How to Get to the Great Chamber, Kanab, at Cutler Point?

The Great Chamber, also known as Cutler Point or Cutler Cove, is one of southern Utah’s most breathtaking and photogenic hidden gems. This massive sand dune tucked inside a natural alcove is an off-the-beaten-path destination near Kanab that rewards adventurous travelers with jaw-dropping scenery. Getting there isn’t easy—the route requires skill, preparation, and the right vehicle—but the effort is well worth it. In this guide, we share everything you need to know, from preparing your 4WD for the journey to choosing the best guided tours. And as photographers, we’ll also give you our best tips for capturing the Great Chamber’s unique beauty.

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Great Chamber, aka Cutler Cove in Kanab – Quick Overview

• Location: the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument near Kanab at Cutler Point.
• Permit Required? None
• Entrance Fee Required? None if you explore on your own
• Hike to the Great Chamber – Level of Difficulty: easy to moderate. It’s a short and relatively easy walk than a hike. Only 0.5 miles long one way. It’s a bit climb steep in deep sand (you must climb 200 feet in the soft sand). 
• 4WD Required? Yes, it’s a must.
• Getting to the Trailhead: Extremely strenuous 4×4 drive through deep sand for 17 miles. 4WD with high clearance is a must. Driving experience in deep sand and dunes is a must. Consider a local tour if you do not meet the conditions.
• Time Required: 3 – 4 hours. 15-20 minutes one-way hike to the Great Chamber. And a 45-minute – 1-hour drive to the trailhead.
• Kids Friendly Hike? Yes (if they tolerate off-road driving well because of the deep sand).
• Dog-Friendly Hike? Yes.

How to Get to the Great Chamber in Kanab – Our Experience

The Great Chamber in Kanab completely captivated us. Even though we had visited Kanab many times before, this spectacular spot remained elusive—often because weather or road conditions made the journey impossible.

On our most recent trip in May, we finally made it happen by joining a guided tour with a local expert—and it turned out to be the perfect decision.

In this guide, we’ll also share how to reach the Great Chamber on your own, including essential tips for preparing your vehicle and tackling the short but sandy hike. Keep in mind that getting there requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle and the skills to navigate deep sand and steep dunes.

We’ll provide detailed driving directions and a map to help you find Cutler Cove, but in our case, we opted for a tour because our rental car insurance wouldn’t cover potential damage or breakdowns in remote desert conditions.

That choice paid off. The tour combined two of Kanab’s top off-the-beaten-path adventures—The Great Chamber (Cutler Point) and Peekaboo Slot Canyon—into one unforgettable day. It also felt great to support a local business while exploring.

From a photographer’s perspective, The Great Chamber is pure magic. The contrast of white cliffs, wind-sculpted sand dunes, and the vast open arch creates a fragile yet stunning landscape. It’s one of the most unique photo spots in southern Utah, and we highly recommend adding it to your Utah bucket list if you love capturing natural beauty.

Before diving into our directions and tips, take a minute to watch our short video of The Great Chamber. It showcases how sunlight transforms Cutler Cove during the hike, revealing the textures, colors, and scale that make this place so extraordinary.

What is the Great Chamber, also known as Cutler Cove?

Just outside Kanab, within the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, lies the Great Chamber—a massive sand-filled alcove carved into the White Cliffs over thousands of years by wind, sand, and erosion. Hidden inside this towering rock formation is its most unique feature: a steep, golden sand dune that rises dramatically from the alcove floor.

When sunlight streams through the opening, the walls of Cutler Cove glow with warm, golden tones, creating a magical, almost otherworldly atmosphere. Climbing to the top of the dune rewards you with incredible panoramic views and one-of-a-kind photo opportunities.

How to Get to Great Chamber at Cutler Point?

You have three main options: drive your own high-clearance 4WD vehicle, book a guided off-road Jeep tour, or join a local UTV adventure. Below, we share detailed directions and a map for those driving themselves, as well as our recommended tour operators.

