Having dogs has definitely changed the way my husband and I think about vacations. Since we got our first dog six years ago, we have taken one vacation without our dogs, and that was to attend our son’s wedding. It isn’t that we don’t want to travel. The bigger issue is that we simply aren’t comfortable leaving them with someone else.
Even if we found someone we completely trusted to take care of them, I know us well enough to know we would spend a good portion of the trip wondering how they were doing and whether they were missing us. It’s hard to fully enjoy a vacation when you’re worried that your dogs are at home wondering where you went.
That is one reason I started thinking more about vacations where the dogs don’t have to stay behind. Traveling with dogs requires some additional planning, but there are plenty of destinations where they can be part of the vacation rather than spending most of the trip sitting in a hotel room.
From beaches and mountain cabins to national parks and coastal towns, these dog-friendly vacation ideas offer something for all kinds of dogs—and their people.
Dog-Friendly Beach Towns: Jupiter and Carmel-by-the-Sea
For dogs that love the sand and water, a beach town can make an ideal vacation because time at the beach becomes an activity everyone can enjoy.
Jupiter, Florida, has a designated 2.5-mile stretch of dog-friendly beach running from beach marker #26 at Marcinski Road north to marker #57 at the Carlin Park property line. Dogs within the designated area aren’t required to remain leashed, although they need to be well behaved and respond to their owner’s voice commands.
That gives dogs a chance to do more than walk beside you on a leash. They can play in the sand, splash in the water, and enjoy the beach right along with the rest of the family. A Jupiter getaway could easily include mornings at the beach, downtime at a pet-friendly rental, and evenings somewhere you can eat outdoors with your dog nearby.
Florida temperatures are important to consider, especially with breeds that don’t handle heat well. Early mornings and evenings are generally more comfortable for enjoying the beach with your dog than the heat of the afternoon.
On the opposite coast, Carmel-by-the-Sea is an appealing option for a dog-friendly California beach vacation. At Carmel Beach, dogs can be off leash as long as they’re under their owner’s voice control. For a dog that loves to run and play on the beach, that can make the destination especially appealing.
The surrounding community also offers restaurants, shops, coastal scenery, and plenty of opportunities to walk and explore. This is what I would look for when choosing a vacation with our dogs. I don’t just want a hotel that says pets are permitted. I want a destination where having the dogs with us wouldn’t prevent us from enjoying the trip.
St. Augustine, Florida: Explore a Historic Coastal City
St. Augustine offers something different from a vacation centered around the beach. You can combine coastal time with walking, sightseeing, outdoor dining, and exploring the historic city.
This is the kind of destination where I would pay extra attention to the location of the hotel or vacation rental. Being within walking distance of the places you want to explore means less time getting your dog in and out of the car and more opportunities to head outside together.
Nearby dog-friendly beaches can also give you a break from sightseeing. You could spend one day exploring the historic area and another enjoying the coast, with your dog along for both.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia: Head for the Mountains
A national park sounds like a natural choice for a vacation with a dog, but that isn’t always the case. Pet restrictions vary considerably among national parks, particularly when it comes to hiking trails.
Shenandoah National Park is a great option for traveling with a dog. Dogs are permitted on most of the park’s trails, with fewer than 20 miles of its more than 500 miles of trails closed to pets. Dogs must be kept on a physical leash no longer than six feet, and owners still need to check individual trail restrictions before setting out.
For an active dog that enjoys long walks and being outdoors, this could be a completely different vacation from a traditional hotel-and-sightseeing trip. You can hike through the Blue Ridge Mountains, stop at scenic overlooks, and spend much of the vacation outside together.
The important thing is choosing trails for your dog rather than just choosing the trail you want to hike. Age, stamina, paw condition, weather, and previous hiking experience all matter.
Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, Maine: Combine the Coast and Outdoors
Maine gives you beautiful coastal scenery without giving up the outdoor activities that can make traveling with a dog so much fun. Staying around Bar Harbor also puts you close to Acadia National Park.
Leashed dogs are welcome in many areas of Acadia, although some restrictions apply. Pets aren’t allowed on ladder trails, in public buildings, at certain beaches, or in lakes that serve as public drinking-water supplies.
What I like about a destination like this is the variety. You can spend one day exploring trails and scenic areas and the next enjoying the coast at a slower pace.
Amelia Island, Florida: Slow Things Down
Not every dog needs a vacation filled with activities. Amelia Island is a nice option when you want a quieter getaway with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the outdoors with your dog.
