Canyons Boutique Hotel

Family-Friendly Canyon Hotels: Why visit Utah With Your Kids

The family vacations from our childhood are the most precious memories we have. Creating those memories with our own families is becoming more and more complicated, and it is a common belief that it's impossible to travel with kids; they require a lot of things, sleeping in new places can be challenging for them, and finding a family-friendly place to stay can be more complicated than one would imagine. If you have kids who want to explore the outdoors as much as you do, don't worry! We can help you find the best canyon hotels in Utah for your family adventure! Keep reading to find great stays and other ways to make traveling with kids easier.

Why Choose Utah for a Family Vacation?

Utah is one of the most family-friendly vacation hot spots because of its national parks, wildlife, world-famous zoo, and so much more! Another attractive feature of Utah is the uniqueness of Southern Utah; you can go skiing and golfing all in one day and hike and explore some of the world's most famous National Parks the next day!

Take your time planning your next trip to Utah because there is much to see and do

What Makes a Hotel Family Friendly?

Not all hotels are created equally, especially when it comes to how family-friendly they can be! Canyon hotels are often geared toward friend groups and romantic getaways, so finding somewhere to stay that is kid-friendly can be hard to do! We encourage you to stay in a central location like Kanab, Utah so that you can have access to as many of Utah and Arizona's beautiful wonders as possible! The Canyons Boutique Hotel is an excellent option for those who are looking for a place to stay with the whole family.

What Makes The Canyon Hotels Collection Family Friendly

All 28 renovated guest rooms and suites at The Canyons Hotel and there is sure to be one you love. Our rooms offer plush new beds, custom-made, spa-quality bath products, complimentary wireless internet, and DirectTV. We offer many different sizes and styles of rooms, from one-bed to a two-bedroom loft; we can accommodate families and all their needs.

As part of The Canyons Collection, you will have full access to the pool located at The Canyons Lodge where you can relax and soak in the sun!

What Makes Utah Kid Friendly

Utah is known to be family-friendly, with a wide variety of activities to choose from that are all close to the canyon hotels.

Each one of these activities can be easily accessible from Kanab, Utah, or is close to Salt Lake International Airport, so you can explore while waiting for your flight!

If you can't find something great to do with kids in Utah, then you need to look harder!

Don't Leave Home Without The Necessities

A family vacation isn't memorable without forgetting at least one very important stuffed animal or a favorite blankey, so when making your packing list, so make sure you write those things down twice!

On top of the kids' necessary items, you will want to pack a wide variety of things when you travel to Utah. Start by packing some good coats. Kanab might be in the desert, but it still gets cold, and you will want to be prepared. It's best to dress in layers so that you can be comfortable throughout the day. Along with the proper clothes, you will want to pack appropriate shoes. The sand at the Pink Coral Sand Dunes can be hot to the touch, so you will want some shoes that you can stay comfortable in but won't fill up with sand. You'll also want to pack a swimsuit and shoes to wear to The Canyons Lodge Pool.

In the end, planning a family vacation to one of Utah's canyon hotels is a great way to create those cherished family vacation memories. As parents, we may find traveling with kids challenging, but it doesn't have to be. Your family adventure awaits in the great outdoors of Utah. The beauty of its national parks, wildlife, and diverse activities make it a top-tier family vacation destination. When it comes to accommodations, not all hotels are created equal, but The Canyons Hotel stands out as family-friendly accommodation with its renovated rooms and access to the pool at The Canyons Lodge.

Utah's kid-friendly attractions are aplenty, and packing essentials for your trip ensures everyone stays comfortable and ready for adventure. Utah is calling, and it's time to create new family memories! Book your adventure today!

Why Choosing a Kanab Accommodation Is Easiest When Visiting Utah

When on vacation, you want to stay in the most convenient location for what you want to see. Utah is famous for its stunning landscape, historical sites, outdoor recreation, and more. When planning a trip to the Beehive State, we often look for accommodations near the areas we want to see most, but when we only have so much time, we want to be able to see as much as possible.

If you are considering a trip to Utah but aren't sure where to stay to have the best access to multiple national parks, good food, unique accommodations, and maybe even a touch of history, then here is why you should stay in Kanab, Utah.

Day Trips to National Parks

Kanab is lucky enough to be in close proximity to three national parks, making it a convenient hub for exploring Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon North Rim, and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Areas. Each park is just a short drive away, so you can return to your exceptional Kanab accommodation after exploring the Wild West!

