Looking for gorgeous, family friendly hiking in Utah without all the crowds? Add Kanab, UT, to your list this year. It’s a little off the beaten path, between Page, AZ, and Zion National Park in Utah. At just over an hour drive from each of those destinations, Kanab is a destination in itself. With a population hovering around 5,000 people, a fairly mild climate and endless views Kanab is a hidden gem of the southwest and a great place to stay and explore. Here are three hikes we did with our family during our visit and tips on each one.
Fun fact: Kanab is known as ‘Little Hollywood” as its iconic southwest landscapes has been the backdrop for many films starring actors like John Wayne, Robert Redford, Mel Gibson, and Johnny Depp.
Sand Caves
If you only have time for one hike, make sure you check out the Sand Cave. It’s only a 10 minute scenic drive from Kanab on Hwy 89 and it’s definitely worth the quick drive. The hike is only a half mile round trip, and you’re instantly rewarded with epic views from the caves and super soft sand covering the floor of these manmade caverns originally created for sand mining.
Make sure to wear shoes with good traction. Even though the distance is only half a mile, there is a section of sandstone that you will need to traverse that is sloped and can be slippery on the sandy surface. We hiked it with our kids ages 5 and 8 and we just went slow and opted for a crab-walk part of the way and it was definitely worth it. We would not recommend bringing pets on this hike.
Once inside the caves, kick off your shoes enjoy the cool soft sand on your feet and the gorgeous views from the openings. As with all hikes be aware of your surroundings, there are several ‘rooms’ and the cave openings do drop off significantly 20+ feet to the ground below, so keep an eye on little ones as they explore.
Belly of the Dragon
This hike is kid and pet friendly and one you definitely won’t forget. Only 16 miles north of Kanab, this tunnel passes under highway 89. You’ll feel like you’re passing through a portal into another world as you enter the Belly of the Dragon. It’s actually a man-made drainage tunnel so steer clear of this hike on rainy days, but when it’s nice out this hike is a must-experience.
Wear shoes with good traction and be aware of your footing as you’ll be walking on some slick rock. We brought flashlights because at the midpoint the tunnel gets fairly dark, even during midday. It’s fun for kids to climb inside the tunnel and we felt safe letting them explore on the rocks.
Once you exit the tunnel, you can turn around and head back or continue on up the wash. We hiked on the sandy trail for a few more miles, and it eventually leads to a slot canyon. We stopped and relaxed where the wash turned from an easy sandy trail into more technical hiking. We got out our snacks and enjoyed a shady spot where there was still a slight waterfall.
Dinosaur Tracks
This hike is the most challenging of the three, but seeing fossilized dinosaur tracks makes it rewarding at the top. It’s about 3 miles north of Kanab on highway 89, you can park at the Port of Entry sign and find the trailhead from there. This hike is a 1.3 mile out and back hike rated moderate. We completed it with another family and six kids ranging from 2 to 10 years old, although the 2 year-old snagged a ride in a hiking pack.
The gain in elevation is quick, and the views from the top of the ridge are gorgeous looking down into the red rock canyon contrasting with the bright green trees and shrubs. Good hiking shoes with traction and a good attitude are essential for this hike. Once you reach the top of the ridge it levels out and you can enjoy spotting dinosaur tracks. Our kids were impressed with how well preserved some of them were. It is dog friendly, and we brought our pup along, but part of the hike was difficult for him as some spots are narrow and steep to navigate with a leashed pet.
Where We Stayed
Kanab is a small southwest desert town, but there are a few RV parks with nice amenities and the views of the red rocks are incredible from pretty much everywhere in town. We stayed at Crazy Horse RV, which fit our needs perfectly. They had a pool for the kids, a game room, full hook up sites at a reasonable rate, and it was right in town with easy access to groceries and restaurants when we weren’t busy hiking.
Hiking Tips
- Bring plenty of water for everyone, including pets.
- Be aware of the weather, storms can come on quickly, filling canyon hikes with water.
- Wear good shoes. Sandstone, sometimes called Slick Rock gets especially slippery when wet.
- Clean up after yourself. Bring a trash bag for wrappers and waste bags if pets will be hiking too.
