My 5 Favorite Things to Do in Kanab Utah

Kanab Utah is becoming a more popular town for outdoor travelers. There are so many things to do in Kanab that it can get overwhelming. Keep reading for my 5 favorite things to do in Kanab Utah!

Why You Need to Visit Kanab

Kanab is located in Southwest Utah and is slowly becoming the perfect base to explore all that nature has to offer. For years it has been a stopover town for people to visit famous places like Zion National Park and The Wave. However there are so many good hikes in and around Kanab – and people are figuring it out!

The town of Kanab has changed so much even in the last 10 years. I consistently visit and it’s crazy to see the growth in restaurants, tour operators, and tourists.

If you are looking for a base to explore Southern Utah but also want to see some unique landscapes without driving too far, Kanab is a must visit.

When Should I Go To Kanab?

Kanab is really great any time of the year. I especially love spending winter in Kanab but it does get cold – and snowy!

The most comfortable time to visit is between October to April. There are a lot of things to do in Kanab Utah but this time of the year will be the most enjoyable.

Summer is very very popular there, but I personally don’t like going in the summer as much for a few reasons: too many people and it gets too hot.

What Should I Pack?

It is important to make sure you are packing all the right things for trip to Kanab. Although there is an amazing outdoor store called Willow Canyon, you are in a small town and equipment can be limited! Here are some of the key things you should bring:

Hiking Boots / Shoes

Having the right shoes is super important. Whether you like lighter shoes like I do or a sturdier hiking boot, Hoka One One and Salomon are my go-to products.

Sun Protection

Sun protection is super important! Even if it’s not super hot out, the sun can be very harsh. Here are some of my favorites

Food!

Level Foods has been my new go-to bar. I found that their bars have been better on my stomach. They are Gluten free, Dairy free, Non-GMO.

Water Storage

I personally prefer using an MSR Drom Bag because I’m fairly lazy to take water bottles out of my bag, but both options are great. Make sure to bring plenty of water on your trip

My 5 Favorite Things to Do in Kanab Utah

1. Visit the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is famous across the US but did you know they have a sanctuary in Kanab? They can have up to 1,600 animals in their sanctuary at any time, including dogs, cats, rabbits etc.

Even if you aren’t looking to adopt, visiting the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is a must. They have different tours available or you can volunteer during your visit.

I recommend spending at least a couple hours at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. You won’t regret it!

2. Go on a local hike near the town of Kanab

The Bunting Trail and Moqui Cave are great local hikes.

The Bunting Trail is a longer 4.7 mile that climbs on top of a mesa where you get sweeping views of Kanab below. It is one of my favorite things to do in Kanab Utah! It’s the perfect afternoon hike that is a great workout and also gives you great views.

If you are looking for a more relaxed family friendly hike in Kanab, head to Moqui Cave. It only takes about 10 minutes from the parking lot to get up to Moqui Cave. I won’t ruin the surprise for you but it’s a really cool spot. Be sure to wear good shoes with solid grip as you need to scale some rocks to get up there.

3. Grab breakfast at Kanab Creek Bakery

The restaurant scene in Kanab is getting a little better every year. There is now a local juice spot alongside the typical American fare.

The one place I always look forward to when I travel to Kanab is Kanab Creek Bakery. The coffee is excellent, the pastries are fluffy and buttery, and the breakfast is delicious too.

The line can get a little long at the Kanab Creek Bakery so just be aware of that if you are on a strict time schedule!

4. Head to the Great Chamber

You may have seen this place on Instagram. It’s as unique as it seems but it is a pretty small place! You need a good 4×4 to get here (with deflated tires) and it is definitely a little tricky.

I almost never go on tours when I am on vacation and typically prefer the self guided route, but I highly recommend going on a local tour to head to the Great Chamber.

You support the local economy of Kanab, will help keep the Great Chamber clean and preserved for future tourists, and you avoid the hassle of renting a 4×4 / driving the rough road yourself.

5. Head to Peek-a-boo Slot Canyon

Peek-a-boo slot canyon is one of the many slot canyons in Southern Utah. The canyon itself takes about 30 minutes to explore. It is not very deep.

However the road to get there requires a 4×4. I highly recommend renting a 4×4 or taking a tour to get to Peek-a-boo. You can hike the 8+ miles but it is not worth it to hike. If you are going to spend 8 miles hiking, there are MUCH better places to get a better bang-for-your-buck in terms of views etc.

Peek-a-boo Slot Canyon is so much nicer than exploring Antelope Canyon. Yes Antelope will be slightly prettier, but the tour is super annoying and feels like Disneyland. If you are an outdoor adventurer, Peek-a-boo will be much more enjoyable.

Things I Don’t really Enjoy in Kanab

Waiting in line for The Wave.

I get it – the Wave looks great on Instagram, it’s probably really pretty in real life too. But the lottery system is ridiculous and the in-person line in Kanab is even more ridiculous. On any given day, there could be over 100 people waiting for less than 10 spots in line.

To me, this is just not worth it. There are a lot of cool places in Utah and Arizona that are super similar to The Wave but without the extreme hassle.

Takeaway for traveling to kanab

There are a lot of cool things to do in Kanab Utah. I’m really happy that Kanab is getting more of the recognition it deserves as an outdoor mecca!

Remember to travel responsibly and be nice! The locals in Kanab have been very friendly to me and I hope it stays that way.

What are your favorite things to do in Kanab Utah?

My site may contain affiliate marketing links (including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program), which means I may be paid commission on sales of those products. These are products I fully use and endorse, and my content is not influenced by advertisers or affiliate partnerships.