Extraordinary Accommodations

Kanab has a small-town charm that is hard to beat, and The Canyons Hotel perfectly matches the vibe of Southern Utah while providing luxury to your Grand Canyon and other National Parks trip. The Canyons Boutique Hotel is the only one of its kind in Kanab. It has all the amenities of a large and overcrowded hotel, but here they come in a cozy and intimate setting. Making them the perfect choice for a weekend getaway or a weeklong vacation.

Perfect For Movie Buffs

Kanab is known as "Little Hollywood" and has been home to many different films throughout the history of filmmaking. From John Wayne to Lassie the Dog, many celebrities have made Kanab their home while starring in thousands of movies. You can visit the Little Hollywood Museum to learn about how Kanab and the surrounding area played such a significant role in developing filmmaking as we know it.

A Foodies Dream

If there is a Kanab accommodation to be raved about, it is the food! Canyons Boutique Hotel has a one-of-a-kind buffet that serves locally sourced breakfast foods that you can enjoy for a low price each morning. While staying at any of the Canyons Collection locations, you will be close to many popular dining options. Whether you are in the mood for a steak from Sego, a salad from Wild Thyme, or something simple from Kanab Creek Bakery, you can easily find something to satisfy your taste buds.

Outdoor Adventure

If outdoor adventure is what you are after, but you want to avoid the crowds of the National Parks, don't worry; there is so much to do outside near Kanab. There are multiple places for you to satisfy your adventure bug. You can visit Buckskin Gulch and Peek-a-Boo Canyon with a tour guide for beautiful photos, hiking, and a good time with friends.

Nearby are also the stunning Candy Cliffs and the White Pocket trailhead. If you want to cool off, you can head to the Water Canyon hike to get out and explore. If you are looking for more information on hikes near Kanab, you can download the All Trails app to find a trail that fits precisely what you're looking for.

Perfect For Animal Lovers

Kanab is home to one of the United States' largest no-kill animal sanctuaries, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary offers the chance to volunteer and spend time with animals who need a little extra love. And who knows, you could go home with a new best friend; they have a large selection of pets you can adopt and make part of your family!

Unique Shopping

Sometimes, your vacation can be more tiring than you planned, and you need a day of relaxation. You can spend time in your cozy room at Canyons Hotel or spend the day exploring the local shops that make Kanab unique. From art galleries to Native American jewelry, you can find just about anything you desire to take home as a souvenir!

Exploring the Wild West of Southern Utah has never been more accessible; with the accommodations in Kanab where you are so close to so many amazing things. Not many hotels are like Canyons Boutique Hotel and they are dedicated to making your trip memorable. Book your room today, and we'll see you soon!

Related: Kanab Accommodations, accommodations Grand Canyon, Canyon Hotel

Should You Purchase a National Park Pass for Your Canyon Hotel Stay?

Canyon Hotel is the ultimate destination for outdoor lovers. Our resort is located in Kanab, Utah, which is within a few hour’s drive of many of Southern Utah’s most famous destinations. You can spend the night in one of the best hotels Kanab has to offer, and enjoy day trips to destinations like the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park. This means not having to change hotels each night of your stay—saving you time and money, and giving you more time to rest before another day of adventure!

If you plan to take day trips to two or more national parks during your stay in our Canyon Hotel, a national park annual pass could help you save some money. Keep reading to learn more about this pass, and how to decide whether you should buy one during your stay.

What is a National Park Pass?

In the U.S., there are more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. While national parks are the best known, there are also national forests and grasslands, seashores and battlefields, historic sites, monuments, and many, many more varieties of land managed by the government.

Many of these sites have entrance fees. These fees help the National Park Service better manage these fragile natural and historical resources. But if you choose to visit national parks often, these can really add up. There are park-specific annual passes. However, those choosing to visit more than one park each year are better off with an annual pass.

The National Park Service offers several annual pass options:

America the Beautiful Annual Pass

The standard annual pass is called the America the Beautiful Pass. It’s available to everyone, whether they are American residents or not. This means that visitors from other nations can buy one if they plan to visit several parks during a vacation.

This annual pass costs $80 a year. The pass becomes active the month it is purchased and lasts for 12 months after that. It gains the cardholder, as well as three additional occupants of their vehicle, access to more than 400 sites that have entrance fees. The pass does not include any fees that are for third-party companies, like ferries or bus services that help get you to the historic or natural site. The pass doesn’t cover any other services, like campground fees, facility rentals, etc.

