How We Travel Full-Time with Our Dog: Hotels, Hiking, and Road Life
Traveling full-time with a dog takes planning—but with the right mindset, gear, and routine, it’s completely doable and incredibly rewarding. Our service dog, Kodi, has been on the road with us for months, and this is how we make it all work.
🏨 Hotels on the Road
Most highway hotel chains—La Quinta, Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, Quality Inn—welcome walk-ins and are generally dog-friendly. Prices usually range from $100–$200/night, depending on the season, location, and nearby events.
Tips for a Smooth Stay:
Let the front desk know if you’re traveling with a dog or a disabled family member, so they can get you the right room.
Last-minute bookings? Try the Fido app, Expedia, or other travel sites.
Higher-end hotels may charge pet fees or ask for more documentation.
Before entering the lobby, give your dog calm commands:
“Heel.” “Slow.” “Quiet.”
Use a shortened leash for better control, and bring a floor mat or towel to place under their food/water bowls—this helps them understand: this is home for the night.
🏕 Campgrounds with Dogs
Campgrounds are typically $50–$150/night, depending on the site, amenities, and season. Most allow dogs, but rules are strict: leashed at all times.
We set up a system with yellow marine rope and D-rings—one end clips to Kodi’s collar, the other to the picnic bench. Add her towel, food, and water bowls, and she knows she’s home.
At first, she was nervous, but now she settles in quickly. Some campers use portable fence systems for off-leash time with boundaries.
🛏 National Park Lodges & Cabins
Rules vary by location, but generally:
Only service animals or PSA-registered dogs are allowed inside.
You may have to sign paperwork or verify your dog’s training and task.
To avoid confusion, book outside the park entrance in the nearest town if you're unsure.
We prefer cabins when available—they’re quieter, easier with a van, and often more relaxed about leaving a calm dog behind briefly. Book 6+ months out for the best selection.
If a cabin isn’t an option, motor inns are a great fallback—less formal, easier access, and fewer crowds.
Heads up: people love dogs. Tourists will try to pet your service animal, which can be disruptive. A little advance planning for busy situations helps keep things smooth (use a side entrance when possible to avoid crowds).
🍔 Dining with a Dog
Restaurants must allow service dogs. That said, not all staff or diners know the rules, so we go with the flow.
Where it’s easiest to eat with your pup:
Cracker Barrel (welcomes any dog )
Breweries and distilleries
Restaurants with outdoor decks or patios
Sometimes, National Park dining rooms may seat you at the bar instead of the main room. We just go where they tell us and enjoy whatever version of the menu we get.
Pro Tips:
We keep a small canvas bag packed with Kodi’s water bottle, treats, and essentials in the van—grab it anytime you’re headed somewhere dog-friendly.
Many restaurants offer water bowls or a "doggie menu" with chicken or beef patties.
If it’s a chaotic environment, we leave Kodi in the van or cabin and bring her back a snack.
🥾 Hiking with a Dog
Hiking is hit or miss when it comes to dogs. Most National Parks don’t allow pets on trails to avoid disturbing wildlife, but they’re often allowed in:
Parking areas
Paved paths
Visitor centers and boardwalks (sometimes)
Always ask at the entrance gate or visitor center—they’ll hand you a newsletter with the park’s pet rules.
We usually try to find a local dog park nearby so Kodi can run off-leash and socialize. My husband can’t hike far, so when I do longer trails, he stays back with Kodi. They roam around, take photos, talk to other campers, play guitar and relax.
Safety Tip:
We always set a return time and a meet-up plan in case I’m late. Someone recently suggested:
“If you get lost or injured, leave a voicemail on your own phone describing where you are before your battery dies.”
Smart advice.
Final Thoughts
Traveling full-time with a dog isn’t just possible—it’s amazing. With some planning, flexibility, and respect for rules, your pup can be part of every adventure.
For us, Kodi is family. She goes where we go.
And whether it’s a hotel, a hike, or a roadside burger joint—we make it work together.