Fall getaway recommendations with dog and toddler?

[Anonymous]

We are relatively new to the area and are looking for a weekend getaway recommendation. We'd like to take our extremely active 4yo german shepherd and 3yo child somewhere this fall, probably in early October. I've searched this forum a bit but haven't yet found any fall recommendations with dogs. We last took both "kids" on vacation to a dog-friendly resort w/individual cabins near Big Bear Lake, CA, if any DCUMers are familiar with that area. Think 50 secluded, scenic acres, lots of hiking with our dog off-leash, walks around the lake, cold mornings but pleasant (65-70 degrees) afternoons. Anything similar to this around here?

We'd like to keep the commute under 3-4 hours of DC, if possible. We've had to board our dog a lot recently for other vacations, so would love to include him for a weekend getaway, if we can find something suitable. I've already heard about the Lake Anna area, but would love to hear any other suggestions.

TIA!

[Anonymous]

Berkeley Springs, WV. Many cabins through Berkeleyspringscottagerentals.com allow dogs, look at the restrictions on the hiking trails in the various areas regarding whether you can do off leash. Early October is usually prime tree color time up there.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Will be great to see the leaves change color again--not a lot of that out West where we were, even up in the mountains (pines). Will check out Berkeley Springs--thanks!

[Anonymous]

Luray, VA, or anywhere in the Shenandoah Valley is close and pretty in the fall. Lots of hiking, although I don't know of any off leash areas. Many many cabins are dog friendly. Just search Luray cabin rentals and filter by pet friendly.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP - I don't have any reccomendations to fit your criteria, but I wanted to recommend a couple of other nice places to take dogs in this area. First, for a day trip, there is a dog beach near Annapolis (I think in Pasadena, Md), where the dogs can swim, and there is a big park area - Annapolis is probably a 15 min drive from there and it is a dog friendly city - lots of restaurants invite dogs in the outdoor seating area. Farther away, the outer banks of North Carolina is a lovely beach area which is quite dog friendly - even during peak summer season, dogs are permitted on the beaches of Duck and Corolla, and October would be off season so cooler in temp (although not as cool as you requested) and easily your dog could romp freely on the beaches of Corolla or Duck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Luray, VA, or anywhere in the Shenandoah Valley is close and pretty in the fall. Lots of hiking, although I don't know of any off leash areas. Many many cabins are dog friendly. Just search Luray cabin rentals and filter by pet friendly.

OP here. I actually went to that area for vacation a couple of times as a kid--forgot about Skyline Drive etc. so will check it out. One question though--I was looking at one place in that area (Skyland) and people noted on Tripadvisor that there are lots of bears there. Not sure I can have our guy off-leash if bears are that numerous? Anyone have any experience with this?

Our dog heard a bear once (or it may've been a lion or tiger--Hollywood-trained animals were at a facility nearby) near Big Bear, CA and he bolted back to our cabin--not such a tough shepherd after all. Not sure how he'd react if actually saw a bear!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP - I don't have any reccomendations to fit your criteria, but I wanted to recommend a couple of other nice places to take dogs in this area. First, for a day trip, there is a dog beach near Annapolis (I think in Pasadena, Md), where the dogs can swim, and there is a big park area - Annapolis is probably a 15 min drive from there and it is a dog friendly city - lots of restaurants invite dogs in the outdoor seating area. Farther away, the outer banks of North Carolina is a lovely beach area which is quite dog friendly - even during peak summer season, dogs are permitted on the beaches of Duck and Corolla, and October would be off season so cooler in temp (although not as cool as you requested) and easily your dog could romp freely on the beaches of Corolla or Duck.

OP again. Thanks for the daytrip recs. I'd googled "dog beaches" several times but hadn't come up with much in the mid-Atlantic area. Much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Luray, VA, or anywhere in the Shenandoah Valley is close and pretty in the fall. Lots of hiking, although I don't know of any off leash areas. Many many cabins are dog friendly. Just search Luray cabin rentals and filter by pet friendly.

