamie of Photo Jeepers
2. Belly of the Dragon
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.8 Miles
Type: Out & Back
My favorite hike near Kanab, Utah, would have to be Belly of the Dragon!
This unique hike is just a few miles outside of Kanab, so it’s quick and easy to access if you’re staying in town.
Belly of the Dragon is a man-made tunnel that runs underneath Highway 89 for drainage.
It got its name from the fact that water cutting through the tunnel carved the walls to resemble a dragon’s rib cage, which is really cool!
This is one of the easy hikes in the area, with the most difficult part being the drop down into the drainage ditch at the very beginning.
Once you’re inside the tunnel, it can be very dark, depending on the time of day you visit.
I highly recommend bringing a flashlight with you, although we made do with the flashlights on our iPhones.
Dogs are allowed on this hike, and both of our dogs, Cap and Marvel, loved exploring Belly of the Dragon with us!
You can also find free camping nearby if you are tent or RV camping.
Tucker and I chose to camp here during our tent camping trip, and it was a fun spot!
We also enjoyed Peekaboo Slot Canyon while we were in the Kanab area, which is another place we’d highly recommend!
3. The Narrows Trail (Zion National Park)
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Length: 2 – 16 Miles
Type: Out & Back or Point-to-Point
If you have time in your Kanab, Utah itinerary, be sure to add a day trip or two to Zion National Park since it is only an hour away.
Of course, the national parks have some amazing hiking trails, and this park boasts over 90 miles of trails, so it is perfect for adventurous trekkers as well as novice hikers.
The Narrows is a stretch of a sandstone slot canyon in Zion National Park, where the Virgin River is the wet and winding trail path.
It is the most unique hike in Zion and perhaps one of the best slot canyons in the world!
The hike is almost completely through water and can be done as an out & back 2-6 mile day trip or a 15-mile single or multiple day point-to-point Hike.
If you choose the multi-day hike, you will need to secure a wilderness permit.
The other hiking methods do not require a permit, but this hike will always require a Zion National Park pass since most of the trail is within the park.
Recommended by Michelle of Moyer Memoirs
4. Wire Pass Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.4 Miles
Type: Out & Back
Another great hike that Tucker & I enjoyed near Kanab, Utah, was Wire Pass.
This is a fun and unique slot canyon hike, and the Wire Pass trailhead is only about one hour from Kanab.
Although the hike through Wire Pass Slot Canyon is relatively easy, there are some challenges to navigate, including small scrambles and rocky terrain.
And, of course, you’ll come across the famous wooden ladder!
We were surprised that when we came to the ladder, it led down to continue the hike, not up!
Getting our dogs, Cap and Marvel, down the ladder, was a little difficult for us, but they loved the hike, so it was totally worth it!
While the slot canyon provides a little shade, a large amount of this hike is through a wide wash with full exposure to the sun, and it can get brutally hot, so make sure to bring plenty of water.
You will need a permit to hike Wire Pass, which costs $6 per person and per dog, which can be obtained at the trailhead or online in advance.
If you choose, you can continue your hike to reach Buckskin Gulch, which is the deepest slot canyon and the longest slot canyon in the United States!
Buckskin Gulch is over 12 miles long, so you can decide how short or how long you would like your hike to be.
This is one of the best hikes in Southern Utah, so don’t miss it!
5. White Pocket
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Length: 1+ Miles
Type: Out & Back
White Pocket in Arizona is one of the best hikes near Kanab, Utah, and it’s an adventure to get there!
White Pocket is only accessible through Kanab or Page, Arizona, and it’s one of those off-the-beaten-path destinations worth the time and effort it takes to get there.
It will take about 2 hours to drive each way, but only because it is mostly on unpaved roads and soft sand.
Located off House Rock Valley, this hike requires a 4×4 high clearance vehicle and experience driving in deep, soft sand.
If you aren’t comfortable driving yourself, several tour companies in Kanab will take you to White Pocket.
Once you get there, the only official trail is the short sand trail to get to the formation.
After that, you are free to wander around to your heart’s content, and you can’t go wrong no matter where you go!
The most famous pictures come from near the middle of White Pocket, but the entire area is amazing and full of colorful rocks, making this easily one of the best Instagrammable places in Utah!
There is no entrance fee or permit required, but you’ll need to pack out everything as there are no facilities near the trailhead.
Plan to spend at least a few hours here. You’ll find you need it once you arrive and see how stunning this area is!
Recommended by Christine from Live Love Run Travel
6. Great Chamber
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 1.2 Miles
Type: Out & Back
The Great Chamber, also known as Cutler Point, is one of the most epic viewpoints the Southwest has to offer!
The trailhead to the Great Chamber is located about 40 minutes from Kanab, which makes a great weekend trip from Las Vegas.
Getting to this hidden gem requires a lifted 4×4 vehicle and driving in deep sand.
From the trailhead to the cave, it will be only a little over a half mile one way.
