Sand Dunes in Utah
The pink sand dunes in southern Utah are so pretty!
Tag Archives: dog friendly travel
Our visit to the dog-friendly Grand Canyon | thepupdiary.com
13 AugWhile touring the wild west this summer we had to see the Grand Canyon National Park. At one mile deep, 18 miles wide, and 277 river miles long, it is one beautiful natural wonder of the world! Leashed dogs are welcome on South Rim trails above the rim and at certain campgrounds. It is important to read the “pet” section of the national park website before you go so you are aware of the rules and restrictions.
Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
Touring the Grand Canyon
We arrived later in the day to try to avoid the traffic. Mom had heard stories about big traffic problems and we were pleasantly surprised to find very little traffic and easy and ample parking near the visitor center. There are several miles of paved and unpaved rim trails where leashed dogs are welcome and views are spectacular! We saw several dogs along our walk. We even saw a doggy stroller! Maps are clearly marked with trail distances and services. We visited on an overcast and rainy day . . . so we will need to go back when it is sunny!
Grand Canyon National Park
Getting there
We rented a car and drove the 4.5 hours from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. Along the way we stopped at the Hoover Dam (dogs are only allowed in limited areas; they are not allowed on dam bridges, walls, or tours) and Historic Route 66.
Where we stayed
We stayed in Sedona, Arizona which is 2 hours south of the Grand Canyon. The Best Western Plus Inn of Sedona was very dog friendly. We were welcomed with a list of dog-friendly outdoor dining options in the area. We also received a cute doggy gift and treats. Dogs are also welcome on their outdoor patio overlooking the beautiful Sedona mountains. We give this hotel a big paws up!
We walked over the Hudson River | thepupdiary.com
7 AugWe were excited to check out the Walkway over the Hudson – the longest, elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. At 212 feet tall and 1.28 miles long, it was one fun dog-friendly walk! Leashed pups are always welcome on the walkway. But be careful because the pavement can get really hot in the summer sun! The park was nice to post alerts about the pavement temperatures!
Walkway over the Hudson River
Getting there
We drove to Poughkeepsie and found on-street free parking one block from the walk’s entrance. We climbed several flights of stairs to get to the elevated park and walkway where we were happy to see vendors selling water, popcorn, and other snacks.
The walk
Bring plenty of water because there is not much shade during this 1.28 mile walk. What you will find are great river and shoreline views! We met lots of really friendly families with kids and dogs. There are a few benches at the half-way point, so we rested there for some photos. The Walkway is an old abandoned railroad bridge and there are historical photos and information posted along the route. We think this would be a great place to check out the fall leaves!
Make it a day trip
After the walk we headed to dog-friendly Robibero Vineyards in New Paltz about 20 minutes from Poughkeepsie. We were welcome inside and outside the cute winery. New Paltz also had a small downtown area with shops and restaurants.
Getting our kicks on Route 66 | thepupdiary.com
6 AugLike the song says, “If you ever plan to motor west . . . Get your kicks on Route 66!” So we knew we needed to check out part of the route while traveling through Arizona last month. Historic Route 66 signs were clearly marked along the Interstate and we decided to check out the route through Seligman, Arizona – the birthplace of Historic Route 66.
Signs leading us to Seligman, Arizona
There were several “roadside attractions” along the mile of the road we followed. Seligman is a cute place to stop for a bite to eat if you are heading to the dog-friendly Grand Canyon, which is about a 2-hour drive north. We stopped for lunch at the outdoor patio of Delgadillo’s Snow Cap, which was built back in 1953. The burgers and shakes were yummy! We were welcome in many of the shops that lined the road. Too bad we weren’t allowed to check out the Roadkill Cafe — that would have been something to see!
Seligman is an interesting place to stop for lunch
Delgadillo’s
Yummy lunch at Delgadillo’s
Roadkill Cafe
Dog-friendly Glacier National Park | thepupdiary.com
6 AugThere are over 400 national parks with over 84 million beautiful acres to explore. Each national park has a doggy policy with rules, so be sure to read the rules before you go — and lucky for us that dogs are welcome at many of them! Our friends at Go Pet Friendly have listed what they consider to be the best dog-friendly national parks. This summer we toured five of the parks and we’ll start with our favorite, Glacier National Park in the northwest corner of Montana. In Glacier we were allowed in developed areas including frontcountry campgrounds, picnic areas, boating areas, and scenic lookouts.
Here we are boating on Lake McDonald.
Where we stayed
We stayed in the Best Western hotel in Whitefish, which was a 20-minute drive to the park’s west entrance. The hotel charged a $20 pet fee and allowed up to two pups per room with a maximum weight of 80 lbs. Although nothing special, the hotel did have a very convenient location and friendly staff. Unfortunately pups are not allowed at any of the Glacier Park historic lodging.
Glacier National Park west entrance
What to do in Glacier National Park
We drove the Going-to-the-Sun road and made several stops along the way. The road spans 50 miles through the park, but you should allow several hours to take in all of the scenery. We stopped at Lake McDonald for a boat ride. Dogs are welcome on their tour boats if there is not a sell-out crowd of people. In general, the late afternoon and evening boat tours do not sell out and welcome the pups. We rented our own small motor boat and toured the lake for $23 per hour. Bring a picnic to Glacier because there are several very beautiful dog-friendly picnic areas along the driving route. We stopped at several of the scenic lookout spots and saw mountain goats, bears, waterfalls, lakes, and rivers. We even saw snow!
Snow in Glacier National Park
Where to eat
We recommend bringing a picnic to the park. There are just so many beautiful places to stop and enjoy the scenery. We also enjoyed snacks on the outdoor patio of The Huckleberry Patch a few miles from the park. We stopped at Betty’s Diner outdoor patio on our way up north. And if you are in town for cherry season, be sure to stop at a roadside stand for some of the best cherries you have ever tasted!
Cherries are yummy
West entrance
Mother carries a baby
Baby ducks
Lake McDonald boat rentals
Beautiful view
Waterfall
Snow in Glacier National Park
Baby goat with mother
We met a mountain goat
We are high in the sky
Tunnel and walkway
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