A pet-friendly vacation rental near the beach could give you a comfortable home base for morning walks, time outside, and plenty of downtime. This style of vacation can be especially appealing for older dogs or dogs that aren’t suited for long hikes, crowded cities, or a constantly changing itinerary.
A vacation rental can make this type of trip even more comfortable, giving you and your dog more space, easier access to the outdoors, and a place to settle in between walks and other activities.
Rent a Dog-Friendly Cabin in the Mountains
You don’t need to pick a famous destination at all. Renting a cabin somewhere in North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, or another mountain destination could be one of the easiest ways to take a true vacation with your dog.
A cabin gives everyone more space, and you can choose a property based on your dog’s needs rather than trying to fit your dog into a traditional vacation.
When searching for a rental, look for features such as:
- A fenced yard or enclosed outdoor space
- Easy access to walking or hiking trails
- Hard-surface floors that are easy to clean
- Few or no stairs if traveling with an older dog
- Enough room for beds, crates, food, and other supplies
- A comfortable porch or deck
- Clear pet policies without excessive restrictions
A cabin can also be a good choice for dogs that aren’t comfortable around crowds or unfamiliar people. You still get the scenery and change of pace of a vacation while giving your dog a quieter, more comfortable place to stay.
Make a Road Trip Part of the Vacation
A road trip gives you more flexibility when traveling with a dog. Instead of rushing to one destination, you can plan the route around dog-friendly parks, beaches, trails, and overnight stops.
It also allows you to adjust the schedule when necessary. If your dog needs a longer break, you can take one. If everyone is tired, you can stop earlier than planned.
An RV is another option for traveling with your dog, giving you the freedom to visit different campgrounds, state parks, and outdoor destinations while having your accommodations with you along the way.
Whichever way you travel, preparing before you leave makes a difference. Food, water, medications, identification, bedding, cleanup supplies, and familiar items from home are just some of the things worth packing when traveling with pets.
The Best Vacation Depends on Your Dog
A destination being dog-friendly doesn’t automatically mean it’s right for your dog.
Some dogs thrive on activity and new experiences. They may love hiking trails, meeting people, exploring a new town, and going everywhere with you. Other dogs are happier with a predictable routine, fewer strangers, and plenty of quiet time.
Before planning a trip, think about:
- How your dog handles long car rides
- Whether they’re comfortable around unfamiliar people and dogs
- Their normal activity level and physical limitations
- How well they tolerate hot or cold weather
- Whether they can comfortably walk the distances you’re planning
- How they behave in hotels or unfamiliar homes
- Whether they need medications, special food, or other accommodations
This is probably one of the biggest considerations for us. Taking our dogs along would eliminate the worry of leaving them at home, but that only works if we choose a vacation they would be comfortable taking.
Look Beyond the Words “Pet-Friendly”
One thing I would never assume is that “pet-friendly” automatically means a destination will be easy to enjoy with your dog.
A hotel may allow dogs but charge a substantial pet fee, have weight or breed restrictions, limit the number of dogs per room, or prohibit you from leaving your dog unattended. Vacation rentals can have similar restrictions.
The same thing applies once you leave your accommodations. A town may be known as a dog-friendly destination, but that doesn’t necessarily mean dogs are allowed at the attractions you want to visit.
Before booking a trip, check:
- Hotel or vacation-rental pet fees
- Number, size, or breed restrictions
- Beach and park leash requirements
- Seasonal beach restrictions
- Restaurant patio policies
- Hiking trail restrictions
- Expected temperatures during your trip
- Nearby veterinary care
It is also worth confirming the rules directly with hotels, rentals, parks, and attractions shortly before you leave. Pet policies can change, and finding that out after you arrive can ruin your plans.
A Vacation Everyone Can Enjoy
For us, the biggest appeal of a dog-friendly vacation isn’t just being able to say that we traveled with our dogs. It is the possibility of taking a vacation without spending the entire time wondering if they’re at home missing us.
Bringing your dog does require more planning. You have to think about where you stay, what you do during the day, where you eat, and whether your dog will be comfortable with the activities you have planned. But choosing the right destination can make those extra considerations worthwhile.
Whether that means watching your dog play on a beach, taking a quiet mountain getaway, exploring trails together, or packing everyone into the car for a road trip, there are plenty of ways to plan a vacation where your dog doesn’t have to stay behind.