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 together!
Fall brings cooler temperatures and opportunities for leaf-peeping all across the country! We’ve gathered our top 10 picks for pet friendly road trips across the country where the fall foliage is the main attraction. We hope you find one that peaks your interest.
Dog Friendly Road Trips For Fall
Aspen, Colorado
Considering it is named for a tree, you can bet the fall foliage in Aspen, Colorado won’t disappoint! In late September the forest turns brilliant yellow. And with the evergreens and rugged mountain peaks in the background, the effect is truly spectacular.
Fall is also the perfect time of the year to enjoy the hush that settles over Aspen … 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.
Afterward, 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.
EXPLORE MORE ⇒ Pet Friendly Telluride, Colorado
Bar Harbor, Maine
Encircled by pet friendly 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. Or opt to admire the coast aboard a dog friendly schooner cruise. And sometime 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.
EXPLORE MORE ⇒ Visit 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 take a hike and 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.
EXPLORE MORE ⇒ Three-Day Itinerary In Pet Friendly Bend, Oregon
Duluth, Minnesota
The peaceful hardwood forests of the Midwest meet the shores of Lake Superior in the city of Duluth. Highway 61 is all that divides the lake from the national forest as it winds through sleepy towns and past lighthouses that keep a steady watch.
And one of the highlights of a pet friendly road trip 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.
Don’t miss Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, and be sure to snap a picture at Duluth’s Ariel Bridge. If your pup likes to splash, head over to Park Point Beach where dogs can enjoy a swim!
EXPLORE 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.
A pet friendly road trip 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.
EXPLORE MORE ⇒ Uncorking New York’s Finger Lakes Wine Country With Dogs
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 guaranteed year-round 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 amongst the evergreens. It’s truly 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.
EXPLORE 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 one of our all-time favorite pet friendly road trips routes.
What started as buffalo paths turned into Native American trails, and then became one of America’s most famous frontier paths. 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 both ends of the parkway) and get 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 to sniff around.
You can also find campgrounds and accommodations in the towns and cities along the route.
EXPLORE MORE ⇒ Exploring The Pet Friendly Natchez Trace
Portland, Oregon & The Columbia River Gorge
Just east of Portland’s lively neighborhoods, the Columbia River Gorge cuts through the Cascade Mountains. It provides a rare opportunity to experience such a dazzling contrast between cosmopolitan and wild beauty.
Combine the scenery with with Oregon’s pet friendly nature, and this road trip is sure to exceed every pet traveler’s expectations! Hoping to see the peak fall foliage? Plan your visit for mid-September to mid-October — just before the rainy season arrives.
With more than twenty bakeries turning out creative dog goodies, Portland might be your pup’s favorite destination. When it’s time to walk off those treats, hit Forest Park’s 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! And the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area is managed by the US Forest Service, so leashed pets are welcome on all the trails.
EXPLORE MORE ⇒ Three Pet Friendly Stays On The Oregon Coast
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Just 75 miles from Washington, DC, you’ll find Shenandoah’s wooded hollows, cascading waterfalls, and serene vistas. The forests here reach the hight of their fall color in mid- to late-October.
Skyline Drive provides the best views 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 park 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!
EXPLORE MORE ⇒ A Pet Friendly Tour Of The National Mall In Washington, D.C.
Stowe, Vermont
Nestled in Vermont’s Green Mountains, Stowe is front-and-center for the best displays foliage display in New England. Drive the popular Green Mountain Byway 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.
Don’t miss the dog friendly gondola ride at Stowe Mountain Resort for sweeping views of the area. Then hit the Stowe Recreational Path, a 5.2-mile, paved trail that winds along the river into town.
Plan 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!
EXPLORE MORE ⇒ Vermont’s Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Dog Mountain
Can you hear the road calling to you? Perhaps the time has come to get out there and feel the wind in your fur. We wish you safe travels and waggin’ trails!
