Traveling with your dog might feel overwhelming, but the more prepared you are the easier it gets. I still remember the first time we stayed in a hotel with Chase, I was so worried that he’d get nervous and bark as people passed by or any new sounds. Luckily, things went well, and we’ve stayed in dozens of hotels since. To help you navigate staying in pet-friendly hotels, here are some of our tips and recommendations from doing your hotel research to avoiding accidents and complaints.

Where to start: Do your hotel research

As I’m sure you already know, not all hotels are pet-friendly. Most hotels that are pet-friendly will advertise it clearly on their website through the booking process, FAQ page or pet policy. If you can’t find information on their website then it’s best to contact the hotel directly. Doing so also gives you more up-to-date information in case their rules have changed.

It’s also important to note that some hotel chain’s pet policies are different for each location, so don’t assume that because you stayed at one Hilton, for example, that all Hilton’s have the same rules.

Some popular pet-friendly hotels are:

StayPineapple – A chain of cute boutique hotels that are all pet friendly.

Kimpton – Owned by IHG hotels and resorts, this chain welcomes cats, dogs, and pets of all sizes at no extra charge.

Red Roof Inns – Pets are welcome and stay free, but keep these rules in mind.

La Quinta – Find their pet friendly locations here.

Book the pet-friendly rooms and check for any pet restrictions or fees

It’s critical to follow up with the hotel on any pet restrictions or fees. This might include, but isn’t limited to size (weight), number of pets, or even breed restrictions. Failing to check these details could mean you’re turned away at check-in.

Many hotels also require a pet deposit or a pet stay fee. These fees might be a flat fee or charged per night. Once you’ve double checked all the rules and fees and you’re ready to book, be sure that you’ve selected the pet-friendly room at a hotel, and if possible, consider booking a ground-level rooms for more convenient bathroom breaks. For some, this can also help alleviate potential anxiousness around elevators. If we do end up on the second or third floor then we request a room close to the stairwell. While our dogs are fine in the elevator, we like having the option of running up or down the stairs for a quick bathroom break versus waiting for the elevator. It’s usually less crowded this way, too.

Preparing for your trip & What to pack

Now that your hotel is booked, it’s time to get ready for your trip. While some hotels might provide some pet-friendly items like beds and bowls, the majority do not. Here’s how we pack for success:

• Bring a travel bed or blanket that’s their own and they’re already familiar with.
• Pack plenty their normal food and treats. Sometimes we pack a special treat but you shouldn’t change your pet’s diet when traveling.
• Keep a set of travel bowls handy for food and water.
• Bring chews and/or enrichment toys to keep them entertained. If your pet is on the more anxious side, you might consider bringing calming chews.
• Have a copy of your pet’s vaccination records handy.

We also like to review some obedience training before we travel. We usually brush up on behavior like loose leash walking, sit and stay, and spending some time in public spaces to avoid barking at new sights or sounds.

For additional travel packing tips, check out our Planning Dog-Friendly Road Trips.

Stick to a schedule

Dogs like routines. Sticking as close to your regular schedule as much as possible can help your dog feel a little less anxious. One thing we know that benefits our dogs the most is sticking to their regular wake up and meal times.

Leaving your pet in your room

Hotels have different rules around leaving pets unattended in rooms. Always double check if this is permitted and whether or not they need to be crated. If leaving your pet in the room is permitted, be sure to prepare them for success. Give them time to acclimated to the new space, and start by only leaving them for short periods of time. If it’s their first time staying in a hotel, it’s probably best not to leave them alone.

Note: be sure to use the do not disturb signs (or some pet-specific sign if provided) when you are out of the room.

Mount Baden-Powell is a dog-friendly trail that is considered a hard, 8 mile out-and-back hike with 2,775 feet of climbing.

Mount Baden-Powell Trail, originally called North Baldy, packs a lot in a relatively short distance. Named after Lord Baden-Powell – founder of the boy scouts – the challenge of approximately 40 switchbacks over 8 miles out-and-back and 2,775 feet of climbing is a popular one. It’s also a segment of Pacific Crest Trail and one of the trails offered in the SoCal Six Pack of Peaks Challenge.

Here’s the general route we took following AllTrails‘ Mount Baden-Powell Trail.

Ready to go?

