Kanab
Local Highlights
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Balloons and Tunes Roundup
Every February, Kanab’s scenic red rocks play backdrop to over 40 hot air balloons. The 3-day festival also plays host to a Battle of the Bands competition, street fair, balloon glow and lantern launch.
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Best Friends Animal Society
Five miles from Kanab in Angel Canyon, this is the largest sanctuary for homeless animals in the country. Best Friends Animal Society is open to the public year-round for adoptions, tours and volunteer opportunities.
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History & Heritage
Kanab’s reputation as an outdoor adventure hub is well earned, yet the area also boasts not-to-be-missed opportunities to learn more about the people who’ve called this corner of Southern Utah home.
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Kanab Heritage House Museum
Upon its construction in 1894, the stately Victorian home now housing the Kanab Heritage House Museum was billed as “the first modern home in Kane County.” Visitors can take a free guided tour, which offers a glimpse into the lives of the families who called the Heritage House home for almost a century.
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Kanab Museum
Within Kanab’s venerable Public Library Building is the Kanab Museum, a well-organized collection of artifacts and photos adeptly telling the stories of the area’s earliest known people to those living in the modern era. area.
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Little Hollywood Museum
This free, nonprofit museum is dedicated to preserving movie sets from Kanab’s glory days of film production. The Little Hollywood Museum should be the first stop on your exploration of Western film history in the area.
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Maynard Dixon Home
Nearby, Mt. Carmel boasts the home that artist Maynard Dixon and his wife Edith built. Walk the mountain trails where Maynard Dixon spent quiet, reflective moments, and experience beautiful views in "Maynard Dixon Country."
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Utah Film Trail
At Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, the hills of sand changed by wind have an otherworldly quality that blur the line of reality, making it the perfect backdrop for the sci-fi western television series, "Westworld." These sand dunes have been the backdrop of countless other productions, including "Arabian Nights" (1942), "Mackenna's Gold" (1969), "One Little Indian" (1973) and "The Outlaw Josey Wales" (1976). The Parry Lodge hotel in Kanab has also welcomed hundreds of productions, including "The Lone Ranger" (1949-1957) and "The Outlaw Josey Wales" (1976), earning Kanab the title of “Little Hollywood."
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Western Legends Roundup
The Western Legends Roundup each summer draws people who enjoy the cowboy culture of the past and present.
Read the Stories
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10 Places to Honor Women's History on Your Trip to Utah
Notable places you can visit where women have shaped history
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10 Top Stops Along the National Pioneer Mormon Heritage Area
Here are 10 of the best stops along Utah's Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area’s backroads and byways. Explore rich Mormon historic sites, awe-inspiring canyons and mountains and unforgettable outdoor adventures.
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15 Must-Do Adventures in Kanab
Looking for fun things to do in Kanab? Check out our list of the 15 must-do adventures in Kanab and start planning your visit today.
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15 Non-Technical Slot Canyons
You don’t have to be Spider-Man to explore some of the best slot canyons Utah has to offer. You just need to be ready for an adventure in tight spaces with huge photographic rewards
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3 Utah Bikepacking Routes for Beginners to Intermediates
Find a route for your next Utah bikepacking trip that promises immersion in history, culture and ridiculous scenic beauty.
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5 Places You Can Try Glamorous Camping in Utah
Experience the fun and adventure of glamping — camping with a side of luxury.
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5 Road Trip-Worthy Restaurants in Kanab, Utah
Hungry for a culinary renaissance? Or a small-town staple? Whatever you’re craving, fuel your outdoor adventures at these favorite Kanab restaurants.
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5 Road Trip-Worthy Restaurants in Kanab, Utah
Hungry for a culinary renaissance? Or a small-town staple? Whatever you’re craving, fuel your outdoor adventures at these favorite Kanab restaurants.
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A Van Lifer’s Guide to Responsible Travel in Southern Utah
When Utah’s dirt roads are calling you, it’s time to plan your van life road trip. Here’s what you need to know to travel safely, support Utah’s rural communities, and help preserve the delicate desert landscapes.
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Angling Secrets: How and Where to Catch Fish on Lake Powell
Read expect advice on when and where in Lake Powell to get the prized fish you're chasing.
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Chasing John Wesley Powell: Six Places to Explore Utah's Green and Colorado Rivers
One hundred and fifty years ago a one-armed Civil War veteran set off with nine mountain men on a scientific expedition to map one of the last blank spaces left on the U.S. map: The Green and Colorado rivers. Much of the river remains wild today. Follow Powell's journey here.
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Desert Shutter Speed
After lunch isn't the prime time to head to the desert. Come early or late, and Utah's deserts will reward you with their isolated landscapes, sunrises and sunsets, and stargazing opportunities.