OP here. I actually went to that area for vacation a couple of times as a kid--forgot about Skyline Drive etc. so will check it out. One question though--I was looking at one place in that area (Skyland) and people noted on Tripadvisor that there are lots of bears there. Not sure I can have our guy off-leash if bears are that numerous? Anyone have any experience with this?

Our dog heard a bear once (or it may've been a lion or tiger--Hollywood-trained animals were at a facility nearby) near Big Bear, CA and he bolted back to our cabin--not such a tough shepherd after all. Not sure how he'd react if actually saw a bear!

Shennandoah is pretty crowded in early October, and there are lots of bears, and lots of hikers, so I would not let a dog off leash, which is against park regulations anyhow. http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/pets.htm Dogs aren't allowed on a few trails (apparently the most popular ones). And did I mention it's crowded in early October?

[Anonymous]

I second the Berkeley Springs suggestion, specifically Cacapon State Park for hiking. They do have dog-friendly cabins in the park, but they're pretty barebones, so we usually rent a dog-friendly house through the link 22:23 gave.

[Anonymous]

Would highly, highly recommend checking out Herrington Manor State Park. It's definitely a hidden gem! There are several pet-friendly cabins that are extremely comfortable and equipped with everything you'd need, and tons of activities around the park as well as at the other nearby parks. Plus, you get a free boat rental per day with your cabin rental. Hope this helps!
http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/herrington.aspx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Luray, VA, or anywhere in the Shenandoah Valley is close and pretty in the fall. Lots of hiking, although I don't know of any off leash areas. Many many cabins are dog friendly. Just search Luray cabin rentals and filter by pet friendly.

OP here. I actually went to that area for vacation a couple of times as a kid--forgot about Skyline Drive etc. so will check it out. One question though--I was looking at one place in that area (Skyland) and people noted on Tripadvisor that there are lots of bears there. Not sure I can have our guy off-leash if bears are that numerous? Anyone have any experience with this?

Our dog heard a bear once (or it may've been a lion or tiger--Hollywood-trained animals were at a facility nearby) near Big Bear, CA and he bolted back to our cabin--not such a tough shepherd after all. Not sure how he'd react if actually saw a bear!

I think this area in general is probably less "wild" than where you're coming from. I know bears exist, but in all the hiking I've done, I have never come across one. I've heard of other people seeing them, though. I also don't let my dog off leash in an unsanctioned area. I actually haven't come across any legal hikes that allow your dog off leash here. No VA State or National Parks, for sure. In the fall I'm also nervous about hunters thinking she's a deer (similar coloring), so she stays by my side. She's great off leash, but I'm a nervous mom. (I actually have a bright orange doggy rain coat she's worn...I'm so neurotic.)

Duck is a great place for dogs. Just got back from a trip there with our pup. She loved it, although the waves were a bit strong for her, even those she's a strong swimmer. Pasadena (Downs Park?) is a great spot, too (although there can often by a lot of jellyfish in the Bay this time of year.). There's also an area that dogs are allowed off leash on the beach at Point Lookout State Park in MD. But wow at the jellyfish we saw there in August one (much warmer) year. Very pretty little beaches, and chances for bald eagle sightings!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Luray, VA, or anywhere in the Shenandoah Valley is close and pretty in the fall. Lots of hiking, although I don't know of any off leash areas. Many many cabins are dog friendly. Just search Luray cabin rentals and filter by pet friendly.

OP here. I actually went to that area for vacation a couple of times as a kid--forgot about Skyline Drive etc. so will check it out. One question though--I was looking at one place in that area (Skyland) and people noted on Tripadvisor that there are lots of bears there. Not sure I can have our guy off-leash if bears are that numerous? Anyone have any experience with this?

Our dog heard a bear once (or it may've been a lion or tiger--Hollywood-trained animals were at a facility nearby) near Big Bear, CA and he bolted back to our cabin--not such a tough shepherd after all. Not sure how he'd react if actually saw a bear!

