Tips for National Park Travel with Your Dog

August 25th marks the 100-year anniversary of the National Park Service, and as outdoors-people, many of us will want to use the anniversary as an excuse to get outdoors and #liveunleashed with our dogs. But the reality of the situation is, most national parks have restrictions on how our best friends can join us.

So what do you do when your best adventure traveler is a four-legged companion? Here are a few tips for national park travel with your dog.

Tips for National Park Traveling with Your Dog

Do your research beforehand

Some national parks allow dogs; it’s simply restricted to particular areas or trails. For example, the Grand Canyon National Park is actually a place you can take your best friend, but only on the rim trails, and always on a leash. Doing your research is imperative! There might not always be a sign to tell you where your dog is allowed to go, and fines can get hefty. Stay informed and be a responsible dog owner so that dogs and their human companions can enjoy these areas for years to come.

Some parks have kennels

The number of national parks with kennels for your dog to stay at while you see the whole park may feel limited, but be sure to check out nearby cities, too. Sending shot records to these facilities will be a part of the process, so again—do your research and plan your trip to allow your dog to have fun with you in the accessible areas, and so you can have your own time to explore the backcountry or steeper trails.

Know your campground rules

Camping near or inside a national park is half the fun! While most campgrounds allow dogs, they cannot be left unattended. Again, look into pet-friendly lodging in the area. For example, the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia has lodging, allows dogs inside their campgrounds, and even allows leashed dogs on most of their trails. It can be done!

Pet-friendly hostels or hotels

Let’s say after you hit the trail for the day you’d like to cozy up in a bed instead of inside a tent. There are hotels and hostels out there that allow dogs. While extra fees may apply, consider the option because it solves the where-to-leave-your-dog problem. If your dog is kennel-trained, that’s a big bonus! Having a safe place for them to rest in while you’re out will aid their comfort. Try aiming for an individual room in a hostel. If your dog is prone to barking while you’re away, try a safe citronella spray collar.

Pack accordingly

For those times when your dog can join you inside the park, don’t forget to pack a collapsible water/food dish, plenty of water for the two of you, snacks, your dog’s harness or collar, and the appropriately-sized leash (parks usually require a 6-footer or less). Don’t forget the bed or kennel for sleeping the day out in the sun off and never keep your dog in a car in seemingly mild temperatures. Even if the temperature outside is only 75 degrees, it can quickly reach unbearable temperatures inside.

Follow these tips and feel prepared for the adventure you can’t wait to take with your dog this summer! Happy 100-year anniversary, national parks!

6 Tips for Traveling Internationally with Your Dog

Jayla and her dogs in Sienna, Italy

Guest Blog by International Traveler and Dog Enthusiast, Jayla Rae Ardelean

I had an opportunity to move to Italy for ten months, but didn’t know the first thing about getting my two dachshunds over there to be with me. This, I believe, is a problem for many people who opt to travel with their dogs.

After listening to advice from a friend who was also able to move her dogs internationally—as well as doing countless hours of my own research—here is what I’ve gleaned about the process, so I can share it with international dog travelers all around:

Lessons Learned From International Travel With Dogs

1. Your vet/vet tech should conduct research on the health and safety requirements for the country you are traveling to. This will include necessary vaccines, other shots, microchips, and quarantine periods (if there are any). You’re in for about a two to three month-long ordeal, but think of it as an adventure! The timing of when your dog can get particular shots and when you can obtain a certificate of veterinary inspection (often from government office, such as the Department of Agriculture) is a major factor. You will need all of this paperwork to show to the airline and to representatives at your final destination.

2. Let’s say there’s not just one country, but multiple on your itinerary. Your dog needs a passport. Research regions thoroughly before hopping a plane to another country once you’re outside of the United States. For example, although the UK is currently a part of the European Union, it is not a part of the open borders Schengen area, and therefore has different requirements for your dog.

3. The most important distinction you need to know is that there are International Air Travel Association (IATA) guidelines and there are also guidelines specific to an airline. Although it is assumed that airlines follow IATA guidelines, that is not always the case. Choose a great airline and then compare both sets of guidelines to make sure they are complying with IATA. I found an airline that interpreted the IATA guidelines differently when it came to the number of dogs allowed in one kennel, and was almost not allowed to depart into Italy because of it.

4. Is your dog small enough to travel in the cabin below your seat, or are they big and heavy, thus needing to travel inside a kennel below the plane in cargo space? (Which, by the way, is pressure and temperature-controlled, so don’t worry!) I used this website for information and products because it was recommended to me, although I found the kennel size I needed there, and then found it cheaper and able to ship quicker on Amazon. You’ll need to know how many pieces of carry-on luggage and checked luggage the airline you have chosen allows; a dog kennel below the plane counts as one piece of checked luggage, and a dog kennel in the cabin with you counts as your main carry-on. Typically, it is cheaper to fly your dog in the cabin with you, but the size and weight of your dog is the deciding factor.

