Visiting Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is a large animal sanctuary in Angel Canyon, a short drive north of Kanab. It is one of the reasons people come to this corner of Utah, next to the red cliffs and the film history of the town. This page is an independent visitor guide. It is not run by or connected with the sanctuary, so check the sanctuary's current visitor information before you go.
The public parts of the sanctuary are open every day except Christmas. You do not need to book to arrive, but tours are best reserved ahead. The animal care areas are not a walk-in zoo, so plan your visit around the tours and public areas rather than expecting to wander.
Getting there
The address is 5001 Angel Canyon Road. There is no public transport in Kanab, so you need a car.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where is the entrance? | About 5 miles (8 km) north of Kanab on US 89, between mile markers 69 and 70 |
| From the entrance to the Welcome Center | About 1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
| Parking | Day parking and RV day parking at the Welcome Center during opening hours |
| Las Vegas airport (LAS) to Kanab | About 4 hours by car (rough guide) |
| St. George to Kanab | About 1.5 hours by car (rough guide) |
| Page airport (PGA) to Kanab | About 1 hour 15 minutes by car (rough guide) |
The sanctuary's hours are in Mountain Time. Las Vegas is one hour behind Kanab. St. George's airport is St. George Regional Airport (SGU).
Tours near Kanab
Guided trips from Kanab to nearby canyons, dunes and desert landscapes, with current prices and availability.
Tours and how to book
Standard tours are free. Private tours cost a fee, with no fixed published price. A full sanctuary tour takes about 90 minutes, and you should book it ahead. Regular tours and volunteering also need a booking in advance.
A simple plan: book a morning tour of about 90 minutes, then stay for the lunch buffet, which starts at 11:30 am. Arrive a little early, because you drive about 1.5 miles from the highway turn-off to the Welcome Center. Remember that the public areas close at 6 pm, so late-afternoon arrivals leave little time.
- Roadhouse departure: the sanctuary lists a separate departure from the Roadhouse in town, from 21 May to 31 October, typically Thursday to Monday between 8:30 and 10:30 am. It runs only when there is enough staff, needs no reservation and has limited places. Check the current schedule for your dates.
- Animal care areas: there are generally no unannounced walk-ins.
- Volunteers: anyone under 18 needs an adult with them.
Lunch at the cafe
The cafe serves a plant-based lunch buffet for $5 per person, every day from 11:30 am to 1 pm. Lunch is not included with a tour, so budget for it separately.
Your own pets
Do not take your own pets into the animal care areas, and do not leave them alone in a parked vehicle. Dog Mode on your car does not change this. If you travel with a dog, plan to leave it somewhere suitable for the length of your visit.
Where to stay for a visit
You have two choices close to the sanctuary. The sanctuary itself lists cottages, cabins and RV sites in Angel Canyon. The Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile at 30 N 300 W in Kanab is separate from those. Its rooms and suites are designed for stays with pets, and it offers free Wi-Fi and a continental breakfast.
The care areas are spread out, so a car helps even if you sleep at the sanctuary. See where to stay in Kanab for the other lodging areas.
Fit it into your Kanab days
A tour takes a morning at most. These stops go well with it.
Little Hollywood Museum
Film sets from the region at 297 W. Center Street. Visit Utah lists free entry, daily 9 am to 5 pm. The museum says that more than 100 films and TV productions have been shot in and around Kanab since 1924.
Things to do in Kanab →Moqui Cave
About 10 minutes north of Kanab. A museum with Native American artifacts, dinosaur tracks and fluorescent minerals. Check its current hours before you go.
Zion or Bryce Canyon
Zion's east entrance is about 30 minutes from Kanab, so a morning at the sanctuary and an afternoon drive east is possible.
Zion and Bryce from Kanab →Best Friends Animal Sanctuary: frequently asked questions
Is a visit to Best Friends free?
Standard tours are free. Private tours cost a fee. The cafe buffet is $5 per person and is not part of a tour.
Do I need to book a tour?
Book regular tours and volunteering in advance. The Roadhouse departure in season needs no reservation, but places are limited and it runs only with enough staff.
What are the opening hours?
The public areas are open from 8 am to 6 pm Mountain Time every day except Christmas. The animal care areas are not open for unannounced visits.
Can I bring my dog?
Not into the animal care areas, and not left alone in a vehicle. Even Dog Mode does not change that.
How far is the sanctuary from Kanab?
The entrance is about 5 miles north of town on US 89. From there it is about 1.5 miles to the Welcome Center.
Can I get there without a car?
Kanab has no public transport, so plan to drive.