Okay, okay… I promised a hiking blog, but occasionally I’ll have to veer off-topic and off-course, just because. Enter “Belly of the Dragon” – it’s more of a roadside attraction rather than a hike, although walking and climbing/jumping are involved.
Belly of the Dragon is a fun, short hike in a man-made tunnel under Highway 89, between Kanab and Mt. Carmel Junction in Kane County, Southern Utah. The tunnel is a drainage for canyons that feed into the North Fork River. It’s a perfect spot to get out and stretch your legs during your road trip through Utah. It’s especially great for kids, they will truly appreciate this little gem. It does feel like you are inside the belly of a dragon, or maybe another large animal, or maybe a birth canal? Or is it a cave or just a plain old tunnel? Let your imagination run wild on this one… The walk through the “belly” itself is short (about 100 yards/100 m), before you know it, you pop out the other end.
To access Belly of the Dragon, you have to make a sharp turn off Highway 89, just 1.6 miles south of Mt. Carmel Junction, onto a dirt road. The dirt road is suitable for standard vehicles, no special 4x4 required. The parking lot (and trail head) is about 200 yards up ahead. You’ll see the entrance to the “belly” on your left. Follow the path to the tunnel and access the tunnel by jumping/dropping from a small ledge (about 2-3 ft/0.6-0.9 m). This is the hardest part of the trail. Start your adventure in the belly and head for the light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t forget to take lots of cool pictures on your adventure.
Logistics
Here is the Google Maps pin for the location of the trailhead, located 16 miles (25.7 km) north of Kanab and about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Mt. Carmel Junction.
The trail is marked as easy on AllTrails. I recommend bringing a flashlight or using your phone’s light, as it does get dark inside the “belly”.
Recommended? Honest opinion – while I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way specifically for this attraction, if you’re in the area and you have an extra 45 minutes, it’s worth a stop. It’s especially fun for kids.
Important side note: not recommended when there are thunderstorms in the area, as this is a drainage tunnel! Be aware of the weather and mindful of flash flooding. Always check the weather before hiking!
Have you been through the Belly of the Dragon before? What did you think of it? Let me know in the comments below.
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