The belly of the dragon is one of the most unique and easy hikes in Southern Utah — a man-made drainage tunnel beneath Highway 89 whose sandstone walls have been carved by decades of flash floods into a ribcage-like passage that genuinely looks like the inside of a dragon. It’s free, accessible, dog-friendly, requires no permit, and takes 15-45 minutes depending on how far you want to explore beyond the tunnel. If you’re road tripping from California through Southern Utah on your way to Zion National Park, the belly of the dragon is a perfect roadside stop.
What Is the Belly of the Dragon
The belly of the dragon is a man-made water culvert tunnel originally built to channel runoff from the upper canyons beneath Highway 89 into the North Fork River. Over time, constant water flow carved the sandstone interior into smooth, rippled walls that catch light dramatically from both ends. The name comes from the ribcage-like appearance of the curved walls — walking through the tunnel genuinely feels like moving through a creature’s body.
It is not a natural cave or slot canyon. But the carved sandstone interior and the dramatic silhouette photography opportunities have made the belly of the dragon one of the most Instagrammed spots in Southern Utah, despite being almost completely unknown compared to the major national parks nearby.
Where Is the Belly of the Dragon
The belly of the dragon is located approximately 17 miles northwest of Kanab, Utah, along Highway 89 — just outside Mount Carmel Junction. It sits about 20 miles east of the East Entrance to Zion National Park, making it a natural add-on for anyone driving the classic California to Zion road trip route.
Directions: Take Highway 89 north from Kanab. Watch for mile marker 80. Turn left onto Elephant Gap Road — look for a small brown Zion National Park sign on the opposite side of the road. If you reach Mount Carmel Junction you’ve gone too far. Drive 0.3 miles on the dirt road to the small parking area on the left. The dirt road has shallow potholes, but is manageable in a standard 2WD vehicle if you take it slow.
GPS: Search “The Belly of the Dragon Trailhead” in Google Maps to get the exact parking location.
Belly of the Dragon Trail Details
Distance: 1.8 miles round trip Elevation gain: 180 feet Difficulty: Easy Time: 15 minutes just for the tunnel, up to 45 minutes for the full trail Fee: Free Permits: None required
The trail starts with a 4-5 foot drop from the parking area into the drainage ditch at the tunnel entrance — the trickiest part of the entire hike. Most adults can step down easily. Children may need a hand. Once inside, the tunnel is tall enough to stand comfortably, though the floor is uneven and rocky. A headlamp or phone flashlight is essential — the center of the tunnel gets genuinely dark.
The belly of the dragon tunnel itself takes 10-15 minutes to walk through. On the other side, the trail continues as a sandy wash through a canyon for about 0.7 miles to a dead end at a canyon wall. Most visitors agree the tunnel is the highlight, and the wash beyond is unremarkable — feel free to turn around after the tunnel. Some sources mention trail offshoots near the canyon wall that lead further into side canyons if you want to explore.
Best Time to Visit the Belly of the Dragon
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-October) are the best times to visit the belly of the dragon. Temperatures are comfortable, and the light inside the tunnel is excellent for photography. Spring can bring high water in the drainage channel — check weather forecasts and avoid the tunnel if rain is forecast.
Summer (June-August) is the busiest season, but temperatures in the Kanab area reach the high 90s to 100s°F. Visit early morning or evening to avoid the worst heat. The belly of the dragon itself stays cooler inside the tunnel regardless of outside temperature.
Winter (November-February) brings cold temperatures, and the tunnel floor can be icy and slippery. Waterproof boots and caution are required. The light in winter can be dramatic for photography, but conditions are more challenging.
Never enter the belly of the dragon if significant rain is forecast. The tunnel is a drainage culvert, and flash floods can surge through with terrifying speed. The sandstone walls that make it beautiful are the same walls that funnel water from an entire canyon system. Check the weather and respect this warning.
What to Bring to the Belly of the Dragon
A headlamp or phone flashlight is the single most important item — the middle section of the tunnel is dark enough to stumble without one. Sturdy shoes with good traction matter since the tunnel floor is uneven rock. Bring water, as there is nothing available at the trailhead. The parking area is very basic — no toilets, no facilities, no shade.
Camera gear is worth packing. The belly of the dragon produces extraordinary silhouette photographs — stand at one end of the tunnel with your subject between you and the light from the other end. Drone photography from above the tunnel opening is also popular.
Dogs at the Belly of the Dragon
Dogs are welcome, and the belly of the dragon is one of the most dog-friendly trails in Southern Utah. Leashing is at your discretion — most visitors let dogs off-leash when the trail is quiet. The tunnel is short enough that dogs navigate it easily, and the sandy wash beyond gives them room to run. Bring water for your dog — there is none at the trailhead.
Parking at the Belly of the Dragon
The parking area is a small gravel pullout holding roughly 20 cars. Because the hike is so short, turnover is fast and the lot rarely stays full for long. Arriving on weekday mornings gives the best chance of easy parking. Weekend afternoons in peak season can have brief waits, but nothing like the major Zion trailheads.
What Else to Do Nearby
Zion National Park is 20 miles west — the belly of the dragon makes a perfect morning stop before or after a day in the park. Kanab has excellent restaurants and serves as the best base for exploring this corner of Southern Utah. The Wave lottery permit is drawn in Kanab if you’re ambitious. Sand Caves near Kanab are another quick, free stop with similar photographic appeal. The combination of the belly of the dragon, sand caves, and a brown bag lunch from Kanab makes an excellent and nearly free half day.
Road Tripping from California to the Belly of the Dragon
From Los Angeles, the belly of the dragon is about 6 hours via I-15 and Highway 89. From San Diego it’s approximately 6.5 hours. From the Bay Area, allow 8-9 hours. The route from California via Las Vegas and St. George passes Zion National Park on the way, making a multi-day trip combining both Zion and the belly of the dragon natural. Fill your gas tank in Kanab before heading out — there is nothing at the trailhead.
You Might Also Like:
For more California and Southwest road trip ideas see our guides to Alabama Hills Lone Pine California — The Complete Visitor’s Guide, Exploring Joshua Tree in 2 Days — 7 Essential Local Tips, and Underrated California Road Trips Under 3 Hours from LA: 3 Shockingly Good Escapes Locals Swear By.
0 Comments