Pit stops are an imperative part of any dog-friendly road trip, but the breaks can be more than just an opportunity for pet relief and loading up on snacks. These rest stops go above and beyond the usual grassy areas to walk your pup. The next time you take to America’s roads with Fido, make a plan to visit one of these pet-friendly rest stops and welcome centers with dog parks on-site.
Top Dog Park Rest Stops
Posted by Jessica Roberts
Little America Travel Center
Located just 150 miles east of Salt Lake City and a few hours from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, Little America Travel Center is a convenient four-season haven for weary travelers and adventurers on two legs and four. Visitors from all over the globe have stopped here to explore the tree-shaded grounds and let their pets expel some energy in the fenced dog park. And if you’re not ready to hop back in the car, the onsite Little America Hotel welcomes both dogs and cats.
Loves Travel Stops
One rest stop chain is on a mission to make the lives of traveling dogs and their owners easier by giving them a reliable and safe place to stretch their legs. Love’s Travel Stop has more than 490 fueling stations in 41 states, and in 2019 the company announced the construction of 90 new dog parks across its network. No two Love’s Travel Stops are the same, and neither are the dog parks, but all of the fenced-in play areas range from 50 to 100 feet in size and are equipped with a double air-locked gate for pet safety as well as pet waste stations. Find your nearest Love's Travel Stop dog park on BringFido.
Like Love's Travel Stops, La Quinta Inn & Suites are also known to cater to four-legged visitors. You can find one of their pet-friendly locations conveniently located off major highways in the U.S., offering you a good night’s rest before you continue on your journey.
Choctaw Welcome Center
The first rest area coming into Oklahoma from Texas on US Highway 69 is the Choctaw Welcome Center, a destination for free coffee, travel information, and unique gifts and souvenirs made by Choctaw Artisans. The Welcome Center features two fenced-in dog parks for large and small pups and two kennels that can be locked if you need to come into the Welcome Center and Store. Be sure to check out the life-size replica of a Choctaw Hut and a traditional grass Arbor, along with the historic “Message Tree,” where travelers of old would nail messages to the bark for those who followed.
If rest is what you’re after when you visit the Choctaw Welcome Center, head on down the road to the Super 8 Claremore. The updated rooms with hardwood floors are the definition of “pet-friendly.”
Stuckey's
Right off I-95 in the heart of the state is a South Carolina classic road stop, Stuckey's of Summerton. Here, Fido can truly stretch his legs in the expansive fenced dog park, and you can pick up some quintessential southern road-tripping essentials like the famous Pecan Logs Rolls, Peanut Brittle, and Milk Chocolate Gophers. Stuckey’s also features a dog park at their Perry, GA location on I-75.
If you need to rest a bit longer, kick back at the Holiday Inn Santee, just south of Summerton. Enjoy a dinner of oysters, shrimp, or crab on the dog-friendly patio of nearby Santee Bistro.
Davis Travel Centers Dog Park
Davis Travel Centers care about providing fast, friendly service for travelers on I-95 and I-85 in Virginia, and that includes furry family members, too. Both locations in Stony Creek and Warfield have fenced-in dog parks where your pup can take a well-deserved break from the car while you fill up on gas and snacks. Grab one of the fashionable bandanas, treats, or toys from the “Bark Zone” inside the store to commemorate Fido's trip.
Located just north of both Davis Travel Center locations, the Candlewood Suites Ft. Lee Petersburg Hopewell is a prime location to spend the night on your pet-friendly road trip.
Spike’s Dog Park at Gas N' Go
When you’re traveling with Fido on I-75 between Macon and Valdosta, GA make a pit stop at Spike’s Dog Park at Gas N’ Go in Hawkinsville. Look for the large, red fire hydrant out front and Spike’s giant red dog house in the enclosed area. Your pooch can run leash-free, playing on the obstacles and agility course while you take a break from driving and rest at the shaded picnic tables.
Split your journey up with a stay at Best Western Colonial Inn in Cordele, GA, located just a few exits south of Spike’s Dog Park on I-75. While you’re there, refuel on food at the pet-friendly tables of Smoakie’s Bar-B-Que.
OnCue
OnCue is a community convenience store with snacks, drinks, fuel, and food for road travelers in Oklahoma. Four locations offer an OnCue Dog Park, a safe and clean location for traveling pooches to have some fun in the sun. The fenced dog parks include separate areas for large and small dogs, as well as watering troughs, shaded areas, faux fire hydrants, and an agility course with ramps and other toys for pups to climb and jump through.
Centrally located to all OnCue Dog Park locations, and right off I-35 north of Oklahoma City, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Guthrie North Edmond is the “pawfect” stopping point for tired Terriers.
Jubitz Truck Stop and Travel Center
While the Jubitz Truck Stop and Travel Center does not have an off-leash area for dogs, there are enough amenities for Fido that he’ll still appreciate the pit stop here. Not only does the convenience store offer treats for your pet, but the self-serve Park n Bark Dog Wash is a convenient place to give your pup much-needed bathing while on the go. Plus, the dog wash is heated during the cold months to keep your pooch comfy. And with the pet-friendly Portlander Inn onsite, you can stay for as much R&R as needed.
Central Bark Dog Park at Fair Oaks Farms
Located adjacent to a BP Gas Station, Central Bark Dog Park at Fair Oaks Farms is a one-acre off-leash play area for pups that is as much a destination as a travel stop. There are not a lot of dog parks along Highway 65 that don't require a yearly pass to visit, but Central Bark Dog Park welcomes traveling pooches for free. The park features two separate fenced-off areas for large and small dogs to run and play, plus amenities like water troughs, exercise equipment, benches, shade shelters, and dog waste receptacles.
While there isn’t a lot at this highway exit in rural Indiana, everything Fido could need is right under his nose, including the Fairfield Inn & Suites Fair Oaks Farms. Your hungry hound can even join you for a delicious meal at the outdoor tables of Fair Oaks Cowfe.
What are your favorite pet-friendly rest stops to visit on a road trip? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!
Banner photo by Mathew Smith on Unsplash.