Kanab Utah Main Street

Many people call Kanab, Utah the Gateway. Kanab sits in Southern Utah along route 89 about seven miles north of the Arizona border and subsequently gets visitors on their way to the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon and the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park among many others. Summer finds the town packed with RVs towing boats and wave runners on their way to Lake Powell and family vehicles bursting at the seams with camping and hiking equipment. The winters in Kanab are not quite as busy but still full from people going to ski at

Coral Pink Sand Dunes

Brianhead Ski Resort and snow tubing at Coral Pink Sand Dunes. The beauty to be found in Kanab and the surrounding area is breathtaking and you usually take a little bit home with you in the form of the red dirt that Kanab is famous for.

Kanab’s population is small, about 3,500, and the residents rely heavily on tourists as the largest source of income for the city. The slow-paced small town feel is a nice change from the crowded attractions and parks and the people are friendly as you walk down Main Street to check out the stores. Frontier Movie Town is a short walk away from downtown where you’ll see authentic movie sets and memorabilia from some great western movies made there. They also have the Pioneer Museum with classic western and pioneer artifacts.

Parry Lodge in Kanab, Utah

There are many nice motels to stay at in Kanab. Historic Parry Lodge, founded in 1931, is the oldest motel in town. It’s where movie stars such as John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Olivia De Havilland and Gregory Peck would stay when they came to Little Hollywood, as Kanab is sometimes called, to make films and TV series. Parry Lodge has upgraded over the years and offers wireless internet, a heated pool and snack machines and well as the restaurant serving lunch and dinner. Other motels include Best Western Red Hills and Holiday Inn Express.

Kanab, Utah is the perfect location to stay when visiting any of the attractions nearby. My family stays there at least two times a year and there is always something new to discover. So, pack up the car and don’t forget your comfy pillow for the car ride.

Grand Canyon

Photos in order of appearance – Leah Peterson, Jeb Ro, Qaanaaq, and Craig1Black.