Places to Travel with Your Dog

If you’ve been following along on the blog, you’ll know that I am a dogmom. I’m a bit obsessed with my rescue pups, Kit & Wesley. If I can take them with me when I’m traveling, I do! Some of their favorite spots include local New York State Parks, the Adirondack mountains, and Vermont breweries. I reached out to some fellow travel bloggers who travel with their pups. They’ve shared their advice on dog-friendly places to visit. Enjoy their stories!

Originally published May 15, 2019. Updated and republished August 16, 2020.

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Portland, Maine

Contributed by Stephanie Vermillion from The Wanderlost Way & Harry

As a student living in Boston, I’d dreamed of visiting Portland, Maine, for all things lobster and lighthouses, but it wasn’t until I moved to New York City that I decided to make the trip. Thank goodness I waited, because my dream trip to Portland became four paws more adorable. I rescued my pup, Harry, right before moving to NYC; this Portland road trip was one of our first times traveling together.

While I went in a bit nervous—Would the restaurants let him in? Would he feel comfortable?—I was quickly put to ease when the Sebago Brewpub warmly welcomed us on their outdoor patio. From that point on, the dog-friendly Portland fun didn’t stop. We went to renowned breweries like Allagash and Maine Beer Company, stayed at a dog-friendly VRBO, and walked for hours scouting some of South Portland’s most gorgeous lighthouses (Spring Point Ledge was our favorite!).

We even took a day trip north to Freeport, Maine, where Harry was the VIP guest at L.L. Bean’s Flagship Store. Our other day trip to Peaks Island got Harry on his first boat; from the brief (but adorable) ferry ride to the coastal Peaks Island walking paths, this was one of his favorite adventures. But for Harry, nothing beat his time at the dog-friendly Willard Beach, where he met and played with dozens of friendly pups.

If a dog-friendly trip is on your horizon, Portland is a chill, welcoming place to take your pup for a weekend, a week, or longer!

See more from Stephanie & Harry:

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Contributed by Samantha Shaw from A Truthful Traveler

Picture this: your dog romping down a beach, splashing in the waves, snout covered in sand and ears flying in the wind. Taking your dogs to Cannon Beach in Oregon is one of the best treats you can give them!

Like most beaches along the Oregon Coast, Cannon Beach has loose guidelines about leashes. If a dog is under voice command, they can roam free among all the humans. On any given day there are almost as many dogs as people, and this stretch of public beach is beautiful! Home to world-famous Haystack Rock, a 235-foot sea stack just offshore, this artsy town and its namesake beach are a sight to see rain or shine! To see the sea stacks and the beach from a different vantage point, take a hike in the vast Ecola State Park. Dogs are allowed on the trails on leash, and the views from the cliff-side trails are unbeatable!

After frolicking along the wide, long beach, you and your dog can head over to one of the town’s many dog-friendly breweries. Public Coast Brewing is one of my favorites! With an outdoor patio that allows dogs, yummy milkshakes and fish tacos, it is the perfect way to unwind after a long day on the beach. Finish your day with a stroll around town to view the galleries and shops, and make sure to give your dog frequent water breaks at the many store-side water bowls!

See more from Samantha:

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Contributed by Shandos Cleaver from Travelnuity & Schnitzel

One of my favourite dog-friendly destinations in the USA is the Grand Canyon, in particular the South Rim around the Grand Canyon Village. It’s the perfect spot to visit to get some beautiful photos with your and your pup. Just be careful to keep hold of their leash – it’s a long way down!

Before visiting with your dog, there are some rules that you need to keep in mind. The key one is that dogs aren’t allowed below the rim, where the serious hiking trails are located. Dogs are also not allowed on the shuttle buses. This rules out visiting the Hermits Road area to the west of the village between March and November, when the shuttle bus is in operation, except for on foot along the Rim Trail.

My top recommendation for visiting with a dog is to walk part of this magnificent Rim Trail. With a total distance of 13 miles (or 26 miles return), pick and choose the section that you’d like to hike. Flat and paved, it’s an easy walk, with the sections around the Grand Canyon Village and Visitor Centre most popular.

I also recommend heading along the drive to Desert View, which is open year-round to vehicles. There’s multiple viewpoints to stop at along the way, easily accessible from your car with your dog.

