Are you headed to the Southwest USA and ready to explore Southern Utah and Northern Arizona? Then you are in the right spot.
This area is probably one of the most impressive places in the entire US, and there is so much to see and do. It can be hard to plan your trip without a good guide, since the offer of activities is quite overwhelming.
Luckily for you, my husband and I live in the Southwest, and we have spent all of the past years exploring every hidden corner of Arizona and Utah.
And in my opinion, the best way to see them all is by selecting Kanab as a basecamp.
In this post, I’ll guide you through planning an awesome trip from Kanab, Utah, to the best National Parks and hidden gems in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona.
So without further ado, let’s get to it!
7-Day Arizona/Utah Itinerary From Kanab: At a Glance
Day 1: Kanab Sand Caves, Downtown Kanab,
Day 2: Zion National Park
Day 3: Belly of the Dragon, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
Day 4: Bryce Canyon National Park
Day 5: Grand Canyon North Rim National Park
Day 6: Capitol Reef National Park
Day 7: Paria/Vermillion Cliffs, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend
Why Using Kanab as a Base Camp Is Ideal
When we planned our Arizona and Utah road trip, we had considered all the options on where to best stay for the night.
After comparing prices, driving distances, and excursions we wanted to do, we decided that staying in Kanab was the easiest way to explore all of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona.
Yes, this itinerary involves quite a lot of driving, but the roads are chill, and we loved our (affordable) Airbnb in Kanab. It is a great spot for a home base to see all these fantastic spots!
Kanab is literally located right in the middle of all the most famous sights in the area, and we do not regret staying here for 7 nights at all.
You can reach all of our day trip spots within 1.5 hours, and it saves you a lot of money and time to just stay in one place.
Kanab is also a lot more affordable than staying closer to all of the National Parks. Downtown Kanab is filled with cute restaurants and lovely shops, and the locals are super friendly!
Day 1
Kanab Sand Caves
After arriving in Kanab and checking into our Airbnb, we decided to check out a great local spot for a leisurely hike.
The Kanab Sand Caves are a super cool attraction, located about 5 miles outside of Kanab.
The hike is not too long, but the trail is not well-marked. We just climbed up to the caves and crawled around there for a bit. It is pretty self-explanatory.
This is a great Instagram spot for some pictures; those caves are super unique and fun. It is usually not busy there.
This hike is not for people with mobility issues. Keep that in mind!
Downtown Kanab
After exploring the beautiful Sand Caves, we headed to the town center of Kanab. It is pretty small, but super scenic.
There are a lot of great, smaller stores and restaurants, and the people there are super friendly.
In the end, we ended up coming back here every night in town for dinner.
Here are a couple of places you need to check out in Kanab:
❤️ Wild Thyme Cafe
❤️ Honey’s Market (groceries)
❤️ Vermillion 45
❤️ Brown Box Cafe
❤️ Duke’s Clothing
Day 2
Zion National Park
Resources: 1 Day in Zion National Park: Beautiful Itinerary
On the second day in Kanab, we’ll explore the National Park that is closest for convenience: Zion National Park!
It is about a 40-minute drive from Kanab to the Zion parking lot inside the park. From there, you can take the shuttle to the hiking trails and head out to your adventure.
Insider Tip: Grab breakfast at Canyon Coffee, one of the most scenic cafés in the US!
Zion National Park is full of stunning red cliffs, cool slot canyons, and beautiful green valleys.
It’s a dream spot for hikers, with popular trails like Angels Landing and The Narrows that make for amazing adventures.
Make sure to pick a hike appropriate for your skill level.
I have a small selection of my favorite hikes here for you in this post:
| Skill Level | Hike | Note |
| Very Easy | The Grotto Trail (0.5 hour / 1 mile) | |
| Easy | Lower Emerald Pool (1.5 hours / 2 miles) | no swimming |
| Moderate | Watchman Trail ( 2 hours / 3.3 miles) | |
| Advanced | The Narrows (up to 8 hours / 9.5 miles) | Check the weather for flash floods |
| Very Difficult | Scout Lookout (3 hours / 4.2 miles) | Permit needed, steep dropoffs |
Day 3
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab is the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the U.S.
It’s set in a beautiful red-rock canyon and is home to thousands of animals, from dogs and cats to horses, birds, and even pigs.
You can tour the sanctuary, volunteer, or even stay overnight in pet-friendly accommodations. Check their website to sign up for tours.
It’s a heartwarming place to connect with animals and support a mission of kindness and compassion for all creatures.
Belly of the Dragon
The Belly of the Dragon is a super cool, short hike just outside the city of Kanab.
The hike will lead you through a tunnel carved by water under the highway. It’s only about half a mile long.
If you crave some more exercise, you can follow the empty wash on the other side of the tunnel up some rugged hills through the desert landscape.
Belly of the Dragon is a pretty cool spot for pictures, so make sure to bring your camera. This is definitely an Instagram-worthy spot!
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
The Coral Pink Sand Dunes in Utah are another cool spot to visit in Southern Utah, just outside of Kanab.
Make sure to be there for sunset, to see the colors light up under the evening sky.
The park’s unique color comes from the surrounding Navajo sandstone, giving it a stunning vibe perfect for those Insta-pics!
The area is great for hiking, and you can find some pretty cool trails here.
