What to do on a Southwest US trip between Page and Kanab

Visit Toadstool Hoodoos

Toadstool Hoodoos makes a neat side trip while you travel between Page, Arizona and Kanab, Utah. I will say that if you are pressed for time, this might not be quite worth the stop as there are relatively few hoodoos. If you have extra time, this site is worth the stop and the hike to check out the hoodoo formations. If you have time to stop, this hike is approximately 2-miles roundtrip, so it should not take up a ton of your time if you are in the area. The hoodoos definitely do not compare to those at Bryce Canyon National Park or Goblin Valley State Park but are worth checking out and stretching your legs while you travel between Page and Kanab. This hike is also fairly accessible to most hiking abilities and makes for a family friendly hike.

Visit the Nautilus aka the White Wave

If you are unable to secure tickets to hike the more popular “Wave” trailhead in the area, the Nautilus Trailhead is a pretty neat alternative. This formation is also referred to as the White Wave since it is white in color but has the same wavy stratigraphy as the more popular Wave rock formation. This is also a fairly short one mile or so roundtrip hike, so you can also fit this into a day trip between Page and Kanab. The Nautilus is a neat formation where water has eroded a spiral shaped cutout through sandstone. This makes for some unique photographs and a very cool hike in this area. If you are traveling in this area, I would definitely recommend making the stop off to experience the Nautilus rock formation.

Hike to Buckskin Gulch via Wire Pass Trailhead

This slot canyon between Kanab, Utah and Page, Arizona should top your list of places to visit in the area. Buckskin Gulch is a beautiful slot canyon that continues to amaze as you walk through the labyrinth of canyons. I took the Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch trail when I visited. This really cool hike takes you through Wire Pass Slot Canyon before finally ending up in Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon. You can then explore as much or as little of Buckskin Gulch as you like.

You will probably not have cell phone service or data at the trailhead, so be sure to purchase your trailhead permit ahead of time here. Keep an eye on weather forecasts as well. If there is rain nearby, do not enter a slot canyon as flash flooding can occur immediately and be deadly. From Kanab, it takes approximately 1 hour to reach the Wire Pass Trailhead. It also takes about 1 hour from Page, so this trailhead is accessible from both places.

Where to stay in Page, Arizona or Kanab, Utah

If you are visiting either of these towns, these are my recommendations for where to stay based on the hotels I stayed at in both locations. I enjoyed my stay in both towns and would recommend looking into these hotel properties for you visit to the area.

Page, Arizona

While in Page, I stayed at the Best Western Plus at Lake Powell. This was a pretty great hotel within walking distance to many restaurants in Page. It is also within a short walk of Grand Canyon Brewing, which is a really cool place to hang out and drink a craft beer. The Best Western Plus also had a really nice outdoor pool and hot tub that increased the quality of the stay. There is also a continental breakfast to get you fueled for your day of adventuring around Page. To learn more about what to do around Page, check out my article of top things to do in the area here.

Kanab, Utah

When I visited Kanab, I stayed at the Comfort Suites Kanab National Park Area and had a great stay. This hotel has a really nice outdoor pool and hot tub and is within easy walking distance to many restaurants and cafes in downtown Kanab. They also have a breakfast buffet to help fuel your daily adventures and a fitness center if you are looking to maintain your fitness routine while on vacation. You can learn more about what to do around Kanab by visiting my article about top things to do here.