Great Chamber Kanab: The Giant Sand Cave at Cutler Point You Have Seen on Instagram (2026)
You have probably seen it on Instagram: the Great Chamber, also called the Great Chamber at Cutler Point or Cutler Cove. A tiny person standing in a huge, curved sandstone cave, with a sand dune at their feet and the desert valley glowing outside. That place is real, it is near Kanab in southern Utah, and it is even more impressive in person.
In short, the Great Chamber Kanab is a giant alcove at the base of a sandstone formation called Cutler Point. We visited in October 2026 on a self-drive UTV tour that combined it with Peekaboo Slot Canyon, and because we started early, we had the Great Chamber completely to ourselves for quite a while.
In this guide I share everything you need to know: what the Great Chamber is, how it differs from the Kanab Sand Caves, how to get there, what the climb is really like and when the light is best.
Let’s get into it.
In a Rush?
- Great Chamber Kanab at a Glance
- What Is the Great Chamber?
- Great Chamber or Kanab Sand Caves?
- How to Get to the Great Chamber
- Should You Drive Yourself?
- The Great Chamber Hike Up the Dune
- Best Time to Visit the Great Chamber
- Great Chamber Photo Tips
- What to Bring
- Get Ready for Your Trip to Kanab
- Frequently Asked Questions
Great Chamber Kanab at a Glance
However, the Great Chamber Kanab is not a place you just drive up to. Instead, it sits at the end of deep sand tracks north of Kanab, and most visitors reach it on a guided UTV tour, often together with Peekaboo Slot Canyon.
| 📍 Location | North of Kanab, Utah, at the base of Cutler Point |
| 🚙 Access | Deep sand: guided UTV tour or high clearance 4WD |
| 🥾 Hike | Short but steep climb up a sand dune |
| ⏱️ Time there | About 1 hour |
| 🧭 Our tour | 3 to 4 hours, combined with Peekaboo Slot Canyon |
| 🌅 Best time | Morning, ideally in spring or fall |
| 📵 Cell service | Very limited |
| 📄 Permit | None needed |
| 📅 Last visited | October 2026 |
What Is the Great Chamber?
Simply put, the Great Chamber is a huge alcove that wind and erosion have carved into the sandstone at the base of Cutler Point. In addition, a large sand dune sits right at its entrance and leads up into the cave. Once you are inside, you look out through the giant opening over the valley.
Honestly, the scale is hard to describe. Because you feel tiny standing inside, the photos look so impressive.
Great Chamber or Kanab Sand Caves? Do Not Mix Them Up
Interestingly, on social media the Great Chamber is often simply called the “sand cave” near Kanab. But there is another place called the Kanab Sand Caves, and the two are easy to confuse.
- One giant natural alcove at the base of Cutler Point
- Also, a huge sand dune at the entrance
- Deep sand access, so you need a UTV tour or 4WD
- The one from the Instagram photos
- A series of hand dug caves in a sandstone cliff
- Right above Highway 89, just north of Kanab
- Reached on foot from the road, although the climb is steep and slippery
- So far, we have only seen them from the road
► Read about the Kanab Sand Caves in our guide on things to do in Kanab
How to Get to the Great Chamber
The good news first: you do not need a permit for the Great Chamber. However, the challenge is getting there. For one, the route is a maze of branching sand tracks with many deep sand passages, and cell service is not available everywhere out there. That is why having a guide who knows the way makes such a difference. In other words, you need a 4WD, high clearance vehicle and real experience driving in sand, or you book a tour.
In the end, we booked our tour on GetYourGuide and combined the Great Chamber with Peekaboo Slot Canyon. On top of that, our guide Tim gave everyone the choice of riding along or driving their own buggy. So we drove ourselves, two self-driven buggies behind the guide, which was half of the fun. At the stops, Tim told us about the history and geology of the area and shared personal insights, which made the tour so much more than a buggy ride. Tim also had water with him for everyone.
This is the tour we booked, and because we loved it, I can warmly recommend it. For example, it combines the Great Chamber with Peekaboo Slot Canyon, lets you choose between riding along and driving your own buggy, and our guide Tim took great care of us. Book the 8:30 AM start if you can: the morning light in the Great Chamber is the most beautiful, and you are there before the crowds.
Tip: Book a tour that combines the Great Chamber with Peekaboo Slot Canyon. Even though they are very different, both are great.
► Read our full guide on our Peekaboo Slot Canyon UTV tour
Should You Drive Yourself?
You can reach the Great Chamber on your own, but only with the right vehicle and real experience in deep sand. Before you try, consider this:
- Vehicle: a 4WD with high clearance is a must. In fact, a normal SUV will get stuck.
- Rental cars: most rental agreements do not allow driving on unpaved roads like these. So check yours carefully.
- A maze of tracks: the route branches again and again, and it is easy to take a wrong turn.
- No signal: cell service is not available everywhere, so download offline maps before you go.
