Kanab Visitor Center: The Key to Utah’s Hidden Gems
Kanab Visitor Center
Kanab is the perfect base camp for your southern Utah adventures, and the Kane County Visitor Center is the ideal place to start your journey. Located just a short walk from the Kanab City Office, this welcoming visitor center, operated by the Kane County, Utah Office of Tourism, offers valuable information about the area. It highlights how centrally located Kanab is to some of the most breathtaking national attractions, including the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, The Grand Staircase, Lake Powell, and many other stunning destinations.
Stop by the Kane County Visitor Center to chat with friendly staff, pick up complimentary brochures and maps, and learn more about local events and activities to help plan your perfect trip.
Visitor Center
The Kanab visitor center offers a paved parking lot with 33 marked spaces. Two of these spaces near the main entrance are designated as accessible and feature an access aisle to accommodate vehicles with a mobility device ramp or lift.
Paved sidewalks connect the parking area to the center. The building’s exterior provides three restrooms. One restroom is unisex, while the other two are gender-specific. Some pathways leading to interpretive signs near the building are made from paving stones with small gaps and loose stones on the surface. One sign can only be reached by navigating a gravel path or climbing uneven steps carved into a stone wall.
For outdoor seating, there are three picnic tables accessible to visitors using mobility devices. Two of these tables are located near the front of the building, next to the parking area. They feature fixed benches on three sides and an open space at one end to accommodate wheelchair users. However, these tables are not covered by shade structures.
Also read- Red River Gorge: Sandstone Arches, Cliffs, and Wilderness
Kanab Visitor Center the wave
The Wave is a renowned sandstone rock formation located in the Coyote Buttes North area of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, near the Arizona-Utah border. Due to its delicate nature and high visitor demand, access is regulated through a permit system managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Permit Pickup
Kanab Location: Permits can be picked up at The Kanab Center, located at 20 N 100 E, Kanab, UT 84741. Successful applicants must accept the permit and pay fees by 8:00 AM Utah time and be onsite at the permit pickup location by 8:30 AM local time for a mandatory safety briefing.
The Wave
Kanab Visitor Center: Serving as the headquarters for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the Kanab Visitor Center offers interpretive displays focusing on geology and archaeology. The knowledgeable staff provides weather reports, hiking recommendations, and road conditions, essential for visitors exploring the monument. Hiking Conditions: The hike to The Wave is approximately 6 miles round-trip across an open desert with no formal trails or signage. Visitors should be prepared for harsh desert conditions, including high temperatures, fierce winds, and little shade.
Base Camp and Accommodation
A key feature of Kanab’s appeal as a basecamp is its wide range of dining options and accommodations. The town offers everything from traditional fast food to unique sit-down experiences. Visitors can enjoy an artisanal bakery, savor vegetarian wood-fired pizza, dine on New American cuisine with local microbrews and craft cocktails at Sego, or indulge in a blend of southwestern and Cajun flavors at Wild Thyme Cafe. Kanab is a perfect stop for any traveler with its diverse food scene and great lodging.
