Conditions Right Now
Use sunset as your turnaround alarm.
Why Hike This
These are not natural caves. They were dug into the Navajo sandstone as a sand mine, cut for fine glassmaking sand around the World War II era, and the connected chambers and tunnels are what the mining left behind. The walk in is flat and quick, and then the last stretch is a slickrock ramp that usually has a fixed rope on it. That ramp is the whole difficulty of the hike, and it is why people who dislike heights turn around there.
The Trail
Man-made caves in a cliff band - short scramble, big photos.
Heat note: desert country - in summer start at dawn and carry more water than feels reasonable.
Pack Loadout (Easy)
Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, snacks, comfortable shoes.
Getting There
Make it a weekend: South Campground (Zion) (Camping, 26 mi) · Watchman Campground (Camping, 26 mi) · Duck Creek Campground (Camping, 30 mi) · Navajo Lake Campground (Camping, 31 mi)
More hikes nearby: Observation Point (East Mesa) (Hike, 24 mi) · Canyon Overlook Trail (Hike, 24 mi) · Emerald Pools (Hike, 26 mi) · Angels Landing (Hike, 26 mi)
Quick Answers
- How long is the Kanab Sand Caves hike?
- 1.5 miles round trip with 147 feet of elevation gain.
- How hard is Kanab Sand Caves?
- Easy. Kid rating: 4 out of 5.
- When should I hike Kanab Sand Caves?
- Best season: All year.
- Why hike Kanab Sand Caves?
- The caves sit about five miles north of Kanab right off Highway 89, so the hike is short and the parking is signed. What you are visiting is an old sand mine rather than a natural formation. The catch is the exposed slickrock ramp at the end, which is genuinely airy with kids.