Not all dog-friendly vacation rentals are created equal — in fact, more often than not, pup-welcoming accommodations aren’t much to look at and don’t have great amenities. We don’t blame hosts for wanting to protect their properties, but we are grateful for those rental owners who realize that a well-behaved dog doesn’t necessarily equal disaster. We scoured the country for rental accommodations that are close to dog parks and pup-friendly restaurants and bars that also feature mess-friendly floors, fenced yards, and more. From city bungalows and lake cabins to private islands where your dog can experience the off-leash life for days, here are 15 of America’s most dog-friendly vacation rentals.
Lake Michigan Beach House
Oostburg, Wisconsin | Sleeps 5 Book It
This two-bedroom house has a lot of things going for it outside of the dog-friendliness realm. For instance, it’s got the great lines and open floor plan of a mid-century modern design while also displaying a coziness and warmth in the furniture and decor. There’s also a see-through log fireplace, screened porch, and a canoe and rowboat are available to guests.
Lake Michigan Beach House: The Dog Details
What makes this a great rental for dog owners? Well, to start, it’s described as “completely private,” which is particularly nice if you have a dog that might not interact well with other pets or people. There are also nearby trails to hike on or a cove to swim in if you have a pet that behaves better with lots of exercise. Wrote one renter: “The little cove provided fun for us and our dog. Also found a stretch of sand in Amsterdam Park to walk and enjoyed biking the Interurban Trail.”
Related: 20 Beaches Your Dog Will Love — and So Will You
Wee Cottage in the Woods
Provo, Utah | Sleeps 4 Book It
Its listing calls this tiny accommodation “750 square feet of cozy perfection” and, looking at its photos, we can’t disagree. The home includes two decks, a hot tub, a wood-burning fireplace in the living room, and an outdoor hammock to enjoy if the weather is warm.
Wee Cottage in the Woods: The Dog Details
This property offers privacy and seclusion for renters and their pups, as well as nearby access to the North Fork Provo River for water-loving canines. There’s plenty of space outside for getting exercise and, if your pup needs more, it’s a short drive to the Bicentennial Dog Park or head north to the Dayland Dog Park in nearby Draper, which offers spots for dogs to run and swim.
Related: 16 RV Parks Your Pooch Will Love As Much As You
Texas Lake House
McQueeney, Texas | Sleeps 32 Book It
Located just south of New Braunfels, which is packed with fun things to do, this pet-friendly property includes a lake house and guest house plus tons of extras. Enjoy nearby boat and watercraft rentals, a massive fire pit, tetherball, your own private pier, a 100-inch projector screen, Xbox, and lots more.
Trending on Cheapism
Texas Lake House: The Dog Details
This house has a big yard for running around plus your pup can enjoy a dip in the nearby lake anytime he wants. Tile flooring is easy to clean up should your dog track in mud, and an open floor plan lets you keep a closer eye on him or her.
Related: 30 Mansions You Can Actually Afford to Rent
Restored Historic Farmhouse
Boulder, Colorado | Sleeps 9 Book It
This 2,600-square-foot home has four bedrooms and two baths. A late 19th-century farmhouse that’s been restored, renters will likely enjoy its historic touches combined with modern conveniences. Amenities include luxury linens like spa-quality towels, as well as a rainfall shower and Dish TV.
Restored Historic Farmhouse: The Dog Details
What’s in it for the dogs? For starters, few towns are as dog-friendly as Boulder, where many pups are welcomed into local restaurants and shops. The property itself is surrounded by open space and, if you want to let your pup get some more wiggles out, the off-leash Twin Lakes Dog Park in nearby Gunbarrel was named one of Colorado’s most “epic” dog parks. Bonus: It’s also close to several dog-welcoming breweries.
Related: 31 Pet-Friendly Restaurants Across America
Sign up for our newsletter
The Paw House Inn
West Rutland, Vermont | Sleeps 4 Book It
Yes, this home has dog-friendliness in spades (we’ll get back to that) but it also has some human-worthy amenities, too, including a jacuzzi tub, private deck, and your rental includes a full country breakfast on your first day. It’s also a short drive to both the Pico and Killington ski areas, and the property owners offer discounted lift passes.
The Paw House Inn: The Dog Details
If the name didn’t give it away already, this vacation rental not only welcomes dogs but caters to them. “Completely designed for dog owners,” the Paw House Inn includes dog trundle beds, a huge private agility park, dog-friendly community dining rooms, and “Mario’s Playhouse,” a facility that cares for your pup if you decide to, say, go hit the slopes.
Montana Split-Level
Bozeman, Montana | Sleeps 8 Book It
Located southeast of downtown Bozeman, this four-bedroom, two-bath home has 2,600 square feet of space for your group and its pups to spread out in. Amenities include comfortable furnishings, new mattresses, mountain views, and high-speed cable and internet.
Montana Split-Level: The Dog Details
If you have a dog whose life just isn’t complete without a few rousing games of fetch each day, this home’s half-acre, fully fenced backyard will give you and your buddy plenty of room to roam, run, and chase balls. There are also hiking trails nearby, and — as website BringFido notes — the city is filled with places you can bring your pup.
Related: The Most Popular Dog Breeds in Every State
Key West Paradise
Key West, Florida | Sleeps 8 Book It
This four-bedroom, three-bath home has everything you’ll need for comfortable indoor and outdoor living. Amenities and features include an open floor plan, outdoor shower, comfy furnishings, eclectic yet chic decor, vaulted ceilings, and more.
Key West Paradise: The Dog Details
If your pup loves a swim, there’s a 24-by-11-foot heated pool in the backyard, as well as space to roam and sniff all kinds of interesting things. Hardwood floors inside the house guarantee that picking up after any accidents won’t lead to losing your damage deposit.
