For my brothers’ spring break, we planned a trip to Kanab, Utah – southern Utah’s hidden gem. I basically got put in charge for finding accommodations + things to do and I’m proud to say that I think I did a pretty decent job!
Kanab is a city located in Kane County, Utah which happens to be north of the Arizona state line. This area was first settled in 1864 and the town was founded in 1870 when ten Latter-Day Saint families moved into the area. If you’ve ever heard of Utah, you’d know that Utah is home to five national parks as well as several state parks! Kanab is easily base camp for the national parks – you have Zion on the west, Bryce Canyon to the north, Grand Canyon to the south and Lake Powell to the east – how cool is that?!
We booked this home through Airbnb and it was a great decision! The home was easy to find and was located fairly close to the US-89 highway. We arrived in Kanab late at night after stopping through Las Vegas on our drive. On our first, we grabbed breakfast at a local joint, Jakey Leigh’s, which was nothing too special – your regular eggs / toast / bacon breakfast. We explored a little bit of the town (Best Friends Sanctuary, Moqui Caves) before driving out to explore local but off-road attractions. Unfortunately, we didn’t have an all-wheel drive and some places were inaccessible. Luckily, we found Coral Cliffs Tours and Townhomes and they basically saved the day (PS, the rent out homes too)!
Peekaboo Slot Canyon
This slot canyon is a perfect alternate to Arizona’s busy Antelope Canyon. The hike was 1.7 miles (round trip) but we had the canyon to ourselves! It was both eerie but amazing at the same time. Jeff (our tour guide) not only showed us the cool places but he was busy serving some educational and fun facts about the place!
When we finished checking out the canyon, he showed us the only hoodoo in the place. Geology 101 – a hoodoo is a tall, thin spire of rock that protrudes from the bottom of an ariddrainage basin or badland.
Sand Caves
Before heading back to the Airbnb, we also managed to check out the Sand Caves of Kanab! We parked on the side of the US-89 highway, ran across the road, climbed up a mountain (which, according to my Apple watch, was equivalent to twenty-two flights of stairs) and got to explore some caves. It was a cool experience and getting down the mountain was just as much of a struggle than it was getting up!
Kanab is such a beautiful city and while we had originally planned to set base camp so we could explore Bryce Canyon, I’m glad the plans changed and we explored locally instead!
62 Comments
Maria
April 1, 2019 at 8:38 PMI’m glad that everything worked out for you guys. Your photos are always so amazing!
xo, Maria
https://www.miamiamine.com/
Nancy
April 1, 2019 at 8:43 PMIt is so cool that you went to Utah! You’re the rockstar planner of the family, hehe. Kenab looks like an interesting place. Pretty cool that there is a lot of history behind the town. Oh my goodness, the slot canyon looks gorgeous! I really like how the rocks have formed. Oh man, you guys climb a lot of flights out there. Glad you had so much fun!!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
April
April 1, 2019 at 8:59 PMWow, these are beautiful shots! It definitely looks difficult to climb up and down those, but wow just look at that view. Worth it! ♡
Hannah
April 1, 2019 at 10:55 PMWow, it’s so beautiful! I love how red the rocks are.
By the way, I just read your Old Sacramento post: I’m from Sacramento! For some reason, the comment box didn’t show up so I’ll just bring it up here 🙂
Hannah the Mad Dog
Cate
April 2, 2019 at 1:18 AMwow this place screams adventure to me sooooo much!!
love seeing your travels! new fan here <3
Cate // 35mminstyle
Soph
April 2, 2019 at 2:00 AMI had no idea they had sand caves in Utah! I’d love to visit, these photos are so cool and it looks like such a beautiful place!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
Jenny in Neverland
April 2, 2019 at 2:37 AMThose photos look like something out of a Hollywood movie. I’ve never been to the US so these are just, out of this world to me. I’d love to see the canyons in real life!
Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com
Alice V-DIYerfy
April 2, 2019 at 3:44 AMwhat a great hidden gem to get away from the crowds at more popular sites. thanks for sharing this!
Ashley Firth
April 2, 2019 at 3:58 AMWow! Such an amazing place! Your photos are fabulous xxx
Ashley
https://lellalee.com
Anika
April 2, 2019 at 4:43 AMUtah looks so cool! I love the photos in this post, awesome adventure vibes.
Anika | anikamay.co.uk
Simone
April 2, 2019 at 5:00 AMThose canyons looks superb! I’m sure it was so much fun to explore those rocks.
xx Simone
Little Glittery Box
Jyoti
April 2, 2019 at 6:27 AMWhat a beautiful place! Look at these rocks, so ethereal! I love it! Wonderful post! Thanks for sharing.
