Kanab, Utah is an outdoor, foodie, and history lovers’ paradise. But is it suitable for families with young kids? The answer is a resounding, YES! Here are four ways to have a successful vacation in Kanab with young kids. 

 

  1. Choose Kid-Favorite Activities

There’s plenty of things to do in Kanab, Utah with young kids. A few kid-favorites include Jacob Hamblin Park, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, the Moqui Cave, and the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. 

  • Jacob Hamblin Park- Located in the heart of Kanab, you’ll find that this park is fun for all ages. Park features include a playground, splash pad, picnic pavilions, BBQs & fire pits. It also has basketball courts, baseball fields, a skate park, and tennis courts that older children and teenagers would enjoy.  
  • Coral Pink Sand Dunes- Most kids love sandboxes so why not take them to one giant sandbox! The Coral Pink Sand Dunes are open for hiking and also kid-friendly playing. In addition to playing in the sand, families can spend $20 and rent a sled from the state park welcome center and spend hours sledding down and then walking back up the sand dunes. Pro-tip: This is a great activity to wear out the kids so they sleep great at the hotel! 
  • Moqui Cave- This is a very popular roadside attraction located 6 miles north of Kanab, Utah. It’s a natural history museum featuring Native American artifacts and a large collection of dinosaur tracks. They also serve small snacks and drinks so it’s a great stop along the way. 
  • Best Friends Animal Sanctuary- This shelter is saving the lives of cats and dogs by giving them second chances and happy homes. They additionally house bunnies, birds, horses, pigs, and other barnyard animals. Kids will love visiting this sanctuary by taking a free tour and being able to interact with the animals.

   

      2. Opt For Family-Friendly Hikes

While there are plenty of incredible hiking trails all around Kanab, you’ll want to find family-friendly hikes that suit young children. Luckily, Kanab has plenty to choose from! Here are two popular choices that are close to town and not too strenuous. 

  • Belly Of The Dragon- The Belly of the Dragon is quite the unique hike for those looking for both an adventurous and scenic trail. The “belly” is actually a tunnel that goes under Highway 89 and is used as a drainage for the upper canyons. It’s fun to see how far your kids will venture into the tunnel and then enjoy the scenic trail after emerging on the other side. 
  • Sand Caves- The Sand Caves are located 5 miles north of Kanab on the right side of the highway. When you’re driving by, you’ll be able to see the caves right from HWY 89. The hike is short and your kids will enjoy playing in the fine sand while in the caves. Pro-tip: Wear great hiking shoes and keep an eye on your children when you are inside the caves. 

 

    3. Eat At Kid-Friendly Restaurants & Shops

If you are parents to young kids, you know that it’s sometimes can be stressful dining at a restaurant. Kanab offers many family-friendly locations that take the stress off of mealtimes! Below are some kid-friendly restaurants and shops that you need to try the next time you are in Kanab. 

  • Big Al’s Burgers
  • Sunny Creek Coffee 
  • Soda Fountain
  • Lotsa Mosta Pizza
  • Houston’s
  • Escobar’s Mexican Restaurant 

 

     4. Pick A Kid-Approved Hotel

There are lots of great choices when it comes to picking a hotel in Kanab that the kids will enjoy! A few notable visitor favorites include chain hotels like the Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, La Quinta, or Comfort Suites. If however, you want more of a unique or local lodging experience, you can check out Timber + Tin, Basecamp 37, or the Kanab Cottages.

You can see a full list of hotels in our area here. 

 

 

If you have young kids and are looking for the perfect Utah destination, look no further than Kanab! We hope you enjoy your family-friendly vacation to our incredible area. 

 

Author’s Bio:

Jess Darrington is the founder of Part Time Tourists, a travel and adventure blog that was created in 2018. Part Time Tourists aims to help people travel more by offering detailed travel guides and practical tips. With a large focus on US travel, Jess shares adventurous and luxurious destinations throughout the country. You can follow her on Instagram and PartTimeTourists.com.