Southside Ranch
Jacksonville, Florida | Sleeps 10 Book It
This four-bedroom, three-bath one-story home is conveniently located near I-95 and has an open floor plan and attractive furnishings and decor (we’re not mad about that bright yellow front door, either). It has a spacious front porch and a backyard fire pit.
Southside Ranch: The Dog Details
There are a number of reasons to love this rental for dogs, and that fenced back yard is high up on the list. We also love the hardwoods in the common areas (easier for picking up any accidents). Best of all, this rental appears to be not much of a drive away from Jacksonville’s Dog Wood Park, which BringFido called one of the “most epic dog parks in the U.S.” It includes 25 acres of roam-worthy land and a 2-acre swimming lake and agility section.
Related: Rentals for Large Groups That Don’t Want to Stay in the Same House
Magic Mid-Century Madrone
Cazadero, California | Sleeps 4 Book It
This modern, light-filled northern California home is located in Russian River country, with “amazing views of the Cazadero countryside.” The home itself has a hot tub, deck, fire pit, grill, and — noted one dog-owning renter in a review — a fully fenced yard.
Magic Mid-Century Madrone: The Dog Details
There are three terraced levels of backyard for your pup to explore, and a nearby meadow gives even more space to run while you and your fellow renters enjoy a game of horseshoes. And don’t worry if your dog gets filthy — the home has an outdoor shower where everyone can rinse off. Wrote one reviewer: “There was so much room for my dog to run too, and finding beautiful homes to bring your dog is no easy feat!”
For more travel guides and vacation tips, please sign up for our free newsletters.
Urban ATX Retreat
Austin, Texas | Sleeps 5 Book It
Dog-friendly rentals often aren’t the most chic accommodations, but this home near Austin’s popular South Congress neighborhood flies in the face of that usual standard. It’s an Airbnb Plus property — a program reserved for “well-designed, fully equipped, and spotlessly maintained spaces,” and the two-bedroom, one-bath space is predictably filled with stylish furniture and decor.
Urban ATX Retreat: The Dog Details
Polished concrete floors make accidents, hair, and doggie footprints easy to clean up, and the fully fenced backyard guarantees a safe space for your pup to get some exercise. Finally, for well-socialized dogs, South Congress is a neighborhood filled with pup-friendly shops and restaurants.
Tranquil Guesthouse
Portland, Oregon | Sleeps 2-4 Book It
While this house might be spare on space, it’s big on style, with newly installed fixtures and furniture. It’s also close to a lot of destinations within its southeast Portland location, including coffee shops, ice cream parlors, supermarkets, restaurants and bars, and more.
Tranquil Guesthouse: The Dog Details
Unlike a lot of pet-friendly rentals, this one doesn’t charge any fees for your first pet, and extra pets are charged a nominal fee of $10. It’s also located just two or so blocks from the neighborhood’s off-leash Woodstock dog park. One reviewer wrote: “Lots of privacy and a quiet neighborhood which is great for dog walks!”
Related: Best Family-Friendly Dog Breeds
Oak Island Wildlife Preserve
Camden, Maine | Sleeps 6 Book It
What could be better than having an island all to yourself? This two-bedroom, two-bath vacation rental is located on a 23-acre island about 12 miles east of Camden and the hosts offer transportation options for those renters that don’t have their own boat. Other than gorgeous beaches, amazing views, and abundant wildlife, the property’s amenities include a main house, sleeper cabin, and an outdoor deck.
Oak Island Wildlife Preserve: The Dog Details
Fenced yards are great, but what could be better than allowing your pup to pretty much roam free, swim on the island’s six beaches, hike the island’s interior, or just relax by your side on the deck while you savor a cup of coffee?
East Nashville Bungalow
Nashville | Sleeps 8 Book It
With three bedrooms and two baths, there’s plenty of space to spread out in this vacation rental. Amenities include a gourmet kitchen, multiple smart TVs, a deck, and proximity to lots of Music City destinations, including downtown, Bicentennial Park, and the Music City Walk of Fame.
East Nashville Bungalow: The Dog Details
A large, fenced yard provides plenty of square footage for your pup to get some exercise, and it’s also less than 15 minutes from both the city-run Shelby Dog Park as well as BarkPark, an “outdoor clubhouse for dogs and their people.”
Catskills Nature Escape
Barryville, New York | Sleeps 4 Book It
Located in Catskills country a couple hours from New York City, this two-bedroom, two-bath home features a large deck, multiple outdoor seating areas, a country kitchen with island, hardwood floors, and stylish interiors.
Catskills Nature Escape: The Dog Details
Looking for a place where you won’t even have to leave home for your pups to get some exercise? This vacation rental has a 1.3-acre, fully fenced yard. Or, for more adventurous types — of the human and dog variety — check out the many outdoor recreational opportunities in the Delaware River Valley, including hiking, beaches, water sports, and more.
Waldo Walkabout
Kansas City, Missouri | Sleeps 6 Book It
This two-bedroom, one-bath adorable and bright remodeled vacation rental provides plenty of space for a small group with dogs. Located adjacent to Kansas City’s Waldo neighborhood, the area offers plenty of eclectic shops as well as eateries and watering holes.
Waldo Walkabout: The Dog Details
Hardwood floors make for easy cleanup, and a fenced backyard gives your pup a place to exercise and do his or her business. The pet-friendly Kansas City Bier Co. is within walking distance, and there are at least three dog parks — Swope, Summit Street, and Leafwood — within 15 minutes driving distance. Or go a little farther to check out the Shawnee Mission Park’s 44-acre Dog Off-Leash Area, which often makes lists of the top dog parks in America.
