Where to stay in Kanab, by location
Kanab is a small town in southern Utah and a base within reach of many destinations. Zion's east entrance is about 30 minutes away, Bryce Canyon about 90 minutes, and the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary about 5 miles (8 km) north of town. Remote desert trailheads such as White Pocket take 2 to 2.5 hours each way by the tour operator's estimate.
Because there is no public transport in Kanab, you need a car wherever you sleep. This page sorts the options by area instead of ranking individual hotels. Room prices, availability, taxes and pet or child supplements depend on your dates, so compare them for your own trip dates before you book.
Areas compared
Pick the area that matches the days you want to spend on the road.
| Area | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Kanab town | Most trips: Wave, White Pocket, Toadstools, Zion and Bryce day trips | Historic center with film history. Parry Lodge is at 89 East Center Street. |
| Western town center | Stays with pets | Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile, 30 N 300 W |
| Angel Canyon, north of town | Visiting the sanctuary | Cottages, cabins and RV sites, about 5 miles north of Kanab |
| Orderville and Mount Carmel Junction | Zion's east side | Smaller lodgings on the US 89 corridor north of Kanab |
| Big Water and the Page side | Toadstools and the Arizona sights | Toadstools trailhead is 12 miles west of Big Water on US 89 |
| Campgrounds | Dunes, desert and budget stays | Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, dispersed camping outside wilderness |
In Kanab town
Staying in Kanab puts you in the middle of the region. The town has historic buildings, the Little Hollywood Museum at 297 W. Center Street and a long film history. Parry Lodge at 89 East Center Street is one of the lodgings with a documented link to that history, as a base for film productions.
On the west side of the center, the Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile at 30 N 300 W offers rooms and suites designed for stays with pets. It lists free Wi-Fi and a continental breakfast. It is separate from the lodging at the sanctuary itself in Angel Canyon. Our guide to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary covers visiting.
Tours from Kanab
Guided day trips from the Kanab area to canyons, dunes and desert landscapes, with current prices and availability.
North of Kanab, toward Zion's east entrance
Orderville and Mount Carmel Junction, on US 89 north of Kanab, offer smaller lodgings. They suit you if Zion is the heart of your trip. Staying outside Kanab does not make you a guest inside the national park, though. A hotel in Kanab is not a stay in Zion. It is a base about 30 minutes from the east entrance.
If you drive into Zion from the east, remember the vehicle limits that apply between the east entrance and Canyon Junction. For a larger RV or a trailer, read Zion and Bryce Canyon from Kanab before you choose your base.
Big Water and the Page side
East of Kanab on US 89 the road reaches the Toadstools trailhead, about 45 miles from Kanab and 12 miles west of Big Water. Sleeping on that side shortens the drive to the Toadstools and the Arizona side of the region. The Page airport (PGA) is about 1 hour 15 minutes from Kanab by road. The area around Page and Lake Powell is covered in detail on our sister site.
Keep the time change in mind. During Utah's daylight saving time Kanab is one hour ahead of Page and the neighboring parts of Arizona, so check the time zone of any tour or permit start.
Camping near Kanab
Camping is the cheapest way to stay near the sights. At Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, 2026 rates are:
- Old campground, no hookups: $28 for a single site and $60 for a double site.
- New campground with water and electricity: $45.
- Group sites: $175 in the old campground and $225 in the new one, for up to 5 camp units.
- Extra vehicle: $20 per night with a permit, with no overflow parking.
- Quiet hours: 10 pm to 7 am, with no off-road vehicles or generators.
These are per-site prices, not per person. Read about the park in our Coral Pink Sand Dunes guide.
Outside the wilderness areas of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument you may camp in dispersed spots that are already in use. There is no camping at all within the Coyote Buttes North permit area, where The Wave lies. An overnight stay in Paria Canyon needs its own permit, booked in advance, which costs $5 per person or dog per day.
Which base for which plan
Zion and Bryce day trips
Kanab or the US 89 corridor. Bryce is about 90 minutes from Kanab by road.
Zion and Bryce →The Wave, White Pocket and Buckskin Gulch
Kanab. The dirt-road approaches add hours, so a base in town saves time. Check the weather before you commit.
Kanab weather →Sandboarding and dunes
The state park campground, which is about 20 miles from Kanab, puts you next to the dunes.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes →Where to stay near Kanab: frequently asked questions
Is Kanab a good base for Zion?
Yes, if you accept the drive. The east entrance is about 30 minutes away. A hotel in Kanab is not inside the park, so plan for parking and entrance lines.
Where should I stay for The Wave and White Pocket?
In Kanab. Both are reached by long dirt roads, and White Pocket is 2 to 2.5 hours each way by the tour operator's estimate.
Can I stay at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary?
The sanctuary lists cottages, cabins and RV sites in Angel Canyon. The Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile in Kanab is a separate property with rooms made for stays with pets.
Can I camp near The Wave?
No. Camping is not allowed in the permit area. Dispersed camping is allowed outside wilderness in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, on spots already in use.
How much does camping at Coral Pink cost?
In 2026, $28 for a single site and $60 for a double site in the old campground without hookups, $45 in the new campground with water and electricity.
Do I need a car in Kanab?
Yes. Kanab has no public transport, so plan to drive, especially to remote trailheads.