Portsmouth NH and Portland ME are both SUPER dog friendly, and really cool to visit! Finding national parks that will allow dogs on trails is really hard, but there are some spectacular state parks in both those areas (as well as the CT shoreline) with nice hiking that are dog friendly. The White Mountain region of NH is also really dog friendly and a really great place to visit- lots to do, lots of hiking, etc. I've lived all over NH, MA, RI and CT, so I can offer plenty of tips if you decide to make that region part of your route

 

I don't have any real advice as when I took my road trip (South Carolina to California & back), it was just me & my ex, no pup riding along. Hope to see some pictures posted of your travels when you go!

Also, I loved Portland ME when I visited up there.

 

We did the "Seaway Trail" (driving trail) going into Canada from Michigan and heads East to circle around into New England area and follows around the lakes into Buffalo. The trail is marked by signposts marked with a big footstep. It's been years since we did it but there were so many sights and wide open areas. Really off the beaten path for the most part.

 

Thanks, those sound like some great ideas. Keep them coming though so I can keep researching.

Anyone taken a dog to Acadia in Maine, or Watkins Hen in NY? Those parks look pretty amazing.

 

Watkins Glen you mean. Also look up Letchworth State Park. The dam is very nice. Hiking is good. Any way along the Erie Canal is nice to see.

 

Stupid Autocorrect

Acadia is not really dog friendly, which is a total bummer. Dogs are not allowed on any of the hiking trails, which are the main draw. Bar Harbor is fairly dog friendly if I recall correctly, though.

Too bad about Acadia, that's one I really want to visit sometime

 

Acadia is not really dog friendly, which is a total bummer. Dogs are not allowed on any of the hiking trails, which are the main draw. Bar Harbor is fairly dog friendly if I recall correctly, though.

 

I have to disagree about Acadia. I took my dog up there twice last year, and can't wait to go back again later this spring. The park rules are that dogs must be on a 6' leash on the trails, but if you ask the park rangers for advice on which trails are best with a dog, the will give you some great recomendations with a "wink" (and there are TONS of trails) In other words, trails that are less travelled, allowing some quality "off-leash" time. Some trails are well worth it, even if you have to keep your pup on a leash.

The town of Bar Harbor is beautiful, and very dog friendly. In the warm weather months, the are plenty of hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, and pubs that you can take your four-legged buddy along. If you go, I'd recommend avoiding holiday weeks, as the town does get a lot of tourist traffic.

Let me know if you want any more details.

- Dan

 

If you visit massachusetts then make sure to head down to Cape Cod as everybody is dog friendly down there. ESPECIALLY P-Town! You can let the dog run free pretty much down there. Also, blue hills provides for a decent hike. Good luck!

 

Yes! Sandy Neck Beach in Sandwich is amazing, and the Mashpee Conservation Area has a lot of nice walking trails.

 

I recommend DC! If you are near the National Mall, you're able to walk around the monuments with you're dog. The Jefferson Memorial and MLK Memorial do not allow dogs, but here are lots of other ones to visit! Another fun trail is Great Falls Park, VA...not to far from DC (about 30-40 mins). You're able to walk along the cliffs overlooking the rapids 40 ft below. Dogs are allowed on the VA side of the falls. On the MD side, only certain trails allow dogs (the really challenging ones don't). How exciting for you! Take lots of pictures!

 

That's great, I ha e family in MA too. Nobody I actually know, but that's where my Dad is from.

 

We just moved to PA and it is BEAUTIFUL!!! All the state parks are friendly and the park ranger himself said your dogs are only required to be "under your control so no Leah is required for well behaved dogs" the parks are everywhere and covered in beautiful lakes rivers and mossy rocks and trees!!

 

A very dog-friendly hotel in Cambridge, MA, just across the river from Boston: Pet Friendly Hotel in Boston | Hotel Marlowe
I've hiked in Acadia with the dogs and had no problem.
And I second the Cape, especially Provincetown.

 

The DC area is pretty dog friendly in general. We use to live in Old Town Alexandria (about 5 miles outside of DC) which is super dog friendly and a really cool place to check out if you like walking around quaint interesting places. I agree with the other poster who mentioned Great Falls, that's also a fun place to go. There are a ton of parks in VA you could go to.

