Kanab sits in the heart of canyon country and makes an unbeatable base for exploring Bryce Canyon, Zion, and the Grand Canyon, plus a web of dog-friendly gems across Grand Staircase-Escalante and Vermilion Cliffs. Distances are short enough for day trips, but the landscapes couldn’t be more varied - meaning you can tailor each outing to your dog’s fitness, paws, and heat tolerance.

Kanab is roughly 30 minutes to Zion’s east entrance, about 90 minutes to Bryce Canyon, and 3–3.5 hours to the Grand Canyon South Rim, perfect for staging your adventures around cooler mornings and evenings.

Each park sets its own pet rules, so planning ahead matters:

• Bryce Canyon welcomes leashed dogs on paved surfaces and along the paved section of the Rim Trail between Sunset Point and Sunrise Point, an ideal stroll for catching sunrise colors over the hoodoos. Dogs are also allowed in campgrounds, parking areas, and paved overlooks. Keep your pup leashed (6 ft) and off unpaved trails.

• Zion National Park features the Pa’rus Trail as the standout dog-friendly hike: a mellow, multi-use path from the Visitor Center up the canyon floor where leashed dogs are explicitly permitted. Elsewhere in the park, pets are limited to roads and developed areas. For pups who need more mileage, pair Pa’rus with an early or late stroll along park roads outside shuttle hours. Save the technical canyons for human-only days.

• Grand Canyon allows leashed pets on all trails above the rim (both South Rim and, seasonally, North Rim), as well as in campgrounds and developed areas. A rim-walk itinerary is perfect for dogs: string together viewpoints, water stops, and shaded breaks while avoiding the mid-day heat.

Beyond the parks, Kanab’s surrounding public lands offer a treasure trove of adventures:

• The Nautilus is a one-mile roundtrip hike to a swirling white sandstone “seashell” formation tucked into a short wash. It’s easy to reach, picture-worthy, and dog-friendly. Go early to keep sand and stone cool on paws, and carry extra water.

• Old Paria lies at the end of a 5.5-mile dirt road, where colorful striped cliffs in shades of red, orange, purple, and white create jaw-dropping scenery. There’s no set trail, so you can explore freely among the badlands and the remnants of an old pioneer settlement last inhabited in 1920.

• Buckskin Gulch is often called the longest slot canyon in the world. Dogs are allowed on leash, but this is an adventure to approach with care: its narrow sandstone corridors stretch for miles, with mud, water pools, and flash flood risk all in play. For a more accessible taste, begin at Wire Pass Trailhead, a 1.7-mile approach through its own mini-slot before joining Buckskin. From there, explore downcanyon as far as conditions and your dog’s comfort allow. This is best suited for confident, fit pups and experienced desert hikers.

• White Pocket delivers mind-bending cross-bedded sandstone swirled in creams, reds, and golds. Dogs are allowed, and no permit is required - but the challenge is getting there. Deep sand and remote roads demand true high-clearance 4WD and solid navigation. We promise you the journey is worth it, just be prepared (or hire a guide). If you make the journey, pack paw balm, extra water, and be fully self-reliant.

• Horseshoe Bend (near Page, AZ) is one of the West’s most photographed overlooks, and the broad, dog-friendly trail makes it accessible to four-legged friends too. Leashes are required. Start at dawn or dusk for cooler temps and softer sand underfoot.

Finally, Kanab is home to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, a must-visit for animal lovers. Schedule a volunteer shift in Dogtown, take an approved pup on an outing, or even host a sleepover with one of their adoptable animals at local pet-friendly lodging. It’s a powerful and joyful way to give back between hikes.

Need-to-Knows for Desert Travel With Dogs

• Heat & paws: Plan outings at sunrise and golden hour; rest mid-day. Test sand/rock temps with your hand before letting your pup walk.

• Water: Bring at least 1–2 liters per dog for short hikes; more for longer rambles.

• Leashes & etiquette: Most public lands require a 6-ft leash. Many trails are narrow, so practice yield cues and a solid heel.

• Road reality: Getting to White Pocket and parts of Grand Staircase isn’t about mileage, it’s about deep sand and remoteness. If you’re not confident, hire a local guide out of Kanab.

• Safety: Carry lightweight booties for hot rock or cactus, a tick remover, and a simple canine first-aid kit.

• Flash floods: In monsoon season, avoid slot canyons or washes if storms are in the forecast.

• Best time to visit: Avoid the summer months as temps easily stay in the 100s and there isn't much shade. We visited in the winter and found this to be ideal with dogs (just be aware the Grand Canyon does close sections during winter months) and much less crowded!

Would you base in Kanab for a week with your dog? Tell us which stop tops your list!