5. The time of year you are traveling is crucial. You may be hard-pressed to find an airline that will take a kenneled dog in the cargo hold between May-August because of high temperatures on the runway, but these restrictions do not apply when your dog flies below the seat in front of you.

6. Prepare to make a lot of phone calls to airlines/airports with your questions. Take the name of each person you speak with so you can refer to them later, in case there’s a problem.

Don’t forget your Release N Run Leash for airport convenience, and for when your dog climbs mountains alongside you during your travels!

Jayla Rae Ardelean is a crazy wiener dog lady with a ween team of two, currently living abroad. Follow Timmy and Autzen on Instagram @weenteamstrong

10 Great Places to Travel With Your Outdoor Dog

Crystal Crane Hot Springs in Oregon

We've got a New Year's Resolution that we think is one RAD idea: travel more with our dogs this year!

Our products are all about getting out without the fuss, which got us thinking, "How can we get out more often, see more places, and do more things with our dog?" The answer: take a look at some of the best travel adventures for dog owners and the canine companions.

So, here is the list of dog-friendly hot-spots we'd like to check out this year! Where's your favorite dog spot? Tell us, so we can share with our fellow Rad Pack! 

Top Ten Rad Spots for Dogs

Paw Playground in St. Petersburg, Florida

California: Pismo Beach
What goes better than dogs, salt water, and sand? Pismo Beach is one of California's only dog-friendly beaches. You can spend the day playing frisbee in the sand with Fido, and enjoy the comforts of four pet-friendly hotels at night.

Colorado: Colorado Springs
Colorado is known for the dog-hospitality, and Colorado Springs is not exception. There are an unbelievable 51 dog-friendly hotels, dog-friendly restaurants and breweries, fantastic trails, and Bear Creek Dog Park which is a favorite watering hole amongst the four-leggers.

Florida: Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is home to Ft. De Soto Paw Playground, THE ONLY part of the beach area reserved for dogs to run and have fun on a hot day. There are a variety of dog-friendly hotels to choose from, and a nice selection of restaurants with dog-friendly patios to dine on tapas with your Rad Pack by your side.

Illinois: Chicago
Chicago is home to many pet boutiques, dog-friendly hotels, and dog-tolerant businesses, but perhaps the best kept secret in Chicago is the Montrose Dog Beach, where dogs can frolic amongst themselves in the water and off-leash.

Casco Bay Mailboar in Maine

Maine: Portland (Casco Bay)
Maine is home to an absurd number of dog-friendly beaches, harbors, and watering holes. But maybe the most unique dog-friendly spot in Maine is aboard a real working mailboat! You and Rad Dogcan tour the islands of Casco Bay, including Little Diamond, Great Diamond, Long, Cliff, and Chebeague aboard a boat bringing mail and freight to the islands.

Massachusetts: Boston
You can tour around Boston via dog-friendly water taxi! Curl up at night in one of the many dog-friendly hotels downtown with no pet fee, then catch a treat at the dog-friendly "Blunch" restaurant. There is also Castle Island Beach which allows dogs on-leash during the off-season.

New Mexico: Santa Fe
Santa Fe has an astonishing 33 pet-friendly hotels, dog-friendly trails, and even a dog-friendly gallery (Andrew Smith). There is also a dog-friendly spa/resort and many dog-friendly restaurants like the Cowgirl BBQ which features a dog-friendly patio and nightly music.

North Caroline: Charlotte
Charlotte has 67 pet friendly hotels, including Aloft Charlotte Uptown At the Epicentre, and a dog-friendly Whitewater Rafting Center. It is also home to The Dog Bar, located in the NoDa Arts District, the bar serves beer, wine and liquor and allows dogs of all sizes INSIDE or outside!

Oregon: Crystal Crane Hot Springs in Burns, Oregon
Crystal Crane Hot Springs between Burns, Oregon and Crane, Oregon, have dog-friendly cabins, teepees, tent spaces, and RV accommodations.  Enjoy a walk around the high desert wilderness during the day, and soak under the stars or in the private bathhouses in this dog-friendly, no-frills soaking experience. Rates start at just over $50/night.

Washington: Leavenworth
The German-inspired town of Leavenworth, Washington has four pet friendly hotels, including the Bavarian Ritz Hotel. The dog-friendly "Let's Go Tubing" adventure is popular amongst dog owners, and there are also a variety of dog-friendly trails and outdoor activities.