A hike to see the Toadstool Hoodoos was a must, since we were just a short drive away. Although we didn’t set out until later in the day (in an effort to avoid excessive sun/heat), if you inspect the photo of me, you’ll likely note just how RED I was. It was still HOT! (WHY are we in the desert in JULY?!) A trudge through sandy washes eventually led to the elevated rock stage featuring the formations. It was completely worth it!

Paved two-lane road curving toward red rock bluffs under a clear blue sky in the Kanab Utah desert
Large layered sandstone butte with a red top rising from the desert floor at the Toadstool Hoodoos in Kanab Utah
At the trailhead.
Close-up of the rough crusted surface of a sandstone hoodoo at the Toadstool Hoodoos in Kanab Utah
The crust on the formations.
Hiker walking across white sandstone with red hoodoo formations rising behind at the Toadstool Hoodoos in Kanab Utah
Two people resting in the shade between red rock formations with a towering white sandstone cliff behind at the Toadstool Hoodoos
Seeking some shade.
Woman sitting on a red rock with toadstool-shaped hoodoo formations behind her at the Toadstool Hoodoos in Kanab Utah
I practically matched the red rocks.
Close-up of a small tan spiny lizard perched on a pale rock at the Toadstool Hoodoos in Kanab Utah
Making new lizard friends.
Person standing among red toadstool hoodoos at the base of a towering white sandstone cliff in Kanab Utah
The contrasting colors were very impressive.
Two people standing on a white sandstone ridge overlooking a pale desert landscape with hoodoo formations in Kanab Utah

With Independence Day coming up, and lacking plans, Randy inquired with a group of local teens he met at the RV park/motel pool. They recommended celebrating with them, right in Kanab! It was surprising to hear that candy and even popsicles would be thrown at the parade, like a summertime version of Karneval in Germany! That sealed the deal for the kids.

A marching band in white uniforms crosses a street before a red neon motel sign and red rock cliffs

We arrived a bit early to set out chairs for a good view, and enjoyed a short and sweet parade, which ended with a water fight! Following the parade, everyone migrated to the park to picnic, patronize a few vendors set up in the street, play, and just hang out waiting for fireworks.

Red white and blue parade float with an American flag and waving riders in the Fourth of July parade in Kanab Utah
Flying popcicles!
Woman in a red costume and flag hat waving from a vintage car float in the Fourth of July parade in Kanab Utah
Boys in red shirts on a star-decorated stage at the Fourth of July celebration in Kanab Utah as a girl reaches up in the foreground
Fire truck spraying water into the street as people play in the spray at the end of the Fourth of July parade in Kanab Utah in black and white

Kanab is tiny but beautiful! It felt like we must have been on a set for a Hallmark movie. The park was meticulously well-kept, and everyone was extremely polite and friendly. The kids easily jumped into a game of frisbee with another family, while we sat on soft green grass with a great view of the red cliff surrounding the edge of town.

Families playing on a green park lawn with an old windmill, red cliffs of Kanab Utah rising in the background

As the afternoon turned to dusk, there was live music, and out came all types of glow stick accessories. Before we knew it, the lights and music were turned down for the fireworks to begin. You might suppose that in such a small town, the pyrotechnic display might also be small. No way—this town went all out! It ranked among the very best firework shows we’ve attended!

Golden and green fireworks bursting over Kanab Utah with the park windmill silhouetted below
Pink fireworks burst over silhouetted onlookers and a windmill at the Fourth of July celebration in Kanab Utah