Visiting Best Friends

How to get to Best Friends
Where to stay
How to take a tour of Best Friends
Other things you should know about visiting
How to take part in the work at Best Friends
Where else to go in the Kanab area
Best Friends Visitors - Unite!

How to get to Best Friends

The closest major airport is Las Vegas. Driving from Las Vegas to Kanab takes four hours.

Commuter airline. Sky West (Delta) operates shuttle flights to St. George, Utah, from Salt Lake City. United Airlines has a daily flight from Los Angeles. The drive from St. George is about an hour and a half.

Local airport. Kanab Airport is open 24 hours a day. It can handle small private planes. Call (435) 644-2299.

Car rental. Las Vegas and St. George have regular car rental facilities. None of the major car rental companies has an office in Kanab.

Public Transportation. There is no public transportation in Kanab.

Driving to Best Friends

Important: In the interest of safety, and to avoid fines, please observe speed limits. Also, mule deer are plentiful in the area from fall through spring, so take care when driving - particularly from dusk to dawn.

From Las Vegas

The drive takes approximately 4 hours (Remember that Kanab is on Mountain Time, an hour later than Nevada and California.) Take I-15 north from Las Vegas. Drive approximately 6 miles past St. George, Utah and take exit 16 (Hwy 9) into Hurricane. Go approximately 10 miles and turn right at the Main Street traffic light. Go one block and turn left at the 4-way stop onto Hwy 59. Drive approximately 55 miles into Fredonia, Arizona. Turn left (north) at the stop sign onto Highway 89, and drive 7 miles into Kanab. Then follow directions from Kanab below.

From Saint George, Utah (See regional map)

You'll exit St. George airport by heading down the hill. Make a right at the stop light onto Bluff Street. Follow Bluff Street approximately 2 miles to Hwy. 15. Enter I-15 heading North (towards Salt Lake City). Approximately 6 miles out of St. George, take Exit 16 (Hwy. 9), towards Hurricane/Zion National Park. Go approximately 10 miles and turn right at the Main Street traffic light. Go one block and turn left at the 4-way stop onto Hwy 59. Drive approximately 55 miles into Fredonia, Arizona. Turn left (north) at the stop sign onto Hwy 89, and drive 7 miles into Kanab. Then follow directions from Kanab below.

From Salt Lake City

The drive takes about 6 hours. Take Hwy I-15 south approx. 220 miles. Take Hwy 20 (exit 95) east 20 miles to Hwy 89 and turn right (south) to Kanab. Best Friends is 5 miles north of Kanab off Hwy 89. Just past mile marker 71, watch for the green road sign saying Kanab Canyon and turn left (east) into the sanctuary.

From Phoenix

The drive takes about 6 hours. Take Hwy I-17 north to Flagstaff, then Hwy 89 north through Page, Arizona, to Kanab. Then follow directions from Kanab below. (Note that Arizona does not observe daylight savings time, so from April to October it is effectively on Pacific Time  an hour earlier than Kanab.)

From Kanab

The entrance to Best Friends is about five miles north of Kanab on the east (right) side of Hwy 89. Between the 69 and 70 mile markers, a green highway sign indicates Kanab Canyon. Turn into Kanab Canyon and drive about 1.5 miles to the Welcome Center, which is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week.

Traveling with pets. Click here for helpful information about traveling with pets.

Where to stay

Angel Canyon Guest Cottages

Nestled in the red cliffs of Angel Canyon and near the Best Friends Welcome Center these eight guest cottages also overlook the horse pastures. Each has one bedroom, a sitting room and kitchen. The Cottages are $125 per night double occupancy, with $10 fee per night for each additional person. Best Friends members receive a discount on these rates. High season rates (Mar 1 - Nov 30) are $110 per night and during low season (Dec 1 - Feb 29) the member rate is only $85 per night. Click HERE to view photos.

Cabins are also available. A smaller alternative to the Cottages, the Cabins are also conveniently located on sanctuary property. Each has a studio setup with one queen-size bed, a kitchenette with a coffeemaker and microwave and a 3/4 bath (shower stall). Cabins are only $82 per night and cannot accommodate more than two people. Best Friends members receive a discount on these rates. High season months (Mar 1 - Nov 30) are $70 per night and in the low season months (Dec 1 - Feb 29) the member rate is only $55 per night. Click HERE to view photos.

