Golden Guide To Bring Your Dog

Golden Guide To Bring Your Dog All about saying "yes" to more adventures with your dog. We share dog-friendly destinations from hotels, cafes, trails, trains, stores, castles and more.

Our goal is to help dogs live more fulfilling lives by having their owner bring them along more.

5 stops. 34 miles. 1 unforgettable dog-friendly day in Northeastern North Carolina 🐾⛰️Every stop below is pup-approved (...
01/31/2026

5 stops. 34 miles. 1 unforgettable dog-friendly day in Northeastern North Carolina 🐾⛰️
Every stop below is pup-approved (leashed) and easy to fit into one epic day of exploring.

Stop 1: Elk River Falls (Big Falls)
📍 Elk Park, NC | Pisgah National Forest (NC/TN border)
A dramatic 50-ft waterfall with cliffside views and a calm pool below.
🥾 0.3 mi out & back | Easy–Moderate | ⏱ ~10 min
🚗 Free parking + free entry
Tip: Stay right on the trail and take the wooden stairs down to the base for the best view.

Stop 2: Waterfalls Park (Bobby McLean Memorial Park)
📍 Newland, NC (across from Dollar General)
A sweet roadside park with double-tiered cascades, picnic tables, and a short walk.
🥾 0.1 mi | Easy | ⏱ ~15 min
🚗 Very small lot (4–5 cars)
Perfect lunch stop 🍴 Cell service is spotty.

Stop 3: Grandfather Mountain State Park 🏔️
📍 Linville, NC
A 300-million-year-old icon and part of a UN Biosphere Reserve.
🎟️ Book tickets ahead (limited number tickets sold per day)
⏱ ~1 hour
Don’t miss (in order):
• Half Moon Overlook
• Split Rock & Sphinx Rock
• Forrest Gump Curve
• Mile High Swinging Bridge (America’s highest suspension footbridge!)
*My dogs were a little nervous going over the bridge but be with patience and encourage they did just fine!
Restrooms, food, gift shop, and elevator access available. *Elevator is not dog friendly.

Stop 4: Linn Cove Viaduct
📍 Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 304
The most famous bridge on the Parkway and the first of its kind in the U.S.
Quick, scenic stop with jaw-dropping views.

Stop 5: Linville Falls 💦
📍 Near Milepost 316.4, Blue Ridge Parkway
Known as the “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians.”
🥾 1.7 mi out & back (Plunge Basin Trail) | Moderate | ⏱ ~1 hour
A powerful 90-ft waterfall with multiple viewpoints. Visitor center + restrooms onsite.

🐕 All stops are dog-friendly
🚗 Total driving: ~1 hour / 34 miles
✨ Big views, iconic waterfalls, and zero wasted time

📌 Save this for your next mountain day with your pup! 🐶

💛 My dogs? Life with Larsey and Continuing With Coba J

01/22/2026

Say hello to John Boyd Thacher State Park 🐾🌄

Perched high on the Helderberg Escarpment just outside Albany, this park delivers nonstop panoramic views of the Hudson–Mohawk Valleys and, on clear days, the Adirondack and Green Mountains. The limestone cliffs alone are worth the visit — but the trails take it to the next level.

🥾 Why you’ll love it:
• Over 25 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and winter fun
• The famous Indian Ladder Trail (May–Nov), where you walk beneath cliffs and behind two waterfalls — Minelot Falls (the big one) and Outlet Falls
• Dog-friendly trails (leashed pups welcome!)
• Picnic areas, open fields, playgrounds & a nature center

📍 Address -
John Boyd Thacher State Park
830 Thatcher Park Rd.
Voorheesville, NY 12186
~15 miles from Albany

🧭 Coordinates -
Parking Lot (as shown in the video): 42.655101, -74.018009

🐾 Dog Friendly: Yes, of course*
🥾 Length & Difficulty: Indian Ladder Trail (as shown in the video) ~1 mile moderate out & back
📲 On AllTrails: Yes
🚘 Parking: $6 parking fee (9 AM–5 PM, May 1–Oct 31)
🕰️ Hours: open sunrise to sunset year round
💰 Entrance Fee: See parking fee^
🚽 Restrooms: Yes, open daily 9am-4pm at Visitors Center
⏲️ Estimated Time Needed: 30 minutes
🎁 Visitor Center: Open 7 days a week 9am-4pm (Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
🪧 Additional Info: Pets must be supervised at all times and either crated or on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length. If requested by staff, proof of rabies inoculation must be produced. Pets are not permitted in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools, spraygrounds, or guarded beaches.

