Grand Plateau Lodge and RV Resort in Kanab is a beautiful resort just south of Kanab in the middle of national and state parks in southern Utah. It is a wonderful place to spend time in the winter months and explore this beautiful area of Utah. Families will love exploring this area during the winter and spring months and find hidden canyons and beautiful desert landscapes. Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park just north of Kanab are two amazing, well-known national parks in the area. South of Kanab is the north rim of the Grand Canyon National Park and Coyote Buttes National Monument. These are also beautiful, well-known national recreation areas. There are a handful of national and state parks surrounding Kanab to enjoy during your time in Kanab with your family, but there is also many spectacular hidden canyons and beautiful desert landscapes. In this blog we will share some of our favorite hidden canyons and secluded desert landscapes in southern Utah.
Inchworm Arch is a beautiful arch just a short drive east of Kanab. From Kanab head East towards Page 9.5 miles on Highway-89 then, take a left up Johnson Canyon. Watch for the paved road just past mile marker 55. After driving 9.5 miles up the Johnson Canyon Road turn off to your right at Nephi Pastures onto a sandy road. This point would be a great time to switch your cars to 4WD mode or unload your 4 Wheelers and ATVs as the road gets quite sandy. Drive up on this road #556 for about 8 miles. When you come up to your first distinguishing left, stay on #556. The road will drop into a valley where you will turn right at road #558. Drive for about 1 mile on #558 and then take the first left. There is a signpost that says “Arch” where you turn. Drive up this road for 1.5 miles and follow the “Inchworm” signs posted along the road. This road will come to an end and you will see a brown “No Vehicles” sign. This is where you park. 37.111699, -112.316811
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is just north of Kanab. Coral Pink Sand Dunes is a huge area of pink sand dunes that are amazing for riding ATVs, hiking, photography, and riding sand boards. It is a great area for families to get out and have fun and get away from crowds. From Kanab take US Hwy 89 north of Kanab for about 15 minutes and follow the signs west to the State Park.
Lick Wash is a beautiful, secluded canyon for hiking, photography, OHV riding, and playing amongst the desert landscape. This beautiful, desert canyon can be reached from US 89 just south of Kanab. Turn north where a sign indicates Johnson Canyon. This turnoff is located immediately east of milepost 55 and 8 miles east of Kanab, Utah, or 64 miles west of Page, Arizona. Follow the paved Johnson Canyon Road north for 16.2 miles to a signed junction, then turn right onto the good gravel Skutumpah Road, signed for Deer Springs Ranch and Cannonville. Avoid several signed spur roads leading to the private property of the Deer Springs Ranch between 11.5 and 11.7 miles from the junction. After driving 14.8 miles from the junction at the end of the pavement (31 miles from US 89), you reach the spur road that leads to the trailhead, just before Skutumpah Road crosses Lick Wash.
Toadstools is a hiking area south of Kanab that is a beautiful desert landscape with hoodoo formations and is great for families to explore and hike. Families can enjoy this amazing area by driving about 45 minutes south of Kanab on US Hwy 89. The trailhead is just off of US Hwy 89 and is easy to access. Families can explore these amazing rock formations and enjoy taking photos of this amazing desert landscape.
We hope to see your family this winter or spring at Grand Plateau Lodge and RV Resort for some amazing outdoor recreation in southern Utah!
