Surrounded by towering Navajo sandstone cliffs and vistas of sagebrush, Kanab serves as the perfect base camp many major outdoor attractions. Families can easily spend days, even weeks exploring in and around Kanab without running out of things to do. Here is my list of the top ten reasons that Kanab, UT should be your next family vacation.

1 – East entrance to Zion is 35 minutes away


Filled with tons of great family-friendly hikes, a day trip to Zion is the perfect adventure stop for the whole family. My favorite kid-friendly hikes include Riverside Walk Trail, Canyon Overlook, and Emerald Pools.

2 – Bryce Canyon is one hour 20 minutes away


A day trip to the land of hoodoos is a must when visiting Southern Utah and when staying in Kanab it is all too easy to make it happen. Don’t miss the family-friendly, Navajo Loop trail.

3- Great family-friendly hiking

Kanab Sand Caves – 5 miles north of Kanab

Along with all the hiking that you can do in the surrounding parks, there are a ton of great trails in and around Kanab. Some of my top pics are Wire Pass trail, Kanab Sand Caves, and Belly Of The Dragon.

Belly of the Dragon – 16 miles north of Kanab

4 – The info-packed Kanab Visitor Center


If you don’t have time to plan your trip ahead of time, no worries. One stop at the Kanab Visitor Center and you will be good to go. This visitor center has detailed brochures for all the hikes, activities and attractions in and around Kanab.

5 – North Rim of Grand Canyon is one hour 45 minutes away


When visiting Kanab a day trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a must. With cooler temps, epic views, and great hiking there will be plenty to keep the whole family entertained for the day.

6 – Sego Restaurant for foodies


If you are a lover of fine food, then you don’t want to miss this world-class restaurant. Sego Restaurant serves diners a selection of regional new American cuisine with all the ingredients locally sourced and grown.

7 – Great museums and kid-friendly activities


Heritage House Museum, Little Hollywood Museum, and Jacob Hamblin Park are just a few of the attractions in Kanab that will entertain your littles and get their imaginations going.

8 – Lake Powell is one hour away


The largest man-made lake in North America, Lake Powell, is widely known as one of the premier water-based destinations in the world. The activity options at Lake Powell are endless.

9 – Best Friends Animal Sanctuary


This lifesaving haven for hundreds of adoptable animals on 3,700 stunning acres, located just five miles north of Kanab, offers free tours of their sanctuary. Your kiddos will be in animal-loving heaven.

10 – Coral Pink Sand Dunes is 30 minutes away


If your kiddos like the sand you need to check out this giant sandbox. With sand so fine that it feels like butter going through your toes, running up and down sand hills is the perfect way to get out energy!

About the Author: Arika Bauer is a local southern Utah girl with a passion for helping outdoor lovers get outside, have fun, and enjoy Zion and all of Southern Utah to its fullest. This article originally appeared on ZionAdventurePhotog.com