A true family vacation includes all beloved members - even the furry kind. While traveling with a pet can be a challenge, nothing helps you appreciate the nuances of a new landscape like exploring it with your four-legged friend.
With miles of lush wilderness full of exciting sights, smells, and sounds, Southern Utah is the ultimate pet paradise. While many of the national parks in the area don't allow pets, there are plenty of other great places where you and your pal can take a walk on the wild side. To help you plan a paw-some trip, here are the best places to go for the ultimate pet-friendly vacation in Southern Utah.
Pets agree - Dixie National Forest is the place to be! The forest covers nearly two million acres and every inch is pet-friendly, offering hundreds of miles of new sights and smells to explore. Some of the most popular trails for pets include the Aspen Mirror Trail, a short but scenic hike to an Aspen-lined lake, and Cascade Falls, which features a flowing waterfall and stunning views of Zion National Park. Pets must be leashed and all waste removed.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
The dramatic landscapes of this national monument are a paw-fect place for pet adventures. You and your pet will love exploring the dynamic series of monoliths, slot canyons, natural bridges, arches, and cliffs that make up the park's nearly one million acres. Dogs are welcome in most areas of the park, the exceptions being Cayote Gulch and some of the more compact canyons. Leashes are required on the Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail and in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Although much of the park is off-limits to pets, there are a few good places for a tail-wagging time in Bryce Canyon. Pets are allowed on all paved areas in the park, including the popular trail between the iconic Sunset and Sunrise Point overlooks. You can also take the Shared Use Path that runs between the park entrance and Inspiration Point. Pets must be kept on a leash that's less than 6 feet long at all times.
If you don't mind the wet dog smell, Panguitch Lake is a great place for pets. After exploring the miles of dense hiking trails in the surrounding forest, you and your pet can head to the water for a celebratory swim or laze away the afternoon at a lakeside picnic spot. When the day is done, head back to your pet-friendly lake cabin to bond over a bowl of kibble and the day's fresh catch.
Book Your Paw-fect Pet Rental Today!
For many, finding a great pet-friendly rental is the hardest part of traveling with a pet. Luckily, Family Time Vacation Rentals makes it easy! We offer a variety of pet-friendly rentals across Southern Utah where your entire family can rest your feet (and your fur).
For a great example, check out our Cabin on The Rocks. This comfy cabin in Duck Creek Village gives your afternoon walks an upgrade thanks to the surrounding forest of Pine and Aspen trees - you'll have plenty of privacy for scenic strolls and puppy potty breaks. If you're traveling with less hairy kids, they'll love the detached game pavilion complete with pool table and shuffleboard!