Best Dog-Friendly Summer Road Trip Spots

Want to take a vacation, but don’t want the hassle of flying? Why not plan a road trip? The best part about road trips is that it’s easy for your pup to join you as a co-driver. If you haven’t decided where you want to go yet, take a look at our list of the best dog-friendly summer travel spots.

Holbrook, AZ

This small Arizona town is home to Holbrook Dog Park, a small but very clean park across the street from one of the city’s pet-friendly lodgings — but that’s not what makes it a summer travel spot ideal for dogs. Holbrook is a short drive from Petrified Forest National Park, which is an ideal destination for owners wishing to hike with their dogs. That’s because unlike many other national parks, dogs are allowed in the backcountry areas, which means you don’t have to stick to the main trails. We recommend visiting the Rainbow Forest which has a landscape as colorful as the name suggests.

San Francisco, California

Believe it or not, more dogs reside in San Francisco than children. Knowing this, it’s no surprise that the city is very well suited to canine visitors. Your pup is welcome to join you on a leash as you explore the main outdoor sites in this hilly town, but when he’s ready for some off-leash fun, you can head to one of the many designated off-leash areas, as :

• ocean beach
• Baker’s Beach
• Lafayette Park Dog Playground
• Golden Gate Park Dog Training Area

The city is also home to DogFest, an annual festival held each April that celebrates dogs and raises funds for a local elementary school. You can expect a variety of vendors, food, community organizations and events to watch – including a dog show with prizes for the best ears – so plan ahead if you want to go there. next year !

Raleigh, North Carolina

Are you a beer-loving pet parent? Then North Carolina should be high on your road trip bucket list! In July 2019, the Governor of North Carolina signed a bill allowing dogs (and cats!) to accompany their parents to any state brewery, as long as they weren’t serving food. Raleigh is a great choice because there are several breweries throughout the city, so you can organize a little beer crawl with your pup. Once your thirst has been quenched, you can visit the North Carolina Museum of Art, which features a paved outdoor walking path lined with statues and sculptures, some of which are up to 50 feet tall!

Portland, OR

If you left your road trip destination up to your dog, we’re pretty sure Portland would be their first choice. Not only is the city surrounded by dog-friendly hiking trails, such as the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, but there are also over 30 dog parks in the city. You read that right – over 30! That’s more dog parks per capita than any other major city in the country. Some of his most popular include:

• Sellwood Waterfront Park
• Mount Tabor Off-Leash Dog Park
• chimney park
• Lynchwood Park

Portland has no shortage of bars and restaurants and restaurants that welcome dogs, including the Lucky Labrador Breweryso you can refresh yourself with a drink after your outing to the park, or in the parks!

Austin, TX

The city of Austin is well known for its network of parks and lakes where locals and tourists alike flock when they feel like hiking and swimming. But did you know that they have a whole lakeside park just for dogs? Red Bud Isle Off-Leash Dog Park has 13 acres of recreational space, including a dog-only area of ​​the lake! This is the perfect opportunity to have a little picnic by the water, featuring your pup’s Freshpet recipe. If you’re looking for a fun indoor activity to escape the heat, check out Austin Dogaa yoga and mindfulness class designed for you and your dog to enjoy together.

Duncan, Colorado

Duncan is not on this list because we think you should visit the sights in town. In fact, Duncan is technically a ghost town! The good thing about it is that it is home to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. It is perhaps best known for its towering dunes, but you can find a wide range of landscapes including:

• Aspen forests
• Alpine lakes
• meadows
• Tundra

As long as he stays on a leash, you can bring your dog into the reserve, including the Mosca Pass trail, as well as major areas of the park including:

• Pinon Flats Campground
• Dunes Overlook Trail
• Primitive Medano Pass Road

Mount Desert Island, Maine

Mount Desert Island is the second largest island on the east coast and is a popular summer destination for day trippers. The town of Bar Harbor serves as the gateway to nearby Acadia National Park, but is worth a visit for its many dog-friendly cafes, restaurants, and beer halls. Inside the park itself, you and your pup can explore the mainland’s 100 miles of hiking trails, plus an additional 45 miles of carriage roads that cover everything from woods and beaches to mountain peaks.

We hope this list has given you some inspiration for dog-friendly summer destinations, but before you hit the road, make sure you’ve packed all the essentials for any summer trip with pets!