America’s Best Small Desert Town Is Set Between Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon National Parks

The tiny town of Kanab, Utah, is perfectly perched within reach of the most iconic sites in the southwest. Three popular national parks — Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon — are one to two hours away by car, and Kanab acts as the gateway to The Wave, a popular red rock formation that resembles a wave in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.

"Kanab is coined 'the Golden Circle,' centrally located between Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and Lake Powell. plus so many other amazing parks and national monuments," said Britt Roth, owner of the local Dark Sky RV Campground. "Southern Utah and specifically Kanab are known for slot canyons, a unique naturally occurring formation formed by wind and water over time."

And while Kanab serves as the perfect homebase for exploring these famous sites (and more), it's still relatively unheard of — in fact, its motto is "Magically Unspoiled." The tiny town of roughly 5,000 people includes athletes and outdoor lovers who can’t get enough of the adventures that await just outside their door. Here’s why they’ve chosen to call Kanab home, and what you, as a visitor, won’t want to miss during your stay. 

The Best Times to Visit

If you have your heart set on seeing The Wave, your best bet is to visit between December and February when the demand for permits drops slightly. During the most popular months to visit The Wave — typically April, May, September, and October — there's often around 300 people vying for the 16 daily permits.

The Wave aside, Kanab shines in the spring and fall when the weather is cool and temperate.

“My favorite season in Kanab is definitely fall. You get both the great temperatures and sunny days and also the brilliant fall colors of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. Zion area along with the wonderful mix of Quaking Aspen and Ponderosa trees near the North Rim Grand Canyon and fantastic photo opportunities,” said Kyle Walker, owner of Grand Circle Tours in Kanab. Meanwhile, Roth, votes for spring. She says, "Kanab is located in the high desert so the flora and fauna is unique and the area is much greener than you would expect and you’ll see flowers and colors you’ve just never seen before!"

If you wish to visit Kanab’s neighboring national parks, make sure to research what’s open during your travel window. All three parks are open year-round, but the trails may be limited in the winter and the north entrance to the Grand Canyon (which is the most accessible entrance from Kanab) is typically closed between early December and mid-May. 

Things to Do

Kanab is a short drive from not one, but three national parks. The closest is Utah’s Zion National Park, which is just about an hour northwest of the city. The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah are both around an hour and a half from Kanab, making for an easy day trip. 

Ashley Heaton, the general manager at Wild Thyme Cafe, a local restaurant, says of the three parks, she prefers Bryce Canyon. “My favorite park to visit would have to be Bryce Canyon. It has a little bit of everything, from breathtaking views to amazing hikes.”

Those who want to stick closer to Kanab can check out the human-made Sand Caves, a mere five-minute drive out of town, or the Belly of the Dragon, a visually stunning tunnel that’s 20 minutes north of Kanab. Walker also recommends the “Peekaboo [Peek-A-Boo] slot canyon and driving the roads of the Grand Staircase.” His lesser-known recommendations include a visit to East Zion, which he says is “Higher in elevation and therefore more water and greener walks that very few seem to know about. Anywhere you find a place to park on the road has a secret hiking place just waiting to be explored.”

And of course, visitors should also put in for a permit to see The Wave, which is about an hour east of Kanab. The popular site is limited to just 64 people per day (48 permits are given three months in advance, and 16 are given one day in advance). And those who nab a permit to witness the formation, which resembles a wave carved into red sandstone, will need to come prepared to complete the six-mile round-trip hike. If you’re unfamiliar with desert hiking, it’s well-worth going with a guide — we recommend Walker’s team at Grand Circle Tours. Permit holders can also see attractions like The Second Wave, Melody Arch, and Fatali's Boneyard. 

If you missed out on a permit, head to White Pocket, a similar but less popular site that also sits within the stunning Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.

Where to Stay

There aren’t any five-star hotels in Kanab (which is part of its charm), but there are a smattering of luxury vacation rentals — like this home with a private pool and spa. The real way to go is to keep that outdoor vibe alive into the night by staying in one of the many local campgrounds and glamping sites.

The Dark Sky RV Campground was rated the top campsite in the U.S. for 2023 by Campspot and is the ultimate basecamp for travelers with RVs and vans. (Plus, they have perks like outdoor showers, a dog park, and a zip line.) The fully outfitted safari tents at BaseCamp 37°, which is eight miles east of Kanab, is a good choice for those who prefer to sleep in a tent. Each glamping tent has a California king bed and a private deck with desert views. There’s also a communal kitchen, plenty of outdoor seating, and hammocks primed for stargazing.

If you’re traveling with a furry friend, there’s no better place to lay your head than Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile, a pet-centric property with free shuttles to Kanab’s famous pet sanctuary, which just so happens to be the largest animal sanctuary in the U.S. Roth says, "people come from all over the world to volunteer and visit" the animal sanctuary, noting that "they house over 1,600 animals at any one time."

Where to Eat and Drink

For freshly baked goods and a cozy vibe, head to Kanab Creek Bakery, which doles out coffee and croissants along with full breakfast options in the heart of downtown. 

For a stellar lunch, head to the OG of Kanab dining: Rocking V Cafe. The restaurant boasts made-from-scratch home cooking and enough art and cool decor to keep you entertained the duration of your meal. If you’re craving a more elevated meal, the menu at Wild Thyme Cafe is hard to top. Their garden-to-table menu has a little something to everyone — from ribs so tender the meat falls off the bone to sesame tofu bowls (Roth says these are her favorite). Heaton, the cafe's general manager, says you can’t miss the key lime pie, which relies on a recipe passed down from her grandfather.

And finally, Walker recommends Vermillion 45 and Sego. “Sego has a wonderful pork belly watermelon treat and my other go-to dish is the dan dan lo mein, and I can't leave without a prickly pear margarita. At Vermillion 45 I enjoy the rigatoni pasta alla norcina and get a nice red Italian wine to go with that. Can’t go wrong at either place.”

Where to Shop

The mercantile at the Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile is a great way to support the nation’s largest animal sanctuary and offers a great selection of branded items, pet accessories, and interesting gifts. For a fine selection of art (and a similarly pet-friendly vibe) head to Raven’s Heart Gallery, which was opened by one of the animal sanctuary’s co-founders. Inside, you’ll find a wonderfully curated selection of local painting, sculpture, and jewelry.

And finally, for locally inspired gifts and any outdoor gear you left behind, swing by Willow Canyon Outdoor, which has a great selection of books and maps, in addition to clothing and shoe brands like Osprey, Black Diamond, and Chaco. It’s the place to go if you need to gear up before a big hike.

How to Get There

The best way to reach Kanab is by flying into the neighboring city of St. George, home to the St. George Regional Airport (SGU). From this airport, it’s around an hour and a half by car to Kanab. 

Those who want more flight options should consider flying into Las Vegas (LAS), which is three hours from Kanab, or Salt Lake City (SLC), which is five hours away by car. Similarly, you can fly into Phoenix (PHX) and make the 5.5-hour drive to Kanab.

If you plan on exploring the nearby national parks and rock formations, make sure to rent a car.