Exploring Moqui Caverns, Kanab, UT
I came across a picture of these amazing light filled caves on Instagram the other day, and my mind was blown. I could hardly concentrate on anything else I just wanted to go and see them for myself. That day I picked the kiddos up from school, made the hubby get off work early, and we drove to Kanab. I couldn't find much information online about the location and the hike because I didn't know what they were called (later discovered they are called Moqui Caverns), so I was pretty nervous we wouldn't find them, or worse the hike would be too hard with the kids. It turns out they weren't hard to find, it was an easy hike and true to the pic on Instagram, they were magic.
LOCATION
The trail is located in between the Moqui Caves and the Best Frend Animal Sanctuary exit on HWY 89. The caves are on the east side of the road the same side as Moqui Caves (Moqui Caves and Moqui Caverns are two very different things). You can look up and see the caves from the road. You will park in a little pullout area on the west side of the road right across from the caves. Click here for the map and exact directions from your location.
Please be respectful and DO NOT add to the carvings in the sandstone walls. Always practice Leave No Trace principals and leave the places you visit the way you found them. Better yet, bring a clean-up bag with you and leave it BETTER than you found it!
DIFFICULTY
The short hike to the caves is easy and family friendly. You will have to scale up a wall for a very short distance, but if you have good traction on your shoes, it won't be a problem. Shoes with good traction are a must!
LENGTH
1/4 mile round trip.
TRAIL DETAILS
Once you cross the road you will have to look around to find the trail. It isn't marked and is a little hard to find. Once you are on the dirt trail, you will make your way towards the mountain with the caves. You will also be heading north. The north side (closer to Moqui Cave the tourist attraction) is the easiest spot to scale up the rock to make your way over to the caves. Scroll down for tips and additional info.
To the far left is where you will scale up the wall.
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TIPS + ADDITIONAL INFO
The best time to go to get the beautiful light shining into the caves is an hour or two before the sun goes down.
These man-made caves were used to harvest sand for glass production in the 1970s. Crazy that they are man-made! I had no idea.
There is no cost or fees to hike the tunnel
Please be respectful and DO NOT add to the carvings in the sandstone walls. Always practice Leave No Trace principals and leave the places you visit the way you found them. Better yet, bring a clean-up bag with you and leave it BETTER than you found it!
The sand in the cave is excellent for little hands to play in. A few sand toys might be fun.
There are sheer drop-offs so keep a good eye on your kiddos at all times.
We visited the caves on a weekday evening in April and were the only ones there.......yay!!!
After you visit the caves hit up Sego Restaurant for dinner. You are sure to have one of the best meals of your life.
