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12 Pet Friendly Vacation Spots in the Mid-Atlantic

Summer is in full swing and many of our readers may be looking for dog-friendly vacation spots. Read on for a list (which is by no means is comprehensive) of pet friendly stops near Central PA. Whether you’re looking to spend a few days hiking the trails with your furry friend or just a day trip in the summer sun your family is bound to enjoy these fun summer destinations.

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  • The Amish Farm & House
    This site exists to provide the public with a quality educational experience reflecting both the historical and contemporary Amish culture in Lancaster County. You will see the farmhouse, built in 1805, the 15-acre picturesque farm with many of the historic buildings remaining, and a 1775 operational bake oven. Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome on the grounds and most of the buildings.
  • Beau’s Dream Dog Park at Buchanan Park
    The newly renovated dog park, which Lancaster, PA resident Angela Bauman’s 2012 winning entry helped inspire, features an array of amusement park-themed elements, including: a 40-foot-long roller coaster bridge; custom-designed splash pads for large and small dogs that feature fun spray nozzles; an expansive deck for relaxing; a tennis ball tree, among many other exciting features. In honor of Bauman’s four-legged playmate Beau, the City of Lancaster renamed the dog park Beau’s Dream Dog Park.
  • Cape Henlopen State Park
    Located on the Delaware seashore you can take Fluffy for a dip on non-lifeguarded beaches as long she is kept on a leash 6 ft or shorter. No dogs are permitted on the lifeguarded beaches, sailboarding beaches or shorebird nesting areas during peak season (May 1- September 30).
  • Deep Creek
    Deep Creek Lake is the perfect vacation destination for people looking to travel with their dogs. We consider our pets part of the family, so why leave them behind? Booking a dog-friendly rental home is the ideal solution – don’t leave your furry friend back home at boarding facility, let him/her experience the fun activities at Deep Creek Lake along with you! With quiet streets, pet-friendly businesses, a wide open lake and miles of hiking trails, Deep Creek, Maryland is a dog’s heaven on earth.
  • Elm’s Beach Park
    Located on the Chesapeake Bay there are 476 acres of pet-friendly fun. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash.
  • Flag Ponds Nature Park
    Another park located on the Chesapeake Bay, you can enjoy both short and long hikes through freshwater ponds areas, forested heights, and sandy beaches with your dog. Dogs must be leashed at all times.
  • John H. Downs Memorial Park & Dog Beach
    also situated on the Bay, Downs offers paved and natural trails and a dog beach. On the dog beach you can even let your dog off leash if you’d like.
  • Kitchen Kettle Village
    You’ll enjoy this quaint shopping village which has all the hand-made items you would expect in Pennsylvania’s Amish Country. You’ll find quilts, leather goods, home decor, meats and cheeses, baked goods, a jam and relish kitchen, homemade ice cream, and kettle corn. There is also a petting zoo and carriage rides. Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome to join you on the grounds and and on the carriage rides.
  • Knoebels Amusement Resort
    With no admission fee, this pay-as-you-ride amusement park is popular with the dogs, too! Dogs are permitted inside the park but must be kept on a leash and you pick up after your pooch.
  • Lake Erie: Presque State Park
    A bit of a distance from Central PA, but the pristine beaches may be worth the drive. Pooches are allowed on all non-lifeguarded beaches with a 6 ft or shorter leash.
  • The Landing Restaurant (New Hope, PA)
    A rare occurrence in our area: a restaurant where you can dine with your furry best friends. Dine on The Landing’s riverside terrace where your pet is treated like a guest, not a pest. Be sure to say hello to Fred, the Burmese Mountain Dog who mingles with guests on the terrace.
  • Long Beach Island, NJ Dog Parks
    Long Beach Island has two dog parks. Barnegat Light’s dog park, on the north end of the island, has a double gated entrance for safety. Long Beach Township’s Dog Park has installed dune fencing so that the dogs can go from the beach to the water in relative safely. All licensed and well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Be sure to take plenty of water, treats, toys, and don’t forget bags to clean up after the dogs! Plan ahead if you think you would like to spend the night. There are many hotel chains that are becoming pet friendly, but some have restrictions of the type or number of animals you may have with you while others charge an additional pet fee.

If you have a favorite dog friendly destination spot, be sure to leave it in the comments, we’d love to try out some new doggie vacation spots!

 Sources:
http://www.petfriendlytravel.com/dog_beaches  
http://www.whenandwhere.com
http://www.bringfido.com/
http://www.gopetfriendly.com/

2 comments

  1. avatar

    Great article and tips! If I ever travel to any of these areas with my dog, or just with family, I’d love to check some of these places out.

  2. avatar

    This is a great Article Megan! I own a vacation rental property that is located in Pisgah National Forest, in North Carolina. We are a dog friendly retreat, and take pride in being so!

    I’d love it if you checked out our listing!

    Keep up the great work!

    Nan Long

    ps – Really enjoy your frozen dog treat blog as well! Give some love to Chester for us!

About Megan Krchnar

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I have been a pet parent to Chester, a 6 year old hound mix, for 5 years and owned a variety of small pets in the past. We have recently expanded our family by adding a baby girl. I enjoy sharing my pet knowledge and experiences in hopes that others will learn from them.
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