Summer is the perfect time to stay at one of America’s most unique RV sites
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary provides gorgeous views, free tours, and volunteer experiences.
Summer is the most popular time to RV, with millions of RV’ers heading to America’s most popular destinations. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary’s RV sites in Kanab, Utah are a little-known gem waiting to be discovered. Located in the middle of three of Utah’s most beautiful national parks, guests are surrounded by gorgeous red-rock canyons, endless blue skies, and 1,600 animals being cared for at the nation’s largest no-kill animal Sanctuary.
Here you’ll find 18 RV sites, each featuring a picnic table, 35-foot concrete slab, power, septic, water hookups, Wi-Fi, plus restrooms and showers that are easily accessible from every site. These pet-friendly RV sites give animal lovers the perfect opportunity to explore Best Friends, with free daily tours and volunteer experiences to interact with 1,600 rescued dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, pigs, goats, and horses.
Thanks to the incredible scenery, beautiful animals, and unbeatable hospitality, Best Friends has won Best of State Utah’s Best Attraction award in 2024 and 2025.
Start your journey with a stop by the Welcome Center for a free coffee or tea and register for all available tours or to get a Sanctuary map to explore the easy to moderate trails on site, including a scenic road to an underground lake which is typically 20 degrees cooler than the outside temperature. If guests are on a tight schedule, they are welcome to use the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary app to take a self-guided tour at their own pace.
To spend time at the Sanctuary is to witness the power of compassion and kindness, such as watching caregivers helping dogs overcome behavioural challenges, or observing veterinarians treating cats with special medical needs. Dozens of horses, pigs and goats recover from difficult beginnings here, while wildlife find refuge and rehabilitation until they are ready to be released back into the wild.
Volunteering is open to visitors 8 and older, with options such as socializing puppies, feeding popcorn to pigs, bottle feeding kittens, and spending time with horses. The volunteer experience is often so profound, many visitors come back annually or several times a year to continue volunteering, spending time with their favourite animals. Disability friendly shifts are offered in most animal care areas.
The Sanctuary also has three adoption areas open daily, featuring adorable dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies that are ready to go home or on the road with you the same day.
All guests at the Sanctuary can enjoy a delicious $5 vegan buffet lunch with a million-dollar view of the surrounding canyons at Angel Village Cafe, which was awarded Best of State Utah’s Best Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurant in 2025. Served every day, the all-you-can-eat lunch includes a salad bar, hot items, dessert, coffee and tea. Guests are also welcome to stop by the café in the morning for a free cup of coffee or tea and are invited to hang out in the cafeteria area, which has free WiFi, until lunch service starts.
Visitors looking to experience Utah’s stunning landscapes without the hassle of constant travel will find Kanab to be the perfect base camp. The Best Friends RV sites are an amazing staging area for travellers looking to visit Zion, Bryce Canyon, and North Rim of the Grand Canyon, which are just a 45-to-90-minute drive away.
There are amazing sights within the the Kanab area, as well:
The Wave
A world-famous sandstone rock formation in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, The Wave features mesmerizing red and orange swirls, making it a dream for hikers and photographers. A permit is required and highly competitive, so planning ahead is essential.
White Pocket
An excellent alternative to The Wave, White Pocket offers stunning rock formations with fewer restrictions. This remote landscape features swirling red, white, and pink sandstone, accessible only by high-clearance 4WD vehicles.
Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon
A hidden gem just outside Kanab, this narrow red rock canyon provides breathtaking photo opportunities and an easy-to-access adventure without the crowds of other slot canyons.
Toadstool Hoodoos
This short and scenic hike leads to balancing rock formations that resemble giant mushrooms, making it a fun and family-friendly adventure.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Spanning nearly 1.9 million acres, this rugged landscape features slot canyons, waterfalls, and ancient petroglyphs. Popular spots include Willis Creek Slot Canyon and the scenic Cottonwood Canyon Road.
Beyond its prime location, Kanab boasts a laid-back desert atmosphere, a welcoming community, and a surprisingly vibrant dining scene. Whether you’re in the mood for classic Southwestern flavours or crispy wood-fired pizza after a day of adventure, Kanab offers delicious options to fuel your journey. After a great meal, visitors can explore scenic trails, discover breathtaking vistas, or simply relax and soak in the stunning desert views.
Ready to book your Best Friends RV site and explore Kanab? Get started by clicking here.
