Information
Landmark: Belly of the DragonCity: Kanab
Country: USA Utah
Continent: North America
Belly of the Dragon, Kanab, USA Utah, North America
Overview
Near Kanab, Utah, the Belly of the Dragon winds through sandstone like a living creature, its narrow, twisting corridors glowing warm gold and curling into a shape that feels straight out of a dragon’s lair.Part of the region’s famous red rock backdrop, this geological wonder blends rugged adventure with striking views and a hint of mystery, drawing hikers, photographers, and wanderers chasing trails where the dust hangs in the warm air.Geology and LandscapeOver millions of years, wind and erosion shaped the Navajo Sandstone into narrow, twisting passages, their walls warm to the touch and rippling with layered patterns.The winding, rippling walls make you feel as if you’re walking through the belly of some enormous beast, with silky curves, ridged lines, and the occasional shadowed alcove.The sandstone glows in warm orange-red against a deep blue sky, with scrubby desert plants scattered around, making the whole scene jump out in vivid contrast.Exploring the Belly of the Dragon means you’ll walk, scramble, and now and then climb over small ledges as the twisting corridors close in around you.The passages shift from roomy openings into little chambers to narrow stretches where you have to twist sideways, creating a feeling of closeness and a spark of adventure.Moderately seasoned hikers can reach the formation, and it’s a prime spot for photos-especially when sunlight slips through the gaps, throwing bold shadows and tracing every curve in the stone.The place feels hushed, with a faint, almost mystical air-like mist curling around old stone walls.The canyon walls catch every sound-boots tapping along sandstone corridors, the faint whisper of wind slipping through tight gaps.Wildlife’s scarce out here, but you’ll sometimes spot it-a lizard stretched out on a warm, sunlit rock or a bird balanced high on a ridge.Its name and shape spark a sense of wonder, and you can almost see a dragon-long and sinuous-writhing through the rocky landscape.It’s the little things that make the scene breathe: faint striations and layered bands in the sandstone whisper of ancient seas, a sprig of desert moss grips a narrow crack, and fine sand slips in a soft hiss across the sun-warmed ledge.All day, light drifts and shadows slide over the curved walls, casting patterns that change with each hour, so a hallway at noon feels nothing like the same one at sunset.As visitors walk, they often feel the rock’s uneven textures beneath their shoes and spot the occasional fossil or glint of mineral, each one sparking a little extra curiosity.Belly of the Dragon pulls you deep into southern Utah’s red rock country, where towering sandstone walls tell a story of geology, adventure, and raw visual drama.The narrow, sculpted sandstone corridors twist and turn, testing your footing while dazzling the eye with warm, rust-colored curves, making it an unforgettable stop for anyone chasing Kanab’s most unusual and dramatic natural formations.
