I couldn’t believe my eyes when I first saw this hidden chamber filled with sand in the middle of an otherwise deserted landscape. Carved by years of relentless wind, the Great Chamber at Cutler Point is one of nature’s marvels located just under an hour away from Kanab. Read on for the ultimate guide on how to find the Great Chamber in Kanab, Utah!
PREPARING FOR THE JOURNEY
The road to the Great Chamber is rough, unpaved, and filled with soft sand. Therefore, a high-clearance vehicle with 4×4 is absolutely necessary. Only attempt this drive if you have experience with driving in deep, soft sand. If you get stuck, you may not have adequate service to contact a towing company, as these roads are located in a rather isolated area. In fact, we only saw two other cars on the way back from the chamber.
GETTING TO THE GREAT CHAMBER PARKING LOT
Head north on Highway 89 until you see signs for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary on the right. At the Sand Caves Parking, turn right onto Angel Canyon Road. Follow this road past all of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary buildings. At this point, the paved road becomes an unimproved dirt road. On the right side of the road, look for 4WD/ATV trail markers. Make a right onto BLM Route 100 (Lower Kanab Creek to Alton Road) at the coordinates 37.145333, -112.540778. Follow BLM Route 100 for approximately 5 miles before turning left onto BLM Route 103 at the coordinates 37.129889, -112.457139. At the end of this road lies the Great Chamber parking lot at the coordinates 37.186065, -112.458867. Do not use Google Maps directions, as it will lead you to an entirely different location. Instead, I found this BLM map of the Kanab area to be rather useful.
HIKING TO THE GREAT CHAMBER
Once you’ve reached the parking area, you will notice a fence along the righthand side of the lot. Look for the words “Cutler Point/The Great Chamber” carved into the wooden fence with an arrow pointing forwards. This marks the start of the Great Chamber trailhead. Although the hike is only 0.5 miles round trip, keep in mind that there is a rather steep and sandy section at the end of the trail. Note that you will have arrived at the chamber when you reach a sign marked “Trail Etiquette.” Keep to the right for an easier path that leads to the top of the Great Chamber sand dune. Please remember to follow the Leave No Trace principles and always pack out what you bring in.
THINGS TO NOTE
- Don’t attempt the drive after heavy rain, as the roads may be impassable.
- Be sure to have enough gas, food, and water since you will be miles away from the nearest town.
- Allow for around 2 hours of driving, not including time spent exploring the Great Chamber itself.
- Plan to arrive early in the morning for the best chance at having the chamber to yourself.
- Bring a wide angle lens or use 0.5 zoom on your phone’s camera to capture the entire chamber.
- This is a great spot for astrophotography from May to July.
- If it’s windy in the cave, sunglasses may help with the sand!