Free Annual Passes

The National Park Service offers three different types of free annual passes. All carry the same benefits as the America the Beautiful Pass, just without the fee.

The first is for all active members of the U.S. military, as well as their dependents. This includes those who are in the reserves or the National Guard.

The next type of free pass is for anyone with a permanent disability. This pass is called an Access Pass, and it does provide a few additional benefits. Cardholders will get a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees, for things like camping, swimming, boat launching, or interpretive services.

Volunteers who donate at least 250 service hours with federal agencies each year can receive a free pass through the Interagency Pass Program.

Finally, any fourth-grade U.S. students, or home-schooled children who are 10 years of age, are eligible for a free one-year pass. This pass is a part of the Every Kid Outdoors initiative. In order to get it, children and their parents will need to visit the Every Kid Outdoors website to get a paper pass that can then be exchanged for a card at federal recreation sites that charge an entrance fee or day-use fee.

Senior Pass

Any U.S. permanent residents or citizens who are age 62 or older are eligible for a Senior Pass. This pass costs $80 for a lifetime pass or $20 for an annual pass. The pass includes the same benefits as the regular annual pass, as well as a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees, like campground fees, swimming or boat launch passes, etc.

Should You Purchase a National Park Annual Pass for Your Canyon Hotel Stay?

Now that you know what the pass options are, it’s time to decide whether or not you should purchase a pass for your stay in one of the best hotels Kanab has to offer. The answer depends on how many national parks and National Park Service sites you plan to visit during your stay, or in the year following your trip.

There are several National Park Service sites within a day’s drive of our Canyon Hotel. These are the entrance fees charged at these sites:

North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park: $35 per vehicle
Zion National Park: $35 per vehicle
Capitol Reef National Park: $20 per vehicle
Bryce Canyon National Park: $35 per vehicle
Pipe Springs National Monument: $10 per person

If you plan to visit three of these destinations during your stay, or if you plan to visit one or two and will visit other National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee in the next 12 months, a national park annual pass will likely save you money.

Ready to start planning your own Canyons Hotel adventure? Book your next stay today!

Tips for Capturing Your Kanab Utah Adventure With Your Smartphone

There are a seemingly endless number of adventures waiting for you when you choose a stay at Canyons Boutique Hotel in Kanab Utah.

Several of the Utah Mighty 5, the state’s famous national parks, are within a two-hour drive of our Kanab Utah lodging. Unique Pipe Springs National Monument is even closer, at just 25 minutes. The town is home to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, where you can visit with and give back to shelter pets of all shapes and sizes. Of course, when you choose lodging near Grand Canyon, you have to plan a side trip to that natural wonder, too.

With so many adventures to enjoy during your stay, you’ll definitely want to make sure that you’re ready to capture every moment and memory. With new smartphone cameras now taking professional-quality photos, you don’t need to lug around a separate camera to take some amazing photos of your vacation. But knowing a few simple tips can help.

Keep reading to learn how to use your smartphone to capture incredible pictures during your Kanab Utah adventure.

Start with a Clean Lens

Whether you carry your cell phone in your pocket or purse, the camera is exposed. Throughout the day, it ends up covered in lint, dust, and fingerprints that will stand in the way of you and that perfect picture. This is especially true during your stay in lodges in Utah, when hiking and exploring the red rock desert is certain to leave you a little dusty.

Before you start snapping away, take a moment to clean off your phone’s camera. Don’t just reach for the edge of your jacket though, as this may scratch the lens. Instead, bring along a microfiber cloth, or use a clean, soft, lint-free t-shirt.

Use Gridlines to Balance Your Photos

Pointing your smartphone and snapping at random may help you capture that moment, but it isn’t likely to land you any professional-looking photographs. That’s because one big thing sets professional photos apart from your everyday snap; composition.

Composition refers to the art of positioning the subjects in your photograph in a specific way. Your composition should aim to create interest, usually by drawing the audience’s eye in a specific direction.

It doesn’t take a professional eye to give your photos a professional composition; you just need to understand the rule of thirds. To do this, imagine that your photo is being broken into three sections vertically and three sections horizontally, creating an imaginary grid of nine equal squares. Many newer smartphones now have a feature that allows you to project actual gridlines on your screen, making this even easier.