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Escape Tourist Hotspots on a Quiet Winter Getaway to Kanab
From sand sledding to toadstool hiking, escape The Wave’s impossible lottery odds and enjoy other winter red rock adventures in Kanab.
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How to Support Local On Your Utah Road Trip
Many small businesses in Utah rely on tourism for survival. These expert tips help road trippers make a real difference in communities by supporting local.
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Kanab's Western Legends Heritage and Music Festival
Kanab's Western Legends Heritage and Music Festival is filled with round-the-clock Western-themed entertainment — think: music, cowboys and history.
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Kanab's Western Legends Heritage and Music Festival
Kanab's Western Legends Heritage and Music Festival is filled with round-the-clock Western-themed entertainment — think: music, cowboys and history.
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Lake Powell Trash Boat
Attention good samaritans: Sign up for the Trash Tracker, a houseboat on Lake Powell, and help clean up the debris that has collected on the lake’s shores.
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Make Your Next Trip A Volunteer Vacation
At the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, you can enjoy a getaway to stunning southern Utah while also making a difference in the lives of rescued animals.
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Make Your Next Trip A Volunteer Vacation
At the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, you can enjoy a getaway to stunning southern Utah while also making a difference in the lives of rescued animals.
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Movies Filmed in Utah: Plotting a Cinematic Drive-Through
Follow a Germany-based film enthusiast on an extended road trip to discover the rich history of Utah cinematography.
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Slot Canyons: A Guided Hike Through Nature's Masterworks
It's said that southwestern Utah offers the highest concentration of slot canyons in the world. Well-prepared visitors can hike right into some of them, but the best experience is with a guide.
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The Creature Comforts of Kanab
Visit Kanab, a welcoming town with classic Western roots and modern-day amenities sitting smack in the middle of Southern Utah’s greatest outdoors.
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Utah’s Unexpected Pit Stops
You’re doing it wrong if you think road trip pit stops are boring layovers on your way to more exciting destinations. How many of these hidden gems have you been to? Here are 11 mini-adventures to check off your list next time you’re road-tripping through Utah.
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Why You Should Ditch I-15 on Your Way to Zion
If you’re not in a rush to get to Zion National Park from Northern Utah, consider taking a long, meandering route that features historic sites, adventure breaks and out-of-this-world scenery. Hop off I-15 and take Highway 89 and four nearby scenic byways to see and do as much as you possibly can on your way to Zion.
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Winter Wonders in Greater Zion
As you’re mapping out your winter trip through southeastern Utah, consider adding the following parks and natural wonders to your itinerary.
Outdoor Adventures
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Johnson Canyon Road
One of Southern Utah’s truly great drives, the Johnson Canyon Road stretches north from Highway 89 and provides excellent vantage points of the colorful cliffs for which the Grand Staircase region is particularly known.
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Peek-a-boo Slot Canyon
Peek-a-boo Slot Canyon, located just 9 miles north of Kanab along Highway 89 is the perfect off the beaten path adventure. It’s been referred to as “Antelope Canyon without the crowds”. 4-wheel drive is required and hiring a local guide is highly recommended. Always check current weather conditions before entering any slot canyon. Note, this is not the same Peek-a-Boo slot canyon found in the Escalante area.
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The Wave
Halfway between Page and Kanab you'll find a fantastic hiking playground. North Coyote Buttes (The Wave) and South Coyote Buttes are some of the world’s most famous natural phenomena. Due to its fragile nature, access to The Wave is limited and a day-use permit is required, so check with the Kanab Visitor Center for entry information.
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White Pocket
If you don’t draw a permit for The Wave in North Coyote Buttes, you’re still in luck. White Pocket is a great alternative and doesn’t require a permit. Consider visiting with a local guide to learn more about the geological formations or venture deep into areas you’ve never been before.
Base Camp Kanab
From the vermilion, white and pink cliffs and wide expanses of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, to the twisting sandstone bottlenecks of Buckskin Gulch, even the vertigo-inducing views of Zion National Park if you've never been, this six-day itinerary will show you why Kanab is the perfect base camp for adventure.
Highlights
- Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument
- Lake Powell
- North Rim Grand Canyon
- Zion National Park
What's Nearby
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Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Coral Pink Sand Dunes are open for hiking and kid-friendly playing. About 90-percent of the dunes are open for OHV riders, an attraction for which this state park has become ever popular.
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Glen Canyon and Lake Powell
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers more than 1.2 million acres of unparalleled opportunities for land- and water-based recreation.
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Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument
Grand Staircase-Escalante is a vast and rugged, yet easily accessible national monument.
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Zion National Park
Whether you are trying to catch your breath while climbing the trail to Angel's Landing or watching the shadows constantly change the mood of the Court of the Patriarchs, Zion National Park is always ready to quench your appetite for outdoor wonder.
