Heading to Joshua Tree National Park with your dog? Like most National Parks, there are restrictions to a pet’s visit, but with a little compromise, there is plenty to enjoy!

Nestled in the heart of California, Joshua Tree National Park is a desert wonderland for adventurers. Whether you’re a hiker, climber or simply love the outdoors and stargazing, you’ll love the unique landscape and iconic Joshua Trees. For those who also prefer to travel with their dogs like we do, your trip might be more limited but there is still plenty to enjoy.

Safety First! While Joshua Tree offers a great environment for adventure, it’s essential to prioritize safety for both you and your dog. The desert can be harsh and the combination of desert air and elevation can quickly lead to dehydration, so be sure to carry enough water for both of you, protect your dog’s paws from hot surfaces, and be most mindful of the temperature. It’s best to keep your dog at home in the summer months.

You should also review the park’s rules on pets in the park. Generally speaking, leashed pets are allowed as long as they remain within 100 feet of roads, picnic areas, and campgrounds. You can check park maps for the most up to date acceptable locations.

So where can you go with your dogs in the park?

We have found that the best way to enjoy the park with your canine companion is by entering through the West Entrance Station. This entrance is closest to the trails and campgrounds we enjoy.

Luckily, according to the park’s rules, you are allowed to walk your dog anywhere you can drive your car, so we enjoyed walking the pups on a handful of dirt roads that the park has. This offered several paths to stretch our legs and enjoy the views. Some of our favorites include the roads around Hidden Valley Campground and the Geology Tour area. You can find many of these roads designated on the park map. We also suggest asking a ranger which roads offer the best scenery and are most appropriate for your skill level.

Most of the roads start near a parking lot and have pull-outs along the way where you can begin your walk. Just be sure you are not blocking traffic and that your dog is leashed the entire time. And also remember to pick up after your dog. Some roads have more traffic than others, so be sure to stay alert and move out of the way of any vehicles that need to pass.

One of our favorite pet-friendly paved trails is Keys View Trail. This is an easy and family-friendly trail (just about a quarter mile long in total) that offers a nice little loop to a spectacular overlook of the valleys below. There you’ll also be able to see the shining surface of the Salton Sea, San Jacinto Peak, and the usually snow-covered peak of San Gorgonio Mountain. Some have noted that on really clear days, you might be able to see Signal Mountain in Mexico, but that has become somewhat rare due to the poor air quality over the years. Our favorite time to visit Keys View is at sunset. However, traffic picks up quickly at that time so you’ll want to head over a little earlier to grab a parking spot.

Joshua Tree is one of the national parks that is pretty easy to explore without having to hike for miles. You’ll be able to stop at pullouts or take side roads to see the rock formations and Joshua Trees that make this park so special.

If rock climbing is your thing, or maybe you just enjoy watching the climbers while having your favorite snack, you’ll be happy to know there are four rock climbing areas within 100 feet of a road, picnic area, or campground and therefore pet-friendly. Check out the climbing areas at Belle Campground: Castle Rock, Hidden Valley Campground, Indian Cove Area (there are a few climbing areas here), and the Quail Springs Area.

And if you enjoy camping, there are plenty of campgrounds in and around the park to choose from.

So whatever reason brings you to the park, with a little compromise, there are ways to enjoy Joshua Tree with your dog.

Happy Adventures!

Planning a visit to Sedona but short on time? This post is for you.

Sedona, Arizona is a beautiful destination that offers a little something for everyone. Whether you are looking to explore the great outdoors or simply relax and unwind, this city has it all.

While there are many, our favorite draw of Sedona is its natural beauty (AND that its incredibly dog-friendly). The city is surrounded by red rock formations that provide a stunning backdrop for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities. There are a number of trails to choose from, which make it the perfect place for any level hiker. We’ll share some of our favorite dog-friendly trails that are perfect for maximizing a short weekend trip.

With so many to choose from, it is really hard to pick just a few trails. Inevitably, you’ll be itching to come back for more. Here is a list of our favorite short hikes (less than four miles total) in Sedona. If you plan your route right you can easily complete multiple hikes per day. For example, we planned a loop of hikes that included Bell Rock, Raven Caves, and Fay Canyon.

