Things to Do in Kanab: 10 Best Adventures From Slot Canyons to The Wave (2026)

Kanab is small, but it is surrounded by some of the most spectacular landscapes in the American Southwest. We spent several days here in October 2026 and still left with a list of things we want to come back for.

Therefore, this guide covers the best things to do in Kanab, from The Wave and our UTV tour to Peekaboo Slot Canyon to quick stops like the Belly of the Dragon. I mark clearly what we did ourselves, on this trip or an earlier one, and what is still on our list, so you know exactly where my tips come from.

If you are still looking for a hotel, start with my guide on where to stay in Kanab.

Let’s get into it.

Things to Do in Kanab at a Glance

First of all, Kanab lies on the edge of the Colorado Plateau, a huge high plateau spread across Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. In total, it holds nine national parks, the greatest concentration in the country outside of Washington, DC, plus 18 national monuments. Then, erosion carved it into the cliffs, slot canyons and sandstone swirls you find everywhere around town. That is why there are so many things to do in Kanab within a short drive.

Tip: Many of the best things to do around Kanab involve deep sand, dirt roads or flash flood terrain. Always check the weather before you head out, and skip slot canyons and tunnels when rain is forecast.

1. Hike The Wave

Of course, The Wave is the most famous permit hike in the Southwest, and the Wire Pass Trailhead is about an hour from Kanab. However, you need a permit from a lottery, and only 64 people per day are allowed in. Still, we have won it twice, eleven years apart.

In addition, the hike itself is around 6.4 miles round trip across sand and slickrock, with almost no shade. So start early, take plenty of water and drive a high clearance vehicle on House Rock Valley Road.

► Read our full guide on The Wave permit

► Read our full guide on The Wave hike

2. Peekaboo Slot Canyon and the Great Chamber by UTV

Without a doubt, this was one of the highlights of our trip. Peekaboo Slot Canyon and the Great Chamber sit at the end of a deep sand track north of Kanab, so most visitors book a UTV tour. We drove our own buggy behind our guide Tim, explored the glowing red slot canyon with its Moki steps and then climbed a steep sand dune into the Great Chamber, a giant sandstone alcove we had all to ourselves.

Book the morning tour. Since our tour started at 8:30 AM, we were ahead of the crowds. Bring layers, because it was 8°C in the morning and 30°C by midday.

Check Tour Availability*

► Read our full guide on Peekaboo Slot Canyon Kanab

► Read our full guide on the Great Chamber Kanab

3. Walk Through the Belly of the Dragon

We stopped here on the way from Bryce Canyon to Kanab, and it was therefore a fun surprise. In fact, Belly of the Dragon is a man-made tunnel under Highway 89, built to divert water from the wash above. Over time the water has carved the sandstone into ribs, so it really looks like you are walking down the throat of a giant creature.

Specifically, it is about 16 miles north of Kanab, just south of Mount Carmel Junction. Then look for a dirt road on the west side of the highway near mile marker 80, follow it and park at the top of the hill. Finally, the tunnel opening is visible from there.

If it is on your way, it makes a great 15 minute stop. If you want more, you can continue through the tunnel and hike the sandy wash on the other side, which makes it about 1.8 miles round trip.

► Read our mini guide to the Belly of the Dragon Utah

4. Play in the Coral Pink Sand Dunes

We visited the Coral Pink Sand Dunes on an earlier trip. About 30 minutes from Kanab, the state park is a giant playground of coral colored sand. For example, you can hike the dunes, try sandboarding or ride across them. Besides, about 90 percent of the park’s 3,730 acres are open to UTVs.

For example, popular routes for four wheelers are the Sand Highway, a narrow one way trail in a small canyon along the edge of the dunes, and the South Boundary Trail, which runs for several miles along the eastern side of the main dune area. Also, stop at the visitor center for maps and trail conditions.

As for us, we went hiking in the dunes. While we were walking, we watched the UTV tours racing up and down the dunes. That definitely looked like fun, so next time I would love to try it.

Check Coral Pink Sand Dunes UTV Tours*

Or compare this Coral Pink Sand Dunes tour*.

5. Ride the Kanab UTV Trails

Our tour to Peekaboo and the Great Chamber was our UTV ride around Kanab, but there are many more routes to choose from. The Kanab Area OHV Trail System offers about 200 miles (322 km) of trails, with loops from short rides to more than 60 miles (97 km). Moreover, the trails range from graded county roads to old 4×4 tracks. Parts of Hog Canyon are rated extreme, so they are only for experienced riders with the right machine.

6. Explore the Kanab Sand Caves

Also, you drive right past the Kanab Sand Caves on Highway 89 on your way into Kanab from the north. We only saw them from the road this time, but they are easy to spot in the cliff above the highway. Basically, the caves are a series of hand dug caves in the sandstone, stretching about 200 feet with several openings. However, to get up there, you walk up a steep sandstone face, partly with the help of a rope, and come back down the same way.

The rock can be slippery when wet, and the cave openings have big drop offs, so keep kids and dogs close. Also, there is no shade on the trail. Spring and fall are the best seasons, and an hour or two before sunset gives you beautiful light.

7. Visit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Moreover, just north of town lies Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, one of the largest animal sanctuaries in the United States, home to hundreds of dogs, cats, horses, birds and more. It is a lovely change of pace between hikes, especially if you travel with kids or miss your own pets. So check their website for tours and book ahead.

