Whether bounding through a pumpkin patch, roaming through apple orchards, or cozying up in a glamping cabin – fall is a magical time for a canine adventure in Upstate New York, and we’ve whipped up the perfect dog-friendly itinerary to get you in the mood.
This seasonal recipe is packed with crisp morning hikes, leaf-crunching forest strolls, and toasty pit stops with doggy menus to rival your own. Bring your dog along on a road trip through the Hudson Valley, explore the wilderness of the Adirondacks, then chill by the lakeside in the Finger Lakes.
If you’re bringing your dog along for the ride, scenic walks and outdoor adventures will be the bread and butter of your trip, and many Upstate sights are pet-friendly. Sprinkle these essential ingredients throughout your itinerary to keep your four-legged companions happy.
Leaf-peepers can take their pick of forest walks and lakeside vistas throughout Upstate New York, and September through October is the best time to admire the fall foliage. Many forest trails are dog-friendly, so your pooch can enjoy digging through the leaves while you drink in the autumnal rainbow.
Hiking and outdoor adventures will likely make up most of your itinerary, but many regional attractions also accept dogs—call ahead to check. Bring your dogs pumpkin picking, let them sniff the vines on a winery visit, or test out their sea paws on a sightseeing cruise.
Fall is the time for apple picking in the orchards, farm-to-table dining around an open fire, and locally-brewed cider and craft beer. Dogs are welcome at many Upstate restaurants, and you can even treat Fido to a dish off the doggy menu while you sip your pumpkin spice latte.
RV campers will find dog-friendly campsites open through fall, while glamping options provide an extra serving of home comforts for city dogs to indulge their outdoor instincts. Alternatively, several traditional inns and boutique hotels permit dogs with fees ranging from $25 to $75 a night for your furry plus one.
Kick off your pup-cation in the Hudson Valley, where country towns like Kingston, Hudson, and Woodstock will all be getting in the fall mood. Join in the fun with a stroll around an apple orchard—Wrights Farm in Gardiner lets you pick your own apples and pumpkins through September and October, and your dog can come along for the ride.
Minnewaska State Park is a must for leaf-peepers (fall foliage peaks around mid-October), and there are crispy fall hikes to suit all doggy fitness levels in the surrounding Catskills. Your dog can hike the trail to Kaaterskill Falls, follow the Ashokan Rail Trail or Catskills Scenic Trail, or get their paws wet at one of the many swimming holes (our faves are the Plattekill Falls and the Blue Hole near Peekamoose). Well-trained pooches can even explore off-leash in parts of the Slide Mountain Wilderness.
If you tire of the great outdoors, towns like Narrowsburg, Woodstock, Hudson, and Kingston have plenty of cozy cafés where you can warm up your fur babies by the fire.
Drive time: under two hours from NYC
Audrey’s Farmhouse B&B, Wallkill, NY. Dogs are welcomed with open arms and wagging tails at this award-winning B&B. Off-leash roaming is allowed, and there’s no pet surcharge.
Eastwind Hotel & Bar, Windham, NY. Check your pooch into one of the swish Scandinavian-style rooms or glamping cabins for an extra $50 a night.
Narrowsburg House in the Woods — this pet-friendly home features 4 acres of woods and a large lawn for furry friends to enjoy. With a grill on the back deck overlooking the quiet forest, this home is sure to help relax anyone overdone on stress.
Red Dot Restaurant & Bar, 321 Warren Street, Hudson, NY 12534. Hudson’s oldest bar never disappoints on festive decorations and seasonal eats, and they’ll even put a bowl out for your pooch.
Woodnotes Grille @ Emerson Resort & Spa, 5340 Route 28, Mount Tremper, NY 12457. A dog-dining dream with an on-site dog park and a Pup Fare menu that features grass-fed burgers and strip steak. Reservations are essential if you’re bringing your pooch.
