When you close your eyes and imagine yourself on the open road, who is in the passenger seat? Who is your ideal companion? Is it someone who’s just along for the ride, loves the journey as much as the destination, and doesn’t dare criticize your carefully curated playlist even after the third time through? Are you envisioning your dog, tongue and fur to the wind? Even if they’re not your only road trip companion, they’re likely your best, so it’s important to factor in their few needs (and demands) when planning your next trip. Our friends at Ollie have a few recommendations for bringing your pup along for the ride, and their freshly cooked meals make for the perfect fuel for any adventure.
So, what makes a road trip or destination dog-friendly? The simple answer is preparation — packing wisely and researching ahead of time to ensure a backcountry site is safe or that viral motel can accommodate your pup. There’s plenty of room in the plan for spontaneity without risking your dog’s comfort and safety. Choosing destinations and waypoints that match your experience and comfort levels is also a must. Are you willing to carry out waste or carry in potable water? Are you prepared to hoof it a few miles to a medical aide site? If it’s your first time traveling with your pup, or you have yet to earn your orienteering badge, consider easing in with one of these dog-approved road trips.
East Coast
Green Mountains to Block Island
Photo Credit: Rfael Rodrigues via Unsplash
New England is ripe for a road trip with its countless dog-friendly beaches and green mountain trails. The sights and smells of the far northeast are unmistakable and marked by a mix of nostalgia and novelty that comes with having four distinct seasons.
Stop 1: St. Johnsbury, Vermont
If there’s anything the region loves as much as its lighthouses and breweries, it’s dogs. Summit Vermont’s aptly named Dog Mountain, you’ll see how one man’s profound love for his pups has transformed into a mountaintop oasis for dog lovers and art enthusiasts alike. The living shrine, Dog Chapel, is a tribute to pups passed and an active space for various community events. Leashes are optional atop Dog Mountain and many of its neighboring trails.
Stop 2: White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
Heading south to New Hampshire, you and your pup will be treated to a low-key, high-elevation adventure — at least the highest you’ll find in the East. We like to think the state’s motto, “live free or die,” was penned by an off-leash dog who understood the thrill of tackling multiple presidential peaks in a day or scaling Mount Washington’s 6,288 feet by foot, car, or railway. Even if the phrase is more an artifact of the region’s role in the Revolutionary War than a dogism, there is an undeniable feeling of freedom and fortitude in the White Mountains that might just bring out your inner dog.
Stop 3: Block Island, Rhode Island
Heading down to sea level, you’ll find the quintessential views of New England seen on postcards and calendars. You might want to temporarily ditch your vehicle in the name of what has been described as a “dog’s dream.” Rhode Island’s Block Island is a coastal haven with a myriad of public beaches open to dogs and their humans year-round. If you’re feeling social after long hours behind the wheel, Ballard’s Beach is a lively place to stretch your legs, grab a drink, and mingle with other beachgoers. Vaill Beach might be more your speed if you and your pup seek solitude. The more secluded location means fewer amenities (and people!), but it’s never short on stunning sunset views, beachcombing, and rugged adventure.
West Coast
Lake Tahoe to Big Sur
Photo Credit: Vladimir Kudinov via Unsplash
To say the trip from Tahoe to Big Sur is iconic suggests every photograph, work of art, or piece of literature has done it justice. Trust us when we say the feeling of driving down the Pacific Coast Highway can not be captured by film or pen, though you can’t blame anyone for trying.
Stop 1: Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
While South Lake Tahoe is known for being more bustling and buzzing than its northern counterpart, the amenities that come with tourism tend to benefit our canine companions. Bijou Community Park sits lakeside, offering a wide-open space for you and your dog to roam. It is also a dedicated, fenced-in dog park for pups prone to wandering. For a long, steady hike with rewarding views of the whole lake, the Mt. Tallac climb could be in the stars. Be sure to pack plenty of water, food, treats, and poop bags, and be prepared to enter the ominously named Desolation Wilderness, which requires registration at the trailhead. If you’re not up for an all-day adventure, Van Sickle Bi-State Park boasts some pretty epic views of the area without the trek. Plus, this conservation area traverses California and Nevada state lines if you want to check multiple destinations off your list.
Stop 2: Yosemite National Park, California
National Parks aren’t inherently dog-friendly. Even if they permit pets on park grounds, that doesn’t guarantee the experience will be ideal for four-legged hikers. Yosemite National Park, however, sticks out in the pack with its four-day dog-friendly itinerary that includes pet-safe hotels, hikes, and more in the Yosemite Mariposa County area. Don’t expect just the greatest hits; this itinerary includes hidden gems like Olmsted Point and other pup-approved trails and viewing points.
Stop 3: Fort Funston, California
If you’d rather hit the coast immediately after taking on Tahoe, Fort Funston offers a sandy retreat just outside San Francisco. Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area,the fort has trails for every level and plenty of beachfront spots for when you and your pup want to take a load off and soak up some sun. Dogs are welcome off and on leash in most park areas; just watch for horses clopping down the mixed-use Bay Area Ridge Trail.
Stop 4: Carmel, California
Highway 1 runs along most of California’s coastline, though you’ll swear the state highway teleported you to a Mediterranean village when you enter Carmel-by-the-Sea in Monterey County. The town’s eclectic architecture is a testament to the area’s Spanish settlement, as it is nearly entirely walkable or bikeable roadways. Carmel Beach is just a stone’s throw away and offers a mile-long meander along the ocean, bordered by bush lupine, wild lilac, and other coastal plantlife bursting with color and life. Once you and your pup have gotten enough sand between your toes, the nearby Terry’s Lounge hosts a “Yappy Hour” beginning at 4:30 pm for dogs and cats of all sizes. Pop by for a cocktail and wash up before dinner at the bar’s pet wash area.
Stop 5: Big Sur, California
Leaving Carmel, you’ll lose cell service, but if there’s one place to go off the grid, it’s Big Sur. When the Santa Lucia Mountains rise out of thin air to meet you and block your signal, you’ll have no choice but to get lost in the drama of the rugged landscape. We do recommend downloading a map ahead of time, so you don’t actually get lost. Just driving down the guardrail-less section of Highway 1 is an adventure all its own, but Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is the perfect place to reground yourself after the long, winding descent. The park has both day-use and overnight camping areas available. The campsites are relatively spread out, allowing you and your pup a little space and shade among the stately redwood trees. We recommend making Pfeiffer Beach your final destination if you’re feeling beached out. The purple sands and gnarled cliffs make this secluded spot unlike any other in this itinerary, and the famed Keyhole Rock is one of the most photographed natural landmarks in the area.
Photo Credit: Ollie
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