Visit National Parks and Monuments Near Kanab, UT

Southern Utah and northern Arizona are home to some of the most dramatic scenery in the American West. The region's national parks and monuments offer opportunities to hike through narrow canyons, take scenic drives, photograph unusual rock formations, and explore landscapes shaped by millions of years of erosion.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is known for towering sandstone walls, narrow canyon corridors, forested plateaus, and the Virgin River.



Hikes

• Watchman Trail: This moderate 3.3-mile round-trip hike climbs to a viewpoint overlooking the Watchman, Towers of the Virgin, and lower Zion Canyon.
• Riverside Walk: This 2.2-mile round-trip easy hike follows the Virgin River toward the entrance to The Narrows, ending where the canyon walls close around the river.
• Canyon Overlook Trail: This 1-mile round-trip moderate hike leads to an impressive viewpoint overlooking Zion Canyon and the winding Zion-Mount Carmel Highway.
• Timber Creek Overlook Trail: Located in Kolob Canyons, this 1.2-mile round-trip moderate hike ends at an overlook with expansive views across the Kolob Plateau.

Scenic Drives

• Zion-Mount Carmel Highway: This 25-mile route travels between Zion Canyon and the park's eastern entrance, passing through dramatic sandstone scenery and the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.
• Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive: This approximately 5-mile drive climbs into the Kolob Canyons section of Zion, with overlooks providing views of the area's crimson cliffs and canyon formations.

Additional Activities

• Canyoneering: Explore narrow canyons using hiking, scrambling, swimming, and rappelling. Technical routes require appropriate skills and permits.
• Horseback Riding: Seasonal guided rides provide another way to experience Zion's scenery and trails.
• Stargazing: Zion is an International Dark Sky Park, offering excellent opportunities to see stars and the Milky Way after sunset.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument encompasses a vast landscape of colorful cliffs, slot canyons, hoodoos, arches, and remote desert terrain.

Hikes

• Lower Calf Creek Falls: This 6-mile round-trip moderate hike follows Calf Creek through a canyon to a spectacular 126-foot waterfall.
• Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch: This 3.5-mile loop combines two narrow slot canyons and includes scrambling and extremely tight sections, making it best for experienced hikers.
• Devil's Garden: This unusual area is filled with hoodoos, arches, and sculpted sandstone formations that visitors can explore on foot at their own pace.
• Dry Fork Narrows: This route offers a relatively accessible introduction to slot-canyon scenery, with sandy terrain and towering canyon walls.

Scenic Drives

• Cottonwood Canyons Scenic Backway: This 46-mile route between Cannonville and Highway 89 passes through colorful canyon country and desert scenery. Parts of the road are unpaved.
• Burr Trail Scenic Byway: This scenic route winds through slickrock canyons and desert landscapes, with paved and unpaved sections extending through the monument and beyond.



Additional Activities

• Canyoneering: Explore the monument's numerous slot canyons, ranging from routes requiring technical equipment to less demanding canyon walks.
• Off-Roading: Designated backcountry roads provide access to remote areas, although visitors should check conditions before traveling.
• Fossil and Cultural Exploration: The monument contains significant fossil resources and archaeological sites, offering visitors a glimpse into the area's geological and human history.

Grand Canyon North Rim

The North Rim offers a higher-elevation perspective of Grand Canyon National Park, with expansive overlooks, forested surroundings, and dramatic views into the Colorado River gorge.



Hikes

• Bridle Path: This easy 1.6-mile one-way trail follows a relatively level route through the forest near the North Rim developed area and North Kaibab Trailhead.
• Point Imperial Trail: This 4-mile round-trip moderate hike follows the rim near Point Imperial and provides views across the canyon and surrounding high country.
• Cape Final Trail: This 4.2-mile round-trip moderate hike travels through a forested landscape to Cape Final, ending at a broad canyon overlook.
• Roosevelt Point Trail: This short 0.2-mile round-trip walk leads to an overlook with impressive views of the canyon and surrounding landscape.

Scenic Drives

• Point Imperial Road: This approximately 11-mile drive leads from the main North Rim area to Point Imperial, where visitors can enjoy expansive views from the park's highest developed viewpoint.
• Highway 67: The 67-mile route from Kanab to the North Rim entrance travels through the Kaibab National Forest before reaching the national park.

Additional Activities

• Scenic Overlooks: Point Imperial, Cape Royal, Walhalla Overlook, Roosevelt Point, and Angels Window offer different perspectives of the canyon.
• Wildlife Viewing: The Kaibab Plateau supports mule deer, elk, birds, and other wildlife that visitors may spot along roads and trails.
• Guided Experiences: Seasonal guided hikes and other programs provide opportunities to learn about the canyon's geology, wildlife, and history.

North Rim Planning Note: The North Rim sometimes operates with limited services. Visitors should check current conditions and closures before traveling and should bring sufficient food and water.

Stay at Crazy Horse RV Resort

After exploring the area’s lovely national parks and monuments, Crazy Horse RV Resort gives you a comfortable home base in Kanab's red-rock country. Our full-hookup RV sites include pull-through and back-in options with 30- or 50-amp service. Our accommodations also include tent sites, yurts, luxury apartments, and Conestoga glamping wagons. 

Guests can cool off in the swimming pool, gather around the outdoor firepit, enjoy the pavilion and BBQ area, or take advantage of amenities including miniature golf, pickleball, basketball, and a playground. We also offer convenient amenities such as Wi-Fi, laundry and bathhouse facilities, an on-site general store, propane, a dump station, and ATV and trailer parking. 



With pet-friendly spaces, a dog park and wash, and hiking trails accessible from the property, Crazy Horse RV Resort makes it easy to relax between adventures. Book your stay today!