Belly of the Dragon Utah: A Mini Guide to the Ribbed Tunnel Near Kanab (2026)
We stopped at the Belly of the Dragon on our drive from Bryce Canyon to Kanab in October 2026, but it turned out to be a really cool little stop. A tunnel under the highway, with walls carved into ribs, so it really feels like walking down the throat of a giant creature.
The Belly of the Dragon Utah is easy to miss, because there is no big sign and you reach it on a short dirt road called Elephant Gap off Highway 89. That is why, in this mini guide, I share how to find it, what the short hike is like, what to bring and how our quick stop went.
If you are planning a trip around Kanab, it is a perfect stop on the way to Bryce Canyon or Zion.
Let’s get into it.
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Belly of the Dragon Utah at a Glance
In short, the Belly of the Dragon is a short, fun walk through a tunnel north of Kanab. You can do it as a quick stop of 15 minutes, like we did, or turn it into a longer hike through the wash on the other side.
| 📍 Location | About 16 miles north of Kanab on Highway 89, then 0.3 miles on the dirt road Elephant Gap |
| 🐉 What | A man-made tunnel under the highway, carved into ribs by water |
| 🚶 Tunnel walk | Short, with a drop down at the entrance and a few easy rock steps inside |
| 🥾 Full hike | About 1.8 miles round trip with the wash behind it |
| 🔦 Light | Dark in parts, our phone light was enough |
| ⏱️ Our stop | About 15 minutes |
| 📅 Last visited | October 2026 |
What Is the Belly of the Dragon?
Despite how it looks, the Belly of the Dragon is not a natural cave. Instead, it is a man-made tunnel that runs under Highway 89 and was built to divert water from the wash above. Over the years, however, the water has eroded the soft sandstone and carved it into ribs and folds, which gives the tunnel its famous look.
Because it is shaded and cool inside, it has also become a popular short hike to escape the sun, and with its unusual shapes it is one of the most photogenic stops between Kanab and Mount Carmel Junction.
How to Get to the Belly of the Dragon Kanab
First of all, the Belly of the Dragon is about 16 miles north of Kanab on Highway 89, or about half a mile south of Mount Carmel Junction, between Kanab and Orderville.
- Drive north from Kanab on Highway 89.
- Near mile marker 80, look for a dirt road on the west side of the highway, called Elephant Gap.
- Follow the dirt road for about 0.3 miles, veer left and park at the top of the hill. The trailhead parking is just a plain, flat and rocky area without any sign, so it is easy to drive past.
- From there you can see the tunnel opening. A short walk with a bit of a drop down takes you into the tunnel.
Tip: The turnoff is easy to miss. Set a pin on your map before you leave Kanab and slow down near mile marker 80.
The Belly of the Dragon Hike
Basically, the Belly of the Dragon hike has two parts, and you can choose how much you want to do.
The Tunnel
The tunnel itself is short. First, you walk through it from one end to the other, with the ribbed walls all around you. Parts of it are dark, so you need some light. Inside, however, the ground is uneven in places, and in a few short spots you have to step up or climb down over rocks. It is not difficult, but in the dark parts you need to watch your step. Even so, the tunnel walk alone takes just a few minutes plus as much time as you want for photos.
The Wash Behind It
After that, on the other side of the tunnel, the hike continues as a pretty canyon walk through a sandy wash and creek bed with rock walls. If you go all the way, the whole Belly of the Dragon hike is about 1.8 miles round trip.
Our Visit: A 15 Minute Stop
We stopped on our way from Bryce Canyon to Kanab. Actually, getting into the tunnel is the only tricky part. We had to climb down a short rock wall onto a ledge, then step down onto the sandy ground at the entrance. It is nothing difficult, so just take it slow. From there, we then walked all the way through the tunnel to the other end. We did not continue into the wash, because we still had the drive to Kanab ahead of us, so our stop took about 15 minutes.
We did not bring a flashlight. Honestly, our phone lights were enough for the darker parts. It was a short stop, but a really cool one.