RV Sites - NEW

Our latest additions are two fully-equipped RV sites.  Each site offers a spectacular view and comes complete with 50 amp/220 electricity, water, septic tank, 35' concrete platforms and an unobstructed sight line for SAT TV.  There are no length limitations; however the sites are not pull-through, and you must be able to back your RV into or out of the site. These sites do not have shower or restroom facilities. You cannot drive your RV around the sanctuary, so you will need to bring a separate vehicle for transportation. Overnight RV parking is not allowed anywhere else on the sanctuary grounds.

Nightly rates (excluding tax) are $45 or $270 per week; Best Friends members receive a discount, with nightly rates of $35 or $210 per week.  Each stay is limited to 14 consecutive days and a total of 28 days within a 60-day period.  Click HERE to view photos.

Weekly accommodations are available: Seven nights for the price of six. Accommodations in Angel Canyon tend to be booked well in advance, so make a reservation early. For more information about the Cottages or Cabins, or to make a reservation, call 435-644-2001 ext. 4826, or e-mail cottages@bestfriends.org.  Click HERE to view our vacation brochure.

Hotels in Kanab

During the summer season, local hotels are often fully booked, so call ahead to make a reservation. The following hotels offer discounts to Best Friends visitors. Just let them know that you are visiting Best Friends to get the discount. Those marked with + allow pets; however, be sure to ask for specifics as pet policies vary and are subject to change. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement of Best Friends Animal Society. We make no claims of suitability of these establishments. Please use your own discretion.

+ Aikens Lodge (435) 644-2625 or 1-800-790-0380
+ Holiday Inn Express Best Friends Discount/Pet Friendly.
(435) 644-3100
+ Best Western (435) 644-2675
+ Quality Inn (435) 644-8888
+ Mission Inn (435) 644-5373
+ Parry Lodge (435) 644-2601
+ Quail Park Lodge 1-866-702-8099
+ Riding's Bob Bon Inn (435) 644-5094 + Shilo Inn (435) 644-2562
+ Victorian Charm Inn (435) 644-8660
+ Coral Cliffs Townhomes 1-800-707-9706 or (435) 819-0130
+ Kanab Utah Lodging 1-866-800-3126 or (435) 689-8990

Other Lodging Options:.

+ Kanab Garden Cottages (435) 648-2020
+ The Avoca House (435) 644-3172
+ Flo's Place (435) 689-0637

RV Parks

Best Friends RV Site at Angel Canyon (435) 644-2001 ext 4826
Hitchin' Post RV Park (435) 644-2142
Crazy Horse Camp Park (435) 644-2782
Kanab RV Corral (435) 644-5330
Blue Sage Motel & RV in Fredonia (520) 643-7125)

Camping
Ponderosa Campground. 7 miles from Best Friends, primitive camping, $5 per night. (435) 644-2672
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. 12 miles from Best Friends, amenities, reservations recommended. 1-800-322-3770

How to take a tour of Best Friends

Always call first to reserve your tour. Angel Canyon is a big place, and you will not be able to find your way around alone at first. Visitors cannot go to the animal facilities unaccompanied.

We offer four full tours of the sanctuary each day. The tours take approximately an hour and a half and wind through the magnificent red-rock landscape of Angel Canyon, a sacred place to generations of people for thousands of years. You'll stop at one of our Cat buildings and one of our Dog buildings. You'll also drive by the Horse Pastures, the Bunny House and Feathered Friends. Special tours are available for the Bunny House, Feathered Friends, and Pot-Bellied Pigs.

Our members make it possible for the animals to live here "happily ever after" and they love for you to come and visit them. If you're not yet a member of Best Friends, we invite you to become a member.

Guided tours of the sanctuary leave from, and return to, the Welcome Center at specific times each day. Be sure to call before you arrive if you'd like to take one of these tours. Call (435) 644-2001 ext 4537.

If you would like to interact more closely with our Sanctuary animals, please contact us about volunteer opportunities at (435) 644-2001 ext 4119.

Other things you should know about visiting

Clothes. Shoes, rather than sandals, are recommended for walking in the sand. It's good to wear long pants since you're likely to be greeted by some quite enthusiastic dogs and cats! Most people find glasses better than contact lenses, also because of the sand. Sun block and a hat are essential for protection from the sun at this elevation. Bottled water is a must all year in the dry climate.

