Kanab is the gateway to the Southwest's national parks
When people in Kanab, Utah, want to go hiking, they don't go to some county trail; they head in any direction to a world-famous national park. "We're the basecamp of the Southwest's national parks. We have the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon within an hour or so," says Realtor Shanell Heely with Distinction Real Estate, a long-time resident of the Kanab area. This remote Southern Utah town is famous for its remarkable landscape, from the red rock cliffs and sand dunes around town to the sandstone mountains of Zion National Park to the west and the Grand Canyon's vast expanse to the south. Kanab is even nicknamed "Little Hollywood" because its backdrop is a renowned filming location for blockbuster films like "The Outlaw Josey Wales" and 1968's "Planet of the Apes." This scenery can't be replicated anywhere else on earth, and it's what draws most residents. "We have a plethora of different people here because it's a tourist town," Heely says. "I can't tell you how many people visit here, see how beautiful it is, then call me saying they have to live here."
Day trips to Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon
There are few, if any, places with better access to the American Southwest's dramatic landscapes than Kanab. It's surrounded by red rock cliffs, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is 20 miles west over the mountains. Zion National Park is just 30 miles northwest, home to legendary canyons and views that are recognized worldwide. Kanab is on the Arizona border, so the north rim of the Grand Canyon is only 50 miles south. Back on the Utah side, Bryce Canyon National Park is about 75 miles north, home to otherworldly valleys of sandstone pillars. These are just the most well-known parks surrounding Kanab. There are numerous other national and state parks in every direction. There are even organized sanctuaries. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, on the north end of Kanab, is the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the U.S. Across 3,700 acres, the sanctuary hosts all kinds of animals, including refugee farm animals displaced in West Coast wildfires. These surroundings draw many outdoorsy visitors, but the town uses tourism to its advantage. "The city charges higher taxes on vacation rental properties, and they use it to build awesome things," Heely says. "They've built new parks, a swimming pool and pickleball courts." There's also Jackson Flat Reservoir on the south side of town, which is built for recreational use.
Kanab's home options continue to grow
The median price for a single-family home is about $530,000. Development outside of town has swayed the median in recent years. However, in town, there's a greater range of options. "We've been around since the 1800s, so we've got some old and some new," Heely says. "We also have historic homes that are for sale sometimes." Around the median price, there are 1970s ranch-style homes, 1930s Craftsman, 1890s Gothic and early-1900s Second Empire designs. Still, prices range from $300,000 for a small cottage to $720,000 for newer tract homes. There are larger new tracts on the south end of town. "A lot of Utah towns are opposed to growth, but we've got a lot of development here," Heely says. Kanab Creek is one of these new communities where tract homes cost around the median price.
One of Utah's top ten school districts
The Kane County School District is based in Kanab and receives a B-plus from Niche. Despite the remote location, Niche ranks it in Utah's top ten districts. Kanab Elementary is rated a B-plus. Kanab Middle earns an A-minus, and Kanab High gets a B-plus. Kanab High's academic and athletic success can be attributed to the community's unwavering support. "When the football team comes back from states, it doesn't matter if they won, everyone is outside cheering them on when the buses get back," Heely says. "It could be 1 a.m., and the firetrucks will be outside blowing the sirens for them."
Music and eats on Main Street
Center Street, or U.S. Highway 89, is where everything goes on in Kanab. Hotels, museums and visitors' centers cater to national park travelers. Outfitters like Jake's Bike Shop help tourists and locals gear up for biking in the Utah backcountry. The area's red rock beauty fosters creativity, and local musicians always keep the music playing from the strip of restaurants on Center Street. "We're a very musical town," Heely says. "On the weekend, you'll hear music coming from indoor and outdoor venues around town." Houston's Trail's End and many other local eateries have a Southwestern theme, but Mexican, Cuban, New American and other cuisines can be found around town. Brown Box and Jakey Leigh's are popular cafés on Center Street. Glazier's Market is where people get groceries a few blocks south of Center Street's main drag. Honey's Marketplace also has essentials.
St. George is 80 miles west
Kanab is the seat of Kane County. So, there's a decent amount of local industry between the county offices, the school system and tourism. Kane County Hospital is also in Kanab. St. George, Utah, is the closest larger city, 80 miles west. Even though Kanab is on the Utah-Arizona border, the nearest major city is Las Vegas, 200 miles southwest on Interstate 15. People typically fly to and from Kanab from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
