Fall is a spectacular time of the year, when Mother Nature sets off her fireworks and lights up the hills with color. It’s the perfect excuse to pack the car, buckle up your pup, and enjoy a few pet friendly road trips!
The opportunities for leaf-peeping abound all across the country! We’ve gathered our top 10 picks for pet friendly road trips where the fall foliage is the main attraction. Of course, it’s also fun to discover a new place all your own!
Dog Friendly Road Trips for Fall
Aspen, Colorado
Named for a tree, you can bet the city of Aspen won’t disappoint when it comes to fall foliage. In late September the Aspen forest turns brilliant yellow. Set against the evergreens and rugged mountain peaks, the effect is truly extraordinary.
Fall is also the perfect time of the year to enjoy the hush that settles over town just before the crowds descend on this world-famous ski resort.
Aspen has no shortage of pet friendly activities. Spoil yourself with a 5-star lunch at the Terrace Bar at The Little Nell, where your pup will have his own pet menu.
Afterwards, have a romp at the Smuggler Mountain Road Off-Leash Area. And don’t miss the photo op at the Continental Divide at Independence Pass – just 19 miles southeast of Aspen on CO-82.
Pet friendly hotels in Aspen, Colorado
Bar Harbor, Maine
Encircled by Acadia National Park, and hugging Maine’s rocky shore, Bar Harbor is a sight to see any time of the year. But fall foliage gives this area a special glow.
Bar Harbor is a quaint maritime village that bustles with boutiques, galleries, inns, sidewalk cafés, specialty shops, and guest houses. Visitors here can immerse themselves in the autumn colors by car, bike, boat, and on foot.
Spend your time exploring the 165 miles of pet friendly hiking trails and carriage 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
READ MORE ⇒ Visiting Acadia National Park With Pets
Bend, Oregon
Bend’s sunny days and crisp, cool evenings are the epitome of fall weather. And the autumn perfection doesn’t end there in this high desert town.
The bright foliage is only part of Bend’s attraction, as the city dubbed “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 drive. There are plenty of places for you and your dog to explore along the way.
Don’t miss 10 Barrel Brewing Company, our first choice for tasty pub food. And if you enjoy that, check out more than two dozen local establishments on the Bend Ale Trail brewery tour.
Pet friendly hotels in Bend, Oregon
READ MORE ⇒ Three-Day Itinerary In Pet Friendly Bend, Oregon
Duluth, Minnesota
The quiet hardwood forests of the Midwest meet the shores of Lake Superior in the city of Duluth. Highway 61 is all that divides the lake and the national forest, winding through sleepy towns and past lighthouses that keep a steady watch.
A highlight of pet friendly road trips here is basking in the hospitality of the locals you’ll meet.
Stretching for four miles along Lake Superior, Duluth’s Downtown Lake Walk is not to be missed. And for some real hikes, check out the pet friendly waterfall trails along the North Shore.
Be sure to snap a picture at Duluth’s Ariel Bridge. And if your pup likes to splash, head over to Park Point Beach, where dogs can enjoy a swim!
Pet friendly hotels in Duluth, Minnesota
READ 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 out along the ridges of the Catskill Mountains. Steeped in history and natural beauty, this area 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 overlook at Bear Mountain State Park. And enjoy a tasting in the courtyard at Brotherhood Winery – America’s oldest winery.
Pet friendly road trips to 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 the Hudson Valley, New York
READ MORE ⇒ Dog Friendly Activities in New York’s Hudson Valley
Jackson, Wyoming
Just south of Grand Teton National Park, right on the border of Bridger-Teton National Forest, sits the little town of Jackson, Wyoming. Magnificent scenery is a given here, but in 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 area’s larch trees turn a flashy gold among the evergreens. It’s a spectacular site. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll spot some wildlife, too!
Enjoy the 43-mile scenic loop drive through the national park, but be aware that pets are not allowed on any of the trails there.
For dog friendly fun, check out the trails in the national forest. Snow King is a favorite for its convenience to town and inspiring views of the city of Jackson.
Pet friendly hotels in Jackson, Wyoming
READ MORE ⇒ Discovering Dog Friendly Activities in the Tetons
Natchez Trace Parkway
Winding for 445 miles between Nashville, Tennessee and Natchez, Mississippi, the Natchez Trace is a favorite for pet friendly road trips.
What started as buffalo paths turned into Native American trails, and then became one of America’s most famous frontier routes. Now the National Park Service administers the two-lane highway that parallels the original trail, so you can experience the landscape as it’s always been.
Stop at one of the visitor centers, located at either end of the parkway, and pick up a map with descriptions of the historic sites. As you travel the Trace, stop to enjoy the scenic overlooks, picnic areas, and hiking opportunities. The mile markers are clearly indicated, and you’ll find plenty of interesting places for you and your pet to stretch your legs.
You can also find campsites and accommodations in the towns and cities along the route.
Pet friendly hotels in Nashville, Tennessee
READ MORE ⇒ Exploring The Pet Friendly Natchez Trace
Portland, Oregon & The Columbia River Gorge
Just east of Portland’s dynamic neighborhoods, the Columbia River Gorge cuts through the Cascade Mountains. The dazzling contrast it creates between cosmopolitan and wild beauty exceeds every traveler’s expectations.
And fall is the perfect time for pet friendly road trips. The foliage is at its peak from mid-September to mid-October — just before the rainy season arrives!
With more than twenty bakeries turning out the most creative dog goodies you can imagine, Portland might be your pup’s favorite destination. When it’s time to walk off those treats, Forest Park offers more than 70 miles of pet friendly hiking and walking trails.
Don’t miss the numerous waterfalls along the Gorge – more than 90 on the Oregon side of the river alone! The Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area is managed by the US Forest Service, so leashed pets are welcome to join you on all the trails.
Pet friendly hotels in Portland, Oregon
READ MORE ⇒ Pet Friendly Things To Do In Portland, Oregon
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Just 75 miles from Washington, DC, Shenandoah’s wooded hollows, cascading waterfalls, and serene vistas reach the height of their fall color in mid- to late-October.
Skyline Drive gives the best advantages as it snakes for 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Any of the 75 overlooks along the route will leave you breathless.
On your drive through Shenandoah, plan to stop the car and enjoy the trails. There are more than 500 miles of park trails, and most of them are pet friendly. Plan a picnic lunch, or grab your tent and make it a weekend trip!
Pet friendly hotels in Charlottesville, Virginia
READ MORE ⇒ A Pet Friendly Tour Of The National Mall In Washington, DC
Stowe, Vermont
Nestled in Vermont’s Green Mountains, 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 some spectacular views. The beech, birch, and maple trees are decked out in their fall colors from mid-September through early October.
For sweeping views of the area, take a dog friendly gondola ride at Stowe Mountain Resort. Then hit the Stowe Recreational Path, a 5.2-mile, paved trail that winds along the river into town.
Don’t forget to stop at Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream in Waterbury to stock up on your favorite flavors. Leashed pets are welcome on the grounds!
Pet friendly hotels in Stowe, Vermont
Is the road calling to you? Perhaps it’s time to get out there and feel the wind in your fur. Waggin’ trails!
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