The Canyons Collection

Scenic Drives to Enjoy During Your Stay in Kanab UT Hotels

Whether you need to give your feet a break from hiking, find yourself facing a chilly or rainy day in Southern Utah, or just want to do some sight seeing, nothing beats a scenic drive. There are an endless number of incredible drives to enjoy during your stay in Kanab UT hotels. In fact, you could take a drive in any direction and be certain to experience incredible views of the many diverse landscapes that the region is known for.

But if you’re looking for a few specific scenic drives to enjoy during your stay in Canyons Boutique Hotel, look no further. Keep reading as we bring you the best options near your lodging in Kanab UT.

Johnson Canyon Road and Skutumpah Road

The first scenic drive on our list starts just a short distance from Kanab UT hotels. While it may be the shortest drive on this list, it offers some of the best views.

After leaving your lodging in Kanab UT, head east on Highway 89. About 11 miles out of town, you’ll turn onto Johnson Canyon Road. This 18-mile route climbs upward along a cliff-line canyon. You’ll then find yourself on the far western edge of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Along the way, you can stop at a number of pull-offs to catch views of stair-step rock formations. From one of these pull-offs, you can even see the remains of a 1960s replica of Dodge City that was used as a set for the TV series Gunsmoke, which lies on private property.

When you get to the end of the 18-mile road, you can either turn around and descend back into the canyon, or continue onto Skutumpah Road. This rough route continues 33 miles along the edge of Grand Staircase-Escalante and ends at Kodachrome Basin State Park.

Zion Park Scenic Byway

For most of the year, the Zion Canyon Shuttle System ferries visitors around the park’s popular Lower Canyon. This is where you’ll find many of the most popular trailheads, as well as the Zion Lodge. When the shuttle is in operation, personal vehicles aren’t allowed into the Lower Canyon. But while many visitors head to the lower canyon, there’s an entire other section of the park that’s always open to personal vehicles.

Entering Zion National Park from the South Entrance of the park, you’ll keep to the right as you pass the turn off for the Lower Canyon. By keeping right, you’ll stay on Utah Highway 9. Following a series of switchbacks with incredible views of the canyon below (don’t stop for photos unless it’s at a designated pull-off!), you’ll enter the famous Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. After that, you’ll be above the canyon, where the landscape changes but the incredible views at every turn continue. Here you’ll find Checkerboard Mesa, Pine Creek Canyon, and other lesser-known icons of the park.

Highway 9 continues out the East Entrance of the park, where you can then connect to Mount Carmel Junction and Kanab, or continue on to Bryce Canyon National Park. The Zion Park Scenic Byway technically stretches 60 miles total, beginning in Hurricane, Utah, continuing through the park, and ending in Mount Carmel Junction.

Highway 12 Scenic Byway

This next scenic drive starts where the last left off. Mount Carmel Junction is located about 17 miles north of Kanab UT hotels. Here, Highway 89 intersects with the beginning of Highway 12.

This scenic byway first takes drivers past Bryce Canyon National Park and its towering hoodoos and stunning amphitheater. Turning south, the road goes through the town of Tropic before passing the entrance to Kodachrome Basin State Park, one of Utah’s best-kept secrets.

Highway 12 follows the edge of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and passes through a variety of small western towns, like Escalante and Boulder. It ends in Torrey, Utah, on the west side of Capitol Reef National Park.

Highway 12 Scenic Byway stretches 124 miles in total and is paved throughout. During the roughly 3 hour drive, you’ll pass red rock domes, slickrock canyons, heavily wooded mountainscapes, and more. This is a great way to experience some of Utah’s most stunning landscapes from the comfort of your car.

Planning Your Stay in Kanab UT Hotels

One of the best things about choosing lodging in Kanab UT is enjoying easy access to so many of the most popular attractions in Southern Utah. From Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon to several Utah state parks, not to mention the attractions just steps away from Kanab UT hotels, there’s truly something for everyone.

