From Fredonia and Kanab
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For years, Grand Canyon isolated the Arizona Strip from the rest of the state, and towns like Fredonia, along Highway 89A, associated more with neighboring Utah than with Arizona. Fredonia is seven miles south of Kanab, Utah, and about 75 miles from the North Rim.
Though their combined population is small (7,000 people), Fredonia and Kanab offer access to Arizona and Utah parklands—Zion, Bryce, Arches, Cedar Breaks, Grand Staircase–Escalante, and the North Rim—making the area a convenient and popular launching point for touring. If you have time left over after exploring the Southwest’s most breathtaking parks, you can visit such local attractions as the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, and nearby movie sets used to make Westerns.
For more information about tours and recreation, contact the city of Kanab (76 N. Main St., Kanab, UT 84741, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 435/644-2534, http://kanab.utah.gov/).
Airport
The nearest commercial airport is in St. George, Utah, about 70 miles west. The Kanab Municipal Airport (2378 S. Hwy. 89A, Kanab, UT 84741, 435/644-2299) is located two miles south of Kanab. Centered at the airport, Kanab Air Service offers scenic and charter flights.
Cars and Shuttles
You can rent a jeep at Canyon Country Jeep Rental (285 S. 100 E., Kanab, UT 84741, 435/644-8250) or a car at Speedy Rental (355 E. 300 S., Kanab, UT 84741, 435/644-8300). Several national car-rental companies have offices in St. George, about 70 miles west. Lucky 7 Shuttle (435/688-7771 or 877/700-8336) offers service between St. George, Kanab, the North Rim, and other locations. If you need to get around town, you can call Quality Cab (435/656-5222).
Accommodations and Food
Lodging choices in Fredonia, 75 miles from the North Rim, are mostly inexpensive motels along Hwy. 89A, the town’s Main Street. Continue another 7 miles to Kanab, Utah, and you’ll also find home rentals, chain motels, and local inns. You’ll have about 30 lodging options, including Best Western, Holiday Inn, and Super 8.
The two towns are tidy, charming, and historic, with local lodges to match, including Quail Park Lodge (435/644-8700, $60–80) and Kanab Garden Cottages (435/644-2020, $160) which are historic homes in various Kanab locations. The moderately priced Parry Lodge (435/644-2601 or 800/748-4108, $60–85) hosted movie stars during Kanab’s heyday of Western filmmaking. Kanab has commercial RV campgrounds and nearby public campgrounds at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and the BLM’s Ponderosa Grove.
A dozen or so restaurants mostly offer Western-American, middle-of-the road fare, but vegetarian, Italian, Mexican, and Chinese cuisine are also represented. Located in a historic mercantile-turned-art gallery, the Rocking V Café (801/644-8001) serves art and music along with fresh, hip meals. Nedra’s Café (928/643-7591), in Fredonia, and Nedra’s Too (435/644-2030), in Kanab, feature south-of-the-border favorites.
© Kathleen Bryant from Moon Grand Canyon, 4th Edition
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