Allurerage
Rampdiary
Chynna
April 2, 2019 at 8:21 AMWow, nature is freaking amazing! I would love to visit this place someday. We have some nature places in the UK, but for some reason places like this enamour me more! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Jessica
April 2, 2019 at 9:22 AMOMG !!!
This is soooo cool !!! 💛 It looks like a place in a movie scene or something lol I bet this was a fabulous experience!! Great share!!
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Alyse
April 2, 2019 at 9:25 AM“Greatest Earth on Show” hehehe that’s cute! Good job planning, Eena! You pick the most scenic places to visit. The rock formations look otherwordly.
Emily
April 2, 2019 at 10:10 AMOh my goodness – this looks like SUCH an amazing trip. Never been to Utah, but now I’m thinking I definitely need to go. Thanks for sharing!
-Emily | http://www.TheEmilyEdition.com
Britt
April 2, 2019 at 11:57 AMOh wow, I love the views here. You got some great photos! I have never been to this area, but I feel like it’s somewhere I have to visit at least once after seeing this…
Jessica Carter
April 2, 2019 at 12:52 PMYour photos look awesome!! I never really considered Utah as a top destination for US travel but I’ll definitely have to drive up there now! Great post 🤗
Deborah Kos
April 2, 2019 at 1:13 PMSpring break in Kanab, Utah sounds like fun. I love the swirly patterns at Peekaboo Slot Canyon. I would love to see Sand Caves. The scenery images are so amazingly gorgeous!
Sophie Wentworth
April 2, 2019 at 2:35 PMTHOSE PHOTOS. The canyons look incredible and I had no idea they had sand caves in Utah! You’ve made me want to visit. The last photo especially is so beautiful x
Sophie
Andrew Comte
April 2, 2019 at 7:39 PMBonus points for me…I actually knew what a hoodoo was! The Slot Canyon looks like a lot of fun. I forget Utah has so many neat places like this.
SundayDahlias
April 3, 2019 at 12:43 PMGlad everything worked out!! These pictures are amazing and I can only imagine how much more amazing they look in person!!
http://www.sundaydahlias.com
Rob
April 4, 2019 at 9:14 AMI love your photo’s they are really good, what camera do you use?
Thanks
Rob
http://travelbyseason.travel.blog
Lisa
April 4, 2019 at 9:25 AMOh my goodness, Eena, these photos are just stunning, like something out of National Geographic! Wow, what an amazing place to visit, you are so lucky. Also, that’s interesting you had a good experience with Airbnb too, I’ve never used them in case they cancel on me when we’ve just arrived but perhaps that’s just an urban myth. Gorgeous post, thank you for sharing! x
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
Amy
April 4, 2019 at 9:35 AMThis trip sounds incredible, the Peekaboo slot canyon looks gorgeous! Your photography is amazing.
Amy x
http://www.whatamysays.com
John Rieber
April 4, 2019 at 11:45 AMIncredible scenery and great info as well – nice job!
Aditi Kaushiva
April 4, 2019 at 3:38 PMWow! The hoodoo pictures in the canyon are stunning! Looks like you had a great time 🙂
Aditi
http://www.aditispen.com
Margarida Vasconcelos
April 4, 2019 at 11:32 PMI’ve never heard of this place but now I want to visit it. Amazing pictures.
Dasynka
April 5, 2019 at 8:47 AMThis place is incredible, I dream to come to visit it!
xx Dasynka
http://dasynka.com
Monica
April 5, 2019 at 9:09 AMThis place looks gorgeous! Going to have to add it to places I want to see in the US. I love staying in Airbnb homes too they have so much more space than a hotel and it feels like a local!
Angie
April 5, 2019 at 9:23 AMAbsolutely gorgeous!!! I’ve been to Zion and Bryce, both also beautiful. Utah is an incredibly beautiful state.
jenisha
April 5, 2019 at 9:38 AMIt’s a great place. Best to go with friends.
Mahati ramya adivishnu
April 5, 2019 at 9:52 AMWow, the places look great. We are planning for Utah vacation soon, will follow your blog for updates on Twitter.
Sarah
April 5, 2019 at 10:07 AMLove this post – so much unique scenery! Those hoodoos are awesome.
Sarah Winton
April 5, 2019 at 11:02 AMThose sand caves look amazing! What a place to explore!
mtrujillo
April 5, 2019 at 11:06 AMFantastic pics! I have been to Lake Powell and the scenery is great! This sounds worth the trip next opportunity I’m in the area.
Amie Cadwallader
April 5, 2019 at 12:20 PMOh my gosh this is absolutely stunning!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Adam Fraiel
April 5, 2019 at 12:40 PMYour photos are insane! It looks like an alien planet and a truly unforgettable experience.
