One of our favorite things about living in Utah is its diverse landscape and climate. During winter months, it's cold and gray in northern Utah, but it's warm and sunny in the south. The winter is the perfect time to explore Utah's Big 5 National Parks and the quaint towns that offer tons of great recreation opportunities. It's tough to choose a favorite Southern Utah town, but Kanab definitely deserves a spot high on the list! Here are just a few reasons why spending your winter in Kanab, Utah is the perfect getaway.

Kanab is home to approximately 5,000 residents, but don't be too quick to dismiss this small town. It's surrounded by incredible natural beauty and offers plenty to see and do, even during the winter months.

When you arrive, make the Kane County Visitor Center your first stop.

You can pick up a map or two, check out the large topographic map, and learn about all the wonderful recreation areas surrounding the town.

Stop in to say hello to the 1,600 animals that live at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

This beautiful sanctuary is a truly special place. It provides a home to dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, horses, pigs, and many other homeless pets who need a safe haven.

While some of the animals will live out the rest of their lives surrounded by red rock beauty and the loving care of the staff and volunteers here, many are available for adoption. Be careful when you visit the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary ... you just might fall in love and end up with a brand new best friend of your own.

Kanab is literally surrounded by incredible natural beauty, and it would take you years to explore all the hiking trails in the area.

The Wire Pass Trail is one of the most popular. Just 3.7 miles out and back, the trail shows you some of Utah's most beautiful scenery and is rated as moderate.

People come from all over the world to hike The Wave, located just across the border in Arizona. This once-in-a-lifetime hike requires a permit.

Permits can be tough to get, so you'll want to make your hiking plans well in advance of your trip. Get more information on the Recreation.gov website.

Just a few miles west of Kanab, you'll find Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. The dunes cover 3,730 acres and they're 10,000 to 15,000 years old.

You can hike the dunes, ride ATVs on them, or just have a blast rolling down! One of our favorite activities is sandboarding at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

At the end of a long day of exploring, enjoy a restful night's sleep in one of Kanab's hotels. Canyon Lodge offers comfortable, rustic-themed rooms with Wi-Fi, microwaves, and refrigerators in every room.

Kanab is the perfect home base when visiting Zion National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Bryce Canyon National Park. With so much to see and do, you'll want to allow several days for your trip!

Are you ready to head down south to visit Kanab? Have you spent the winter in Kanab, Utah before? Let us know in the comments below. If you are searching for one more unique place to spend the night in Kanab, check out Kanab Suites, a little-known boutique hotel that is charming in every way.