Then, when you are taking a photo, aim to place your subject on one of these lines. For instance, if you’re snapping a shot of your friend standing in front of the Grand Canyon, line him or her up with one of the two vertical lines. You can also take this tip one step further by aiming to line up the background on the horizontal gridlines; perhaps the horizon behind your friend can be lined up with the top horizontal grid line.

The result is balanced photos that draw attention to your subject of choice. You certainly don’t have to line up every shot you take while staying in hotels near Long Valley Junction Utah. But if you want a few museum-quality shots that you’ll want to display when you get home, put this tip to work.

Flip Your Phone

It likely feels far more natural to hold your cell phone upright when you’re taking a picture. However, if you’ve ever visited an art gallery or scrolled through professional landscape photos online, you’ve likely noticed that these shots are rarely vertical.

Horizontal photos are far better suited for landscape shots. They give you more room to take in the sweeping mountains or canyon far below. They also keep your shots from becoming overwhelmed by too much sky or boring ground space.

There will no doubt be plenty of instances when you’ll want to flip your phone for a landscape photo while staying in lodging near Grand Canyon and visiting all the destinations Kanab Utah has to offer.

Skip the Flash

Your phone’s digital zoom isn’t the only thing getting in the way of a professional shot. Your flash is also likely far too harsh to light your photos without leaving them grainy or washed out.

If you do want to shoot photos at night or in low light, you’re better off using another light source. A flashlight will better illuminate your image than your built-in flash. Of course, nothing beats natural light for achieving beautiful photographs.

Capturing Photos During Your Kanab Utah Adventure

From the view of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to the many stunning vistas you’ll see during a scenic drive, you’ll no doubt go home from Kanab Utah with endless incredible pictures of your adventures. These tips can help ensure that your pictures are ones that you’ll treasure and love to show off.

Ready to start planning your own Kanab Utah adventure? There’s now an even better reason to book a stay at Canyons Boutique Hotel.

We’ve now partnered with Stash Rewards to give our guests a way to earn points on their stay and even access discount rates. Not only will you earn five points for every dollar you spend at our Kanab Utah lodging, but you’ll also earn points at more than 160 independent hotels across the country. Sign up today to get rewarded for your next stay at Canyons Hotels!

Day Trip Spotlight: Pipe Springs National Monument

Canyons Boutique Hotel’s location in Kanab Utah makes it the perfect basecamp for exploring all that Southern Utah has to offer. Enjoy a day trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, take a scenic drive through beautiful alpine mountain forests and red rock deserts, or spend a day giving back while enjoying some time with the adoptable animals at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

Visiting one of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks is often on our visitors’ bucket lists. Zion National Park is the closest, at just over an hour from our Kanab lodging. Bryce Canyon is only a little further away, while Capitol Reef National Park is still close enough for a day trip, at around three hours from our Canyon Hotels.

But what many visitors don’t know is that there’s another National Park Service site located even closer to our hotel. Pipe Springs National Monument is just 25 minutes from Kanab Utah. This unique national monument has a long and complicated history and is a great spot to spend an afternoon during your stay. Keep reading to learn what you need to know to plan a visit during your Canyons Boutique Hotel stay.

A History of Pipe Springs National Monument

Pipe Springs National Monument is located in Northern Arizona, just over 20 miles from our hotels near Kanab Utah. The location that is today the national monument has a long and storied history.

For many centuries, the region was home to a number of Native American tribes. They frequented the area and even built small communities that relied on the freshwater spring located there.

More than a thousand years after Native Americans first came to the area, the first European settlers arrived. During the mid-19th century, a group of Mormon pioneers from Northern Utah arrived in Northern Arizona. They settled near the spring and established a cattle ranch.

Raids on the ranch by Native American tribes were frequent during the Black Hawk War, and tensions ran high between the tribes and these pioneers. A fort was soon built on the site to help protect the ranch and the settlers. It quickly became an outpost for travelers passing through the area, and a source of trade and commerce for the people who settled here. Eventually, members of the Paiute Native American tribe settled in the land surrounding the ranch. In the late 1880s, the Mormon pioneers lost ownership of the ranch, and much of the land became the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation. But in 1923, the site of the ranch and fort were set aside to become a national monument.

Pipe Springs National Monument Today

Today, Pipe Springs National Monument offers visitors a chance to learn more about the history of the site and of the many different groups of people who have lived in the region.

Start your visit in the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians Visitor Center and Museum. The museum is divided between information about the Native American tribes that first settled here and the story of the Mormon pioneers and the fort.

