Tucked into Angel Canyon outside Kanab, Utah, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is a sweeping desert refuge where animals of every kind are given space, care, and a second chance at life. Set across nearly 6,000 acres of red rock cliffs and open desert trails, the sanctuary is home to dogs, cats, horses, pigs, rabbits, birds, and more.
What makes this place feel unique is the sense of calm and intention woven through it. Animals are cared for by a team of experts and volunteers, settling into specialized areas like Dogtown, Cat World, Horse Haven, and Parrot Garden—each designed like its own small world, shaped around the needs, behaviors, and comfort of every species.
Best Friends is part of something much larger. As the flagship sanctuary of a national animal welfare organization, its work extends far beyond Kanab by partnering with shelters across the country. This helps reduce the number of animals entering overcrowded systems and expands pathways for adoption and care.
The sanctuary is as much about its people as it is about its animals. Volunteers come from all over the U.S. to spend a day, a week, or more, becoming part of the daily rhythm that keeps the canyon alive with care. So much of what occurs here depends upon that consistent presence.
Outside of the animal care areas, the landscape itself invites contemplation. For example, the Gratitude Garden offers a quiet space to walk or sit along the canyon's edge. It is a journey both internal and external, filled with stunning art installations and natural beauty.
Every afternoon the iconic Angel Village Café opens. This is where visitors and employees will find delicious plant-based meals served with wide canyon views. A great place to refuel and rehydrate before continuing the day.
Then there is Angel’s Rest, a deeper quiet until the wind moves through it. The sanctuary includes a sacred space with wind chimes and memorials to the animals that have passed on. Here, a quiet balance exists where memory and presence meet. It is a place where love lives on in sound. It is a truly remarkable part of the sanctuary.
By welcoming visitors year-round through guided tours and volunteer opportunities, experiencing the sanctuary is a movement that is open to the public. With so much to see and do, lodging options are always available. From pet-friendly cabins and campsites to the newly opened Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile, every detail has been considered with visitors in mind.
Discover for yourself what makes this quiet corner of southern Utah so extraordinary. And be sure to check out BestFriends.org to plan your next unforgettable adventure.
Editor’s Note
Some places are difficult to describe because they're more than a destination—they're a feeling. My visit to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary was one of those experiences.
It’s a sanctuary for both humans and animals. It's the perfect addition to any road trip. I loved staying at the campground, but there are accommodations designed to fit every travel style.
If I were to recommend anything, it would be to have lunch at Angel Village Café. Perched above Angel Canyon, it offers a spectacular view and a phenomenal plant-based buffet. It was so surprisingly delicious that I extended my stay to eat there one more time before I headed home.
I knew I would fall in love with the animals. What I didn't expect was how inspired I would feel. Every staff member I met exuded an enthusiasm that was impossible to ignore. Their passion was profound, and it influenced every part of my experience.
Best Friends is so much more than animal rescue. It's something truly extraordinary.