Best Friends Animal Sanctuary Visit Guide (What It’s Really Like + Honest Tips)
Thinking about visiting Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab? Here’s what it’s really like—from the Grand Tour to volunteering with animals—plus honest tips to help you plan your visit.
I didn’t expect Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to be one of the most memorable stops on our Utah trip.
I thought it would be quick. Maybe an hour. Walk around, see some animals, and move on.
That is… not what happened.
We ended up staying way longer than planned. And it felt completely different from everything else we did in southern Utah.
If you’re trying to decide whether to include it in your itinerary—especially when you’re juggling Zion, Bryce Canyon, and everything in between—here’s what it’s actually like to visit.
If you’re planning a full southern Utah road trip, this stop fits really well into a Utah Mighty 5 itinerary, especially if you’re spending time between Zion and Bryce Canyon.
First Impressions (This Place Is Way Bigger Than You Think)
When you first pull in, it doesn’t feel like a typical animal shelter.
There’s no single building. No obvious “main entrance” with everything packed together.
Instead, you drive into this wide open red rock canyon just outside Kanab, and things are… spread out. Really spread out.
You pass dirt roads, signs pointing to different animal areas, staff vehicles heading in different directions.
It honestly feels more like entering a small national park or campus than a shelter.
And that’s when it hits you:
You’re not going to “just stop here for a few minutes.”
We added this as a slower-paced day between bigger park days, and it worked especially well after a packed Zion National Park itinerary.
What Best Friends Animal Sanctuary Actually Is
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the United States.
But that description still doesn’t quite capture it.
This isn’t just a place where animals are housed while waiting for adoption. It’s more like a long-term care and rehabilitation space for animals that don’t always have easy paths elsewhere.
Some are older or have medical issues.
And then some of the cats have behavioral challenges.
For many of the cats, they just haven’t found the right home yet.
The goal is bigger than just this one location. Best Friends is working toward making the entire country “no-kill,” meaning shelters don’t euthanize animals simply due to lack of space.
And once you’re there, you can see how seriously they take that.
If you’re heading toward Bryce next, this makes a great contrast to a more viewpoint-heavy Bryce Canyon itinerary.
The Setting (And Why It Changes the Whole Experience)
One thing I didn’t expect was how much the setting affects the experience.
The sanctuary is built right into a canyon with towering red rock cliffs, wide open desert, and a kind of quiet you don’t usually get at places like this.
It doesn’t feel crowded or chaotic.
It feels calm.
And honestly, that changes the whole tone. It doesn’t feel like a sad place. It feels like a place where animals can actually settle and recover.
If you’re building a trip that’s more about scenery than strenuous trails, this stop fits perfectly into a Utah Mighty 5 itinerary without hardcore hiking.
The Grand Tour (Start Here If It’s Your First Visit)
We started with the free Grand Tour, and I’m really glad we did.
Because without it, I think we would have completely underestimated how big everything is.
The tour is done by bus, and they take you around to different parts of the sanctuary with a few stops where you can get out and explore.
What I expected:
Something quick and surface-level.
What it actually felt like:
More personal than I thought it would be.
The guide shared stories about specific animals, explained how different areas operate, and gave context that you just wouldn’t get wandering around on your own.
It also helped us figure out where we wanted to spend more time afterward—which ended up being the cat colony.
If you’re continuing on to Moab, this is a nice reset before diving into a busier Arches National Park itinerary.
Volunteering at the Cat Colony (This Is What Made the Visit)
We signed up for a half-day volunteer shift, and this ended up being the part of the day that stuck with me the most.
I’ll be honest—I didn’t totally know what we were getting into.
I think I had this vague expectation that it would be a lot of sitting around and petting cats.
Instead, it felt like we were actually part of the routine for a few hours.
What my daughter did
She worked with a cat that had some neurological issues and needed help with movement.
They showed her how to gently guide the cat through some basic physical therapy exercises, and she took it very seriously.