Tips Before You Go
After all the tunnel was built to carry water from the wash. If rain is in the forecast, do not enter, because water can come through fast. Check the weather before you go, especially during monsoon season.
- Bring light: a flashlight or your phone light. Ours was enough.
- Wear good shoes: there is a bit of a drop down at the entrance, and inside the ground is uneven in places, with a few short spots where you step up or down over rocks. Easy, but watch your step in the dark.
- Best light for photos: mid afternoon is said to give the best light inside the tunnel.
- Keep your voice down: sound travels and echoes a lot in the tunnel.
- Leave no marks: the sandstone is soft, so please do not scratch or write on the walls.
Combine It With These Stops
Above all, the Belly of the Dragon is perfect as a stop on a bigger drive:
- Kanab to Bryce Canyon: it lies right on the way, like on our trip.
- Kanab to Zion: Mount Carmel Junction, just north of the tunnel, is where the road to Zion’s east entrance begins.
- Red Canyon: on the way to Bryce on Highway 12, with red rock arches and drone friendly skies.
► Read our mini guide to Red Canyon Utah
► Read our full guide on the best things to do in Kanab
Get Ready for Your Trip to Kanab
Book Your Accommodation
For Kanab I use Booking.com*. For example, our hotel was the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Kanab*. I also cross check on Hotels.com* and Expedia*. Alternatively, for cabins and vacation rentals, check Vrbo*. Compare rates on Kayak*, and when the big sites show sold out, I check Agoda*.
Book Your Flights and Rental Car
For most travelers, however, Las Vegas is the closest big airport, about three and a half hours away. For flights and rental cars, I also compare on Kayak*. If The Wave or Peekaboo are on your list, an SUV makes life easier.
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Belly of the Dragon Utah: Frequently Asked Questions
✅ Is Belly of the Dragon worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely. Even though the stop takes only 15 minutes, the Belly of the Dragon gives you a lot. If you love photography, want something unusual for your Instagram feed or simply like places that look a little different, it is worth pulling over on your way between Kanab and Zion or Bryce.
📍 Where is the Belly of the Dragon in Utah?
About 16 miles north of Kanab on Highway 89, half a mile south of Mount Carmel Junction, between Kanab and Orderville. Specifically, the turnoff is the dirt road Elephant Gap on the west side near mile marker 80, and the parking area is about 0.3 miles in.
🐉 Is the Belly of the Dragon natural?
No. In fact, it is a man-made tunnel under Highway 89, built to divert water. The water then carved the soft sandstone into the ribbed shapes you see today.
🥾 How long is the Belly of the Dragon hike?
The tunnel itself is short. With the wash on the other side, however, the full hike is about 1.8 miles round trip. By contrast, our stop through the tunnel only took about 15 minutes.
🔦 Do I need a flashlight for the Belly of the Dragon?
Parts of the tunnel are dark, so bring some light. Even so, for us phone lights were enough. Keep a hand free, because in a few spots you step over rocks on uneven ground.
⛈️ Is the Belly of the Dragon safe?
In dry weather, yes. Do not enter if rain is in the forecast, because the tunnel was built to carry water.
Final Thoughts on the Belly of the Dragon Utah
All in all, The Belly of the Dragon Utah is one of those quick stops that ends up being a highlight. Fifteen minutes, a phone light and good shoes are all you need to walk through a tunnel that looks like the inside of a giant creature. If you have more time, follow the wash behind it.
Slow down near mile marker 80. Check the weather. Check availability in Kanab here* and plan it into your drive. Happy travels.
Check Out My Other Utah Travel Guides
Kanab Utah Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Things to Do in Kanab: The 10 Best Adventures
Kanab Itinerary: My Perfect 3 Days
Red Canyon Utah: Where You Can Fly Your Drone
Bryce Canyon National Park: My Complete Guide
Kanab Hotels: Where to Stay, Honest Picks
USA Travel Guide: Road Trips, National Parks and Islands