Are you looking for an awesome itinerary to discover Southern Utah from Kanab? Then you are in the right place!
Southern Utah has a lot to offer, from Bryce Canyon National Park to Zion National Park and many more amazing landscapes! And in my opinion, the best way to see them all is by selecting Kanab as a base camp.
We recently spent a week in Kanab – and did the most fantastic day trips and tours through the area.
If you want to discover Southern Utah (and parts of Northern Arizona) without the hassle of planning it – you are in the right spot!
Let’s get to it!
Table of Contents
1 Week in Kanab Itinerary: Overview
If you are just here to snatch up the itinerary without any further explanations – you are in the right spot.
We stayed in Kanab for a week – and it was the perfect amount of time to see everything without being in a rush! Yes, this itinerary involves quite a lot of driving, but the roads are chill and we loved our (affordable) Airbnb in Kanab. It is a great spot for a home base to see all these fantastic spots!
Make sure to read my Utah Travel Guide before booking your vacay!
Here is how we spent 7 days in Southern Utah:
- Day 1: Kanab Sand Caves, Downtown Kanab
- Day 2: Zion National Park
- Day 3: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Pink Sand Dunes, Belly of the Dragon
- Day 4: Grand Canyon North Rim
- Day 5: Bryce Canyon National Park
- Day 6: Capitol Reef National Park
- Day 7: Vermillion Cliffs, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend
Day 1
Kanab Sand Caves
After arriving in Kanab and checking into our Airbnb, we decided to check out a great local spot for a leisurely hike. The Kanab Sand Caves are a super cool attraction, located about 5 miles outside of Kanab.
The hike is not too long, but the trail is not well-marked. We just climbed up to the caves and crawled around there for a bit, it is pretty self-explanatory.
This hike is not for people with mobility issues, keep that in mind!
Downtown Kanab
After exploring the beautiful Sand Caves, we headed to the town center of Kanab. It is pretty small but super scenic.
There are a lot of great smaller stores and restaurants, and the people there are super friendly. In the end, we ended up every night in town for dinner.
Here are a couple of places you need to check out in Kanab:
- Wild Thyme Cafe
- Honey’s Market (groceries)
- Vermillion 45
- Brown Box Cafe
- Duke’s Clothing
Day 2
Zion National Park
Resources: 1 Day in Zion National Park: Beautiful Itinerary
On the second day in Kanab, we’ll explore the National Park that is closest for convenience: Zion National Park!
It is about a 40-minute drive from Kanab to the Zion parking lot inside the park. From there, you can take the shuttle to the hiking trails and head out to your adventure.
Zion National Park is full of stunning red cliffs, cool slot canyons, and beautiful green valleys.
It’s a dream spot for hikers, with popular trails like Angels Landing and The Narrows that make for amazing adventures. Make sure to pick a hike appropriate for your skill level.
I have a small selection here for you in this post:
| Skill Level | Hike | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Very Easy | The Grotto Trail (0.5 hour / 1 mile) | |
| Easy | Lower Emerald Pool (1.5 hours / 2 miles) | no swimming |
| Moderate | Watchman Trail ( 2 hours / 3.3 miles) | |
| Advanced | The Narrows (up to 8 hours / 9.5 miles) | Check the weather for flash floods |
| Very Difficult | Scout Lookout (3 hours / 4.2 miles) | Permit needed, steep dropoffs |
Day 3
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab is the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the U.S.
It’s set in a beautiful red-rock canyon and is home to thousands of animals, from dogs and cats to horses, birds, and even pigs.
You can tour the sanctuary, volunteer, or even stay overnight in pet-friendly accommodations. Check their website to sign up for tours.
It’s a heartwarming place to connect with animals and support a mission of kindness and compassion for all creatures.
Belly of the Dragon
The Belly of the Dragon is a super cool, short hike just outside the city of Kanab.
The hike will lead you through a tunnel carved by water under the highway. It’s only about half a mile long.
If you crave some more exercise, you can follow the empty wash on the other side of the tunnel up some rugged hills through the desert landscape.
Belly of the Dragon is a pretty cool spot for pictures, so make sure to bring your camera.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
The Coral Pink Sand Dunes in Utah is another cool spot to visit, just outside of Kanab. Make sure to get here for sunset, to see the colors light up under the evening sky.
The park’s unique color comes from the surrounding Navajo sandstone, giving it a stunning vibe perfect for those Insta-pics!
The area is great for hiking, you can find some pretty cool trails here.
Day 4
Grand Canyon North Rim
On our fourth day in Kanab we decided to head to Arizona to see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It is a super beautiful drive down there, and easy to reach from Kanab.
