8 Places Your Dog Absolutely Wants To Go On Vacation
Earlier this week we started a series of posts highlighting some of our favorite pet friendly places around the country. From great dog beaches, to perfectly pet friendly accommodations … these are the best of the best when it comes to pet travel! Today we’re bringing you the next eight places your dog absolutely wants to go on vacation.
Dog Beach – Cannon Beach, Oregon
This glorious 8-mile stretch of beach on Oregon’s coast is one of the most idyllic places you’ll ever visit. The forested mountains rising in the background, the massive rock formations projecting from the ocean, and the wide, sandy beach where dogs are welcome to splash in the surf … it just doesn’t get any better than that.
Dog Mountain – St. Johnsbury, Vermont
Dog Mountain was built by artist Stephen Huneck to give dog lovers a place to enjoy the pups in their lives, and to remember the ones who have passed on. Set on a mountain top in northeastern Vermont, it’s a 150-acre haven with hiking trails, dog ponds, a dog chapel, and art gallery. Dogs are not just welcome here, they are cherished!
Rock City – Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Built in the late 1920s on the estate of Garnet and Frieda Carter, Rock City is an unforgettable roadside attraction. The winding trails through grottos, giant rock outcroppings, and along cliff ledges are populated with indigenous plant life and statues of gnomes and fairytale characters. The Flagstone Trail is pet friendly and takes you across the swinging bridge to Lover’s Leap and the Seven State Flag Court, where the flags of all seven states you can see from this point fly.
White Sands National Monument – Alamogordo, New Mexico
Though it’s called White Sands, these brilliant dunes in southern New Mexico are actually gypsum particles that have been blown across the Tularosa Basin. Dunes Drive cuts though the center of the park and runs for eight miles, providing access to four different types of dunes. Park the car, kick off your shoes, and hit one of the many trails – dogs on leash are welcome throughout the park!
Lake Louise – Banff National Park, Alberta
The stunning emerald color, surrounding mountains, and massive glaciers combine to make Lake Louise one of the most unique pet friendly destinations anywhere in the world. There are several trailheads originating here, but we recommend the hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House. It’s a strenuous climb, so allow yourself plenty of time, because the views and the meal at the end of the trail are well worth the effort.
Glen Highland Farm – Morris, New York
Less than 200 miles from Manhattan and 260 miles from Boston, Glen Highland Farm is a dog’s dream come true. This former dairy farm has been transformed into everything a dog could want: 175 off-leash acres complete with woods, trails, a creek, fields for frisbee, fetch, or nose work, agility equipment, dog beaches, and a 2.5-acre pond where your pup can practice retrieving. Bring your own RV or rent one of theirs. Or choose one of their comfortable cabins or glamping tents. Then relax and watch your dog have the best time of his life.
Sunset at Mallory Square – Key West, Florida
When it comes to celebrating the end of the day, few places can rival Key West. Starting a couple of hours before the sun takes her regular dip into the Gulf of Mexico, the nightly festivities begin at Mallory Square. Local musicians, artists, food vendors, magicians, jugglers, clowns, and psychics, come together to create a unparalleled cultural experience.
Zilker Park and Botanical Garden – Austin, Texas
No dog friendly trip to Austin would be complete without a stop in Zilker Park. This 350-acre preserve is split by Barton Springs Road, with the area to the north being off-leash, and to the south where dogs must be kept on-leash – except in the creek just below the pool where they are welcome to have a splash. Just up the road is the Botanical Garden, with six themed gardens covering 31 acres, all of which are pet friendly!