Pets. While you are touring or volunteering at the sanctuary, it is important that your pet remain contained in a safe and comfortable place. We do not offer any kind of "day care" for visiting pets. So if you want to bring a pet, please make your own arrangements. (Your car is not an option during the warm season.) The one exception is for people who are visiting the sanctuary for the purpose of adopting a pet. In this case, we strongly encourage you to bring other pets with you to the adoption area (only), in order to introduce your pets before finalizing an adoption. Many of the motels in Kanab will allow pets, as long as they are supervised. Additionally, there is a pet store in town, Critter Corner, that sells premium food and supplies.

Admissions Policy. Due to a variety of factors, including local ordinances for areas you may be passing through on your way to Best Friends and the many people who need assistance with animal situations every week, we cannot accept animals into the Sanctuary without prior notification and approval. For further information, click here.

Climate/Time Zone. Kanab sits at a high-desert elevation of approx. 5,000 ft and is in the Mountain Time Zone.
Jan-March: Typically cold and sunny, often snows or rains. Can also be sunny, warm, and in the mid-60's. Be prepared for all types of weather.
April-June: April can be stormy and windy. Otherwise sunny 50's-70's through May. June is warmer, usually into the 80's.
July-Aug: Our hottest months, often 90-100 degrees. We typically experience summer thunderstorms and rain during this season, although it is usually brief. There is a danger of flash floods in canyons and washes. Hikers need to exercise great caution.
Sept-Oct: Once the summer rains are over, it is typically dry, mild, and sunny. Our best season to be outdoors. Beautiful fall colors.
Nov-Dec: Occasional snow before Thanksgiving, but November can also be mild and beautiful. December is cold, often with rain or snow.

Restaurants

VT- vegetarian options; VG- vegan options; B- breakfast; L- lunch; D- dinner; BW- beer, wine; A- full liquor license
+ Rewind Café VT-VG-B-L-D Sandwiches, soups, smoothies (435) 644-3200.
+ Frontier Movie Town (435) 644-5337
+ Rocking V Café VT-VG-B-L-D-A American Bistro. Open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Limited winter schedule. (435) 644-8001.
+ Escobar's Mexican VT-B-L-D-BW (closed on Saturday) (435) 644-3739.
+ Nedra's Too Mexican VT-VG-B-L-D-BW  (435) 644-2030.

Also: + Pizza Hut, Subway and Houston's Trail End.

How to take part in the work at Best Friends

Volunteer help with the animals is much appreciated. You can join in every day with the work of feeding the animals, cleaning their living areas, grooming them, taking them for walks, and socializing with them. We like to give them as much personal attention as possible, so your help is much appreciated!

Each animal area has a maximum number of volunteers it can accommodate daily, so please contact our Volunteer Department at volunteers@bestfriends.org or at (435) 644-2001 ext 4119 to make arrangements prior to your visit.

Young People Volunteering. People age 18 and over may work by themselves in the animal areas. Young people 5 years and under are not able to volunteer with our animals  this is for their safety as well as the safety of our animals. Young people between 6-17 years may work with the animals as volunteers at the discretion of the staff and must be accompanied at all times by an adult.

The Best Friends Education Department offers an Internship Program for people age 20 and over who wish to learn more about animal care and working with animals. If you're interested in interning at Best Friends, please contact the Humane Education Department at humane.ed@bestfriends.org or call 435-644-3965 ext. 4317 for more information.

Where else to go in the Kanab area

KanabGuide.com has comprehensive information on lodging and food, area attractions, local information, and a calendar of events.

The Kanab Webring includes many local web sites.

The Southern Utah News, the local Kanab newspaper, is online at www.sunews.net.

Utah Adventure Online has the good information on local adventures, places to go, things to see.

Local journalist Max Bertola has a web tour of the Southern Utah region.


You're at the heart of the Golden Circle of national parks that include the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon and Lake Powell. Each of these is 90 minute drive, or less, from Kanab and Angel Canyon. There are numerous web sites on these magnificent national parks. For literature and other information, visit the Kane County Travel Center or call them at (800) 733-5263.

For more details, reservations and other information, e-mail visiting@bestfriends.org or call (435) 644-2001, Ext. 4537.


For additional information about the area, calendar of events, and Kanab businesses, visit the Kanab Chamber of Commerce.

Best Friends Visitors - Unite!

Have you visited or are you planning to visit Best Friends? Chat with other visitors, arrange carpools, ask questions of seasoned visitors or keep in touch: Best Friends Visitors--Unite!