Dogs are allowed at the Mather Campground, Trailer Village and Desert View Campground, as long as they are kept on a leash. Enquire at the multiple lodges in the village for whether dogs are allowed, otherwise there are affordable pet-friendly hotels in Flagstaff and Williams. An additional option if you’re wanting to venture below the rim is the on-site kennel.

See more from Shandos & Schnitzel:

Carolina Beach, North Carolina

Contributed by Emily Adams from The Planking Traveler & Sasha

My husband found an amazing Airbnb that was a renovated shipping container 2 blocks from the beach. It was completely pet-friendly with easy to clean furniture that our fur baby Sasha made herself at home on! We enjoyed taking her to the beach there and also to Carolina Beach State Park. The park has a neat Venus Flytrap Trail where you can see many types of carnivorous plants. She loved being outside and seeing some other dogs on that trail, along with playing in the sand.

After that, we found a pet-friendly brewery called the Sour Barn to hang out in for a while. They had a comfortable inside space with a couch she quickly claimed! Out back was a huge area for lounging. They have a fire pit, a place to play disc golf, and plenty of room to socialize.

The next day we ended up coming across a Bubble Tea cafe called Tap Tap Tea Bar. The cafe also allowed dogs and even gave her a doggy biscuit! They had board games to play while we enjoyed our bubble tea infused with oreos. Really cool spot! The weather turned rainy toward the end of our visit. Since Sasha’s a little afraid of the rain, we ended up taking a stroll to the local Lowe’s hardware. She got her exercise in while staying dry and my husband got to drool over all the tools he “needed”! Safe to say that everybody was happy!

See more from Emily & Sasha:

Ocean Beach, California

Contributed by Jennifer & Ed Coleman from Coleman Concierge

Ocean Beach is a quirky little beach town just outside of San Diego California. And it’s a perfect place to travel with your dog. The coastal California weather is always perfect for your furry friends. But it’s the community spirit that sets Ocean Beach apart.

Shops welcome dogs by offering drinks and treats to their fluffy guests. Restaurants invite pooches onto their patios, and everybody stops to pet your puppy. Off the main strip, we’d recommend Azucar and Raglan Public House. Afterward, enjoy a walk down Ocean Beach Pier to enjoy the sunset with your canine companion. BO-beau Kitchen offers French comfort food (and a smoking happy hour) walking distance from Dog Beach. Ocean Beach hosts numerous outdoor festivals, like the OB Street Fair or Kite Festival. They each allow you and your pet to enjoy that unique OB vibe.

Of course, what the doggiest place in this doggone town? Dog Beach – one of the first official leash-free beaches in the United States. You and your pup can run free in the sand and making new friends as you go. You can also try some uniquely social sports like dog surfing and even dog yoga! Why endure a holiday where dogs are merely tolerated when they are celebrated in Ocean Beach?

See more from Jennifer & Ed:

Dahab, Egypt

Contributed by Nadine from Curls En Route

If you happen to be vacationing with your doggo in Egypt, then Dahab is hands down the most pet-friendly town in the country. The beach town is located in the Southern part of the Sinai peninsula. And it’s one of Egypt’s most heavenly, underrated destinations among tourists. From diving in the Red Sea’s finest reefs to hiking and rock climbing the mountainous desert, Dahab has it all.

The town, which is an hour and half away from Sharm El Sheikh, is known for its local dog community. But no, they’re not typical stray dogs; their lives are actually goals for many of us, believe it or not. Beach, sun, and friendly locals; what more can they ask for? They’re often owned by locals or taken care of by them; they even have names! So, don’t worry about your furry companion. It’ll probably be making new friends there. Lots of the hotels and camps in Dahab are pet-friendly, as well as most cafés and restaurants.

Traveling around Egypt with your dog

Since your itinerary will probably include other destinations, you’re definitely wondering whether it’s easy to travel with your dog within Egypt. Well, for starters, you need to rent a car because buses and trains won’t accept pets on board. As for other cities, it really depends on where you go. If you’re in Cairo, there are plenty of kennels and pet sitters that could offer day care and boarding for pets. Also, it shouldn’t be a problem for some luxury hotels. This will make it easier if you’ll be out sightseeing, going on day-trips, or going to Luxor and Aswan for a few days.

See more from Nadine:

I hope you enjoyed reading these recommendations from my fellow bloggers! Do you have a favorite dog-friendly place to visit? Let me know in the comments!