Pupcation 2022! Our Guide to Pet Friendly Dog Vacations
|
|
Time to read 5 min
With spring and summer breaks right around the corner, along with the promise of sunny travel that they bring, we were inspired to create our first ever list of the best destinations in the US for a family vacation with your dog – or as we like to say, a pupcation! While some trips, such as those to international destinations or that involve complicated travel plans, are best served pet-free, there are many locations that can offer fun for the whole family, including the four-legged members! And what’s more, when we take trips with our fur babies, we don’t have to miss, worry about, or pay to board them while we’re away. In fact, choosing the right dog-friendly location and taking a few precautions beforehand, including being prepared with Farm To Pet’s healthy pet treats and dog chew toys, can make a pupcation the best vacation of all!
Pre-Pupcation Precautions
First order of business when planning your pupcation is to review any and all pet-related policies for the transportation and lodging options you consider. For example, most airlines charge fees for pets to fly in the cabin. Similarly, most hotels charge to accommodate pets as well. There can also be restrictions on the size and even breed of dog allowed.
Rental properties and certain hotel chains can be much less restrictive and more dog-friendly. And when it comes to travel, your own car is virtually restriction-free! If it has the space and your pup enjoys a car ride, having your own transportation can make a pupcation even better, allowing for potty breaks (of the human and pup variety!), detours, unscheduled stops or extended stays along the way.
However, even the most seasoned canine car riders can get anxious, hungry or bored during hours-long drives. In addition to having plenty of water on hand to keep him hydrated, be sure to travel with things to soothe and treat her during the journey. Our large resealable bag of single-ingredient Chicken Chips or Turkey Chips is perfect to keep in the car, providing a no-mess, high-nutrient, low-fat treat to curb hunger and reward positive behavior anytime throughout your travels.
And since chewing is a great way for pups to ease anxiety, relieve boredom and even get exercise, why not bring a healthy dog chew from our organic antler dog chew collection ? Our whole or split elk and reindeer antler and whole deer antler chews offer hours of nutrition-packed, odor-free and mess-free chewingsatisfaction to your furry copilot!
Lastly, if you or your doggo is new to pupcations, try a couple of long test-drives or overnights at a friend’s or family member’s house to see how you both fare before you forge out on the open road to unfamiliar surroundings. Also, you might want to consult your vet to be sure your dog doesn’t have any health-related issues that could make travel unadvisable.
Our Top Pupcation Destinations for 2022
Now that we know what to do before the trip and what to have on hand to keep our dogs happy, hydrated and calm during the journey, where are we going on the trip? While there are many great options throughout the US, we researched, reviewed and narrowed down the list, curating our four top picks for dog-friendly citiesthat we recommend considering for your next pupcation:
Pupcation Destination #1: San Diego, California
We agree with The Points Guy that California is a great destination for humans and pups alike. In fact, you can both catch some waves at San Dieg o ’s Dog Beach, which occupies the northern end of Ocean Beach, was the first official leash-free beach to open in the US. And don’t worry if your doggo doesn’t dig getting wet. There are many options on dry land that you can both enjoy, such as playing in the dog parks in Balboa Park, hiking Cowles Mountain, or, our personal favorite, visiting Petco Park. Home to the San Diego Padres baseball team, the stadium features a backyard-inspired section called the Barkyard that welcomes dogs and their guardians for fun and frolic!
Pupcation Destination #2: St. Pete and Clearwater Beaches, Florida
With its warm waters and inviting coastline, Florida has long been a popular vacation destination for humans. Fortunately, it is also a great spot for all pups to visit! While not all beaches are dog-friendly, Fort De Soto Park Paw Playground is a fun exception that has a fenced-in area where dogs of all sizes can roam free and splash as they please. This wonderful beach community also features a historical fort and museum, nature trails, fishing spots, and waterfront camping, making it ideal for the family and pup that love being outdoors and near the water.
Pupcation Destination #3: Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
As Midwesterners, we would be remiss if we didn’t include this nearby destination known to offer tons of fun for humans and dogs of all ages. After all, it’s known as the “Waterpark Capital of the World”! According to BringFido.com , a stay at Baker’s Sunset Bay Resort not only features indoor and outdoor pools, two waterslides, a whirlpool and a dry sauna, it also has its own beachfront on the shores of Lake Delton with kayaks that guests and their dogs can use for free. This midwestern city on the Wisconsin River is well-known for its theme parks and entertainment centers, but clearly offers plenty of entertainment for four-legged visitors, including dog-friendly cruises and tours on the Dells Boat Tours and Dells Army Ducks .
Pupcation Destination #4: San Juan Islands, Washington
These picturesque US islands popped up multiple times on the vacation destination sites we researched. For example, iheartdogs.com says,“These islands have long been rated one of the top tourist destinations for people, and it should be for dogs too. Leashed dogs have miles of trails to take their owners hiking, while several off-leash dog parks and beaches allow them some freedom. Doggy water fountains, dog friendly dining, a wellness center and over 50 dog-friendly lodging choices are just some of the reasons the islands are a dog haven. Small dogs are allowed into the Whale Museum, and many of the shops are dog-friendly and have water bowls outside for your thirsty hound.” Sounds paw-fect to us!
All of the fabulous pupcation destinations above have plenty of dog-friendly dining options as well. Many offer outdoor or patio seating only, so be sure to check the weather forecasts and pack accordingly, whether that means toting portable umbrellas, wind breakers, hats or all of the above – both for you and your pup! In fact, to help you avoid forgetting anything critical, the travel experts at EagleCreek.com have compiled a handy and comprehensive list of dog travel essentials to pack for your fur babies. And of course, don’t forget the healthy pet treats and organic antler dog chews !
Bone Voyage!
So do you plan to take a pupcation to this year? If so, where will you go? Regardless of where your travels take you, please let us know by tagging @farmtopet on social when you post your destination photos. Even better, snap it with your Farm To Pet treats or chew included! We will almost feel like we were on the trip with you! Well, almost…
Whether you’re reading our blog while sitting on a beach sipping a tropical drink or hiding in your office at work, we truly thank you for being our audience and wish you bone voyage!
