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Best Friends Animal Sanctuary   |  Molly Wald
A Photo Essay

Winter Beauty at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

From snow-dusted red rocks to intimate animal encounters, experience the serene winter magic of Best Friends.

Photography By Molly Wald

Written By Visit Utah

Quiet. Beauty. Solitude. Those are just a few reasons Kanab, Utah, should be on every traveler’s short list for a majestic winter escape. With its stunning red rock backdrop, unobstructed stargazing and proximity to Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks, Kanab is an incredible basecamp that’s perfect for exploring all that Southern Utah has to offer.

Kanab is also well-known as the home of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary with 1,600 dogs, cats, pigs, horses, goats, birds, bunnies and wildlife spread across 3,000 acres. Attracting more than 40,000 visitors each year, it’s a bucket-list destination for animal lovers from around the world.

Winter at Best Friends offers a more intimate experience, providing visitors and volunteers a less crowded time to connect with the animals. Throughout the day, guests can enjoy family-friendly sanctuary tours or get hands-on experience by walking an adoptable dog, petting pigs, brushing horses and taking cats or bunnies for stroller rides. For those looking to explore the surrounding area, the sanctuary’s mobile app guides you to local treasures like Hidden Lake and the Sand Caves, as well as hiking trails and lookout points. Every moment is 'Insta-worthy,' especially when set against the magnificent, snow-dusted vistas of Angel Canyon. Take a look below.

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Horse Haven is a popular stop for volunteers, who can help staff with a wide variety of equine-related activities.

Photo: Molly Wald

Love is in the air at Horse Haven.

Love is in the air at Horse Haven.

Photo: Molly Wald

The red-rock canyons are even more stunning when dusted with snow, shown here at the Disney Barn, which was the filming location for “Return of the Apple Dumpling Gang.”

The red-rock canyons are even more stunning when dusted with snow, shown here at the Disney Barn, which was the filming location for “Return of the Apple Dumpling Gang.”

Photo: Molly Wald

Watching horses running free in pastures throughout the sanctuary is a highlight for visitors.

Watching horses running free in pastures throughout the sanctuary is a highlight for visitors.

Photo: Molly Wald

Some winter fun in Dog Town, where some of the canine residents delight in playing with snowballs.

Photo: Molly Wald

Double the dogs, double the fun – the sanctuary has pairs that enjoy walking with volunteers or can be adopted together.

Photo: Molly Wald

Snow-loving dogs enjoy a winter play session.

Photo: Molly Wald

Mule deer herds are a common sight at the sanctuary.

Photo: Molly Wald

Snow makes a sanctuary scene with mustangs even more magical.

Photo: Molly Wald

A trio of sanctuary dogs find themselves in a winter wonderland.

A trio of sanctuary dogs find themselves in a winter wonderland.

Photo: Molly Wald

Silas and Everly don’t let the cold stop them from a puppy play date.

Silas and Everly don’t let the cold stop them from a puppy play date.

Photo: Molly Wald

 Silas dashes through the snow accompanied by his favorite toy.

Silas dashes through the snow accompanied by his favorite toy.

Photo: Molly Wald

Native wildlife leave evidence of a visit.

Photo: Molly Wald

A flock of wild turkeys explore the sanctuary.

Photo: Molly Wald

Beautiful canyon landscapes become even more dramatic through the lens of winter.

Photo: Molly Wald

Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile

Those who don’t want the fun to end can bring a Sanctuary dog or cat back to their pet-friendly lodging, such as Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile, for a snuggly sleepover. (Since these pets are adoptable, if you just can’t leave your sleepover friend behind, you can bring them home.)

The award-winning Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile is widely regarded as the nation’s most pet-friendly lodging destination, where you can bring up to four pets of your own at no-charge. Amenities include two dog parks and a free pet spa station, as well as luxurious linens, upscale body products, and nightly bonfire for everyone to experience.

Dining at Best Friends

Every Roadhouse stay also includes a complimentary vegan continental breakfast with locally roasted coffee and two free passes to the Sanctuary’s Angel Village Cafe, a $5 award-winning vegan lunch buffet with a million-dollar view. The buffet features  three hot dishes, a salad bar, dessert, coffee, and tea served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Roadhouse is located on Kanab’s Main Street, a highly walkable area featuring a vast array of dining options with small-town charm and world-class flavor, as well as shopping, art galleries, thrift stores, a day spa and yoga studio.

Things to Do Nearby

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