Day 4
Grand Canyon National Park North Rim
On our fourth day in Kanab, we decided to head to Arizona to see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
It is a super beautiful drive down there, and easy to reach from Kanab. Keep your eyes open on the drive in, there are loads of wildlife to see!
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a quieter, less crowded alternative to the South Rim. In my opinion, it has even more stunning views and a more peaceful vibe.
Sitting at a higher elevation, it’s cooler and surrounded by lush forests, making it perfect for summer visits.
First Time Visitor Tips
First View: Grand Canyon Lodge (Note: severely damaged in July 2025 fires)
Sunrise: Point Imperial
Sunset: Cape Royal
If you are not into hiking, the Cape Royal Road Scenic Drive (23 miles)
My favorite hike: Transept Trail (4 miles)
Strenuous hike: North Kaibab Trail
Note: we did not stay for sunset, because the drive out of the park leads through the forest and there are a lot of deer on the road. If you want to do sunset or sunrise in the park, I suggest staying overnight.
Day 5
Bryce Canyon National Park
Resources: Awesome One Day in Bryce Canyon National Park Itinerary
Day five is one of my favorite days in this Southern Utah, Northern Arizona itinerary, because we’ll explore Bryce Canyon National Park.
The drive from Kanab is about two hours long, but it is pretty scenic.
Start your day with an early morning hike along Bryce Canyon’s Rim Trail. You’ll get the best panoramic views of the iconic hoodoos here.
If you are adventurous, tackle the longer Fairyland Loop. After lunch, take the Southern Scenic Drive, stopping at stunning viewpoints like Rainbow Point.
Insider Tip: On your way back to Kanab, stop along the famous Scenic Byway 12, which is famous for its breathtaking landscapes. It is one of the most scenic roads in the US.
Day 6
Capitol Reef National Park
A day trip to Capitol Reef from Kanab is perfect for exploring Utah’s red rock beauty. It is a bit of a drive, but it is well worth it!
Start early to make the most of your time and drive along Scenic Highway 24 to reach the park. Once there, visit the Fruita Historic District to see orchards and pioneer sites.
Check out the Capitol Gorge Trail for an easy hike with petroglyphs and towering canyon walls.
If you have time, drive the Scenic Drive for incredible views of the park’s iconic cliffs and domes.
Make sure to pack lunch and plenty of water; you’ll probably want to stop for a picnic along the way.
Day 7
Resources: 1 Awesome Day in Page, Arizona: Itinerary and Insider Tips
Paria Canyon – Vermillion Cliffs
On our last day in Kanab, we decided to head back to Northern Arizona. The area around Page has a lot to offer, and the drive there is pretty spectacular.
You’ll drive by the Paria Cliffs, which are part of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Northern Arizona and southern Utah.
They offer a stunning display of colorful, layered sandstone formations.
If you get a permit, I suggest hiking the Wave for the most stunning views. Otherwise, check out Wire Canyon or Buckskin Gulch.
Since the permits are super rare, we just admired the cliffs on our way from Kanab to Page.
Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon, near Page, is my favorite spot in Arizona.
It is a breathtaking slot canyon, famous for its smooth, wave-like sandstone walls. If you are lucky, you get to see stunning light beams that shine through the narrow openings above.
It is divided into two sections, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. We decided to visit the Lower Antelope Canyon, because the tours are more affordable and it is also less busy.
Both slot canyons are very similar to each other, but the Upper Canyon does get more of these famous light beams.
In the end, we were happy with our choice to visit the Lower Antelope Canyon – it was one of the coolest things I have ever seen.
Horseshoe Bend
Just before sunset, we’ll head over to Horseshoe Bend. It is the last big highlight on our Southern Utah and Northern Arizona Road Trip Itinerary.
It is a stunning viewpoint where the Colorado River makes a sharp, horseshoe-shaped curve.
It’s an easy hike to the overlook, and it is very accessible. From the overlook, you can see the river winding through towering red cliffs.
If you are not afraid of heights, you can walk all the way toward the edge.
The view is especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset. Make sure to walk a couple of steps away from the viewing platform to enjoy a quieter atmosphere!
Are 7 Days Enough For a Southern Utah and Northern Arizona Road Trip?
I think that 7 days are just enough to see the biggest highlights that Southern Utah and Northern Arizona have to offer.
If you have time, you can probably stay here for another week and still not be bored. This area is filled with amazing hiking trails, natural wonders, and beautiful National Parks.
Of course, you can also extend your trip to the area around Moab, where you can find two other stunning National Parks: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.
Make sure to plan at least 5 extra days if you want to visit Moab as well.
If you would rather add more stops on the Arizona side of the border, don’t miss out on Sedona and Tucson. Arizona is full of super Instagrammable spots – so make sure to take your time to see it all.
Conclusion
To sum it up, 7 days is the perfect time to spend in Kanab, Utah. With this itinerary, you’ll see the best of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona in just one small week.
From the stunning Grand Canyon North Rim to Antelope Canyon and Zion National Park, this itinerary has so much to offer.
And not only are the parks stunning, but even just the drives will make you happy. Scenic Byways and stunning cliffs are waiting for you!
Lastly, if you can’t get enough of the American Southwest, keep on reading our ultimate Road Trip Itinerary.
About the Author
Hi friend, I am Sabrina, a passionate travel blogger and photographer from Austria.
I love capturing the world through the lens of the seasons, chasing soft spring blooms, golden autumn light, and cozy winter moments along the way. My goal is to help you discover destinations at their most magical moments.
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