People flock to Utah for its red-rock cathedrals and epic powder, but they leave with more than just a phone full of pretty pictures. Instead, they go home with memories of the people who put those staggering cliffs and powdery peaks in perspective. From cowboy poets to local football legends, it’s the Utahns who give the state its unique flavour, and just like Utah’s red dust that clings to your boots long after you’ve left the trail, these memories stick.
Sure, the national parks are show-stoppers, but as Janette Peatross, Tourism Director for Kane County, says, “People come for the parks, but after meeting the locals, they want to stay for more.”
Janette is Utahn from birth. You get the impression that she can’t walk down Kanab’s streets without stopping to chat with half the town. That’s just what happens in Kanab, where visitors fall in love with a small town that’s rich with personality, Western charm, and a few quirks that make it unforgettable.
Karryon spent an afternoon with Janette and with Becki Lewis (from the Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism Bureau) and felt the warmth of a southern Utahn welcome. Becki’s lived in Utah for 50 years (so practically a native) and remembers how quickly she was embraced by locals.
“People expect to be blown away by the scenery, but it’s the people and the culture that catches them off guard,” Becki Lewis says of Cedar City.
Nature’s red carpet rolled out: Southern Utah’s blockbuster national parks
Utah’s southern stage is framed by some of the most spectacular national parks in the world, and Kanab and Cedar City offer front-row seats. While a week barely scratches the surface, here’s a quick reel of must-see sights:
Zion National Park: Just 45 minutes from Kanab, Zion’s walls change from cream to pink to rust as you hike. Trails like Angel’s Landing (a heart-pounding climb) and The Narrows (where you wade the Virgin River between towering cliffs) feel almost surreal.
Bryce Canyon National Park: With its hoodoos — tall, thin rock spires — glowing in shades of fiery red and cool lavender, Bryce looks like an alien landscape and is especially magical at sunrise.
Grand Canyon’s North Rim: For those seeking the Grand Canyon minus the crowds, the North Rim is quieter, rugged, and steeped in wilderness. It’s ideal for trail lovers who want to soak up the canyon’s grandeur without the bustle.
Cedar Breaks National Monument: Just 30 minutes from Cedar City, this ‘mini Bryce’ offers wildflower views in summer and fiery aspens in fall. At 10,000 feet above sea level, the cooler air and sweeping vistas make for the perfect picnic or easy hike.
Kanab: Legends, landscapes, and local lore
Kanab is more than a pit stop to the parks; it’s a town that blends Old West charm with modern-day heart. Known as ‘Little Hollywood’ thanks to its role in over 250 Western films, Kanab celebrates this legacy each August at the Western Legends Roundup. Expect a longhorn cattle parade down Main Street, cowboy poetry, and reenactments that bring the golden age of Westerns to life.
And when Friday night rolls around, the town gathers for another all-American classic — high school football. With bleachers full of fans and classic concession stands, it’s small-town America at its finest. And everyone’s welcome.
For a night that’s equal parts stargazing and cowboy storytelling, Kanab’s Stars and S’mores events are unforgettable. Visitors are whisked out to a secluded film set, welcomed by roaming longhorns, and treated to s’mores made with homemade marshmallows. “You’re totally out in the desert,” says Janette, “lit only by the moon and stars.” And the highlight? Cowboy poets take the stage, spinning tales of humour, grit, and Utah’s ranching heritage under one of the country’s darkest skies.
Just outside town, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest no-kill sanctuary in the country, offers a rare kind of retreat. In a serene red-rock canyon, visitors can volunteer, tour the sanctuary, or simply hang out with the rescued residents. “Spending a day here is something people never forget,” says Janette.
Cedar City: Festival fun and frontier flavours
Cedar City is not just a launchpad to the parks, it’s Festival City, USA, where events fill the calendar year-round. At the heart of it all is the Utah Shakespeare Festival, which stages Shakespearean classics in a stunning outdoor venue. For year-round entertainment, there’s also American Crossroads Theatre Company, bringing Broadway-quality productions to town.
Cedar City is also big on Utah’s culinary quirks, with dishes like funeral potatoes (a creamy, cheesy potato bake traditionally served at gatherings) and Dutch oven cobbler cooked in the ground — a throwback to cowboy days when cast iron pots were trail essentials.
The nearby Cedar Breaks National Monument also celebrates its International Dark Sky Park designation, inviting visitors to join stargazing events where local astronomers share insights and stories under vast, sparkling skies. Here, visitors will get access to some of the clearest night skies in the country.
For those looking to experience the real Utah, Kanab and Cedar City promise more than the standard travel itinerary. They offer a way to connect with the heart of the place — and with the people who know its stories best.