 

Acadia is really dog friendly- there is even a part of the park designated for off-leash dogs. Ask the rangers. Watch out for porcupines. My dog got a bad quilling but the vet in Bar Harbor was great. All the carriage roads and most of the trails are dog-friendly, leashes are required except for in that one area, but the rangers turn a blind eye as long as your dog is well-behaved (don't take my word for it though, follow leash laws of course). Compared to other National Parks, Acadia is a doggie paradise. You could spend at least five days there. Lots to do.

White Mountains of NH are basically all dog friendly. No leash laws anywhere in the National Forest, aside from specific small areas. Can be crowded on some trails, so I try to seek out the less traveled trails and areas during peak season. Some trails are pretty tough and involve rock scrambling or small ladders. Most dogs are fine, but there are places I had to bushwack around for the dogs.

In Massachusetts, most of the National Seashore is technically off limits to off leash dogs in summer, I believe, due to nesting birds and other considerations. Nickerson State Park, where I spent a good deal of my summers as a kid, has some amazing swimming lakes for you and dogs, lots of trails (check out a map to find them) and access to a local bay-side beach with amazing sand bars at low tide, and to the Cape Cod rail trail, which is a fun bike or run. Dog friendly camping there, too. Leashes required in campgrounds.

I'd also recommend spending some time in Boston. The esplanade along the Charles River is dog friendly for a nice walk, and the city is really fun to explore. Free Boston Pops concerts on the esplanade during the summer, check the schedule.

The Berkshires are also a good visit. Plenty of parks and trails. Go to Tanglewood for a concert.

I also really like Prince Edward Island if you wanted to get that far north. Very beautiful, lots of red sand beaches, hiking trails, and camping. Worth a visit.

 

Now I'm planning my own Acadia dog trip I think it was the more technical trails they weren't allowed on, and those were the ones we focused on while we were there. I'm an idiot. Sorry! :blush:

 

Great info, thanks. I'll research some of these places mentioned for sure. Thanks and keep the ideas coming.

 

Great Falls on the VA side is really nice for dogs. I used to take Pasta there a lot in the summer when I lived in VA. The main parks are often crowded but still fun, I think they even still do ferry tours? The smaller stream parks near Great Falls are better I think, less people and you can even get away with swimming sometimes (it's illegal but fun and safe as long as you stay in the streams far from the actual falls)

 

Great, thanks. Looks like a cool area

 

Resurrecting and old thread. I never made it to Acadia, went around MI instead.

I have next week off, looking for a road trip for this time of year. Not sure Acadia is worth it in November. Any better ideas for this late in the year? Driving from MI?

 

Lots of American history in the old capital of Philadelphia, my hometown. You can walk a dog just about anywhere there. Also, Colonial Williamsburg is nice if you make it to Virginia. I was stationed there twice while in the military, once in the Navy and once in the Air Force. Plus you can hit the ocean at Virginia Beach. Stop at Yorktown to see where the British surrendered during the Revolutionary War. It's the next town over from Williamsburg. I'll have to scroll up and see if you listed any hobbies or interests that I could merge with other suggestions. I'll throw this up for now until I can make time to read everyone's reply.

 

I like that idea, would the weather be OK this time of year? I know it's not a sure thing, but in general? Any decent places I could stay? Hotels reasonably priced and dog friendly?

I was already thinking maybe DC.

Thanks

 

I'm leaving tomorrow for Niagara Falls. My plan is a day or two at Niagara Falls, then heading to Watkins Glen State Park for some hiking. I do plan on visiting DC, but should have 2-3 days extra in the middle, so keep the ideas coming.

 

Enjoying the falls:

 

So, I want to seem NY City on Monday. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to park, how to get around with a dog(public tansportation)? Just a super quick plan is try to park near Central Park,McNeil that out and walk through the city to China Town, then try to get a ride back to the car. I haven't planned yet, not sure what all I need to see while in the city.

 

DC is full of history!!

 

Of course, but I'm looking for my next stop after DC. I did DC already.