Best Types of Trips to Take a Dog on

No Matter What Kind of Dog You Have, There’s a Trip For You

In previous posts we’ve gone over how to plan a trip with your dog and why you should consider travelling with your dog in the first place. In this post, we’ll detail some places where you can take your dog for a fun and rewarding experience for everyone. Of course, not every dog is the same. Different breeds have different needs, and even within the same breed, every dog has a distinct personality and set of interests. Knowing what you and your dog like to do together will best inform what kind of place you want to take them. With that in mind, let’s break down some of the best choices in a few different categories.

Off the Beaten Path

There’s a big difference between taking your dog to a nature excursion in or near a city, and really getting out into the wilderness. Camping or trekking with a dog isn’t for every breed (or every human for that matter) but if you have the experience, equipment, and desire, it’s an experience you’ll never forget. Some of the best camping sites and national parks in the country that you already might know of are also great places for outdoorsy dogs.

One of the best of these places is Lake Tahoe. Aside from the beautiful scenery and camping, Lake Tahoe has several dog beaches where your furry friend can run around. One thing Lake Tahoe is known for is kayaking – not necessarily an excursion you can imagine a dog participating in. Surprisingly, there are a few businesses in the area that actually have specially outfitted kayaks with seats and harnesses for dogs. This makes it easy to travel the lake with your pet and disembark at the first dog-friendly beach you see.

City-adjacent

Sometimes being in the heart of the city is too much for you and your pet. At the same time, going completely into the wilderness might be asking too much as well. Many American cities have great natural beauty just outside the city limits – meaning that you can get there easily by airline and then skip out for a nice day or two-day excursion.

One beautiful city with a lot of such options in Portland, Oregon. Much of the outskirts of this beautiful, green city has been revitalized and turned into easily accessible nature walks and hikes – all within relatively close proximity to the city itself. Visitors can easily access forests, beaches, and even old mining trails in this area. There are enough options for a short excursion of a few hours, or a day-long adventure.

Big City

If you are your dog enjoy spending time in the hustle and bustle of the big city, you again might be looking to the Pacific Northwest. Portland and Seattle are possibly the two dog-friendliest cities in the country. With 33 dog parks, Portland has more per capita than any other city in the country. And Seattle actually has more dogs than children, meaning the city abounds with dog-friendly businesses and parks. Just down the coast is San Francisco, another friendly city that allows dogs on some public transportation and is even home to DogFest, an event where dog lovers come together to raise money for local schools.

These are just some of the many examples of great places you can take your dog. With a little research, you’ll find that similar options exist literally all over the country. Although traveling by air is easier with a dog than ever before, you most likely don’t even have to step foot in an airport to access a fun place like this closer to where you live.