When you think of “cool” places, what comes to mind? Los Angeles, with its movie sets and celebrities? New York with its iconic buildings and tourists from all over the world? Utah might not be cool in comparison to those glamorous, urban places…but there’s one little town in the Beehive State that’s got a certain vibe that they just can’t replicate. Kanab is the epitome of cool…and the best part? It got that way without even trying. The next time you’re drumming up a list to visit the best small towns in Utah, the small town of Kanab should certainly make the list. Heck, it’s only just the coolest place in the west, after all.
Kanab is located right on the Utah/Arizona border, along SR-89.
P199/Wikimedia Around 4,400 people call Kanab home. While it’s kind of in the middle of nowhere, it’s also gained a reputation as being one of the coolest towns in the West.
Kanab embraces its history.
teofilo/flickr You’ll find several homes and buildings on the National Historic Registry here.
Hiking here is unparalleled.
The Greater Southwestern Exploration/flickr The Vermillion Cliffs National Monument is just one of many spots nearby where you can spend the day exploring on a trail.
It’s hard to beat views like this.
The Greater Southwestern Exploration/flickr Natural beauty abounds around Kanab. To the east, you’ll find Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument; to the west, Zion National Park. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is nearby as well, and the Grand Canyon is just over the border to the south.
Best Friends Animal Society was founded in 1991.
management/Tripadvisor Today, it’s the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the country.
Best Friends is home to around 1,600 animals, including dogs, cats, horses, birds, pigs, and more.
Jen/flickr Over 30,000 people visit every year, and some find a new best friend of their own to adopt.
Kanab is known as “Little Hollywood.”
Wilson Loo Kok Wee/flickr
It’s been a popular spot for movie filming, starting with Westerns in the 1930s, and continuing today.
JensogSetta/Tripadvisor
Hog Canyon is not for the faint of heart.
The Greater Southwestern Exploration/flickr It’s a haven for ATV enthusiasts and Jeep crawlers.
You’ll find plenty of dining options in this little town, like Rocking V Cafe, located at 97 W. Center Street.
Paul V./Yelp Rocking V is located in a building that was built in 1892.
This little cafe offers delicious food in a cozy setting…and also serves as an art gallery, highlighting local artists’ work.
Kitt H./Yelp
When did you last visit Kanab?
BABS/flickr
What’s your favorite thing about Kanab? Do you think it’s the coolest place in the west? Share with us your thoughts in the comments section! Or if you have any other suggestions for hip towns in Utah to consider, then make sure to shout those out, too.
P199/Wikimedia
Around 4,400 people call Kanab home. While it’s kind of in the middle of nowhere, it’s also gained a reputation as being one of the coolest towns in the West.
teofilo/flickr
You’ll find several homes and buildings on the National Historic Registry here.
The Greater Southwestern Exploration/flickr
The Vermillion Cliffs National Monument is just one of many spots nearby where you can spend the day exploring on a trail.
Natural beauty abounds around Kanab. To the east, you’ll find Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument; to the west, Zion National Park. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is nearby as well, and the Grand Canyon is just over the border to the south.
management/Tripadvisor
Today, it’s the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the country.
Jen/flickr
Over 30,000 people visit every year, and some find a new best friend of their own to adopt.
Wilson Loo Kok Wee/flickr
JensogSetta/Tripadvisor
It’s a haven for ATV enthusiasts and Jeep crawlers.
Paul V./Yelp
Rocking V is located in a building that was built in 1892.
Kitt H./Yelp
BABS/flickr
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Kanab, UT 84741, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Coolest Place In The West May 23, 2021 Marisa Roman What are the most charming small towns in Utah? Oftentimes the best small towns in Utah are the most charming. You know exactly the towns we mean, right? Those places are filled with character and friendly locals, plus tons of things to do and see. Utah is jam-packed with these small towns, from Mt. Pleasant in Sanpete County to Moab in Grand County. Each of these towns offers something different, but all of them have fewer than 20,000 residents, creating that ultimate small-town charm. What is the most naturally beautiful town in Utah? Whether you’re exploring the small town of Kanab or browsing your own list of the coolest towns in Utah, you’ll have plenty of places to explore. But if you really want an experience, one that’ll offer up tons of natural beauty, then we recommend visiting the small town of Alpine. This beautiful town has fewer than 10,000 residents and is nestled near the majestic foothills of American Fork Canyon. With the rolling mountains as the backdrop to this town, imagine waking up to views like this every morning! What is the oldest town in Utah? There is nothing quite like exploring a part of Utah that is also filled with history. Ogden has been dubbed the oldest town in Utah, dating back to the early 1800s. Today, Ogden is a thriving city with over 84,000 people, but back in 1845, there was only a handful of folks who called this place home. You can still visit the cabin of Miles Goodyear, which was built back in 1845!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Coolest Place In The West
May 23, 2021
Marisa Roman
What are the most charming small towns in Utah? Oftentimes the best small towns in Utah are the most charming. You know exactly the towns we mean, right? Those places are filled with character and friendly locals, plus tons of things to do and see. Utah is jam-packed with these small towns, from Mt. Pleasant in Sanpete County to Moab in Grand County. Each of these towns offers something different, but all of them have fewer than 20,000 residents, creating that ultimate small-town charm. What is the most naturally beautiful town in Utah? Whether you’re exploring the small town of Kanab or browsing your own list of the coolest towns in Utah, you’ll have plenty of places to explore. But if you really want an experience, one that’ll offer up tons of natural beauty, then we recommend visiting the small town of Alpine. This beautiful town has fewer than 10,000 residents and is nestled near the majestic foothills of American Fork Canyon. With the rolling mountains as the backdrop to this town, imagine waking up to views like this every morning! What is the oldest town in Utah? There is nothing quite like exploring a part of Utah that is also filled with history. Ogden has been dubbed the oldest town in Utah, dating back to the early 1800s. Today, Ogden is a thriving city with over 84,000 people, but back in 1845, there was only a handful of folks who called this place home. You can still visit the cabin of Miles Goodyear, which was built back in 1845!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Oftentimes the best small towns in Utah are the most charming. You know exactly the towns we mean, right? Those places are filled with character and friendly locals, plus tons of things to do and see. Utah is jam-packed with these small towns, from Mt. Pleasant in Sanpete County to Moab in Grand County. Each of these towns offers something different, but all of them have fewer than 20,000 residents, creating that ultimate small-town charm.
What is the most naturally beautiful town in Utah?
Whether you’re exploring the small town of Kanab or browsing your own list of the coolest towns in Utah, you’ll have plenty of places to explore. But if you really want an experience, one that’ll offer up tons of natural beauty, then we recommend visiting the small town of Alpine. This beautiful town has fewer than 10,000 residents and is nestled near the majestic foothills of American Fork Canyon. With the rolling mountains as the backdrop to this town, imagine waking up to views like this every morning!
What is the oldest town in Utah?
There is nothing quite like exploring a part of Utah that is also filled with history. Ogden has been dubbed the oldest town in Utah, dating back to the early 1800s. Today, Ogden is a thriving city with over 84,000 people, but back in 1845, there was only a handful of folks who called this place home. You can still visit the cabin of Miles Goodyear, which was built back in 1845!