Ready to start planning your next stay in Kanab UT hotels? Now is a great time to book your stay at Canyons Boutique Hotel! Located in the heart of Kanab, it’s the perfect basecamp for your Southern Utah adventure. Check out our room options today to choose the perfect one for your stay.

The Ultimate Guide to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

One of the best things about staying in Kanab hotels is having some of Southern Utah’s most popular outdoor attractions just a short drive away. But while Zion or Bryce Canyon might be popular day trips, there’s another national park that’s sometimes overlooked, especially by first-time visitors; the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

When most people think about visiting the Grand Canyon, they think of the South Rim. Located less than five hours from Las Vegas, Nevada, and around four hours from Phoenix, Arizona, this section of the park draws more than 4 million annual visitors. If you want to visit this popular destination, you’ll only need to drive around three and a half hours from Canyons Boutique Hotel. But there’s actually a better way to experience the grandeur of the Grand Canyon; the North Rim.

If you’re thinking about enjoying a day trip to the North Rim during your stay at Grand Canyon lodges in Kanab, keep reading to learn what you need to know.

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon

As the name suggests, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is located on a northern curve of the canyon, within the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park. This section of the national park actually isn’t much further from Phoenix or Las Vegas than the South Rim. Despite this, it draws just 10 percent of the national park’s annual visitors.

This often-overlooked section of the national park is less than two hours from Kanab, making it the perfect destination for a day trip.

Fewer Crowds and Stunning Views

The North Rim is a great spot to enjoy the Grand Canyon without the crowds. But just because it sees fewer crowds doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have incredible views.

The North Rim offers views that rival those you’ll find at the South Rim. The South Rim is a great spot to experience the depth of the Grand Canyon. Depending on where you’re looking from, you may be able to see all the way to the Colorado River at the base of the canyon.

In contrast, the North Rim is known for its panoramic views. From Bright Angel Point, it almost looks as though the Grand Canyon is completely surrounding you.

Facilities at the North Rim

At the North Rim, there’s one lodging option, the Grand Canyon Lodge, as well as a visitor center. Inside the visitor center is a bookshop where you’ll find guidebooks, novels, and other materials perfect for learning more about the history and geology of the park. This is a great spot to talk to a park ranger about trail conditions or to ask any questions you have about the national park.

At the North Rim, you’ll also find a variety of trailheads, including some that will take you into the canyon. The most popular overlook at the North Rim is called Bright Angel Point. This overlook is located on a short, 0.5 mil round-trip, paved trail.

South Rim Vs North Rim: Which Should You Visit?

When you are planning to visit the best Grand Canyon lodges will have an impact on which rim you choose to visit. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon closes for the winter season when snow and ice make the roads into this portion of the park impassable.

Most years, the North Rim closes to visitors at the start of December and reopens in mid-March. Parts of this section of the park remain open for individuals hiking from the South Rim to the North Rim as well as for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hiking. However, you can’t drive into this section of the park, and facilities like the visitor center and lodge are closed for the season. If you’re hoping to visit the North Rim during your stay, you’ll want to visit from late March to late November.

Choosing the Best Grand Canyon Lodges

A day trip to the North Rim is a great addition to your next stay at one of the best Grand Canyon lodges, Canyons Boutique Hotel. You’re close enough to spend an entire day enjoying the park and its views. But at the end of the day, you can return to Kanab, so that you’re close to Zion, Bryce Canyon, Little Hollywood, and a variety of other popular Southern Utah attractions.

Kanab’s Canyons Boutique Hotel is the perfect base camp for your Grand Canyon adventure. Besides being centrally located to many popular attractions and parks, our boutique-style hotel offers unique, comfortable rooms with all of the amenities you’d expect from a large chain hotel. Book your room today to start planning a trip to experience some of Utah’s greatest gems!