- Getting stuck is expensive: a tow out of deep sand in this area can cost a lot, if someone can reach you at all.
- Conditions change: sand shifts with wind and weather, and tracks can become impassable after rain.
Our honest advice: unless you have your own capable 4WD and sand driving experience, book a tour. That is exactly what we did, and it took all the stress out of it.
📍 See the location of the Great Chamber on Google Maps
The Great Chamber Hike Up the Dune
At first glance, the Great Chamber hike looks short, but do not underestimate it. First, from where the vehicles stop, you climb up the big sand dune into the alcove. Because the sand is deep and soft, every step slides back a little, and we definitely worked up a sweat.
Once you reach the top and step inside, you forget all about it. Altogether, we spent about an hour at the Great Chamber, walking around, looking out over the valley and taking photos. Afterwards, coming back down the dune is the easy, fun part.
Best Time to Visit the Great Chamber
Go in the morning. Above all, there are two reasons for it. First, the sun stands in the right position in the morning, and the alcove and the view out are at their best. Second, you beat the crowds. Since our tour started at 8:30 AM, we had the Great Chamber to ourselves for a long time.
For reference, we were there in early October. At the start of the tour it was only 8°C (46°F), whereas by midday it was 30°C (86°F). The buggies are open on the sides, so dress in layers and wear long pants for the morning ride.
► Read our guide on the best time to visit Kanab
Great Chamber Photo Tips
- Shoot from inside looking out: that way, the curved opening frames the valley and makes the scale of the alcove visible.
- Put a person in the frame, because without someone for scale, the photo does not show how huge it is.
- Use a wide angle: for example, a phone in wide or ultra wide mode works great here.
- Go early, because fewer people means cleaner photos, and the morning light is softer.
- Protect your camera, otherwise sand gets everywhere, especially on windy days.
What to Bring
- Layers and long pants, especially for the cold morning ride in an open buggy.
- Water, especially for the climb up the dune. Our guide had water for everyone, but bring your own anyway.
- Closed shoes, since the climb to the alcove is deep sand.
- Sun protection, because there is hardly any shade on the way.
- A bag for your phone or camera, so the sand stays out.
Get Ready for Your Trip to Kanab
Book Your Tour
As mentioned above, we booked our Great Chamber and Peekaboo UTV tour on GetYourGuide*.
Book Your Accommodation
For Kanab, I usually start with 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
Similarly, for flights and rental cars into Las Vegas or Salt Lake City I compare on Kayak*.
Advertising: affiliate links. No extra cost to you.
Great Chamber Kanab: Frequently Asked Questions
📍 Where is the Great Chamber in Utah?
In short, it is north of Kanab in southern Utah, right at the base of a sandstone formation called Cutler Point, so most people visit it from Kanab.
📄 Do I need a permit for the Great Chamber?
No. Unlike The Wave, you do not need a permit for the Great Chamber.
🗺️ Is the Great Chamber the same as Cutler Point or Cutler Cove?
Yes, more or less. Essentially, the Great Chamber is the alcove at the base of a formation called Cutler Point, and some people call it Cutler Cove. In other words, it all refers to the same giant sandstone alcove near Kanab.
🚙 Can I drive to the Great Chamber myself?
Only if you have a 4WD, high clearance vehicle and experience in deep sand. The route branches a lot, has many deep sand passages and there is not cell service everywhere, so most visitors book a UTV tour with a guide, which is what we did.
🥾 How hard is the Great Chamber hike?
Short, but still challenging. Basically, you climb up a steep sand dune into the alcove, and every step slides back. As a result, we definitely worked up a sweat.
🏜️ Is the Great Chamber the same as the Kanab Sand Caves?
No. To begin with, the Great Chamber is one giant natural alcove reached through deep sand. The Kanab Sand Caves, on the other hand, are smaller hand dug caves in a cliff right above Highway 89. Still, on social media both are sometimes called the “sand cave”.
⏱️ How much time do I need at the Great Chamber?
All in all, we spent about an hour at the Great Chamber. In total, combined with Peekaboo Slot Canyon, our tour took about three to four hours.
Final Thoughts on the Great Chamber Kanab
In the end, the Great Chamber Kanab lives up to the photos and then some. Sure, the dune climb is short and sweaty, but the alcove is enormous, and having it to yourself in the morning light is unforgettable. Most importantly, combine it with Peekaboo, start early and bring layers.
Book the morning tour. Climb the dune. Check availability in Kanab here* and plan a few nights. Happy travels.
Check Out My Other Utah Travel Guides
Kanab Utah Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Peekaboo Slot Canyon Kanab: Our Self-Drive UTV Tour
Things to Do in Kanab: The 10 Best Adventures
Kanab Hotels: Where to Stay, Honest Picks
The Wave Permit: How We Won the Lottery Twice
Kanab Itinerary: My Perfect 3 Days
Belly of the Dragon Utah: The Ribbed Tunnel Near Kanab
USA Travel Guide: Road Trips, National Parks and Islands