But climbing up some sand in the desert heat will make you break a sweat, so still bring plenty of water with you!
When you make it to the alcove, you’ll realize just how big it is!
The pictures here are just epic, and standing in the middle looking up, you’ll feel tiny, marveling at the impressively tall sandstone walls and ceiling of the alcove.
Allow about one hour to do the hike there and back, with a stop for pictures.
If you don’t have a vehicle capable of driving through the deep sand, guided tours are offered by a few different companies to take you there, with a few other stops in the area as well!
Recommended by Kate from Kate Roams the World
7. The Toadstool Hoodoos Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.8 Miles
Type: Out & Back
If you like hoodoos, then you have to hike the Toadstool Hoodoos trail, which is only 45 minutes from Kanab.
Tucker and I found this hike to be even more fun than we anticipated!
Most of the trail is flat and follows a sandy wash, but there were times that we found ourselves hiking on the edge of sandy cliffs!
There aren’t as many hoodoos here as there are at Bryce Canyon National Park or Goblin Valley, but that doesn’t make them any less impressive!
There are a few primary Toadstool Hoodoos, with some being skinny and others quite fat!
But of course, they all resemble mushrooms, which is where they get their name from.
The parking lot was easy to find, and we were surprised that there were also portapotties at the trailhead, although they were pretty disgusting!
Plan to spend 1-2 hours on this hike, and bring lots of water even though it is a shorter hike.
8. North Kaibab Trail (Grand Canyon National Park)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Length: 28.2 Miles
Type: Out & Back
The North Kaibab Trail delves deep into the heart of the Grand Canyon, passing dazzling aspen trees, brilliant red rock walls, gentle streams, and even waterfalls!
It’s one of only three inner corridor trails in the park and the only one located on the remote North Rim of the Grand Canyon, only an hour and a half from Kanab.
While the majority of Grand Canyon visitors flock to the South Rim, the North Rim offers a completely different environment.
It’s rustic, secluded, and blanketed in thick forest, and the North Kaibab Trail is the highlight of all North Rim hiking trails.
It’s a chance to traverse a kaleidoscope of ecosystems and scenery, all while joining the very elite club of Grand Canyon visitors who reach the bottom.
While the length and elevation gain require intense preparation, the reward is worth it!
Because the North Kaibab Trail is 28 miles long, the most popular hiking options include camping overnight along the trail or connecting to another corridor trail at the bottom and completing what is known as a rim-to-rim hike by hiking from the North Rim to the South Rim.
Recommended by Kristen from Yonderlust Ramblings
9. Kanab Sand Caves
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 1.2 Miles
Type: Out & Back
One hidden gem hiking trail near Kanab, Utah, worth exploring is the Kanab Sand Caves, also known as the Moqui Caverns.
The trailhead for the Kanab Sand Caves hike is located just a short drive from Kanab, making it convenient to access.
Be prepared for a moderate hike with varying terrain, including sandy patches and rocky sections and ledges that you will need to scale.
We saw people of all ages on this hike, though, so don’t be scared away!
The highlight of this hike is undoubtedly the sand caves themselves.
Exploring the sand caves is a surreal experience as you wander through the cool, shadowy interiors and marvel at the intricate patterns and textures of the sandstone walls.
Be sure to bring a flashlight or headlamp, as some parts of the caves can be quite dark.
While the hike to the sand caves is relatively short, the surrounding scenery includes breathtaking views of red rock cliffs and the expansive desert landscape.
One of the best times to enjoy this hike is early morning or late afternoon, when the desert sun casts a warm glow over the landscape, creating a truly magical atmosphere!
I would recommend giving yourself one hour to enjoy this hike and the sand caves.
It’s one of the best Kanab hikes that we personally enjoyed and is one of the best activities in Southern Utah!
10. Observation Point (Zion National Park)
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 7 Miles
Type: Out & Back
Located on the Eastern Side of Zion National Park and about 50 minutes from Kanab, Observation Point provides hikers with a stunning view of Zion Canyon.
From here, you’ll be able to see some of the famous locations, including a bird’s eye view of the Angel’s Landing Trail.
The hike is moderate and travels along the East Mesa trail to Observation Point trail.
This is the only access to Observation Point, as the other trail is closed (possibly indefinitely) due to a rock slide.
The hike ascends for the first 2.3 miles at a steady pace before descending to Observation Point.
The most difficult part of the hike is getting to the trailhead!
The last nearly 3 miles of dirt road are unsealed and may require 4WD.
However, some other cars can and do make it to the trailhead, depending on weather conditions.
As an alternative, nearby Ponderosa Ranch offers shuttles to the trailhead for $7.5 roundtrip.
Recommended by Anwar from Beyond My Door
In Closing: The 10 Best Hikes Near Kanab, Utah
Which of these hikes near Kanab, Utah, do you plan to add to your Utah road trip bucket list?!
No matter which hikes you end up choosing, I know you’re going to have an amazing time enjoying this beautiful place!
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Happy hiking!