Outside of the museum, visitors can wander the remnants of the fort, also known as Winsor Castle. You can join a ranger-guided tour to learn about the building of the fort and what life was like there. In the summer months, rangers lead additional talks and demonstrations, such as displays of pioneer and Native American tools and crafts.

Besides the fort, there are also two preserved cabins that give visitors a chance to take a closer look at what the life of those early Mormon pioneers was like. An orchard and garden still grow on the property, with Native American and pioneer crops. There’s also a corral where you can see horses and cattle.

Entrance to the visitor center and museum is free. If you want to visit the fort and grounds, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee of $10 per person or present a valid national park annual pass, also known as the America the Beautiful Pass.

Planning Your Next Stay at One of the Best Lodges in Utah

A day trip to Pipe Springs National Monument is a great addition to your stay at one of the best lodges in Utah. If you’re short on time, its close location also makes it easy to spend a morning at the national monument before heading elsewhere for the rest of the day.

Looking for a great way to save even more on your next stay at Canyons Boutique Hotel? The Canyons Collection has now partnered with Stash Rewards to help our guests earn free nights on their stay!

When you join Stash Rewards, you’ll earn five points for every $1 you spend, not just at the Canyons Hotels, but at more than 160 independent hotels located across the United States. In addition to earning rewards on your purchases, you’ll also enjoy access to special rates only available to Stash Members. Join Stash Rewards and book a stay at Canyons Boutique Hotel today to start earning points you can put toward a future stay!

What Makes Canyons Boutique Hotels Unique

Looking for the perfect place to stay during your next visit to Southern Utah? With two Canyons Boutique hotels to choose from, our properties offer visitors a unique base camp for exploring all that the area has to offer.

But what makes our Kanab Utah lodging so special? From our location to our unique amenities and decor, there’s a lot to enjoy when you stay at Canyons Boutique Hotel or Canyons Lodge. Keep reading to learn more about what makes our properties so unique.

The Perfect Location

One of the things that make Canyons Boutique Hotels so special is their location. Both Canyons Boutique Hotel and Canyons Lodge are located in beautiful Kanab, Utah.

The town’s stunning natural beauty has attracted attention and visitors for more than a hundred years.

After the first Western movie was filmed in Kanab in the early 1920s, the town earned the nickname of “Little Hollywood,” and has continued to attract film makers even today. You can even visit the Little Hollywood Museum, where you can wander real and reproduction movie sets, see props, and learn more about filmmaking in this Southern Utah town.

Outdoor lovers and adventure seekers have taken note of the town more recently as the perfect basecamp for exploring some of Utah’s most incredible parks. Zion National Park is just a half an hour from Kanab. Bryce Canyon National Park is under an hour and a half away. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is two hours away by car. There are also several Utah state parks just a short distance away, including popular Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, which is only 25 minutes from the town of Kanab.

Visitors can also spend a day enjoying a scenic drive to take in more of the incredible views of the area. Or, do a little giving back during your next vacation with a day trip to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, also located just a short drive from our Canyons Boutique hotels.

Unique Rooms

While Southern Utah has its share of boring chain hotels and motels, you won’t find any standard run of the mill rooms here. Instead, each of the Canyons Boutique hotels, including Canyons Lodge and Canyons Boutique Hotel, features unique room designs and decor.

In Canyons Boutique Hotel, the renovated guest rooms feature retro decor that calls to mind the types of rooms that some of Hollywood’s stars no doubt stayed in in the mid-1950s while filming Westerns in the area. While the room decor may harken to past decades, the comforts found there are fully modern. Every room features new, plush beds, custom-made spa products, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms also feature special upgrades like in-room fireplaces and jetted hot tubs.

Our other Kanab Utah lodging option is Canyons Lodge. This property features rustic-contemporary rooms. Log cabin-inspired walls mix with rustic, modern artwork and decor.

In addition to our unique decor, both of our Canyon hotels offer a variety of room types for every type of traveler. Both of our Kanab Utah lodging options have standard two-queen or single king rooms, as well as larger suites ideal for families or groups of friends traveling together. At Canyons Boutique Hotel, our largest room is our Canyons 2 Bedroom Loft, which features two separate bedrooms and a full living room. There is one king bed, one queen bed, and a full-size sleeper sofa.

At Canyons Lodge, our largest room is our Family Suite. This suite combines both a Deluxe King room and Deluxe Double Queen room and sleeps up to 6 guests. This suite option includes two full bathrooms and its own private entrance.

