Carved by Hand, Perfect by Nature: Hiking Kanab's Sand Caves

One of the best easy hikes in Kanab is the Sand Caves Trail, a short, easy adventure perfect for families, blending scenic desert views with a hint of human history. The trail starts in soft sand, winds through a narrow wash, and rises gently along the base of sandstone cliffs. The caves themselves, carved in the 1970s for silica mining, feature window-like openings that frame peaceful desert vistas. On a quiet morning, with sunlight spilling across the valley, the hike offers a serene stroll and a glimpse into the area’s unique past just minutes from downtown Kanab.

Trailhead elevation 5,203'

Water none

Don't miss hiking the trail at sunrise

Hiking the Sand Caves Trail

It’s our first morning back in Kanab, and while Dad takes it easy in the cabin, I head out to hike the Sand Caves Trail, sometimes referred to as Moqui Caves. Google Maps, true to form, drops me at the wrong spot again—an unmarked spot along US-89 about half a mile north of where I should be. After backtracking to the correct spot at 37.113148, -112.554899, I find the proper trailhead and a wide gravel lot beside the sign for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. The sun is just beginning to light up the west side of the valley as I set off.

The trail begins in soft sand before dipping into a shallow wash, where dew-soaked plants brush against me, soaking my shorts and hoodie as I pass. It's a gorgeous morning, with temperatures in the low 60s and not another person around. Lucky for me since this is a very popular spot in Kanab.

A short distance later, it climbs back out to a sandy path that traces the base of the cliffs. Soon, I reach a marker pointing up the sandstone slope, white paw prints painted on the rock leading the way.

The rain from last night has left the normally grippy sandstone a little slick, but after a hundred feet I level out on a flat section, looping back in the direction I came from. I suspect that those with a strong fear of heights might find the sloping sandstone a bit unsettling, but for most, it’s a walk in the park. Ahead, the caves come into view, their openings just a short walk away.

Inside, the sandy chambers stretch out with three window-like openings at the entrance and two more further on, looking out over the highway. Though they look ancient, these caves aren’t natural at all—they were carved in the 1970s to mine silica-rich sand for glass production, chosen for the softness of the stone and the easy access along the cliff face.

I make my way through the caves, walking through sand at least a foot deep, snapping a few photos for Heather back home before launching my drone for shots looking back at the windows. Stepping onto the edge of the southernmost cave—about 60 feet above the ground—I can’t help but wonder how many parents have let their kids roam here unattended.

I stick around just long enough to watch the morning sun spill across the far side of the canyon before heading back to the trailhead. By then—about thirty minutes past sunrise on a Friday—the lot is already starting to fill, with a dozen or so cars parked alongside mine. The whole outing takes maybe half an hour, leaving me enough time to visit an old friend: the Dinosaur Tracks Trail a few miles to the south. After that it's an afternoon of rappelling through Ladder Canyon up near Orderville.