Kanab
A Western-movie town in southern Utah at the hub of the Zion–Bryce–Grand Canyon North Rim loop, with an animal sanctuary and slot canyons.
Kanab sits in Kane County at Utah's southern tip, right by the Arizona line. Home to about 5,000 people and ringed by the Vermilion Cliffs, it's a key junction on US Route 89. Hundreds of Westerns were filmed here in the mid-20th century, earning it the nickname "Utah's Little Hollywood." The town lies at the center of the Southwest's Grand Circle of national parks: Zion National Park's east entrance is about 45 km northwest, Bryce Canyon about 120 km northeast, the Grand Canyon's North Rim about 130 km south, and Page and Lake Powell about 110 km east. Permit-only gems such as The Wave and White Pocket often use Kanab as a base (the daily lottery for The Wave is held in Kanab). Nearby sights include Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest in the US; short hikes such as Peekaboo Slot Canyon, the Sand Caves and Belly of the Dragon; the Little Hollywood Movie Museum; and Pipe Spring National Monument. In summer and fall you can day-trip to the North Rim's Bright Angel Point, Point Imperial and Cape Royal (the North Rim was hit by wildfire in 2025 and has reopened on a limited basis from 2026, with no lodging). The best seasons are April–May and September–October; summer days often top 35°C, and winter brings occasional snow. The nearest airports are St. George (about 130 km) and Las Vegas (about 490 km), and a car is essential; many sandy dirt roads require 4WD or an off-road tour. Plan 2–3 days and use Kanab as a stopover on the loop. Always carry plenty of water in the desert, and beware of flash floods in slot canyons during the July–September monsoon.
Top sights
- Best Friends Animal Sanctuary – The largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the United States, set in Angel Canyon among red cliffs, where you can visit rescued dogs, cats and…
- Grand Canyon North Rim (Bright Angel Point) – A quieter North Rim of the Grand Canyon, about 300 meters higher than the South Rim and far less crowded. The short Bright Angel Point trai…
- Point Imperial – The highest viewpoint on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, at about 2,683 meters, overlooking Marble Canyon, the Painted Desert and the di…
- Cape Royal – A viewpoint promontory at the end of the North Rim road, passing Angels Window. From here you can see far down to the Colorado River and th…
- Peekaboo Slot Canyon (Kanab) – A red sandstone slot canyon just north of Kanab, with curving walls and light that rivals Antelope Canyon. Most visitors go by off-road veh…
- Kanab Sand Caves – Orange caves dug into a sandstone cliff beside Highway 89. A short hike brings you there, making it Kanab's easiest photo stop.
- Moqui Cave – A private museum in a natural sandstone cave that was once a Prohibition-era speakeasy, displaying ancient Native American artifacts, dinos…
- Little Hollywood Movie Museum – An open-air mini museum displaying Western film sets and props shot around Kanab. Admission is free, and it offers a taste of the history o…
- Belly of the Dragon – A natural sandstone drainage tunnel under Highway 89, its inner walls carved by flowing water into spiral ridges like dragon ribs. An easy…
- Pipe Spring National Monument – A spring oasis in the Arizona desert that preserves a 19th-century Mormon stone fort ranch and introduces Kaibab Paiute culture.
- Paria Ghost Town & Movie Set Site – An abandoned 19th-century pioneer settlement on the Paria River, surrounded by red, purple and grey striped hills. It is also a Western fil…
Where to eat
- Sego – Rated by OpenTable as the best-reviewed restaurant in Kanab, known for seasonal Asian-inspired small plates meant for s…
- Rocking V Café – An art-filled restaurant in an 1892 general store building, praised for its steaks, bison, and vegetarian options.
- Wild Thyme Bistro – A popular bistro that won the 2026 Southern Utah gold award for best healthy food, with fresh ingredients, generous por…