10 Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals With Spectacular Fall Foliage Views

Posted by Jessica Roberts

This article was updated in August 2021.

When the leaves are falling and autumn is calling, it’s time to pack your camera and your canine and strike out in search of fall foliage. If you’re looking for a getaway where you and Fido can bask in the glorious displays of fall colors, these 10 pet-friendly vacation rentals will "leaf" you smiling.

Want to allow guests with dogs to stay in your own amazing vacation rental? Apply to become an Airbnb host today.

1. Fabulous All-Season Lakehouse

Eden, VT
Pack your pup’s life jacket and head to Lake Eden this fall. Photo by VRBO

Each year as fall creeps in, leaf lovers flock to Vermont to watch the maple trees burst into brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. This Fabulous All-Season Lakehouse is the perfect spot to witness the Green Mountain State reveal her autumnal splendor. Originally a rustic cabin built in the 1930s, the pet-friendly vacation home is situated on a peninsula on pristine Lake Eden. It has been renovated to provide modern convenience while preserving its original charm. The house is also close to more foliage-viewing fun like the Stowe Pinnacle Trail, the famous Gondola SkyRide, and Smugglers Notch State Park.

Nightly rates start at $225.

When to go: September and October are the best months to see the fall foliage in Vermont, but some color change can begin here as early as mid- to late-August.

2. Colors of Taos Casita

Taos, NM
Mi casita es Fido's casita. Photo by Airbnb

The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway in New Mexico is a must-drive for anyone seeking a unique southwestern perspective on fall foliage. The 83-mile loop encircles Wheeler Peak, the state’s highest point, providing views of the famous aspens as they turn dark orange and the purple cinquefoil and cottonwoods that burst into bright shades of red and yellow. The route starts and ends in Taos, where you and your pup can post up in this beautiful casita complete with incredible views of the sacred Taos Mountain and a large fenced dog run in the backyard.

Nightly rates start at $98.

When to go: Late September to early October offers the most vibrant colors along the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway.

3. Pop's Cottage

Bryson City, NC
Enjoy panoramic views on the hammock with your pooch. Photo by Airbnb

If leaf-gazing with your hound from the top of your own private mountain sounds like a little slice of heaven, book a stay at Pop's Cottage. Located just outside of Bryson City, the cottage's open floor plan features absolutely breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains as the backdrop. From here, you’ll also be close to hiking trails at Nantahala National Forest, the best dog-friendly alternative to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If your pup isn’t too keen to hike, you can hop on the 61.3-mile Mountain Waters Scenic Byway to view more of Western North Carolina’s many forests, waterfalls, rivers and awe-inspiring mountaintop vistas from your vehicle.

Nightly rates start at $250.

When to go: Bryson City and the rest of Western NC are awash in fall colors from early October to late November.

4. Woodland Cottage

Otis, MA
Trying to catch falling leaves. Photo by VRBO

The Woodland Cottage is a cozy craftsman-style home featuring a wood-burning stove, covered porch and outdoor fire pit perfect for s’ mores. But best of all, this vacation rental sits on a private 50-acre property with its own marked hiking trails, an ideal place for basking in the beautiful Massachusetts autumn. More pet-friendly hikes and foliage await at the Appalachian Trail, just a half-mile from the property. Dogs are also welcome to join their owners for a stroll around nearby Otis Reservoir, a 1,065-acre body of water at Tolland State Forest.

Nightly rates start at $300.

When to go: The fall foliage display in Massachusetts starts in late September and continues into early November, but October is the prime month for leaf-peeping with your pup.

5. The Westcabinn

South Lake Tahoe, CA
“Seat taken.” Photo by Airbnb

If you’re looking for an authentic Tahoe experience, reserve a stay at The Westcabinn. This cozy A-Frame among towering pines features a spacious yard with a deck and fire pit to gather around when night falls. During the day, take a scenic drive with your pooch to discover the region’s fantastic fall colors. Head south from your home away from home to Hope Valley, where you’ll be greeted by vibrant aspens displaying yellow, orange and red leaves.