Agnes’ Advice: Even if your rental car is 4WD with high suspension, check the fine print—many rental companies prohibit driving on deep sand or extreme off-road routes. The terrain to the Great Chamber is remote and challenging, and getting stuck can be costly.

The Great Chamber Tours from Kanab

Our Local Guided Jeep Tour from Kanab to Cutler Cove

We chose to explore with Coral Cliffs Tours, and it was one of the best decisions of our trip. This particular tour combines two of Kanab’s top off-road destinations—the Great Chamber and Red Canyon (also known as Peekaboo Slot Canyon)—into one adventure. Both require serious off-roading skills and are best tackled with an experienced driver.

Our guide, Kenny, was not only an expert behind the wheel but also a walking encyclopedia of Kanab’s history and culture. He shared fascinating stories about the region, including Kanab’s days as Little Hollywood, when dozens of classic Western films were shot here. One of the most memorable moments was hearing how, as a six-year-old in the 1960s, Kenny first visited the Great Chamber with his grandfather—on horseback!

Kenny also took fantastic photos of us—finally, some great shots of both of us together instead of just selfies. The combined tour was actually more affordable than booking the Great Chamber tour alone, and having now visited both locations, we can confirm they are each well worth seeing.

UTV Tour from Kanab

While we chose a Jeep tour, you can also reach the Great Chamber with a guided UTV tour—perfect if you love off-road adventures. The Kanab area is a playground for off-road and UTV enthusiasts, offering miles of scenic, rugged terrain.

In addition to visiting the Great Chamber at Cutler Point and Peekaboo Slot Canyon, many tours take you near Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, another must-see for anyone who enjoys driving in sand.

Agnes’ Tip: If you’re in a rental car, check the fine print. Many rental agreements and insurance policies specifically prohibit off-road travel—especially in deep sand. Even with a capable 4WD vehicle and high clearance, you need solid experience driving in extremely sandy conditions. Without it, you risk getting stuck and facing expensive towing fees.

How to Get to the Great Chamber on Your Own

You can reach the Great Chamber without a tour—but only if you have the right vehicle, skills, and preparation. While we were happy to go with a local expert, here’s what you need to know if you plan to drive yourself.

Vehicle Requirements

• 4WD high-clearance vehicle is a must. Think Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner 4×4, Ford Bronco, or Land Rover Defender.
• Experience driving in deep sand over dunes—this is not a beginner-friendly route.
• No cell service in the area, so be fully self-sufficient.
• Bring a shovel in case you need to dig yourself out.

We had a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited during our trip, but because it was a rental and our contract prohibited extreme off-roading, we chose the guided option.

5 Driving Tips for Reaching the Great Chamber in Kanab

1. Check for true 4WD – Your vehicle should have an extra lever or dial that lets you switch between 2WD, 4WD High, and 4WD Low.
2. Use proper tires – All-Terrain (A/T) or Mud-Terrain (M/T) tires are essential. Regular tires won’t handle the deep, soft sand.
3. Adjust tire pressure – Drop to around 25 PSI (or lower depending on sand conditions) before hitting the dirt road. Inflate back to 35+ PSI once you’re done. Bring an air compressor to avoid driving long distances on underinflated tires.
4. Turn off traction control – This helps maintain momentum and grip in loose sand.
5. Switch to 4WD when needed – Start in 2WD, shifting to 4WD High when the sand deepens. If you find yourself needing 4WD Low, it might be best to turn around—4WD is meant to get you out of trouble, not into it.

How to Get to the Great Chamber at Cutler Point – Driving Directions and Map

We’ve created clear, step-by-step driving directions to the Great Chamber Trailhead based on the official BLM (Bureau of Land Management) map from the Kanab Field Office. You can download the BLM map as a PDF before your trip—we’ve marked the exact roads you’ll need to take to reach Cutler Point.

