Hiking the Moqui Sand Caves Trail in Kanab, Utah
Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
The Moqui Sand Caves Trail, also called the Kanab Sand Caves, is a lesser-known adventure in southern Utah that most visitors simply pass by when driving to or from Zion National Park.
That being said, the Moqui Sand Caves, once a local side-of-the-road secret, has since changed from a place that almost no one knew about into a much more established trail, as shown below.
Nevertheless, the Sand Caves still make for one of my favorite adventures outside of the park, especially when you’re looking for somewhere to hang out and get out of the sun during the hot summer months!
Moqui Sand Caves Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Moqui Sand Caves is located in a large dirt parking lot just off Highway 89, just north of Kanab.
With that in mind, don’t park in the old parking area directly across the road from the caves on the highway. This area is now illegal to park in because of the popularity of the caves, which is why all traffic is now redirected to the parking lot shown below.
Google Maps Directions: Moqui Sand Caves Trailhead
Southwest Hiking Checklist
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in the Southwest U.S.
Hiking the Moqui Sand Caves Trail
The Moqui Sand Caves Trail begins at the west end of the parking lot, where it initially descends to a typically dry wash.
At this first split, go left to continue toward the Sand Caves.
All of these little forks in the trail essentially lead to the same place.
At this split in the two photos below, turn right to hike directly toward the Sand Caves on the cliff above.
Here, you should now start seeing the Moqui Caves in the cliff above.
Hiking Up to the Caves
Once at the base of the cliffs, you have the option of hiking straight up if you feel comfortable for the most direct but most challenging route, or walking down the cliff to the left until the slopes become easier to climb.
The photos below show the most direct path heading up to the caves, but the easier, more gradual path can be seen on my return hike.
It’s easiest to switchback this steeper climb until it becomes easier on the ledge shown below.
Moqui Sand Caves
Regarding everything mentioned previously, the Sand Caves are busier than they once were, but I still think they’re a fun place to stop and check out if you’re already driving between Zion and Page to get to Antelope Canyon.
In any case, I recommend the Moqui Sand Caves Trail during the mid to late afternoon hours for the best photos, so that more light makes it into the caves.
While this can make for a very hot hike during the summer, the caves are typically 10° F (5.6° C) or more cooler, making them a great place to sit back and take it easy.
Please don’t contribute to all of the carvings on the walls of the caves.
Hiking Down (The 'Easier' Route)
The 'easier' route that I took back down follows the cliffside to a more gradual descent than the climb to the caves shown above.
These are the two areas where most people climb up.
From here, simply follow the same trail that parallels Highway 89 to get back to the Moqui Sand Caves Trailhead.