A Reputation for Excellent Service

Another thing that makes our Canyons Boutique hotels so unique is our reputation for outstanding service. Both of our properties maintain the charm and personalized approach of a small property. Our friendly staff are always there to greet guests, offer local travel recommendations, or to do what they can to make your stay special.

Don’t just take our word for it; many of our previous guests have said the same. One guest had this to say about their stay;

“I had brought my girlfriend for a stay at the Canyons Lodge across the way for her birthday. We had most of our plans fall through due to COVID. Travis absolutely rescued our trip. We enjoyed our stay at Canyons Lodge so much that we decided to extend our stay at Canyons Boutique. Both properties are fantastic and Canyons Boutique adds that little luxury flair. Travis' personal care and customer service are meticulous. He never once seemed bothered by a call or a question. Every staff member I interacted with operated with the same sense of pride and professionalism. Canyons Boutique creates a cozy yet modern experience that we absolutely will be returning to in the future. If you're headed to the north rim of the Grand Canyon or Glen Canyon, or you need to add Utah to your lists of states visited Kanab and Travis' two Canyons properties are an excellent option.” (Review via Yelp)

Planning Your Stay at Canyons Boutique Hotels

Whether you book a unique and rustic-contemporary room at Canyons Lodge or opt for an extra dose of luxury at Canyons Boutique Hotel, both of our Canyons Boutique hotels can help to make your next visit to Kanab even more special.

If you’re planning a visit to Southern Utah in 2023, now is a great time to book your Kanab Utah lodging. Right now, when you book a stay of three or more nights before June 30, you’ll enjoy a 15 percent discount on your stay. Book today to take advantage of these savings!

Planning a Stay in Lodging Near Grand Canyon National Park

When most people think about visiting the Grand Canyon, they think of the South Rim. Located just a few hours from cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas, this section of the park is the most popular. But what many visitors don’t realize is that there is another section of the park located to the north of the Grand Canyon.

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon draws just one-quarter of the national park’s annual visitors but offers incredible views of this natural wonder that rival those found at the South Rim. It’s also located just two hours from Kanab Utah, making it a great choice for a day trip from Canyons Lodge.

Thinking about visiting the Grand Canyon during your next stay? Keep reading to learn how to plan your visit and choose lodging near Grand Canyon National Park.

Choosing Lodging Near Grand Canyon National Park

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is located close to the border between Utah and Arizona. This remote region offers some incredibly scenic views you’ll get to enjoy during your drive. But it also means that lodging near Grand Canyon National Park is limited.

Staying close to the North Rim might make it easy to get to the national park. But it will also mean being far away from other outdoor attractions, as well as services like restaurants, grocery stores, or gift shops.

Instead, the best lodging Grand Canyon National Park has to offer is located a short drive away. Staying in Kanab Utah makes it easy to plan a variety of day trips and adventures during your getaway. Stop by the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Take a day trip to Zion National Park. There’s no shortage of things to do!

Traveling to the North Rim From Kanab Utah

Staying in lodging near Grand Canyon National Park like Canyons Lodge means that getting to the park is a part of the adventure. You’ll leave the red rock deserts of Kanab Utah behind as you ascend into higher elevations. Your journey will wind through forests of pine trees as temperatures drop.

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is around 1,000 feet higher in elevation than the South Rim. It’s also much higher in elevation than Kanab Utah. This means that during the winter months, the area frequently experiences heavy snowfall. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is closed for most of the winter season. If you have your heart set on visiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, you’ll want to plan to visit Canyons Lodge from late spring to mid-fall.

What to See at the North Rim

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon has its own visitor center and lodge. You can talk to a ranger about trail conditions, shop for souvenirs, and learn more about the unique wildlife and ecosystems of the park.

Thanks to its higher elevation, the view from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a little different from what you’ll find at the South Rim. At the South Rim, the view lets you look down into the canyon. But at the North Rim, the view is more panoramic. The best place to take in the Grand Canyon at the North Rim is at Bright Angel Point. This short, easy trail is located just a half-mile from the main parking lot, located at the Grand Canyon Lodge.

There are also plenty of other hiking trails to enjoy at the North Rim. The Transept Tour is a three-mile trail that travels between the Grand Canyon Lodge and the North Rim Campground, with great views of the canyon far below. While it is possible to hike between the North and South Rims, this trail takes more than a day, and is very challenging. But there are plenty of other easier trails that let you enjoy the canyon without having to have advanced hiking experience.