Nightly rates start at $276.

When to go: Mid-September is the best time to see fall foliage in Lake Tahoe and the surrounding areas.

6. Izz-a-bear Cabin

Sevierville, TN
"Just the bear necessities here." Photo by Airbnb

The fantastic fall views from Izz-a-bear Cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains will "leaf" quite an impression. With floor-to-ceiling windows and a gorgeous deck, you and Fido will enjoy breathtaking panoramic vistas entirely uninterrupted by roads, power lines or buildings. While in Tennessee, check out the two pet-friendly hiking trails at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, take a drive along Newfound Gap Road for incredible lookouts, and find some down-home country cooking on one of the many pet-friendly restaurant patios in the area.

Nightly rates start at $355.

When to go: Late October to mid-November is peak season for the most spectacular fall foliage displays in the Great Smoky Mountains.

7. House On The Rock - Ozark National Forest/White River

Calico Rock, AR
“Time to get up and autumn!” Photo by VRBO

Experience a fall color explosion at the House on the Rock near Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. The Ozarks become even better in the fall as the summertime crowds disperse and the temperatures cool to the 60s. From the property’s wrap-around deck and private 4.5 acres, you and your pup can bear witness as the surrounding hills ignite in shades of scarlet, gold, mahogany and russet. You might want to try your hand (or paw) at fishing on the adjacent White River, a world-renowned spot for some of the finest trout fishing anywhere.

Nightly rates start at $249.

When to Go: The last two weeks of October are the indisputable prime time for fall foliage at the Lake of the Ozarks.

8. Waldhous Modern Forest Home

Moretown, VT
See the golden leaves with your Golden Retriever. Photo by Airbnb

You don’t have to stay in a rustic cabin in order to immerse yourself in a forest awash in fall colors. The Waldhaus - Modern Forest Home feels like you’re staying in a treehouse, but with all the modern conveniences of a boutique vacation home. The convenience doesn’t end at the door to this pet-friendly vacation rental, either. You can hike trails right from the property, and there are many restaurants and cool attractions like Sugarbush Farm within a 15-minute drive of the house.

Nightly rates start at $200.

When to go: Enjoy the best of Vermont’s autumn from late August through October.

9. Beautiful Berkshire Family Home

Monterey, MA
A hound’s ideal home away from home. Photo by VRBO

Bring Fido and up to 12 guests to stay in this spacious five-bedroom, farmhouse-style Berkshire Family Home nestled in the beautiful Massachusetts mountains. Surround yourself with crunching leaves while you sup and sip on the screened-in porch at the large garden table, or take a hike at one of the many nearby state parks and forests. There’s plenty to do in the Berkshires with your pup, like picking your own fruit at dog-friendly Hilltop Orchards and grabbing a glass of wine at the nearby Land of Nod Vineyard & Winery.

Nightly rates start at $450.

When to Go: Look for the red maples from late September through November.

10. Charming Log Cabin Steps Away From Rangeley Lake

Rangeley, ME
Picnic with your pooch on the edge of heaven. Photo by VRBO

No list of fall foliage destinations is complete without a spot in Maine. For optimal autumnal views in an entrancing setting, book this Charming Log Cabin just a few steps away from Lake Rangeley. Situated in a wildlife preserve, your stay here may also include sightings of loons, deer and even the occasional moose. Lake Rangeley itself stretches 9 miles, is full of salmon and trout, and is an ideal fall destination for anybody looking for Maine’s famed red and scarlet maples, oaks, flowering dogwood, and sassafras trees.

Nightly rates start at $135.

When to go: Rangeley is situated in the middle of the state, where peak fall foliage conditions run from late September to mid-late October.

Where do you and Fido go to find fall foliage? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by VRBO.