Inside Southern Utah’s Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile
A hotel for animal lovers, where creature comforts apply to humans and pets
The spectacular landscapes of southern Utah have served as the backdrop for thousands of films since the 1920s—from wild west classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to recent hits like High School Musical. In addition to the movie buffs, the town of Kanab draws adventure-seekers and nature-lovers who come to enjoy the many nearby national and state parks—and Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile is the perfect home base to explore it all.
With 40 well-appointed rooms and suites, it’s a surprisingly chic, mid-century modern oasis in the middle of the area’s distinct red canyons. It’s also the sister property to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the nation’s largest no-kill animal shelter. And, if you’re the kind of person who thinks the worst part of vacation is leaving your pet at home, this is the place for you. The Roadhouse is not just pet-friendly, it’s pet-centric.
Continental breakfast is included with your stay and includes fresh-baked goods like banana bread, but don’t think about asking for cow’s milk in your coffee—the Roadhouse is strictly vegan. With each room named after a Best Friends animal alumnus featuring stories and photos to pull on your heart strings, even non-vegans might find themselves converted after spending time among such devoted animal lovers.
Spacious, wood-paneled rooms, featuring tiled bathrooms and smooth-sliding barn doors, are thoughtfully designed to prioritize pet needs almost as much as yours. Dogs and cats get their own sleeping nooks or beds so you don’t have to share. Outside on the beautifully-gardened grounds, hotel guests gather in communal spaces to trade stories and recommendations. There’s a dog park complete with a splash zone, self-serve pet-washing and laundry stations, café, and mercantile with plenty of cute merch.
If your own pet doesn’t do so well with travel, you can even borrow one: the Sanctuary provides furry friends for those who want to take them for a sleepover. It’s a unique chance to combine your vacation with a vacation for a shelter animal, and gives them some much-appreciated individual attention while you get a snuggle buddy.
Even if you don’t have time to volunteer, head up the road to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary for a tour. The property boasts stunning views—if you can tear your eyes away from the up to 1,600 rescue horses, pigs, bunnies, birds, cats and dogs enjoying luxurious care on the property. Their vegan lunch buffet is famous—and free for hotel guests.
A little farther afield is the state’s oldest and most-visited national park, Zion. Or, go the dog-friendly route and explore Coral Pink Sand Dunes state park together. On the hottest days, book a guided hike at Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon with Dreamland Tours. The vibrant red Navajo sandstone walls, towering 80-feet high, act as natural air conditioning—making this the perfect outdoor adventure when you need respite from the sun.
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