The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary of Kanab, Utah

Animal lovers from around the world know about Kanab, Utah for one special reason; it’s the location of the famous Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Like many shelters, this no-kill animal shelter and sanctuary takes in cats and dogs. However, they also take in a variety of other types of pets, including horses, rabbits, pigs, birds, donkeys, and more.

Located in the heart of Kanab, this incredible sanctuary offers tours, a cafe, a gift shop, and more. It’s open daily for visitors to Kanab, Utah to experience the fantastic work that the volunteers and staff do and to meet with adoptable pets.

Thinking about making a visit to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary a part of your next stay at Canyons Boutique Hotel? Keep reading to learn more about this unique place, what you can do during your visit, and more.

What is the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary?

The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary was started by a group of 31 individuals and friends in 1984. They came from many different places around the world but settled together in Southern Utah with a mission of changing the future for pets living in animal shelters across the country.

They established a sanctuary in Kanab and began taking in abused and abandoned animals. At first, their focus was on making a difference locally in the lives of animals. However, the operation has since grown into the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the world. The sanctuary, and the people behind it, have also become a pivotal part of the fight to end the killing of dogs and cats in animal shelters across the U.S., through their mission to “Save Them All.”

Today, the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is home for up to 1,600 animals at a time.

Visiting the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

If you have a passion for protecting animals of all kinds, want to get involved in the sanctuary’s mission, or are looking for a new furry family member, you can visit the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Situated in beautiful Kanab, Utah, the sanctuary welcomes guests.

Start by stopping by the Welcome Center. Here, you can learn more about the sanctuary and its mission. Grab a map to find the areas that you can explore on your own. There are hiking trails open to visitors on the property, as well as other public areas, including Angels Rest, Angels Landing, and Angels Overlook. If you have your own pet with you, they can join you on a hike or while visiting any public outdoor areas. Or, sign up for a tour of the property.

There’s also a cafe on the property. Angel Village Cafe serves a daily, plant-based buffet lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meal costs just $5 per person. A gift shop in the Welcome Center is a great spot to purchase a souvenir of your visit.

You can sign up ahead of your visit to spend a day volunteering at the sanctuary, or join in one of their available workshops or classes.

Where to Stay During Your Visit

Planning to spend the day at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary? Staying in Kanab, Utah will allow you to make the most of your time. Canyons Boutique Hotel is less than 10 minutes from the sanctuary by car. This Utah resort is even pet-friendly!

At Canyons Boutique Hotel, we offer pet-friendly rooms by request. Bring along your own beloved pet for some outdoor fun! We also welcome doggy sleepovers with rescues from the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Planning to adopt a new furry family member during your visit? Stay at Canyons Boutique Hotel for your first night together, and enjoy extras like a special check-in water bowl and extra blankets to make your stay more comfortable.

There are a few rules in place to ensure that guests and their pets enjoy a safe, fun stay. Guests will need to pay a pet fee of $20 per dog, per night. Dogs must be socialized, fully housebroken, up-to-date on their immunizations, and on a monthly flea preventative.

Planning a Stay at Canyons Hotel

Whether you’re planning a visit to Kanab, Utah specifically to visit the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary or are coming to the area to experience everything else that Southern Utah has to offer, Canyons Hotel is the perfect basecamp. As Kanab’s only boutique-style hotel, Canyons Boutique Hotel combines the luxuries of a large chain hotel with an intimate setting you won’t find anywhere else.

Our beautifully decorated hotel rooms make you instantly feel at home, while added amenities like spa tubs, plush robes, and spa-quality bath products add a touch of luxury to your stay. Dig into a delicious hot breakfast buffet before heading out for a day of exploring in nearby Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon, and more.

With Best Friends Animal Sanctuary just a short drive away, Canyons Boutique Hotel is also the perfect basecamp for your visit, whether you’re traveling with a four-legged friend or not.

Ready to start planning your next visit? Book your stay at Canyons Boutique Hotel today!