Leash up your pup, pack a picnic, and don’t forget your camera — this one’s a showstopper. 🌲💦

💛 🐾 My dogs? Life with Larsey and Continuing With Coba J

If you’re craving a little flower therapy 🌸✨ let me introduce you to Bullington Gardens in Hendersonville, NC — a 12-acr...
01/17/2026

If you’re craving a little flower therapy 🌸✨ let me introduce you to Bullington Gardens in Hendersonville, NC — a 12-acre slice of calm, color, and pure joy that’s dog-friendly, too 🐾 (leashed pups welcome!).

Wander through dahlias that steal the show, a butterfly garden full of fluttery main characters, peaceful therapy and shade gardens, and a dreamy native woodland that makes you forget your inbox exists. Add in a half-mile nature trail and a seasonal Fairy Trail (yes, actual fairy villages 🧚‍♀️) and suddenly this feels like a real-life storybook.

Best part? It’s free (with a small suggested donation that helps keep the magic alive 💚).
🌼 Dahlia lovers: late August–early October is your moment
🧚 Fairy fans: June–August is prime sparkle season

Bring the kids, bring your friends, bring the dog, and let your inner child roam free — this is one Western NC gem you’ll want to save 🌿🐶

📍 Bullington Gardens Henderson, NC
🅿️ Free parking
🎟️ Free entry (suggested $2-3 donation per person)
🐶 Dogs welcome
*closed on Sundays

💕 My dogs? Life with Larsey and Continuing With Coba J

01/10/2026

Grab the leash—because this might be the most underrated dog-friendly park in Pennsylvania.

If you and your pup love adventure, fresh air, and all the smells, you need to put Erie Bluffs State Park in Pennsylvania on your list. This park is 587 acres of pure, rugged beauty—think 90-foot bluffs, wild shoreline, and over 5 miles of hiking trails with various difficulty levels to explore together.

It’s super dog-friendly, with tons of space for privacy, peaceful picnic spots, and trails that feel like you’re deep in nature. And yes—there’s a natural beach area where your dog can splash, play, and cool off while you soak in Lake Erie views.

The park is totally undeveloped, which means fewer crowds, more wildlife, and endless sniffing opportunities for your pup. You can hike, relax, fish, or even launch a kayak at Elk Creek—just don’t forget to download maps ahead of time because cell service is spotty.

If your dog loves adventure as much as you do, Erie Bluffs State Park may just become your next go-to. Grab the leash, pack a picnic, and go explore together! 🐾✨

📍 Address - 11100 W Lake Rd. Lake City, PA 16423
🐾 Dog Friendly: Yes, of course
🥾 Length & Difficulty: 5.16 miles of trails with varying difficulty
📲 On AllTrails: Yes
🚘 Parking: Free, large paved lot
🕰️ Hours: Open sunrise to sunset daily
💰 Entrance Fee: None, it’s free
🚽 Restrooms: Yes
⏲️ Estimated Time Needed: 2-4 hours
🎁 Gift Shop: No

💛 🐾 My dogs? Life with Larsey and Continuing With Coba J

Art, nature, and dog-friendly vibes? Yes please 🎨🌿🐾Art Omi is a free, open almost daily* sculpture and architecture park...
01/09/2026

Art, nature, and dog-friendly vibes? Yes please 🎨🌿🐾

Art Omi is a free, open almost daily* sculpture and architecture park set across 120 dreamy acres in New York’s Hudson Valley—home to 60+ large-scale works and a global creative community of 2,000+ artists from 100+ countries.