I think this area in general is probably less "wild" than where you're coming from. I know bears exist, but in all the hiking I've done, I have never come across one. I've heard of other people seeing them, though. I also don't let my dog off leash in an unsanctioned area. I actually haven't come across any legal hikes that allow your dog off leash here. No VA State or National Parks, for sure. In the fall I'm also nervous about hunters thinking she's a deer (similar coloring), so she stays by my side. She's great off leash, but I'm a nervous mom. (I actually have a bright orange doggy rain coat she's worn...I'm so neurotic.)

Duck is a great place for dogs. Just got back from a trip there with our pup. She loved it, although the waves were a bit strong for her, even those she's a strong swimmer. Pasadena (Downs Park?) is a great spot, too (although there can often by a lot of jellyfish in the Bay this time of year.). There's also an area that dogs are allowed off leash on the beach at Point Lookout State Park in MD. But wow at the jellyfish we saw there in August one (much warmer) year. Very pretty little beaches, and chances for bald eagle sightings!

In the three times we've visited Shennandoah, we saw three bears and one rattlesnake, and these were in areas with a lot of people. It's definitely less wild than remote areas of the West, but we still have a little excitement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Luray, VA, or anywhere in the Shenandoah Valley is close and pretty in the fall. Lots of hiking, although I don't know of any off leash areas. Many many cabins are dog friendly. Just search Luray cabin rentals and filter by pet friendly.

OP here. I actually went to that area for vacation a couple of times as a kid--forgot about Skyline Drive etc. so will check it out. One question though--I was looking at one place in that area (Skyland) and people noted on Tripadvisor that there are lots of bears there. Not sure I can have our guy off-leash if bears are that numerous? Anyone have any experience with this?

Our dog heard a bear once (or it may've been a lion or tiger--Hollywood-trained animals were at a facility nearby) near Big Bear, CA and he bolted back to our cabin--not such a tough shepherd after all. Not sure how he'd react if actually saw a bear!

I think this area in general is probably less "wild" than where you're coming from. I know bears exist, but in all the hiking I've done, I have never come across one. I've heard of other people seeing them, though. I also don't let my dog off leash in an unsanctioned area. I actually haven't come across any legal hikes that allow your dog off leash here. No VA State or National Parks, for sure. In the fall I'm also nervous about hunters thinking she's a deer (similar coloring), so she stays by my side. She's great off leash, but I'm a nervous mom. (I actually have a bright orange doggy rain coat she's worn...I'm so neurotic.)

Duck is a great place for dogs. Just got back from a trip there with our pup. She loved it, although the waves were a bit strong for her, even those she's a strong swimmer. Pasadena (Downs Park?) is a great spot, too (although there can often by a lot of jellyfish in the Bay this time of year.). There's also an area that dogs are allowed off leash on the beach at Point Lookout State Park in MD. But wow at the jellyfish we saw there in August one (much warmer) year. Very pretty little beaches, and chances for bald eagle sightings!

In the three times we've visited Shennandoah, we saw three bears and one rattlesnake, and these were in areas with a lot of people. It's definitely less wild than remote areas of the West, but we still have a little excitement.

Here's hoping it's our noisy dog that scares away the wildlife.

[Anonymous]

OP here--thanks to all for the suggestions; a lot to work with here. I will plan on checking out the Shenandoah area, but also Berkeley Springs and Herrington Manor State Park, which I hadn't heard of previously. Will also keep Duck and other NC beaches in mind as well for future beach trips.

Happy vacationing if you each are taking your pups and kids anywhere this fall--my family is definitely looking forward to the cooler weather (especially the german shepherd!).

Holly

[Anonymous]

If you are looking for a pet friendly place within 2 hours, I recommend Berkeley Springs, WV. Most of the cabins there are pet friendly.

I generally recommend Berkeley Springs Getaways http://www.berkeleyspringsgetaways.com since both of their cabins are pet friendly and the nightly rate is good.