Planning a Stay at Lodging Near Grand Canyon National Park

Planning a day trip to the Grand Canyon during your stay at Canyons Lodge is a great way to experience a unique side of this popular national park. With incredible panoramic views, fewer visitors, and cooler temperatures, the North Rim is a must-see, especially if you’ve never had a chance to experience this incredible natural wonder.

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is set to open for the year on May 15, 2023. This means that now is the perfect time to start thinking about planning a visit. Book your stay at Canyons Lodge, the best lodging near Grand Canyon National Park, today!

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.

Getting to Kanab

Located near the Arizona-Utah border, Kanab, Utah is a stunning destination popular with outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, adventure lovers, and those looking to enjoy a relaxing, tranquil escape. Our remote location, away from the hustle and bustle of Utah’s other tourist-heavy cities makes it easy to get off the beaten path for a unique vacation. But it also means that getting to Kanab Utah can be a little confusing, especially for first-time visitors.

If you’re planning a stay at Canyons Lodge, keep reading. We’re breaking down what you need to know about getting to Kanab Utah.

Getting to Kanab Utah

Kanab does have its own airport. However, unless you have your own small plane, this likely won’t be a good option for getting to Kanab Utah. Instead, if you’re planning to fly to Southern Utah, you’ll want to choose from several other airports located in the region.

Page Municipal Airport

The next closest option to Kanab is Page Municipal Airport, located in Page, Arizona. This small airport is located about an hour and 15 minutes from Kanab. This airport is only slightly larger than Kanab, with daily service from three small jet services.

Daily flights are only available to and from Phoenix, Arizona. But if you’re looking to get to Kanab quickly and don’t mind connecting through Phoenix, this might be an option for your visit. Avis Car Rental operates a rental counter at this airport as well, so you can rent a car to finish your journey to Kanab.

St. George Regional Airport

St. George Regional Airport is another small airport located about an hour and a half from Kanab. This airport is larger than Page Municipal Airport and offers several daily flights between St. George, Utah, and Phoenix, as well as Salt Lake City. These flights are offered through Delta and American Airlines, making them a great option if you’re a member of one of the two airline’s loyalty programs.

From St. George, you can easily rent a vehicle to drive to Kanab from a variety of different rental companies. You can also visit Zion National Park easily from this airport.

Harry Reid International Airport

Page, Arizona, and St. George, Utah do offer some flight options for those looking to land as close to Canyons Lodge as possible. However, these flights are limited and are likely to be more expensive than your average commercial flight. If you’re looking for more flexibility in when you travel or want to save some money, you’ll want to opt for a larger airport. Most visitors to Kanab opt to fly into either Las Vegas, Nevada, or Salt Lake City, Utah instead.

Harry Reid International Airport is the closest international airport to Kanab. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this airport is around three and a half hours from our Kanab resort. Hundreds of flights arrive in Las Vegas every day, from cities across the country and around the world. Most major U.S.-based airlines operate flights at this airport. This means that you’ll enjoy plenty of flexibility when it comes to flights. You’ll also find plenty of rental car options, both at the airport and off-site.

Salt Lake City International Airport

Similar to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City International Airport also has hundreds of daily flights. This airport is further away from Kanab. You’ll have a five-hour drive to get to Canyons Lodge. But this is another great airport option if you don’t mind taking a little road trip through beautiful Utah!

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Only slightly further away from Kanab, Utah, is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, another large international airport with plenty of flights and rental car options. This airport is around a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Kanab.

Planning Your Visit to Kanab, Utah

When it comes to getting to Kanab Utah, you have plenty of options. Whether you’re looking to get here as quickly as possible or don’t mind making a short road trip, the above airports make it easy to customize your travel plans to fit your needs.

Now that you know what you need to do to get here, it’s time to start planning your next visit! If you’re looking to experience the rich, rustic history of this special destination, but without sacrificing comfort and a touch of luxury, Canyons Lodge is the perfect destination for you.

Our Kanab resort features a rustic contemporary style that makes us unique from your standard chain hotel. But you’ll still enjoy amenities like plush beds, microwaves, refrigerators, in-room Keurigs, and wireless Internet access. Outside, we have a heated swimming pool perfect for taking a dip on a hot day. Book your stay today to start planning your own adventure to Kanab, Utah in 2023.