Spend about 2 hours wandering fields and forests, pop into the gallery, grab a pastry or sandwich on weekends, and bring your pup along with their free Dog Pass. 🐕✨

📍 Art Omi Ghent, NY
🅿️ Free parking
🎟️ Free entry (suggested $15 donation)
🐶 Dogs welcome (outside only)
☕ Café open on weekends
*closed on Tuesdays

This is such a fun way to switch up your next walk! 🐾

Trust us—this one’s worth the drive. Save for later + tag your art-loving (and dog-loving) bestie 💛

💕 My dogs? Life with Larsey and Continuing With Coba J

01/07/2026

Everyone talks about taking your dog on an adventure like it has to be some big hike, long road trip, or expensive getaway. But honestly? Adventures don’t have to be crazy, far away, or cost much.

Sometimes, an adventure is as simple as bringing your dog along for your next car wash.

Think about it — how many dogs actually get to experience how weird a car wash is? The lights, the spinning brushes, the water everywhere… it’s basically a sensory experience.

My dogs absolutely love it! They sit there wide-eyed, watching everything like it’s a ride at an amusement park.

So if you’re waiting for the “perfect” plan to include your dog, don’t. Bring them along for the small stuff. Because to them, that is the adventure. 🐾🚗✨

My dogs? Life with Larsey and Continuing With Coba J

01/04/2026

The Aunt Granny in Stow, Ohio

*not sponsored*

🏠 On Airbnb: Yes, under “Dolly Inspired near downtown Hudson & National Park”
💛 Description: Okay, stop scrolling-because we just stayed in a Dolly Parton-themed Airbnb in Stow, Ohio, and it is an absolute rhinestone dream. Welcome to The Aunt Granny-where every room is bursting with color, charm, and just the right amount of sass. This place feels like a boutique hotel wrapped in Southern hospitality, with bold decor that practically begs for a photo in every corner. You’ve got cozy spaces, a fully stocked kitchen, bunk beds, a pull-out sofa, and even a fire pit for late-night laughs. It’s pet-friendly, perfectly located near Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and yes-there’s a Bluetooth speaker in the bathroom. If you love Dolly, fun stays, and unforgettable vibes... this one is a must.
🐾 Dog Friendly: Yes, of course (and at no extra cost!)
🚘 Parking: Free
💤 Sleeps: 4
🛏️ Bedrooms: 1
🚽 Bathrooms: 1
🏆 Awards: Guest Favorite, 5 Star Stay, Top 1% of homes
🎲 Extra Amenities: Lake access, private backyard, fire pit, outdoor furniture and dining area, washer and dryer, board games, record player
🌳 Nearby attractions: downtown Hudson (5 mins), Cuyahoga Valley National Park (5 mins), WRA campus (5 mins), Blossom Music (10 mins)

We stayed for a weekend getaway and this place truly was a dream plus, Dannie, the host, was just as wonderful!

💛 🐾 My dogs? Life with Larsey and Continuing With Coba J

01/03/2026

Anna Ruby Falls in Helen, GA

📍 Address -
3455 Anna Ruby Falls Rd.
Helen, GA 30545

🧭 Coordinates -
Trailhead: 34.75772,
-83.71012
Waterfall: 34.76365,
-83.71217

💛 Description: A rare 150 ft. double waterfall, Anna Ruby Falls is formed by two creeks – Curtis Creek and York Creek — coming together to form Smith Creek at the base of the falls. The falls are located on Tray Mountain, Georgia's sixth-highest peak, and Curtis Creek drops 153 feet while York Creek drops 50 feet. The falls are named after Anna Ruby Nichols, the daughter of an early settler. This is one of Georgia’s only twin waterfalls.
🐾 Dog Friendly: Yes, of course
🥾 Length & Difficulty: 0.9 miles out & back (easy - moderate)
📲 On AllTrails: Yes
🚘 Parking: Free, large paved lot
🕰️ Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last ticket sold at 4 PM)
💰 Entrance Fee: $5.00 per person
🚽 Restrooms: Yes, at Visitors Center
⏲️ Estimated Time Needed: 30 minutes
🎁 Gift Shop: Yes
🪧 Trail Info: Throughout the year, the Visitor Center hosts public programs and activities ranging from stargazing to viewing the Foxfire – a bioluminescent insect larva that glows in the dark!

🚨 This is a very popular waterfalls, go early and visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds! We were the first ones there on a Tuesday in July at 9 AM and had it all to ourselves for about 10 minutes!

💛 🐾 My dogs? Life with Larsey and Continuing With Coba J

Address

Voorheesville, NY
12186

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