Lake George is the ideal springboard for discovering the Adirondacks, and few towns are more dog-friendly. Pick up supplies from The Dog Cabin, head down to the lakeside Dog Beach (next to Million Dollar Beach), or even treat your pup to a sightseeing cruise. Doggy day trips in the Adirondacks are all about getting outdoors. Adventurous hikers can head north to tackle the High Peaks or venture into the surrounding Wilderness Areas, but there are also plenty of paw-worthy day hikes around Lake George. Prospect Mountain and Black Mountain both have dog-approved trails, or challenge yourself to summit Sleeping Beauty Mountain and be rewarded with mouth-watering views over the lake and surrounding peaks.
Drive time: less than two hours from the middle Hudson Valley
Lake George RV Park, 74 State Route 149, Lake George, NY 12845. This dog-welcoming RV park goes the extra mile with dog-friendly RV rentals available and a 2-acre off-leash dog park with an indoor wash station and a pet-treat vending machine.
Sagamore Resort, 110 Sagamore Road, Bolton Landing, NY 12814. Pampered pups under 30 pounds get the royal treatment at the resort’s ‘Opal Paws’ rooms. Plush beds, bowls, and doggy gift bags are all part of the canine welcome pack, but you pay $75 per dog/night for the privilege.
Adirondack Brewery, 33 Canada Street, Lake George, NY 12845. Cozy up with your furry plus-one around the blazing fire pit at this award-winning brewpub, and pair your burger with a cider or seasonal micro-brew.
Lake George Beach Club, 3 Lower Montcalm Street, Lake George, NY 12845. The two-level deck affords views of the lake at this waterfront spot, plus staff will bring out a water bowl for four-legged diners.
With three days in the Finger Lakes, there’s time for wine tasting, woodland hikes, and lakeside views. Ithaca is our top pick for a dog-hospitable basecamp, with a choice of accommodation options and a great Dog Park where your dog can let off some steam. Hit the trails at the Watkins Glen State Park, where your dog will be as impressed with the views as you are—think forested gorges, gurgling creeks, and steep ravines with cascading waterfalls. Dogs aren’t permitted on the Gorge Trail, but up to two pets are allowed at the park campsites if you want to stay overnight.
More dog-friendly trails can be found at Buttermilk Falls State Park and Taughannock State Park, and both have spots where your dog can take a swim outside of peak (summer) season.
Fall is also the ideal time to explore the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, and many wineries welcome dogs—Miles Wine Cellars and Wagner Vineyards are top choices. Adventurous pups can even take to the water. Captain Bill’s Seneca Lake Cruises permit dogs on board and run through the end of October.
Drive time: about four hours from Lake GeorgeFirelight Camps, 1150 Danby Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850. Just outside Ithaca, these heated glamping tents welcome well-behaved dogs for an additional $25/night charge.
Ginny Lee Café, 9322 State Route 414, Lodi NY 14860. Along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, this lunchtime venue has dog-friendly tables on the deck where your dog can gaze longingly out over the vineyards.
Seneca Farms, West Lake Road, Penn Yan, NY 14527. It’s never too cold for homemade ice cream, and this Penn Yan favorite is worth the detour. Indulge in autumn-inspired flavors such as Pumpkin, Apple Crisp, or Cinnamon, and grab a puppy cone for your plus one so he/she doesn’t feel left out.
Bring your leash: most state parks and hiking trails require dogs to be on a 6-foot leash. Don’t be tempted to let them off when no one’s looking – these rules are to protect your dog from wildlife and other hazards, too. If off-leash roaming is permitted, make sure your dog has a solid recall before you even think about it.
Choose trails and activities that match your dog’s fitness level and physical ability: older dogs or less-active urban pooches might not quite be ready to scale the High Peaks!
Pack your pups’ travel essentials, including medical records and proof of vaccination, plenty of food, collapsible bowls, flea and tick medication, his/her bed, and toys. Some hotels require unattended pets to be crated, so check ahead.
Make sure your dog’s harness/collar has ID tags with your number, and consider noting where you’re staying too. Even leashed dogs can occasionally get separated from their owners, so don’t take any chances.
You can never pack enough poop bags. Just saying.