Explore Kanab, UT: Red Rocks, Slot Canyons & Western Charm

The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit organization in Kanab, Utah that operates the largest homeless animal sanctuary in the United States. The facility also offers educational programs, spaying/neutering, and adoption. Founded in 1984, this organization has been one of the leaders of the no-kill movement for more than thirty years. The heart of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary are the more than 1,000 animals that are getting the help they need, whether its medical help or the acceptance and love to overcome the past. Tours of the animal sanctuary are offered year-round, every day.

5001 Angel Canyon Rd, Kanab, UT 84741, Phone: 435-644-2001

South Coyote Buttes is a place that was made for people to experience nature in the most pristine form, perfect for photo opportunities. Compared to Coyote Buttes North (Video), the South has far fewer hikers who try to seek a permit. The South Coyote Buttes is an enthralling and visually stunning destination itself, with its fins, arches, and rock piles, which are also referred to as “teepees.” The chances of obtaining a hiking permit here is much higher, possibly ensuring that hikers will have a much better visit to the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness near the tiny town of Kanab.

The Wire Pass Trailhead is located halfway between the Southwest city of Page AZ, Arizona and Kanab, Utah, within the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. The trailhead of Wire Pass is a gateway to spectacular hiking and scenery, including the Buckskin Gulch and The Wave. Situated along the House Rock Valley Road, a little more than eight miles south of Highway 89, this road is typically accessible by passenger vehicle, however, a 4WD or higher clearance vehicle is more preferred for the dirt road. The Wire Pass Trailhead hike generally takes 1.5 to two hours for round-trip and is a relatively easy hike.

House Rock Valley Rd, Kanab, UT 84741

Attractions for Couples

Located within the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness and Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the Buckskin Gulch is a southern Utah canyon and is one of the Paria River’s main tributaries. The gulch is the deepest and longest slot canyon within southwestern United States, and possibly the world’s longest slot canyon, making it a premier destination for slot canyon hikers. One of the country’s truly classic trails for hiking, the Buckskin Gulch (Video) meanders through a seemingly subterranean paradise. Visitors can attempt the hike as either a day trip or over the course of several days to hike the complete twenty miles.

The Kanab Heritage House Museum in the small town is a beautiful restored historic house full of many of its original furniture, as well as other period pieces. Entertaining and informative guided tours are offered of the Kanab Heritage House Museum and last around thirty or forty minutes. These tours are available on the hour, every hour and include a bit of trivia, a good amount of “women’s first,” and plenty of factual history. Visitors can also choose to take a self-guided tour of the Heritage House Museum, with brochures provided at the back porch to guide guests.

115 S Main St, Kanab, UT 84741, Phone: 435-644-3506

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

The overland desert crossing along Cottonwood Canyon Road offers some of the area’s most fascinating scenery. While the landscape is amazing seen by car, hiking provides an even better chance of spectacular views, so visitors should make sure to pack their hiking shoes, maps, snacks, water, and of course, their camera. The conditions on the unpaved Cottonwood Canyon Road are good, offering an easy adventure that stretches nearly fifty miles. Most hardy 2WD vehicles shouldn’t have any problems with the road, however, 4WD is typically more comfortable and easier, particularly in rainy weather when the road becomes muddy.

Old Paria is a southern Utah ghost town in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument along the Paria River. Inhabited from the year 1870 until 1929, the town later served as a popular filming location. The handful of wooden buildings scattered about as a movie set were located just past the parking area and were featured in several films. Thanks to numerous year of aging under the Southwest’s desert sun, these structures boasted an authentic appearance, however, they were found to be too unstable in 1999 and were consequently dismantled. Today, visitors can still see what remains of the Old Paria town.

Paria Valley Rd, Kanab, UT 84741

Recommended Attractions

A landmark of southern Utah, the Moqui Cave serves as a natural history museum that features a large dinosaur track collection and Native American artifacts. Within this interesting cave, visitors can see a large number of artifacts, in addition to minerals from throughout the world and fluorescent rocks. On display as well are over one thousand arrowheads and an expansive collection of various pre-Columbian artifacts that come from Mexico. Artifacts in the Moqui Cave include centuries-old working tools, bowls, jugs, and ceremonial pots that provide anthropological clues about the early lives of the Navajo and Anasazi Indians.

4581 US-89, Kanab, UT 84741, Phone: 435-644-8525

The Little Hollywood Movie Museum is a non-traditional, slightly quirky stop on the agenda of many visitors, beckoning those who are curious enough to follow signs near the city limits of Kanab, Utah. With towering sandstone cliffs surrounding the area and views of sagebrush, the name of “Little Hollywood” clearly comes into focus, particularly for any fans of Western films. The region’s dramatic natural scenery has long lured filmmakers to the town of Kanab for over ninety years. Studios left Hollywood in the 1920’s and headed east in search of visually stimulating backdrops and new suitable locations for their Westerns.

297 W Center St, Kanab, UT 84741, Phone: 435-644-5337

The RedStone Theater in the little scenic Western town of Kanab, Utah is home to The Bar G Wranglers. Situated within the town’s downtown area, the theater is a popular thing to do among visitors after they spend the day exploring the region’s many surrounding national parks. The Bar G Wranglers put on a memorable Live Western Show every night, full of whip cracking, rope tricks, and live music. The Red Stone Theater is now a dinner theater venue where guests can immerse themselves within the “Old West” for a night filled with country-western music and fun.

29 W Center St, Kanab, UT 84741, Phone: 435-644-8025