A Dog-Friendly Trip to Kanab, Utah

On our April 2025 Road Trip from Colorado to California, after the Grand Canyon, we drove to Kanab, Utah. We stayed in Kanab because I wanted to stay at the Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile and visit the Sanctuary. I have a lot of love and respect for Best Friends and their mission (I've even volunteered for them!).

Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile

The Roadhouse and Mercantile was, without a doubt, the dogs' favorite hotel of the trip. To call it dog-friendly is to undersell it; this place is made for pets.

Adam got some rest (he was still suffering from the nightmare illness that hit us both hard during this trip) while I got the dogs settled and enjoyed all the great amenities, including a washer and dryer, which we desperately needed at this stage of the trip.

The Dog Park

The amenity we used the most was the beautiful fenced dog park, with separate areas for small and large dogs. We probably visited five or six times during our one-night stay, because it was so nice!

The park had plenty of grass for the dogs, some rocky areas, and plants to sniff. There was also a cool splash pad, but Maya and Piper didn't like that at all.

As usual, Maya found the shade to relax in, and Piper found sticks to chew on.

The Room

The room was beautiful and had so many touches that made it a special place for the dogs:

• Doggy water bowls with a mat and a welcome sign
• A pull-out trundle bed, which Maya was initially skeptical of, but came to love
• An entryway with a second door, allowing you to keep your dogs inside the room while you come and go

(We're still looking for a way to buy a bed with a little doggy trundle bed for home.)

The Mercantile

The Mercantile had tons of cool Best Friends merchandise and pet accessories. They also had unlimited treats available for the dogs at any time. 

This is also where we picked up our lovely vegan breakfast, which was hearty and just what we needed after traveling (and recovering from sickness).

Peekaboo Canyon Wood Fired Kitchen

While Adam was resting (and not ready to eat), I ordered some pizza from Peekaboo Canyon Wood Fired Kitchen, which was conveniently right across the street from the Roadhouse.

Best Friends Sanctuary

While we were in Kanab, we visited Best Friends Sanctuary, driving the loop on Kanab Canyon Road. It was great to see the horses, pigs, and other animals that call Best Friends home (because we had the dogs with us, we couldn't visit Dogtown or Cat World).

Reflections

We had a great time in Kanab, and I would highly recommend staying at the Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile if you want a unique, pet-centric lodging experience.