Dog-Friendly Summer Destinations
Many families are going on vacation this summer and along with them is the four-legged member of the family. Here are some interesting pet-friendly summer destinations.
First Landing State Park is a pet-friendly park in Virginia where pets are welcome year-round on the beach, in the campground, and in the cabins. The park features 19 miles of dog-friendly hikes, including a boardwalk swamp trail beneath trees dripping Spanish moss. First Landing is inviting visitors to its Dogs Days of Summer on July 20, 2008, featuring a dog fashion show, a doggie spa, and police K-9 demos, it is a perfect opportunity to get outdoors with your four-legged friend. While your pets enjoy their stay, families can also enjoy numerous activities and facilities from hiking and biking to picnicking, camping, boating and fishing. Parking and Swimming fees are from $2 to $4. You can reserve two-bedroom cabins with decks, grills, air conditioning, and more for $678 a week.
Guadalupe River State Park is another dog-friendly park, it is located thirty miles north of San Antonio, Texas. It is a sanctuary for the whole family and their pet to escape the heat on the Texas sun. Your leashed pets can swim in the river’s clear waters, hike five miles of trails, and camp. You can also bring along your pets while you go fishing, canoeing, tubing and attending outdoor nature programs on Saturday nights. The park would love to welcome your dogs as long as owners abide in their rules such as an appropriate length leash, cleaning up after your pet, and preventing him from lifting a leg on someone’s beach towel. Entrance fee is at $6 per person and be sure to carry proof of your pet’s rabies vaccination.
On the southern edge of Sheboygan is Kohler-Andrae State Park, where your leashed dogs can play in Lake Michigan’s brisk waters along a lovely segment of white-sand beach that stretches about half a mile. Dogs of all sizes are welcome in this 1,000-acre state park and there are no additional pet fees. There is a pet area map in the office that shows what trails and areas are pet friendly, including camping and tent areas. Entrance for residents is $7 while $10 for non-residents.
At Long Beach Peninsula, your leashed pets can go chase seagulls and Frisbees, dig in sparkling sand, sniff out crab shells and more. While the whole gang enjoys walking along the breezy beach, kite-flying, lighthouse-gazing and having fun at festivals during their visit, pets also enjoy supervised, leash-free play on beaches outside the five state parks and city of Long Beach.
Take your whole family and your pets to these destinations for an exciting summer vacation, but remember you must stick with the rules so everyone will have a good time.
