Spring break traffic picking up in Kane County

KANE COUNTY—Traffic is building, parking lots are filling and spring break visitors are returning to Kane County. This year, lo­cal businesses say fuel costs may be influenc­ing how travelers plan trips and how much they spend once they arrive.

Visitors stop along a roadway in Zion National Park during the spring travel season. Increased regional tourism is bringing steady traffic through Kane County as spring break activity picks up. Photo by Melissa MN.

Spring break, which stretches across March and early April, is typi­cally one of the busi­est travel periods for southern Utah. The re­gion’s proximity to Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Phoenix makes it a popular drive-to destination, especially for families looking to avoid air travel.

That proximity may be working in Kane County’s favor.

“Spring break has definitely picked up over the past couple of weeks,” said Jakey Bailey, owner of Jakey Leigh’s Cafe Bakery. “We’ve been a lot busi­er than we were at this time last year.”

“It’s hard to compare directly because we’re in a temporary location right now,” said Ja­nette Peatross, direc­tor of the Kane County Office of Tourism. “But overall, it’s been a very busy spring.”

Local tourism data reflects that trend. According to the Kane County Tourism Tax Advisory Board, tour­ism tax revenue in­creased by about nine percent in 2025, with businesses reporting steady growth heading into the current year. Some restaurants and lodging providers have noted modest year-over-year gains, while others say bookings are trending upward as the spring season begins.

Tourism officials also report a shift toward domestic travel, with fewer international visitors and more re­gional travelers arriv­ing by car.

Fuel prices often influence travel de­cisions. When pric­es rise, visitors may shorten trips or cut back on discretionary spending. When prices ease, longer trips and higher spending tend to follow.

In Kane County, ear­ly signs point to strong regional travel and steady traffic through Kanab.

Businesses report solid foot traffic, even as some visitors remain mindful of costs.

Nearby destinations such as Zion National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area continue to draw spring visitors.

Spring break re­mains a key economic window for local busi­nesses, offering an early look at how the summer tourism sea­son may take shape.