8. Day Trip to Zion National Park

Furthermore, Zion’s quieter east entrance is about 35 minutes from Kanab, and Zion Canyon and Springdale are about an hour away. Especially the drive in from the east side, through the Zion Mount Carmel Highway and its famous tunnel, is an experience on its own. We have done it on an earlier trip, and driving through is a real highlight.

This time we skipped Zion, because the east entrance was closed while we were in Kanab in October 2026. Closures like this can happen for road work, rockfall or weather, so check the current road status on the National Park Service website before you plan your day.

Tip: If you want to hike in Zion Canyon itself, check the current shuttle system and leave early. However, parking near the visitor center fills up quickly.

9. Day Trip to Bryce Canyon

Similarly, Bryce Canyon is about an hour and a half from Kanab. Altogether, I have been there four times and hiked a lot of its trails. On this trip we spent two nights at Ruby’s Inn*, right at the entrance to the park, and then drove on to Kanab, with a stop at the Belly of the Dragon along the way.

You can do Bryce as a long day trip from Kanab, but if you have the time, I would do it like we did: stay a night or two at Bryce first, so you can catch sunrise over the hoodoos and hike without rushing back, and then continue to Kanab.

► Next stop: Best hikes in Bryce Canyon

Bonus: Buckskin Gulch, Top of Our List for Next Time

We have not hiked it yet, but Buckskin Gulch is at the very top of our list for our next trip. In fact, it is often called the longest and deepest slot canyon in the American Southwest, with narrow, towering walls for many miles.

Most importantly, it starts at the Wire Pass Trailhead, the same trailhead as The Wave, and you do not need to win a lottery. A day use pass costs about 6 US dollars per person and 6 per dog, and you can buy it at the trailhead or in advance on Recreation.gov. Most day hikers walk through the narrow Wire Pass slot canyon to the confluence with Buckskin Gulch, about 1.8 miles one way, and then explore as far as they like. However, overnight trips need a separate permit, and those are limited.

► Read our full guide on The Wave hike, which starts at the same trailhead

10. Eat at Los Tapatios

Get Ready for Your Trip to Kanab

Book Tours and Activities

We booked our Peekaboo and Great Chamber UTV tour on GetYourGuide*. I can warmly recommend it, especially with the 8:30 AM start for the best light and fewer crowds.

Book Your Accommodation

For Kanab I use Booking.com*. Our hotel was the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Kanab*. I also cross check on Hotels.com* and Expedia*. 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

Las Vegas is the closest big airport, about three and a half hours away. For flights and rental cars I compare on Kayak*. If The Wave or Peekaboo are on your list, an SUV makes life easier.

Advertising: affiliate links. No extra cost to you.

Things to Do in Kanab: Frequently Asked Questions

✨ What are some unique things to do in Kanab?

Our favorites were hiking The Wave, driving our own buggy to Peekaboo Slot Canyon and the Great Chamber, and walking through the Belly of the Dragon, a ribbed tunnel under Highway 89. For something different, the Coral Pink Sand Dunes and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary are great too.

🏜️ What is Kanab, Utah known for?

Kanab is known as a base for The Wave, slot canyons like Peekaboo, the Coral Pink Sand Dunes and day trips to Zion and Bryce Canyon. It sits on the edge of the Colorado Plateau, right on the Utah and Arizona border.

📅 How many days do you need in Kanab?

Plan at least three days. That gives you time for The Wave or a UTV tour, a stop at the Belly of the Dragon and a day trip to Zion or the sand dunes.

🚙 Do I need a 4WD for things to do in Kanab?

For Peekaboo and the Great Chamber, yes, which is why a UTV tour is the easiest option. For House Rock Valley Road to The Wave, a high clearance vehicle is strongly recommended. Zion, Bryce and the Belly of the Dragon are fine with a normal car.

👨‍👩‍👧 What are the best things to do in Kanab with kids?

The Coral Pink Sand Dunes, the Belly of the Dragon, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and a guided UTV tour are all great with kids. Keep children close at the Kanab Sand Caves because of the drop offs.

⛈️ When is the best time to visit Kanab?

Spring and fall. Summer is very hot, and monsoon season brings a real flash flood risk, usually until mid September. We visited in early October and had cool mornings and warm afternoons.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Kanab

Kanab is a small town with a big backyard: slot canyons, sand dunes, a dragon’s throat under the highway and, if luck is on your side, The Wave. We did a lot, and we still have a list for next time.

Start early. Watch the weather. Book your UTV tour in the morning. Check availability in Kanab here* and give yourself at least three nights. Happy travels.

Check Out My Other Utah Travel Guides

Belly of the Dragon Utah: The Ribbed Tunnel Near Kanab
Great Chamber Kanab: The Giant Sand Cave
Kanab Utah Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Kanab Hotels: Where to Stay, Honest Picks
The Wave Permit: How We Won the Lottery Twice
The Wave Hike: My Honest Trail Guide
Peekaboo Slot Canyon Kanab: Our Self-Drive UTV Tour to the Great Chamber
Kanab Itinerary: My Perfect 3 Days
Best Time to Visit Kanab: Season by Season
Is Kanab Worth Visiting: My Honest Verdict
Best Hikes in Bryce Canyon: 7 Trails I Actually Hiked
USA Travel Guide: Road Trips, National Parks and Islands