Kanab Visitor Center — Attraction in Kanab

Of the numerous BLM offices I have stopped at for information and maps, this is by far the most unhelpful bunch of people I’ve ever dealt with. We stopped at this visitors center two weeks earlier with the same result, but it was busy, so we thought we would give them a second chance, as the parking lot was empty today. Both women behind the counter were polite and friendly, but definitely not interested in providing guidance, directions or maps for hiking trails. At one point we were told to look the maps up on the internet and we left with no maps. The attitude was that of condescension and stonewalling, like we didn’t belong there and we should get in our vehicle and leave—nothing to see here folks!

This was a very unwelcoming experience, especially when tax payer’s money pays these employees wages. Fortunately, the BLM employees at the Paria Contact Station and the Big Water visitor center, just down the highway, provided wonderful and detailed information, including safety recommendations for hikes in the slots canyons.

As for getting helpful information in Kanab, go to the Kane County Visitors Center where you will be treated with open arms and loads of good materials for exploring the area. As for the folks at the Kanab BLM visitors center, I recommend other disgruntled users of their public lands to write letters to Mitt Romney and Mike Lee and maybe something positive may come of this situation. It’s not fair that people travel from all over the world to be treated this way by the employees whose job it is to help us all enjoy these...

Yup, it's gorgeous. Yup, it's remote. But no, this is not the correct location for the mythical sandstone formation. It's not a sight to be seen, it's an experience to be had. It's an adventure to find it and you better be well suited for it. 8 liters of water, hydration salts and an emergency cooling equipment are all essential for the journey (To the corpulent New Yorker in the Star Wars shirt: You can leave your pistol at home next time. Also, its probably best not to holster it in the waist belt of your pack. It'd be a shame to 'pop a cap' in your groin and bleed out in the desert only to become coyote carrion). If you have a tendency to get lost and turned around I highly recommend that you pursue a different adventure. This is NOT a walk in a National Park, so don't expect paved walkways and railings marring the virgin desert. It's wilderness so that means there are no signs. It also means you should minimize your impact by traveling on durable surfaces and following Leave No Trace Guidelines. Pretty sad that I picked up a pile of trash in this place that should be nothing less than pristine. Don’t forget to book your permit 4 months out or you’ll be chancing it at the lottery at the BLM offices in Kanab. There was over 100 people for 10 spots on the morning I entered. Don't get disgruntled though, there are plenty of other fine desert adventures to be had in the area....

It was absolutely awesome. Be prepared to take lots of water... As it is very dry. The Wave part was not as big as I thought. It was maybe the size of half a football field total for everything. There is an upper wave, but I did not go there.

It is a pretty strenuous hike for ones like me who do not hike at a fast speed. I went with people that really cruise fast so I went through almost all my water because I sweat so hard, which was 5 bottles of water. It seems like you will take a lot of water but you really use it. A friend of ours didn't even take a drop. Wild! It really depends on your body. TAKE WATER! They say at least a gallon per person.

Good photo times are in the afternoon when the sun is not so direct on the wave itself. We left about 11 AM to start the hike and we caught some good morning sun. Be best to leave really early to catch some good golden hours on the east side of the rocks. Bring lots of snacks and lunch and then stay for the afternoon light. Don't stay too long because of the hike back. If you stay too long you will need head lamps to hike back.

This place is amazing, but it can also be dangerous.

Make sure to take a fresh map along for each person. I got off track and got lost for just a little bit. Don't be too daring. Please help protect the wave and no jumping on it and pick up all...