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Kanab, Utah

Planning a visit to Utah? While destinations like Salt Lake City, Springdale, and Moab tend to get all of the attention, you’ll find incredible landscapes, unique towns, and endless natural beauty around every corner! One hidden gem that’s too often overlooked is Kanab Utah.

Located just 7 miles from the Arizona border, Kanab, Utah is perfectly situated between many of the region’s largest cities, including Las Vegas, Nevada, Denver, Colorado, Phoenix, Arizona, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. While the town itself is home to just over 5,000 year-round residents, the stunning natural beauty of the area attracts hundreds of thousands of travelers from around the world each year. The region features a wide variety of unique geologic formations, including stunning pink sand dunes and cliffs, ancient volcanic craters and lava flows, deep slot canyons, and even towering mountains covered in pine trees.

And right in the heart of it all, you’ll find Canyons Boutique Hotel! Thinking about planning a visit to Southern Utah? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about visiting Kanab Utah.

A Brief History of Kanab, Utah

The town of Kanab was established in 1864 when Fort Kanab was built along Kanab Creek. This fort was used as a defense against Native American tribes, as well as acting as a home base for expeditions to chart and explore the region. The fort was abandoned after an attack by Native American tribes in 1866. Mormon pioneers later settled in the fort and the surrounding area.

The town of Kanab was once one of the most isolated towns in all of the United States because it could only be reached by traveling rough dirt roads along the Arizona Strip from Las Vegas. But today, it’s a scenic town that draws tourists looking to enjoy the outdoors or experience a taste of the Wild West for themselves.

Visiting Kanab Utah

Kanab, Utah is perhaps best known as the place where a number of classic movies were filmed. Nicknamed “Utah’s Little Hollywood,” dozens of films, including mainly classic westerns, were filmed in and around Kanab, starting in the 1920s, and continuing into modern-day times with the 2009 release of the documentary, “Return to Little Hollywood.” Today, you can spot some of the natural landmarks highlighted in your favorite film, and even visit a former film set.

Kanab is also a great base camp for visiting Southern Utah’s endless natural attractions. A handful of incredible national parks are located just a short drive away. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is just over an hour and a half by car from Kanab, while Zion National Park is just 30 minutes away. Bryce Canyon is under an hour and a half away. Even Capitol Reef National Park is close enough for a day trip, at just over 3 hours away.

Many of Utah’s incredible state parks, including Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, are just a short drive away as well.

Where to Stay

Despite its small size, the town of Kanab Utah has a number of lodging options to choose from.

Canyons Boutique Hotel is situated right in the heart of Kanab, along North 300 West. As the only boutique-style hotel in Kanab, we offer luxurious rooms and unique decor, as well as all of the amenities you need for a fun, comfortable stay. Plush beds and spa-quality bath products are perfect for helping you relax and unwind after a long day of exploring, while special extras like a jetted spa tub or in-room fireplace can add a cozy touch to your visit.

Just a short drive away, you’ll find Kanab’s many attractions, including former Western movie sets and a variety of national parks.

What to Eat

There’s no shortage of dining options to choose from in Kanab as well. The Rocking V Cafe is a colorful, art-filled restaurant in a building that dates back to 1892. The menu features a wide variety of slow food, including plenty of vegan options. Visitors can sample authentic Native American cuisine at Sego Restaurant, and sip craft cocktails in the warm, modern dining room. For that classic Old Wild West aesthetic, head to Iron Horse Restaurant, where you can dig into juicy steaks, ribs, and burgers with heart sides.

Planning Your Stay Canyons Hotel

Kanab Utah is one of the Southwest’s best-kept secrets. With a wide range of natural landscapes to explore, a rich history, and an amazing location in the heart of Southern Utah’s most popular attractions, it's a destination for outdoor lovers, film buffs, and everyone in between.

Ready to see for yourself what makes Kanab so special? There’s no better place to do so than at Canyons Boutique Hotel. As Kanab’s only boutique-style hotel, we offer the amenities you expect of a larger hotel chain, but in an intimate setting that you won’t find anywhere else.