Important: This area has multiple sandy roads that look similar, and it’s easy to take a wrong turn. Cell service is nonexistent here, so download offline maps in advance.

Agnes’ Advice:

• Do not rely on Google Maps for this route—it will send you the wrong way. Use the official BLM map instead.
• Be ready for deep sand driving the moment you leave the paved road.

Driving Directions from Kanab via Johnson Canyon Road

• Start in Kanab – Take US-89 S and follow it for about 9 miles.
• Turn left onto Johnson Canyon Road – This is a paved and scenic road. Along the way, you’ll pass the remnants of the Johnson Canyon Western Movie Set, once used for filming classic Westerns.
• Continue for about 8 miles – On your left, you’ll see Trail 100 (Crocodile Trailhead 100). This is your entry point to the sandy section.
• Look for the small parking lot – There’s a pit toilet and BLM information boards here. This marks the start of the deep sand route.
• Follow Trail 100 – Drive 8 miles on this sandy track.
• Switch to Trail 103 – Continue for another 9 miles through deep sand until you reach the Great Chamber Trailhead.

Distance in deep sand: 17 miles total (8 miles on Trail 100 + 9 miles on Trail 103).
Reminder: Only attempt this route with a high-clearance 4WD vehicle, proper tires, and experience driving in deep sand.

Facilities After Crocodile Trailhead

Once you leave Crocodile Trailhead, you are entering a remote backcountry area with no services—no water, no restrooms, no cell coverage, and no facilities of any kind.
You must be completely self-sufficient.

Agnes’ Advice: Follow Leave No Trace principles. Pack out everything you bring in, including all trash. If you carry it in, you must carry it out.

Hiking from Crocodile Trailhead

Technically, you can hike from the Crocodile Trailhead parking lot to the Great Chamber, but we do not recommend it.
The route is 17.6 miles round-trip through soft, deep sand with no shade. This is an extremely long and strenuous trek for a single day, especially under the desert sun.

Even experienced desert hikers will find this route risky due to the potential for:

• Severe dehydration
• Heat exhaustion
• Energy drain from walking in deep sand

Chris and I have spent years hiking remote desert areas of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico—including the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness and Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness—and we know firsthand how quickly conditions can turn dangerous.

We’ve also hiked in White Sands National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park, where moving through deep dunes is exhausting, even in cooler weather.

For this reason, we strongly suggest driving in with a capable 4WD vehicle or booking a guided tour instead of attempting the hike from Crocodile Trailhead.

Great Chamber Infographic and Driving Time

Below is also a simple infographic that should help you get to Cutler Cove and distances in miles from the leading centers in the area.

• From Kanab, it’s only 32 miles to Cutler Point via Johnson Canyon Road. As it’s a tough 4×4 drive, give yourself time to drive – it will take you at least 45 minutes – 1 hour. Even with a tour and an experienced driver, we drove for about an hour.
• You may decide to visit Great Chamber when visiting the town of Page, Arizona. It’s a perfect idea as a day trip from Page. As it’s only 83 miles to Cutler Point.
• It might also be a perfect day trip while visiting Bryce Canyon National Park, as it’s less than 70 miles to the Great Chamber in Kanab from this fabulous Park.
• If you are exploring Zion National Park and have some spare time, you can also reach Cutler Point as a day trip from Zion. It’s 70 miles from the most famous Utah Mighty 5 national park.

If you want to connect this stop with other highlights, our Utah road trip guide will help you build a logical route.

Hike to the Great Chamber in Kanab

Whether you arrive at the Great Chamber with your own vehicle or on a guided tour, you’ll still need to complete a short hike from the trailhead.

The route is less than 0.5 miles one-way and usually takes 15–20 minutes, but don’t underestimate it—the combination of deep sand and a short sandstone climb can be surprisingly exhausting, as your feet will sink and slide with each step.

