Five free things to do in Kanab Utah that take less than an hour

If you’re vacationing in southern Utah, Kanab is a hidden gem that you don’t want to miss. From slot canyons to ghost towns to natural wonders, you get a little bit of everything. So, if you’re just passing through on a day trip, here are five of the best things to do in Kanab Utah and the surrounding area that take less than an hour.

Although from Utah, this is the first time my family and I have visited Kanab. This place is chock full of amazing hikes and fun adventures for kids and adults. We absolutely loved it and we will definitely be coming back again. Here’s a handful of hikes that a literally right off the side of the road and are perfect for a quick adventure.

#1: Belly of the Dragon

• Ages: All ages welcome
• Cost: FREE!
• Duration: 15 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Distance: Less than 1/4 mile (right off the highway)
• Location: Drive 16 miles of US-89 north of Kanab, turn left into the dirt path of Barracks Road near East Fork Virgin River and follow the road for 0.25 miles.

This landmark is a carved tunnel that goes under Highway 89 near Mt. Carmel and is used as a drainage for the upper canyons that feed into the North Fork River. It is spectacular! This is the perfect stop if you’re just driving through the area. The parking lot is steps away from the tunnel.

#2: Sand Caves

• Ages: All ages welcome
• Cost: FREE!
• Duration: 45 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Distance: 1.5 miles total (out and back)
• Location: Drive 5 miles north of Kanab on Highway 89, turn right onto a dirt parking lot. You can search “Sand Caves Kanab” on your Google maps and it will take you there.

You can see the sand caves or Moqui Caverns from the highway. Just start hiking north from the parking lot and follow the sand trail. You’ll have to climb some sloped slick rock that leads up to the caves. But we saw people of all ages doing it. The sand caves were man-made when they began mining for sand for glass production back in the 1970s.

#3: Red Canyon Slot (Peekaboo Kanab)

• Ages: All ages welcome
• Cost: FREE!
• Duration: 1 hour
• Distance: About 1.5 miles total (out and back)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Location: Drive 8.6 miles north from Kanab on Highway 89. You’ll find a dirt parking lot right off the highway. Using a 4-wheel drive vehicle only, follow the deep sandy road about four miles to the canyon’s entrance. You can GPS “Peekaboo Kanab” to get the directions.

This slot canyon–not to be confused with Peekaboo Canyon in Escalante–has breathtaking red sandstone cliffs and rock formations on both sides. It’s one of the hidden gems resting outside the small town of Kanab. It is a very easy hike down the narrow canyon. This was definitely a favorite. However, don’t attempt to drive the sandy 4-mile road without 4-wheel drive. It has deep sand. We did it in our truck and we just kept up a good speed and we were fine. You can also hire a local guide for an ATV tour but it can get pretty pricey.

#4: Elkheart Cliffs Slot Canyon

• Ages: All ages welcome
• Cost: FREE!
• Duration: 1 hour
• Distance: About 2 miles total (out and back)
• Difficulty: Moderate, if you’re just exploring the bottom of the slot canyon. This canyon can be accessed from the top with rappelling gear as well.
• Location: Drive 14 miles north from Kanab on Highway 89. You’ll find an unmarked parking lot right off the highway. Hike about 1/4 mile up the dirt road until you see a telephone pole on the left marked 316. The narrow, sandy trail starts down the hill right next to it. This trail leads down to a wash that leads to the entrance of the slot canyon.

A lot of people don’t even attempt this slot canyon because they don’t have rappelling gear. However, when you enter the slot canyon from the bottom, you can still walk into the canyon a small distance and enjoy the beauty of this natural wonder. It’s a nice little day hike. We decided to climb over the boulders and obstacles heading up the canyon for about a half mile. It was super fun and challenging. We finally reached a point where it was too difficult without climbing gear. There was an opening in the slot canyon and we just hiked back down. We LOVED it! There is also a huge alcove inset into the mountain just north of the entrance of the slot canyon that was fun to explore as well.

#5: Jacob Hamblin Park in Kanab

• Ages: All ages welcome
• Cost: FREE!
• Duration: As long as you want
• Distance: Just walking around the park
• Difficulty: Easy
• Location:  566 N 100 E, Kanab, UT

This park is a great place to relax and eat lunch. There is a huge grassy area, multiple pavilions with tables, playground, skatepark with pump track and a splash pad. All of this with a beautiful view of the red rock cliffs surrounding the entire park. If you have kids, make sure they bring their scooters. Our kids loved the pump track. We spent an hour there just relaxing and enjoying the sunny weather.

Other fun things to do near Kanab, Utah

Of course, there’s lots more things that you can do while you are passing through or visiting Kanab. Here’s just a few more:

• The Soda Fountain – Grab an ice cream cone at this downtown drug store or a sweet treat at the Kanab Creek Bakery.
• Coral Pink Sand Dunes – For a small entrance fee, you can explore these 15,000 year old sand dunes.
• Best Friends Animal Sanctuary – This free sanctuary has rescue animals, hikes a cafe and gift store. Schedule a guided tour to get a closer look at the animals.
• Hidden Lake – This short hike leads to a small water-filled cave peeking out from under a red sandstone cliff.
• Zion National Park – Visit this world-renowned national park with breathtaking views and massive sandstone cliffs. Just an hour drive from Kanab.
• Bryce Canyon National Park – Home to the largest concentration of hoodoos on the earth, this national park is just an hour and 20 minutes from Kanab.
• Grand staircase-escalante national monument – This is a must-see with lots of hikes among colorful sandstone cliffs.
• Buckskin Gulch – As a local favorite, this hike is one of the longest continuous slot canyons in the world. It’s about an hour from Kanab.
• Hot Air Balloons – Watch 40 hot air balloons in flight at this 3-day festival held every February in Kanab.
• Lake Powell – This is one of the greatest places on Earth and just one hour from Kanab. Rent a boat and explore.
• Kanab Visitor Center – It’s the best place to stop to learn about great options for exploring and how to have the best experience in this town just south of Salt Lake City.