Not far from Kanab, beneath the highway is a hidden Dragon. Well, at least the Belly Of The Dragon! Come explore!
A great place to bring your kids and get that “cave exploring feeling” even though the Belly is more of a tunnel. It is just long enough you may want a flashlight in the very center before you can see the light from the other side.
Easy to get to, just off the road. The Belly of the Dragon is 16 miles north of Kanab on Highway 89. As you start coming down the big hill into Mt Carmel Junction, (traveling north from Kanab), you’ll see a well-maintained dirt road on the left at the bottom of the hill, known as Barracks road. (This is about 1/2 mile before you reach Mt. Carmel junction.) Make a sharp left after the guardrail, go 1/4 mile up that dirt road and the entrance is on the left.
There are plenty of places to park. The cave faces west, so lighting is best in the early afternoon. There is a little bit of a scramble to enter into the opening but nothing too strenuous.
You can continue on a short hike on the far side of The Belly up a sandy wash. Depending on the time of year there may be a small waterfall there.
Do a little internet search and you will find great photos of hikers, families and even marathon runners. The Grand to Grand Ultra Marathon (from the Grand Canyon to the Grand Staircase) races through here every year in September. g2gultra
A fun and easy place to stop for great photos!
