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Sand Caves of Kanab

Kanab, Utah

4.5/5
based on 6 reviews

Details

Distance

1.17 miles

Elevation Gain

69 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Prajit Ravindran

The Sand Caves of Kanab are huge caves located right off Highway 89. This is a great spot to relax and take pictures. The best time to hike is 1-2 hours before sunset when the caves are lit up nicely.

To get to this cave, drive north of Kanab on Highway 89. Just after you pass Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, you will see these caves on the right. To hike to the caves, try accessing the trail from as far to the left as possible. The hike isn't strenuous or tricky in that case.

The other thing to look out for is that if you see Moqui Cave, which is a cave turned exhibit, on the right, then you have gone too far. The caves on here are right between Moqui Cave and the turn off for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

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Features

Chillin
Photography
Hiking
Easy Parking
Food Nearby

Sand Caves of Kanab Reviews

This is a cool little spot to explore, just be cautious finding a route up the sandstone to get to it. The sandstone has colorful layers and swirling patterns and the lighting plays off the walls in photogenic ways. There’s also plenty of graffiti and carving in the walls which isn’t as cool but there are worse places for it (my favorite was the toucan eye on the ceiling). Climb up, look around, take some photos, and clean up after yourself.

Quick, easy, walk. In addition to easy access from the highway. I would have liked to do this at sunset though.

Fun, accessible, and thought-provoking

If your on Highway 89, this is a nice short breather from driving. Getting up to the caves is easier the farther left you go (as you're approaching the caves). The few windows into the cave capture the evening sun very well and provide an overlook of the highway.

These caves are about halfway between the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and Moqui Cave. If you're headed toward Moqui Cave from BFAS, they'll be on the right but you'll want to park on the left in one of the dirt pull offs. There's no parking lot or trail markings so it can be a little confusing to initially find. We visited these caves as a quick leg stretch on the way from Page to Zion.

This was a wonderful short hike just outside of Kanab that we wouldn't have known about without The Outbound. Caves were much more impressive than they appeared from the road and we didn't encounter any other visitors during our hike. Description of hike and location is very accurate. Thanks!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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