The Southern Utah Animal Sanctuary Every Pet Family Should Visit Once

If your family loves animals, there is a Southern Utah destination that deserves a spot on your next road-trip itinerary: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary near Kanab.

Set against the dramatic red-rock landscape of southern Utah, Best Friends offers visitors something different from a typical family attraction. It is a chance to meet animals, learn about animal welfare, explore a beautiful part of the state, and see firsthand how a large-scale animal lifesaving organization works.

For families traveling through the Kanab area, the sanctuary can turn an ordinary day trip into an experience children—and adults—remember long after the vacation is over.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is part of Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal-welfare organization focused on ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters.

The sanctuary's Kanab-area location is home to animals receiving care while they wait for adoption, foster placement, or other next steps. But the experience is about more than simply seeing animals. Visitors can learn about the organization's lifesaving work and discover ways they can support animals in need.

That makes the sanctuary particularly meaningful for families with children who already love pets. Instead of simply looking at animals, visitors have an opportunity to talk about responsible pet ownership, adoption, compassion, and the importance of caring for animals throughout their lives.

There is no shortage of things to do around Kanab, from exploring the area's famous sandstone landscapes to visiting nearby national parks and other outdoor attractions. Best Friends adds a completely different kind of experience to the mix.

For pet-loving families, the appeal is obvious.

Children can see animals in a setting designed around their care and well-being. Parents can use the visit as a natural opportunity to introduce bigger conversations about where pets come from, why some animals need extra help, and what families can do to make a difference.

It is also a good choice for travelers who want an activity that doesn't revolve entirely around hiking or sightseeing.

And because the sanctuary is located in such a distinctive part of southern Utah, the visit combines two things the region does especially well: spectacular scenery and memorable experiences.

One of the most important things to understand before visiting is that Best Friends is an animal sanctuary and working lifesaving organization, not a traditional zoo.

That distinction matters.

The animals are there because they need care. Visitors are guests in a place where staff and volunteers are doing important work every day. The experience is therefore centered on learning, compassion, and responsible interaction rather than simply checking animals off a sightseeing list.

Depending on what is available during your visit, families may be able to participate in tours, activities, or other visitor experiences that provide a closer look at the sanctuary and its residents.

Because programs and visitor opportunities can change, it is a good idea to check Best Friends' official visitor information before making plans.

Best Friends is especially easy to incorporate into a larger southern Utah trip.

Kanab is already a popular base for travelers exploring the region, and the sanctuary gives families another reason to spend time in the area rather than simply passing through.

A family could build a day around a sanctuary visit and then enjoy Kanab's restaurants, shops, and surrounding scenery. Travelers staying longer can combine the experience with other southern Utah destinations.

The result is a trip that balances outdoor adventure with something more personal.

For families traveling with younger children, that variety can be especially valuable. After a day of red-rock scenery and outdoor exploration, an animal-focused activity can provide a welcome change of pace.

The best family travel experiences don't just entertain children—they give them something to think about.

A visit to Best Friends can do exactly that.

Children who arrive simply excited to see animals may leave with a better understanding of adoption, animal shelters, volunteering, and the responsibility that comes with having a pet.

For parents, that can make the experience more meaningful than a typical attraction.

It also provides an opportunity to let children see that helping animals isn't limited to adopting a pet. Supporting animal organizations, volunteering, fostering, donating, and making responsible choices as pet owners can all contribute to the larger effort.

Families should plan ahead rather than treating the sanctuary as a completely spontaneous roadside stop.

Check the current visitor hours, tour schedules, age requirements, available activities, and any other visitor guidelines before heading out. Some experiences may require advance reservations, and availability can vary.

It is also worth remembering that the sanctuary is a working environment for animals and the people caring for them. Following visitor rules helps protect both the animals and the quality of their care.

And, of course, comfortable clothing and shoes are a smart choice for exploring the property.

There are plenty of destinations where families can take pictures, buy souvenirs, and move on to the next attraction.

Best Friends offers something different.

It gives animal lovers a chance to connect with a larger story—one involving thousands of animals, dedicated caregivers, volunteers, adopters, and people working toward a future where fewer animals are needlessly lost in shelters.

For a family that considers pets part of the household, that message can hit home.

And then there is the setting. The combination of Utah's dramatic landscape and the sanctuary's peaceful surroundings makes the experience feel uniquely Southern Utah.

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If your next family road trip takes you through southern Utah, consider making time for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

You don't have to be planning to adopt a pet to appreciate the visit. You don't have to be an experienced animal volunteer. And you don't have to choose between an animal-focused experience and the spectacular scenery that draws people to Kanab in the first place.

For pet families, it can be the perfect combination: a memorable Southern Utah destination with a purpose behind it.

The next time you're planning a Kanab-area getaway, put Best Friends on the list. You may arrive expecting a fun family outing—and leave with a deeper appreciation for the animals and people working to give homeless pets a second chance.