There is nothing like sharing your vacation with your pets. Watching your best friend bound through ocean waves, swim across a lake, hike in the redwoods by your side, or just looking at the grandeur of the Grand Canyon together increases the enjoyment of your travels. Finding destinations that not only allow pets but are pet friendly can be tough.

There’s not much worse than showing up at your destination after a long day of driving, with reservations booked, only to find out your dog isn’t welcome. Thankfully, there are ways to find pet friendly destinations!

Bookmark These Pages Now!

Gopetfriendly.com maintains lists of many different pet friendly locations, from dog parks, public parks, beaches, and more. You can find campgrounds and hotels, as well as pet supply stores. If you need a veterinarian while traveling they list these, too. They even list restaurants and wineries where dogs are welcome. Their coverage area includes both the US and Canada. Their motto is, “Pet Travel. Made Easy.”

FidoFriendly.com has both an online site and a magazine; both of which are geared towards making life with dogs easier. The travel section lists destinations, a travel map with friendly locations marked, and a section listing new hot deals. Fido Friendly’s travel blog covers new locations now allowing dogs as well as travel gear and tips. In other sections of the web site and magazine, Fido Friendly also lists apartments that allow pets.

BringFido.com is a pet friendly hotel and travel directory for dog owners. Their website says they list more than 100,000 places to stay, play, and eat with your dog. The website also lists activities and events including dog walks, beaches that allow dogs, dog runs, fundraisers and more.

Petfriendlytravel.com is another website dedicated to finding pet friendly hotels, motels, campgrounds, and RV parks as well as dog parks, beaches, and dog events. Their website is easily searched for your destination and is packed with information for the US and Canada.

AAA.org The AAA is well known for their awesome roadside service and members know how many discounts are available on everything from movie tickets to hotels and amusement park admissions. However, AAA also understands that pets are important and their travel guides also list if a destination accepts pets, requires a pet deposit, and whether or not there are any restrictions. These include hotels and campgrounds.

Good Sam Club is an organization catering to RV owners and since the vast majority of RV owners travel with a pet or two, the Good Sam club also provides a great deal of information for pet owners. On goodsam.com their guides list whether destinations allow dogs and any restrictions (such as dog weight or how many dogs are allowed) may apply. They also list dog friendly events that might be happening at your destination.

And More. The National Park Service maintains a website about our national parks and has a page that details the rules for dogs, horses, and other pets. Go to www.nps.gov/subjects/petsfor more information. Our national forests, state parks, county, and local parks may also allow dogs. Search for the appropriate governing body to find out more.

Have Fun!

Enjoying the time traveling with your dog is the best. You’ll see our world through his eyes and you’ll wish you could know what he’s smelling when he’s got his nose in the air.

At the same time, though, please abide by the rules of your destination. If the rules say, “All dogs must be on leash,” please do so. Many formerly dog friendly locations now are not because of broken rules. You can abide by the rules and still have fun. Enjoy!