Road Trips With Dogs California – American road trip is… famous! And there’s no better way to see some of the unique sights across the country. What if you want to add your pet to the game? Here are 49 amazing places you’ll want to explore together on a pet-friendly American road trip!
Road trips are as American as apple pie. However, planning to see the “best” the United States has to offer can be overwhelming. Your trip can focus on cultural sites, national parks, state capitals, famous landmarks or sports venues.
Road Trips With Dogs California
American road trip? Visit the top pet attractions in each state and collect sweet memories with your best friend along the way!
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The hardest part of planning an amazing road trip is choosing the stops. From beaches to mountain peaks, bustling cities to secluded retreats, you’ll want to check out the best spots across the country.
We have been traveling full time with our dogs for over twelve years, spending time in all of the lower 48 states. And we’re happy to share what we’ve learned!
Whether you plan to see the entire country in one trip or visit one region at a time, our pet-friendly US road trip itinerary will give you an idea of what each state has to offer. has been And every stop is sure to be fun for you and your pet! Click on each area name for more details and photos.
The itinerary is approximately 15,000 miles and will take at least two months to complete. If you can do it all together, it’s the trip of a lifetime!
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If you’re looking for shorter tours, choose one or two areas and go deeper into each area. Any combination will result in a pet-friendly vacation.
Let’s start this pet-friendly American road trip in the northwestern United States. From Washington’s Green Islands to the top of the Beartooth Highway, this region has something for everyone!
In the northwestern corner of the United States, off the coast of Washington, lies the Emerald Corridor in the Salish Sea. Known as the San Juan Islands, the landscape is a mosaic of pine forests, rocky beaches, lush pastures and grasslands, and sparkling lakes.
Each island has its own beauty, and whichever you choose, you won’t be disappointed.
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With diverse neighborhoods, great restaurants, and one of the largest urban park systems in the country, Portland, Oregon is a pet’s playground!
With 10,000 hectares of natural areas and parks spread throughout the city, there are treasures around every corner. And if your child likes to visit, don’t miss some of the 20+ off-campus locations!
In the rugged peaks of northern Idaho, where the pine trees outnumber the people, lies one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Spanning 26 miles, Coeur d’Alene Lake is a sparkling blue jewel with more than 135 miles of shoreline.
From scenic boat tours to miles of pet-friendly trails, there are as many ways to enjoy Lake Coeur d’Alene as you can imagine.
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In the Bighorn Mountains, you’ll find a completely different landscape than Wyoming. It would be easy for pets to spend weeks enjoying the 1,500-mile hike and three nature trails. But to us, the timelessness and beauty of Bighorn is nothing like a visit to the medicine wheel.
For 68 miles, between Cook City and Red Lodge, Montana, the Beartooth Highway passes through some of the scariest places in the United States. The highest in the lower 48 states, the route passes 20 peaks rising above 12,000 feet.
You’ll find pristine mountain landscapes, lush forests and alpine tundra within a few miles. And there are plenty of places to park your car and take a pet-friendly ride with your furry travel companion!
The southwest leg of this pet-friendly American road trip begins with a fun stop at Carmel’s amazing dog beach. The next two stops at Red Rock Canyon and Grand Canyon offer pet-friendly hikes. And we put it all on the Telluride Gondola ride. You and your active pets will love this adventure!
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Carmel’s crown jewel is its beautiful beaches. This mile-long stretch of sand begins just steps from downtown and ends below the ninth hole of Pebble Beach Golf Course. And all pets are welcome!
Dogs are welcome to roam the beach. Or head to Carmel River State Beach, where along the way, you’ll find plenty of petting zoos to explore.
It’s only 17 miles from the Las Vegas Strip, but Red Rock Canyon feels like a whole different world! From 13 miles of scenic loop trails to over 30 miles of pet-friendly trails and picnic areas with spectacular views, you’ll have a great day here with your pet!
Traveling to any national park is an amazing experience, but seeing the Grand Canyon with your pet will make your vacation unforgettable!
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The pet-friendly South Rim Trail runs for 14 miles and is paved for easy walking. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to take in the panoramic views!
Located in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, Telluride Village is perfect for Rocky Mountain adventures with your pet. With stunning scenery, miles of hiking trails, pet-friendly cable cars, and great pet-friendly restaurants and accommodations, pet-friendly America could be the highlight of your trip!
Covering nearly 2 million acres, every inch of Dickey National Forest is pet-friendly! And with 1,600 miles of hiking, horseback riding, and biking trails and hundreds of miles of trails, boardwalks, and nature trails, you and your pet can spend a lifetime exploring here.
Be sure to visit Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks while you’re in the area. And don’t miss the opportunity to visit Best Friends Animal Shelter in Kanab, Utah!
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Bustling San Antonio is balanced by the quiet natural wonders of a pet-friendly South Central American road trip.
If you’re thinking about leaving a pet paddle on the Buffalo National River…don’t! We did it with Tee and Buster and loved every minute of it. Our dogs did great on their first canoe trip. And now it’s one of our favorite memories with them.
The name “White Sands” may be a bit misleading, but that doesn’t make this pet-friendly national park any less amazing! The glow sticks here are actually made of chalk, not sand. And thanks to an ancient sea and a very lucky geography, it is now the largest dune field in the world!
You’ll find pet-friendly trails and more to keep you busy at White Sands. And make sure to stay till sunset. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen!
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The 13-mile, pet-friendly San Antonio Riverwalk is one of the most unique parks in the country, providing access to some of the city’s most treasured historical and cultural attractions!
It would be easy to spend several days exploring the different sections of the river walk, getting out and visiting all the attached neighborhoods.
As if seeing bison, elk, and white-tailed deer graze isn’t enough to make a visit to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, you and your pet will find 18 pet-friendly hiking trails and lakes that can be boated. Fit for queens and babies!
Canoeing the Buffalo National River with your pet is easier than you think! Renting a pet-friendly canoe is a breeze, and the calm waters make any paddler comfortable.
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Back on solid ground, there are miles of pet-friendly trails to hike along the river trail and into the nearby Ozark National Forest.
Monument Reefs are remnants of a sea floor formed millions of years ago, covering the continent from Montana and the Dakotas to Texas and Louisiana. Spiders, ledges and chalk arches that now stand 70 feet tall in the Kansas plains. And your pets are welcome to explore them with you!
The Northern Plains portion of this trip takes you inland and shows what America was like before Europeans arrived.
You’ll spend time admiring the expanse of the lake and the mighty Mississippi River. He then followed in the footsteps of the Native Americans who lived in Iowa and North Dakota.
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Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is located on the north shore of Lake Superior. Offering breathtaking views of the nation’s most photographed lighthouses and 14.5 miles of pet-friendly trails, it’s a great place to stretch your legs on the beach or set up camp.
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Mississippi River Flyway, a route through which 40 percent of all waterfowl and seabirds migrate. The sanctuary serves as a “bed and breakfast” for the birds as they travel and is home to the majestic bald eagle.
Standing on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, it’s easy to see why the American Indians chose to make this amazing place their home. Efigy covers 2,500 acres on the west bank of the Mississippi River.