Fay Canyon Trail – 2.3 mi
Bell Rock – 1 mi
Seven Sacred Pools – 1.2 mi (note: there a number of trails that lead here)
Sedona Airport Loop – 3.2 mi
Teacup Trail to Coffeepot Rock – 2.7 mi
Oak Creek Trail – 1.3 mi
Devils Kitchen – 1 mi
Raven Caves – 1 mi
Sugarloaf Loop Trail – 2 mi
Doe Mountain Trail – 1.5 mi
Keyhole Cave via Sugarloaf Trail – 2.4 mi
Devil’s Bridge Trail – 3.9 mi
Submarine Rock and Devil’s Dining Room Trail – 2.8 mi

All of these trails can be found on AllTrails.

Looking for places to enjoy a meal between activities? Stop by the main village in Sedona and grab a bite at the Vault UpTown. The patio is dog-friendly and it’s the perfect spot for lunch with a view, just take a look at the views we had from our table!

Are you a pizza person? Check out Sedona Pizza and Pasta Company. Enjoy lunch with your friends and your dogs on their dog-friendly patio (and they have a DOG MENU!!).

Sedona is truly a perfect destination for anyone looking to explore, relax, and rejuvenate. There’s something for everyone to enjoy! So grab your bags and hit the road —

See you on the trails!

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!

So, you’ve decided to take your dog on a road trip! Although it requires a little more planning, we believe the extra effort is definitely worth the companionship. There’s also the added benefit of not having to be separated, board your dog, or hire a pet sitter.

Check out the tips and checklists below to help you prepare for your next road trip with your dog.

Planning your trip

You’ll need to dedicate a little extra time to planning your stops and stays for your trip, but not too much more than you’re already doing for yourself.

We usually plan to stop approximately every 2-3 hours to stretch our legs and use the bathroom. Our favorite stops are gas stations that have dog runs or dog parks nearby where we can let the dogs run around freely. We find these quick stops are the hardest to plan, especially if you’re not familiar with the route.

Don’t forget to look for places to eat along the way. Depending on our time frame, we usually pick places we can pick up and eat in the car, or restaurants with dog-friendly patios.

You’ll also need to find pet-friendly places to stay. Some large chains, like Hilton and Marriot are hit and miss. They offer select hotels that are dog friendly; usually with an additional fee and weight restrictions. La Quinta’s are known to be dog friendly and don’t usually require an additional fee, but they do have a 2 pet maximum. Our most recent favorite, however, is StayPineapple, who I would describe as dog-inclusive! StayPineapple offers a number of dog-friendly accommodations including dog beds, bowls, treats, and more. They’re definitely our top recommendation for anyone visiting a city that has one.

Preparing for your trip

Has your dog spent much time in the car? If they haven’t, make sure to spend time acclimating your dog. Road trips are definitely less fun if it’s the first time dealing with your dog’s anxiety or car sickness. Make sure you also have a crash tested crate or harness/ seatbelt.

Remember to plan a check-up with your vet and make sure your dog is up to date on their vaccines, and bring have a copy printed to bring on your trip. Depending on where you are traveling to, you may also need a certificate of health.

Be sure to also double check that your dog’s ID tag/ microchip contact information is all up to date, just in case you are ever separated.

If you have an active dog, it’s also important to plan how you will incorporate exercise into their routine on longer driving days. That might look like a longer walk in the morning before you depart, or bringing puzzles and working on tricks for mental stimulation.

What to pack

Your dog-travel checklist should include the following:

• ID tag with current contact information, Vaccine records
• Plenty of food and water for the entire trip, Treats
• Travel bowl/s
• Poop bags, Wipes
• Collar/Harness (with ID tag), Leash
• Crate/ Car harness & Seatbelt, Seat Cover
• Travel bed, Blanket
• Their favorite toy, Chews
• First Aid Kit, Medication, and any additional calming aids (if needed)

You might also decide to bring some of the following depending on your destination and the weather:

• Flea & Tick repellants
• Brush, Comb
• Towel, Life Jacket
• Cooling vest or Jacket
• Dog boots

You can find our favorite dog essentials and discount codes here. If you’ll be hiking with your dog, be sure to check out our list of hiking essentials here.

We are usually able to pack the essentials for our two large dogs in a duffle bag, but will sometimes use a suitcase for longer trips.

Happy Adventuring!