Be prepared with the essentails

• Wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. While a decent amount of the trail is shaded, there are sections including the saddle and peak that are in the exposed alpine zone.
• Carry plenty of water. We recommend at least 2.5L per person, and more if you’re taking a longer route and/or your dog.
• Bring snacks to keep you and any company fueled.
• Don’t forget your first aid kit.
• You’ll need to pack additional hiking and safety gear if hiking in the winter. Please do not attempt this hike in the winter if you are new to hiking or don’t have experience hiking in the snow/ice.

Not sure what to pack? Check out our full list of hiking with your dog essentials and shop our favorites.

Getting to the trailhead

The coordinates for the parking lot are 34.373309453020276, -117.75200149924005 (though we successfully used the directions provided by AllTrails). The drive up is scenic as you wind your way through the mountains.

The parking lot is large, as it acts as a hub to a number of trails including the PCT. But it does fill up fast so I recommend getting to the trailhead early.

The parking lot also has a well-maintained bathroom. As someone who is very particular about public restrooms and would rather pee outside than in a stinky outhouse, this one passed the cleanliness test.

A parking pass is required for this lot. We used our National Park Pass, which gets us into any National Park, monument and National Forest. You can purchase a day pass for $5 at the rangers office.

In the winter some of the roads may be closed, and the trail is covered in snow and ice. I would not recommend hiking this trail in the winter if you are not a seasoned hiker with mountaineering experience.

Hiking Mount Baden-Powell

From the parking lot you’ll see two trailheads. To the left the trail leads to an abandoned mine. Instead, begin climbing the more narrow trail to the right. You’ll walk along the fence and see the PCT sign as you pass the back side of the bathrooms.

You’ll face a gradual but constant climb through 40+ switchbacks. The trail is well marked and the switch backs are pretty obvious. If you feel yourself challenged by the climb or altitude, there are plenty of shaded rocks to take a break at and around .9 miles in there is a nice bench to sit on.

About a mile past the bench you’ll see a sign for Lamel Springs. Continue to the right.

Just after the 3M marker (mile 3) there is an overlook with a log. You can sit here and take a break before the last few switchbacks to the saddle. You’ll start to see the trees thinning as you get higher.

At around 3.6 miles you should be at the saddle. There are great views here so take your time and enjoy looking around. Along the saddle you’ll run into the Wally Waldron Tree, which is said to be the oldest living thing in the San Gabriel Mountains at around 1,500 years old. Chase and Rado appreciated the shade Wally Waldron provided.

At this point you’re almost at the peak. Continue on up the last climb and you’ll soon see the Monument and summit register. Just behind that is usually an American Flag and summit signs. You’ve made it!

Take your summit selfies, eat some snacks, and then head back down the way you came.

Happy Hiking!

Hiking is a great way to get away from your busy work week, day-to-day responsibilities, and stress. It offers unplugged quiet time with fresh air, views, exercise, and a chance to reset our minds. After all, studies have shown that hiking not only improves your fitness, but also positively effects your mood, and overall well-being. It’s not a surprise that hiking has become more popular.

If you’re looking to beat the crowds, follow these tips to improve your chances of avoiding crowded trails.

If you’re new to hiking, remember to always pack the 10 essentials, let someone know where you’re going, and practice leaving no trace. If you’re new to hiking with your dog, check out our blog on Hiking with your dog: The essentials. Need new adventure gear? Shop now at REI.

Go early

Head out early. For some trails that might mean before 8am, others it might mean hitting the trail at sunrise. Generally speaking, if you go early, you’ll likely beat the mid-day crowd and can enjoy more of the trail to yourself.

Go late

Just like many do not like to get up and hit the trails early, most also don’t like being on the trail when it’s getting dark. If you feel comfortable doing so, then we say go for it. Plan a sunset hike. See the trail in a different light, literally. But remember this means you need to pack additional gear, like a headlamp.

Go during the week, avoid holidays

It makes sense that most people are heading out to the trails on the weekend and holidays. If able, going during the less popular times, like during the work week, is an easy way to avoid those weekend adventurers.

Hike year round

The average joe likely hits the trail only in the best conditions. Consider hiking in the off-season or in “bad” weather (keep yourself safe though, of course), and find excitement in checking out the trail in a different way. Some of the best memories are made overcoming different challenges, like hiking in colder temperatures, snow, or rain. The photo above is from a hike we did on one of the coldest days I’ve ever experienced (it was like 5*F?) but it’s one of my favorite memories now.

Avoid the most popular hikes

The internet and resources like popular hiking apps make finding trails a lot easier. This means a lot of people are searching for the best and highest rated trails. Take some time to look for gems that might be flying under the radar. Here are some ways to find awesome trails that might not be at the top of the search list:

Check for alternate routes

Coupling going early and finding an alternate route might be the ticket to visiting a popular hike while avoiding much of the crowd. You might still get some when you get to the destination, but at least you’re avoiding the popularity of the main trail.

