THINGS TO DO
Best Friends of the Animal Society
BEST FRIENDS OF THE ANIMAL SOCIETY
The 4,000-acre Best Friends of the Animal Society touts itself as the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the United States. It’s also a gorgeous place that we were immediately captivated by. We took a private tour of the sanctuary and got to see some of the state-of-the-art facilities just for the animals. The setting is gorgeous. Expect expansive blue skies coupled with red rock sandstone formations throughout. Plus, they do wonderful work. We toured a pig haven, a horse facility, a rabbit home, a parrot garden and a dog and a cat habitat. Each was one designed with the animals in mind and are places where you’d want to spend time with plenty of space for the animals.
Best Friends of the Animal Society
The sanctuary also features a rehab center for wild animals that are then returned to their natural habitats. Pets also have homes here for life. Tours are free, but it’s best to book in advance to secure your spot. Our favorite place? Angels Rest. This is where pet owners pay tribute to their lost loved pets with bricks, markers and wind chimes. The arched entry gate opens to a pet memorial site with paved walkways and trees that are framed by Angel Canyon’s vibrant sandstone walls. When we visited, the chimes were all providing a sweet soundtrack and made for one serene setting. Reading tributes people had written to their pets was also touching. The sanctuary is also home to a handful of hiking trails if you want to explore even more. Provided they’re on a leash, pets are welcome here. We also did a “sleepover” with a dog that was up for adoption. It was fun getting to walk around with this pup and get to spend time with her. Her name was Mish Mash, and her energy was infectious. You can also take cats and rabbits.
Kanab Heritage House Museum
DOWNTOWN KANAB
Strolling through the historic houses of Kanab is an interesting exercise. Many of them have historical markers outside detailing just who resided in the home at one time. Admire the architecture. You can even tour the Kanab Heritage House Museum. This striking brick home offers self-guided, group and private tours where guests can learn about the Mormon pioneers who originally settled the area. The Little Hollywood Museum provides a glimpse into Southern Utah’s past as a major film destination. See a film set, check out the shop’s goods and learn more about some of the films and shows created here. “The Lone Ranger” and “Gunsmoke” TV series were both filmed in town.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
CORAL PINK SAND DUNES STATE PARK
Many will flock to Kanab for a chance to explore the 3,730-acre Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, the only major sand dune field in the region. The park is named for the special red and pink hue of the sand dunes. Visitors can take in sweeping views of the dune and sandstone formations in the distance. You can rent sandboards and sleds to slide down these massive dunes. About 90 percent of this park is open for off-road vehicles. The park also features a slot canyon that you can check out.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
SAND CAVES
The trailhead for the Sand Caves sits right off the main road that leads to the sanctuary and is worth the short hike. Follow a dry creek bed, and then hike up a sandstone formation with a short ascent. Hike along the sandstone until you reach these caves. The caves also provide natural windows with views of Kanab. The name of these caves is not an accident. The walls are literally sand. Touch the walls, and you’ll feel the grains.
WHERE TO EAT
Located on the ground floor of the Canyons Boutique Hotel, Sego Restaurant beckons with an outdoor patio and New American cuisine. We quickly devoured our Mediterranean plate of Falafel, which included artichokes, olive, arugula, tomato, cucumber, tahini, herb oil, fried chickpeas and house pita. We waited outside for about one hour to snag a seat at Peekaboo Canyon Wood Fired Kitchen. We devoured savory garlic parm bombs dipped in marina sauce to start, enjoyed spaghetti as our main meal and ended our meal with a slice of decadent chocolate lava cake. Watching the wood-fired grill and lively open kitchen from our table also provided some entertainment.
Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile
WHERE TO STAY
Best Friends of the Animals has its very own hotel (we were hosted during our time in Kanab), the Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile. The hotel is known for being extremely pet-friendly. Pet owners can look forward to in-room bowls, a dog bed that slides out from underneath the human bed on top, a large fenced dog park and pet treats in the lobby. The 40 rooms and suites are spacious and modern. The standard room has a sitting area, a bedroom and a bathroom. The main door opens up to a small, closed door foyer – a nifty feature to help ensure pets don’t run out of the room.
Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile
