[ad_1]
Autumn is a spectacular time of year, when Mother Nature lights her fireworks and lights up the hills with color. It’s the perfect excuse to pack up the car, tie up your pup, and enjoy some pet-friendly car rides!
Eye-flapping opportunities abound across the country! We’ve rounded up our top 10 picks for road trips where the fall foliage is the main attraction. Of course, it’s also fun to discover a new place of your own!
Dog Friendly Road Trips for Fall
Aspen, Colorado
Named after a tree, you can bet the city of Aspen won’t disappoint when it comes to fall foliage. At the end of September, the forest of Aspen turns brilliant yellow. Against conifers and rugged mountain peaks, the effect is truly extraordinary.
Fall is also the perfect time of year to enjoy the silence that settles over the city just before the crowds descend on this world famous ski resort.
Aspen has no shortage of pet-friendly activities. Treat yourself to a 5-star lunch at the Little Nell’s Terrace Bar, where your pup will have their own pet menu.
Then, have fun in the off-leash area of Smuggler Mountain Road. And don’t miss the photo op at the Continental Divide at Independence Pass, just 30 miles southeast of Aspen on CO-82.
Pet-Friendly Hotels in Aspen, Colorado
Bar Harbor, Maine
Surrounded by Acadia National Park and hugging Maine’s rocky coastline, Bar Harbor is a sight to behold any time of the year. But the fall foliage gives this area a special glow.
Bar Harbor is a quaint maritime village filled with boutiques, galleries, inns, sidewalk cafes, specialty shops and guesthouses. Visitors can immerse themselves in the fall colors by car, bike, boat and on foot.
Spend your time exploring the 265 km of pet-friendly hiking trails and drivable roads in Acadia National Park. Or opt to admire the coast aboard a dog-friendly schooner cruise.
During your visit, be sure to visit the swimming pond and off-leash play area at Little Long Pond between Seal Harbor and Northeast Harbor.
Pet-Friendly Hotels in Bar Harbor, Maine
LEARN MORE ⇒ Visiting Acadia National Park with Pets
Bend, OR
Bend’s sunny days and cool, cool evenings are the epitome of fall weather. And the fall perfection doesn’t stop there in this high desert town.
The bright foliage is just part of Bend’s attraction, as the town nicknamed “Beer Town USA” celebrates Oktoberfest – complete with live music and the annual Wiener Dog Races!
Grab a map of the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway and enjoy the 66-mile ride. There are plenty of places for you and your dog to explore along the way.
Don’t miss 10 Barrel Brewing Company, our top pick for tasty pub food. And if you like that, discover more than two dozen local establishments on the Bend Ale Trail visit to the brewery.
Pet-Friendly Hotels in Bend, Oregon
LEARN MORE ⇒ Three-day itinerary in Pet Friendly Bend, Oregon
Duluth, Minnesota
The peaceful hardwood forests of the Midwest meet the shores of Lake Superior in the city of Duluth. Highway 61 is all that separates the lake and the state forest, winding through sleepy towns and past constantly watching headlights.
One of the highlights of pet-friendly road trips here is enjoying the hospitality of the locals you meet.
Stretching four miles along Lake Superior, Duluth’s downtown lakeside promenade is not to be missed. And for some real hiking, check out the pet-friendly waterfall trails along the North Shore.
Be sure to take a photo at Duluth’s Ariel Bridge. And if your pup likes to wade, head to Park Point Beach, where the dogs can swim!
Pet-Friendly Hotels in Duluth, Minnesota
LEARN MORE ⇒ Pet Friendly Hikes on the North Shore
Lake Superior, Minnesota
Hudson Valley, New York
Just 90 minutes north of Manhattan, the Hudson Valley stretches along the ridges of the Catskill Mountains. Steeped in history and natural beauty, this region is most vibrant when the reds, yellows and oranges of autumn paint the hillsides.
Prepare to be dazzled as you and your pet take in the views from the lookout at Bear Mountain State Park. And enjoy a tasting in the courtyard of Brotherhood Winery – America’s oldest winery.
Pet-friendly road trips in the Hudson Valley wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where you can truly embrace the spirit of the season.
Pet Friendly Hotels in Hudson Valley, New York
LEARN MORE ⇒ Dog Friendly Activities in New York’s Hudson Valley
Jackson, Wyoming
Just south of Grand Teton National Park, right on the border of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, is the small town of Jackson, Wyoming. Stunning scenery is a given here, but from early to mid-October Mother Nature pulls out all the stops and puts on a show like you’ve never seen.
With the snow-capped peaks in the background, the region’s larch trees turn a shimmering gold among the evergreens. It is a spectacular site. And, if you are lucky, you will also see wild animals!
Enjoy the 43-mile scenic loop through the national park, but be aware that pets are not allowed on any of the trails.
For fun with the dogs, check out the state forest trails. Snow King is a favorite for its proximity to town and inspiring views of the city of Jackson.
Pet-Friendly Hotels in Jackson, Wyoming
LEARN MORE ⇒ Discover Dog Friendly Activities in the Tetons
Natchez Trace Walk
Winding 445 miles between Nashville, Tennessee and Natchez, Mississippi, the Natchez Trace is a favorite for pet-friendly road trips.
What started as buffalo trails turned into Native American trails and then became one of America’s most famous border roads. Now the National Park Service administers the two-lane highway that parallels the original trail, so you can experience the landscape as it always was.
Stop at one of the visitor centers, located at either end of the walk, and pick up a map with descriptions of historic sites. As you travel the Trace, stop to enjoy scenic viewpoints, picnic spots, and hiking opportunities. Mile markers are clearly marked and you’ll find plenty of great places for you and your pet to stretch your legs.
You can also find campgrounds and accommodations in towns and villages along the route.
Pet-Friendly Hotels in Nashville, Tennessee
LEARN MORE ⇒ Explore the Natchez Pet Friendly Trace
Portland, Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge
Just east of Portland’s vibrant neighborhoods, the Columbia River Gorge cuts through the Cascade Mountains. The dazzling contrast it creates between cosmopolitan beauty and rugged beauty exceeds the expectations of every traveler.
And fall is the perfect time for road trips with pets. Foliage is at its peak from mid-September to mid-October — just before the rainy season arrives!
With over twenty bakeries churning out the most creative dog treats you can imagine, Portland just might be your pup’s favorite destination. When it’s time to leave those treats behind, Forest Park offers over 70 miles of pet-friendly hiking and walking trails.
Don’t miss the many waterfalls along the gorge – over 90 on the Oregon side of the river alone! The Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area is managed by the US Forest Service. Pets on a leash are therefore welcome to join you on all trails.
Pet-Friendly Hotels in Portland, Oregon
LEARN MORE ⇒ Pet Friendly Activities in Portland, Oregon
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Just 75 miles from Washington, DC, Shenandoah’s wooded hollows, cascading waterfalls, and serene vistas peak in their fall color from mid-October through late October.
Skyline Drive offers the best benefits as it winds 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Any of the 75 viewpoints along the route will take your breath away.
During your drive through Shenandoah, plan to stop the car and enjoy the trails. There are over 500 miles of trails in the park, and most of them are pet-friendly. Plan a picnic or grab your tent and make a weekend of it!
Pet-Friendly Hotels in Charlottesville, Virginia
LEARN MORE ⇒ A Pets Tour of the National Mall in Washington, DC
Stowe, Vermont
Nestled in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Stowe is the ticket to one of the best displays of foliage you’ll find in New England. Take the popular Green Mountain Byway along the mountain peaks between Waterbury and Stowe for spectacular views. The beeches, birches and maples take on their fall colors from mid-September to early October.
For stunning views of the area, take a dog-friendly gondola ride at Stowe Mountain Resort. Then take the Stowe Recreational Path, an 8.2-mile paved trail that winds along the river into town.
Don’t forget to stop by Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream in Waterbury to stock up on your favorite flavors. Animals on a leash are welcome on the grounds!
Pet-Friendly Hotels in Stowe, VT
The road is calling you? It might be time to get outside and feel the wind in your fur. Waggin Trails!
(Visited 16,724 times, 1 visits today)
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.