Look for harder or farther hikes

Generally speaking, most people are open to hikes that are a few miles and have easy to moderate elevation gain (something that only takes about an hour or two). But the longer or harder the hike, the less likely it will be crowded. I guess a simple way to put this is: avoid shorter trails.

Find trails off of the main roads, drive further away

This is where the benefit of having a 4×4 or all-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance comes in. You can make your way to some neat trails that less people have access to.

If you don’t have a suitable vehicle for dirt roads, or don’t mind driving far, you might consider getting away from the big city. Hikes near a big city are often the most popular because they’re easy to access. If you drive more than an hour away, your odds to lesser trafficked trails increases.

Need help finding trails? Check out the AllTrails app to search your area and beyond.

Do you have additional tips to avoiding crowded trails? Leave them in the comments!

I bet you’re here because you love traveling with your dog. Me too.

This past spring we planned a big coastal road trip from Southern California to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with our dogs. A lot of people asked how we did it, and if it was hard. Generally speaking, no, it wasn’t hard. With the right paperwork, vaccinations and preparation, most dogs can travel by car from the US to Canada.

Here are the things we learned based on our experience:

Preparing your dog for a road trip

Doing a little extra prep-work will help support a smoother, safer trip.

Remember to plan a check-up with your vet and to double check that they’re all up to date on their vaccines. Some places, like Canada, require a certificate of health along with a copy of vaccines.

Make sure that your dog’s ID tags/ microchip’s contact information is all up to date, in case you are ever separated.

If your dog is anxious or gets car sick, consider acclimating them to longer drives and packing some calming supplements.

If you have an active dog, plan how you will incorporate exercise into their routine on heavier driving days. Will you take a longer walk in the morning? Plan to do some trick training or puzzles during your gas and bathroom stops?

If you haven’t planned a road trip with your dog before, be sure to check out our blog: Planning your Dog-Friendly Road Trip for more tips and checklists.

What to Pack… for Canada

Our blog post linked above provides a packing checklist, but when it comes to traveling between the USA and Canada specifically, here are additional things to keep in mind:

Paperwork

Prior to our trip to Canada, both of our dogs went in for a wellness check and we obtained all necessary travel forms. As of May 2022, that included a copy of vaccine records, rabies vaccination, and a health certificate. You can find more information from the Government of Canada here. Border officials will request these documents upon entry.

Note: always double check that your vet has signed all the necessary forms before you leave their office, and keep in mind that the health certificates have an expiration date so be sure to plan your appointment appropriately.

Food and Treats

There are also regulations around bringing food into Canada. Some of the regulations include a limit of 20kg (approximately 40lbs), must be of US origin and commercially packaged, both food and pet be in possession of the traveler at time of entry, and that the food only be fed to the pet that accompanies the traveler. Some types of protein are also prohibited so do double check the contents of your food and treats before your trip. For more information on food regulations, you can find more information from the Government of Canada here.

For my overpacking friends, my one tip is to only pack what you need when traveling through customs. We were a little worried about the rules around food so we only packed what wouldn’t be a big deal to lose if they were confiscated.

The one thing I did not research, however, was traveling with pet medication or whether or not there are any breed restrictions.

Crossing the border

At the time of our visit, travelers were required to fill out and show proof of COVID-19 vaccination through the ArriveCAN app (May 2022). Be sure to double check if this is required before your trip. We actually didn’t know and were turned around at the border to complete that first. Luckily it only took about 10-15 minutes to complete for three travelers and we were able to include everyone on one application.

Once we got back to the border, we showed them the approval code the app provided. The border official then asked us a few questions like where we were from, what was the purpose of the trip, who’s car we were driving, and where we’re staying. If you haven’t driven through the border before, this can be a very nerve-wracking experience. Just know that it’s part of their job to make you at least a little uncomfortable as they make sure you’re not lying or suspicious.

We let our border official know that the dogs were with us and we showed them that we had the paperwork. They didn’t look at it closely, and didn’t end up asking about their food, but we have heard that some people do get pulled over to the side for inspection. Although that is rare.

Wrap up

Canada is beautiful and if you have the opportunity to visit, you should. Know that if you want to bring your dog, it is most certainly doable. However, as any trip goes, make sure that the activities you plan are dog-friendly as well.

Happy Adventuring!