Can I ask how much roughly it all cost? Is it possible to do it on a budget?
And is a car essential? Is it possible to have a similar experience using public transport?
Adam
ruzu
April 5, 2019 at 1:40 PMyou took many lovely photos, my favorite is the last one. Such a beautiful place to have a nice vacation. I wish to make a road trip for USA.
xo
Mani
April 5, 2019 at 8:53 PMThese are some gorgeous shots, Eena! I’d really love to visit the Sand Caves one day, they look incredible 🙂
http://eatyourteacup.co/
Amanda
April 5, 2019 at 9:01 PMthese are absolutely stunning images! I love Utah- I have an upcoming trip to Zion and I want to start checking this place out.
xoxox
Amanda – Activated Living
Gina Mitchell
April 5, 2019 at 9:13 PMWonderful post. Lovely pictures. Thanks for sharing!
Yaya
April 5, 2019 at 10:41 PMAmazing post! Wow, what a place!!!
Anouk
April 7, 2019 at 9:35 AMI would really like to discover Utah. The sights are just amazing. I have only ever had a short layover at Salt Lake City airport.
ANOUK
Anne
April 7, 2019 at 12:22 PMOh wow!! That canyon and the caves look so cool! I’d love to know the history of those – I’ve never been to Utah but this is making me reconsider! X
Anne / http://www.basifpa-and-did.co.uk
Ellyn Rebecca
April 7, 2019 at 1:29 PMI’d love to explore more of America, so far I’ve only been to Florida! Those canyons look incredible!
Ellyn x | Life Of A Beauty Nerd
ivana split
April 7, 2019 at 1:50 PMThank you showing this hidden gem to us. The nature there is amazing. Great photos.
https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/
kenzie harvey
April 7, 2019 at 2:04 PMWow! What an incredible looking place. So much of the USA i want to visit.
Kenzie x
http://www.lemonaidlies.co.uk
Jesica
April 7, 2019 at 2:39 PMCan’t believe this is a real place instead of a fictive one, it looks too beautiful. You take WONDERFUL shots! Love them!!
Jes
Talesfromjes.com
Natalie
April 7, 2019 at 4:11 PMWhat a aiming trio all around nature too! Loving the photography aswel it look soooooooo professional you should be proud of this creative content !
Love Nat xxx
Michael Anderson
April 7, 2019 at 5:35 PMLooks like a very scenic area. The caves remind me of that one screensaver on MacBook computers! I’d love to visit this spot as well as Zion sometime. Great photos and article 🙂
Kara
April 7, 2019 at 6:31 PMIt looks amazing there! I knew Utah had beautiful parks but this is now on my list of places I want to visit. That’s great that planning the trip went well and all of your photos are beautiful! I can’t get over the photos of inside the canyon!
x Kara | http://karascloset.net
kmf
April 7, 2019 at 6:46 PMUtah is definitely on my travel bucket list and thanks for sharing about the slot canyon…my family and I loved the surreal Lower Antelope Canyon so really want to check this one out also.
Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
April 7, 2019 at 7:33 PMWhat an breathtaking trip! The rock formations are unreal 😮 I just back from a family vacation planned around my brother’s spring break too haha -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
Radi
April 7, 2019 at 11:31 PMI’ve been to Zion before. Hope to be able to visit these other canyons in Utah as well.
http://www.fashionradi.com
Ryan K Biddulph
April 8, 2019 at 6:02 AMWow. Eye-popping place. Reminds me just a bit of my recent trip to Oman. Amazingly raw nature in Utah. Added to my travel list.
Antonia | Sweet Passions
April 8, 2019 at 9:10 AMThis place looks absolutely amazing. I love all of the photos in this post. If I ever came to Utah I’ll be sure to go there.
Antonia || Sweet Passions
Ruth
April 8, 2019 at 9:32 AMYour photos are stunning! It sounds like a fabulous trip
Mark Tonge
April 8, 2019 at 10:22 AMWow the slot canyon looks incredible! I’ve seen photos of similar things but had no idea where they were! Will definitely have to visit at some point as it looks amazing! Great job on finding the accommodation! AirBnB never misses for me!
Rhianna
April 8, 2019 at 10:49 AMThis looks beautiful! We don’t get these kinds of landscapes in England! The canyons in particular look amazing!
Rhianna x
http://www.tsundokugirl.com
jade bevan
April 8, 2019 at 11:09 AMomg these photos are stunning!!
Jadieegosh Instagram
Jessica
April 12, 2019 at 10:31 PMHidden gem indeed! Your photos is absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing dear.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com