Kanab and Lake Powell by motorcycle
Kanab sits on Kanab Creek just north of the Arizona line, at 4,970 ft (Wikipedia). Locals call it "Little Hollywood": Stagecoach, Planet of the Apes and The Outlaw Josey Wales were filmed around here (Wikipedia). For riders it is the hub of the south: Zion is an hour to the west, Bryce is up US-89 to the north, and US-89 runs east under the cliffs to Lake Powell.
Kanab to Page on US-89
- Distance: US-89 runs 74 miles southeast from Kanab to Page, Arizona (Wikipedia). Allow about 1.5 hours one way without stops (estimate).
- The road: it crosses southern Utah through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and runs along the north side of the Vermilion Cliffs from Kanab to the Cockscomb, a hogback ridge of steeply tilted rock roughly midway to Page (US Route 89).
- The Toadstools: a large paved lot on the north side of US-89 at milepost 19.3, about 45 miles east of Kanab and 29 miles west of Page. An easy walk of about 1.8 miles round trip leads to balanced-rock hoodoos (Road Trip Ryan). The lot fills up; come early.
- Paria: the White House trailhead for Paria Canyon is reached from the BLM ranger station on this stretch; Paria Canyon itself is a permit-only backpacking trip of 38 miles to Lees Ferry (US Route 89).
- Glen Canyon Dam: US-89 crosses the Colorado River just downstream of the dam, whose crest stands 710 feet above the river. The Carl B. Hayden Visitor Center runs dam tours, and Wahweap Marina lies just west of the dam on US-89 (US Route 89).
Glen Canyon and Lake Powell
- Fee: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area charges $25 for a motorcycle pass, valid 7 days, covering up to 2 private motorcycles and 4 people. A car is $30. The park takes no cash (NPS, updated May 2026).
- Free days: the NPS lists fee-free entry for US citizens and residents on several 2026 dates, including October 27, November 11 (Veterans Day) and July 3 to 5 (NPS).
- Horseshoe Bend: the overlook is part of Glen Canyon, but the parking lot is run by the City of Page, which charges its own fee; national park passes do not cover it (NPS news release, 2019). The trail from the lot to the rim is about three-quarters of a mile (NPS, 2019). Check the current parking rate at the gate.
Ways to ride it
- Day out to Lake Powell: Kanab to the Toadstools, on to the dam and Page, Horseshoe Bend, back the same way (estimate: a full day, about 150 miles round trip).
- From Zion: through the tunnel, US-89 south to Kanab (Zion to Kanab), then east to Page. A long day; plan a night in Kanab or Page.
- North to Bryce: US-89 north from Kanab through Long Valley to UT-12 and Bryce Canyon. The route is in the Zion to Kanab guide.
- Nearby off the bike: Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Moqui Cave and Best Friends Animal Society are all near Kanab (Wikipedia).
Before you ride
- You cross into Arizona. Page and the dam are in Arizona; its rider rules are not Utah's. Utah's are on Riding in Utah.
- Heat: Page and the lake sit low. In summer, ride east in the early morning.
- Fuel in Kanab or Page; there is little in between.
Rent a bike
Booking opens soon. Until then, use the ride guides to plan your trip.