Agnes’ Advice:

• Hiking poles will make the climb easier and help with balance.
• Wear high hiking boots or hiking sandals to keep sand out and protect your feet from hot surfaces in summer.
• Always bring sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat—there’s no shade.

The trail is clear and well-trodden. Keep to the right to reach the alcove. The return route is the same. Downloading an offline trail map from AllTrails is a smart idea to avoid confusion.

Great Chamber Photography Tips

The Great Chamber—also known as Cutler Cove—is a massive open sandstone dome with a towering sand dune inside. It’s one of Kanab’s most photogenic locations, perfect for both amateur and professional photographers.

Bring a Wide-Angle Lens

The scale of this alcove is immense. A wide-angle lens is essential to capture it fully. We used iPhones with wide-lens mode, while Chris shot with a Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens, which allowed him to frame the dramatic light rays streaming into the cove.

Play with Light, Sand, and Stone

Try capturing a sunburst effect by setting your aperture to f/16 and positioning the sun partially behind the cave wall. This technique creates a stunning flare effect.

Experiment with the textures and patterns of the alcove walls, and if the wind is blowing, use a fast shutter speed to freeze the movement of sand drifting over the dune.

Best Time for Photography

For the most flattering light, aim for a morning visit. Our tour left Kanab at 11 a.m., and we reached Cutler Cove just after noon—lighting was still excellent, with sunlight spilling across the sand and illuminating the alcove walls.

Morning to midday offers soft yet sufficient light for both wide shots and close-up textures. The Great Chamber is also an incredible Milky Way photography spot on clear nights, thanks to its remote location and minimal light pollution.

Best Time of Year to Visit the Great Chamber at Cutler Point

Kanab is a year-round destination, but spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons to visit the Great Chamber. Winter brings chilly temperatures but also plenty of sunshine, making it possible to enjoy the area even then. Summer can be enjoyable too—but expect daytime highs of 90–100°F and stronger afternoon thunderstorms.

Agnes’ Advice:

• In summer, plan your visit for morning hours to avoid extreme heat.
• Carry plenty of water and electrolytes, and keep up with hydration.
• Wear sun-protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunscreen.

We visited the Great Chamber in mid-May and had perfect weather—warm but not hot, with clear skies. Because conditions were so good, we also tackled other challenging hikes and scenic drives around Kanab, including Zebra Slot Canyon in Escalante (which was completely dry), the Cottonwood Canyon Road, and Smoky Mountain Road.

Our many previous trips to Kanab have included October and November visits, when we enjoyed ideal hiking weather for trails like Coyote Buttes South and the Buckskin Gulch day hike. We’ve also explored Toadstool Hoodoos and the Nautilus rock formation during fall—both were comfortable in cooler temperatures.

In April, we hiked to the world-famous Wave formation under pleasant spring conditions, making it another excellent time of year to explore Kanab and its surrounding landscapes.

Where to Stay while Visiting the Great Chamber at Cutler Point?

We always stay in Kanab, and in our article about the best things to do in Kanab, you will find suggestions for the best accommodation in Kanab because we spent a lot of time in this city.

Final Thoughts

The Great Chamber at Cutler Point is one of the most breathtaking hidden gems in the Kanab area—and truly worth the effort to reach. Whether you go with a local guide or take on the challenge with your own high-clearance 4WD vehicle, standing inside this massive alcove with its wind-shaped sand dune is an unforgettable experience.

For us, the guided tour was the perfect choice. It allowed us to enjoy the journey without worrying about getting stuck in deep sand, while also learning fascinating local history and visiting another incredible site—Peekaboo Slot Canyon—on the same trip.

If you love photography, geology, or simply exploring Utah’s lesser-known wonders, add the Great Chamber to your Kanab bucket list. Just remember to prepare well, respect this fragile environment, and take your time to soak in the scenery.

After all, places like the Great Chamber remind us why we keep returning to southern Utah—for its endless beauty, adventure, and the thrill of finding those magical spots that still feel untouched.

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