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a quieter, less crowded alternative to the South Rim. In my opinion, it has even more stunning views and a more peaceful vibe.
Sitting at a higher elevation, it’s cooler and surrounded by lush forests, making it perfect for summer visits.
Here are a couple of tips if it is your first time there:
- First View: Grand Canyon Lodge
- Sunrise: Point Imperial
- Sunset: Cape Royal
- If you are not into hiking: Cape Royal Road Scenic Drive (23 miles)
- My favorite hike: Transept Trail (4 miles)
- Strenuous hike: North Kaibab Trail
Note: we did not stay for sunset, because the drive out of the park leads through the forest and there are a lot of deer on the road. If you want to do sunset or sunrise in the park, I suggest to stay overnight.
Day 5
Bryce Canyon National Park
Resources: Awesome One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park Itinerary
Day five is one of my favorite days in this itinerary – because we’ll explore Bryce Canyon National Park. The drive from Kanab is about two hours long, but it is pretty scenic.
Start your day with an early morning hike along Bryce Canyon’s Rim Trail. You’ll get the best panoramic views of the iconic hoodoos here.
If you are adventurous, tackle the longer Fairyland Loop. After lunch, take the Southern Scenic Drive, stopping at stunning viewpoints like Rainbow Point.
On your way back to Kanab, cruise along the famous Scenic Byway 12, which is famous for its breathtaking landscapes. Make sure to stop for some photos here!
Day 6
Capitol Reef National Park
A day trip to Capitol Reef from Kanab is perfect for exploring Utah’s red rock beauty. It is a bit of a drive, but it is well worth it!
Start early to make the most of your time and drive along Scenic Highway 24 to reach the park. Once there, visit the Fruita Historic District to see orchards and pioneer sites.
Check out the Capitol Gorge Trail for an easy hike with petroglyphs and towering canyon walls.
If you have time, drive the Scenic Drive for incredible views of the park’s iconic cliffs and domes.
Make sure to pack lunch and plenty of water for this adventure-packed day!
Day 7
Resources: 1 Awesome Day in Page, Arizona: Itinerary and Insider Tips
Paria/Vermillion Cliffs
On our last day in Kanab we decided to head back to Northern Arizona. The area around Page has a lot to offer, and the drive there is pretty spectacular.
You’ll drive by the Paria Cliffs, which are part of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona and southern Utah.
They offer a stunning display of colorful, layered sandstone formations. If you get a permit, I suggest to hike the Wave for the most stunning views.
Since the permits are super rare, we just admired the cliffs on our way from Kanab to Page.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon, near Page is my favorite spot in Arizona.
It is a breathtaking slot canyon, famous for its smooth, wave-like sandstone walls and stunning light beams that shine through the narrow openings above.
It is divided into two sections, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. We decided to visit the Lower Antelope Canyon, because the tours are more affordable.
This natural wonder, carved over centuries by water and wind, is a must-see destination in Arizona.
Horseshoe Bend
Just before sunset, we’ll head over to Horseshoe Bend.
It is a stunning viewpoint where the Colorado River makes a sharp, horseshoe-shaped curve. It’s an easy hike to the overlook. There you can see the river winding through towering red cliffs.
If you are not afraid of heights, you can walk all the way toward the edge.
The view is especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset. Make sure to walk a couple of steps away from the viewing platform to enjoy a quieter atmosphere!
This is the perfect end to our week in Kanab itinerary – don’t you think?
Are 7 Days in Kanab Enough?
I think a week is the perfect amount of time to spend in Kanab, Utah.
While the town itself can only keep you busy for a day or two, there is so much to see in the area surrounding it.
Kanab is located in between four National Parks and several state parks. That’s what makes it the perfect place for a base camp. Fromt there, you can reach anything withing two hours.
We spent 8 days in Kanab in total, and we loved it so much! Make sure to plan some time for rest and relaxation as well, since all the hiking can be pretty straining!
The area has so much to offer – so you could probably even keep busy for another week here!
Conclusion
To sum it up, 7 days is the perfect time to spend in Kanab, Utah. With this itinerary, you’ll see the best of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona in just one small week.
From the stunning Grand Canyon North Rim to Antelope Canyon and Zion National Park – this itinerary has so much to offer.
And not only are the parks stunning, but even just the drives will make you happy. Scenic Byways and stunning cliffs are waiting for you!
Lastly, if you can’t get enough of the American Southwest, keep on reading our ultimate Road Trip Itinerary.
About The Author
Sabrina is a 30 year old Air Force Wife and passionate travel blogger, currently based in New Mexico. She loves exploring the Southwest USA with her drone.
Sabrina’s mission is help travellers have an authentic, relaxed and instagrammable trip through the American Southwest.