It was one of those quiet moments where you could tell it mattered to her.
We also found that mixing in stops like this helped break up the driving days between parks like Capitol Reef—especially if you’re following a Capitol Reef itinerary.
What I did
I spent a good part of the morning cleaning.
Not glamorous. Not exciting.
But also… kind of satisfying?
You’re helping maintain these spaces where the animals live every day, and it makes the experience feel more real.
And between tasks, there were plenty of chances to interact with the cats.
If you’re short on time later in the trip, this pairs nicely with a quick-hit Canyonlands itinerary in just a few hours.
The unexpected part
At one point, I got to do an enrichment feeding.
Which basically turned into several cats suddenly deciding I was their favorite person in the world.
It was chaotic in the best way.
What the Cat Areas Are Really Like
If you’re picturing rows of cages, this is not that.
The cat areas feel more like a mix of indoor and outdoor living spaces:
- Outdoor enclosures with climbing structures
- Shaded areas and platforms
- Indoor rooms with beds, blankets, and toys
The cats have space to move around and choose where they want to be.
And they definitely have opinions about it.
Some came right up to us.
But some kept their distance.
And some of the kitties clearly had their favorite humans already.
One cat followed my daughter around for most of the morning like they had been paired up ahead of time.
Another gave me a look that very clearly said, “you are not my person.”
The Emotional Side (Because It’s There)
There’s no way to visit here without feeling something.
Some of the stories are hard.
We saw information about one of the Vicktory dogs, rescued from Michael Vick’s dogfighting operation, and that kind of stops you in your tracks.
But the overall feeling isn’t heavy in a depressing way.
It’s more like—these animals are safe now. They’re being cared for. They have time.
It leans hopeful.
Different Ways to Experience Best Friends
If you’re planning your visit, you’ve got a few options.
1. Grand Tour (Best for most visitors)
Great overview, low effort, and a good starting point.
2. Specialty Tours
If you know you’re mainly interested in cats, dogs, or horses, these go deeper into specific areas.
3. Volunteering
More time, more commitment—but easily the most meaningful way to experience the sanctuary.
Practical Tips (Things That Actually Matter)
Plan for more time than you think
This is the biggest one. It’s very easy to underestimate how long you’ll want to stay.
Book tours ahead of time
They’re free, but they do fill up.
Wear closed-toe shoes
Especially if you’re volunteering or walking through animal areas.
Bring water
It’s still southern Utah, even if you’re focused on the animals.
Is It Good for Kids?
Yes—especially kids who already love animals.
But it helps to set expectations ahead of time.
This isn’t a high-energy stop like sand dunes or UTV tours. It’s quieter and more meaningful.
For my daughter, the volunteering piece made a big impact. It wasn’t just something she saw—it was something she did.
If you want help mapping this into your route without overthinking it, my Utah Mighty 5 travel planner lays out exactly how to fit stops like this into a realistic day-by-day plan.
How It Fits Into a Utah Mighty 5 Itinerary
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is just outside Kanab, which makes it a really easy addition if you’re:
- Driving between Zion and Bryce Canyon
- Staying in Kanab for a few nights
- Looking for a slower day between park visits
It pairs really well with:
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes (for something more active)
- Peekaboo Slot Canyon tours
- A general “break day” from hiking and crowds
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t the most dramatic stop on our trip.
No sweeping overlooks. No “wow” moment like you get in Zion or Bryce.
But it ended up being one of the most meaningful.
And that surprised me.
If you have the time, it’s worth it.
If you love animals, don’t skip it.
And if you’re traveling with kids, this might end up being one of the things they remember most.
FAQ
Do you have to pay to visit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary?
No, tours are free (donations encouraged).
How long does the Grand Tour take?
About 1.5–2 hours.
Can you visit without a tour?
Yes, but the tour adds a lot of context.
Is volunteering worth it?
Yes—this was the most meaningful part of our visit.
Is it good for kids?
Yes, especially for animal lovers.
