Dog-Friendly Farm Stays Looking for a place to stay with

Dog Friendly Farm & Ranch Stays

By Belinda Jones

Are you ready to roam? As eager as we may be to reignite the sense of wonder that travel can bring, we also want to stay safe. Spending quality time in a peaceful, rustic setting could be the ideal “next-step” vacation for you and your furry family member— idyllic scenery, lungfuls of fresh air, platefuls of fresh fare. Come the end of your stay, you’ll feel as wholesome and rested as The Waltons!

These seven dog-friendly options run the gamut from Orcas Island to New Mexico, and they come populated with an array of new animal friends, from llovable llamas to happy hairy hogs, so prepare to expand your heart as well as your horizons!

TAOS CREEK CABINS IN TAOS, NEW MEXICO

The Land of Enchantment is calling to you—and whistling to your dog with a melodic flute! Set amid the scenic solitude of the Carson National Forest, each cozy cabin offers a wood-burning fireplace and radiant-heated floors in every room—so you know your pup will relish splaying out at your feet after a day’s hiking! Start the morning with coffee on your hardwood deck overlooking the Rio Fernando River, or finish the night there wishing upon a star. Once you visit this mesmerizingly serene area, you’ll understand why dogloving Julia Roberts chose to buy a 50-acre ranch retreat nearby and says, “You can’t be in a bad mood here!”

Website: taoscreekcabins.com Rates: From $125 a night for a onebedroom cabin with kitchen and dining area.

MAR VISTA COTTAGES IN MENDOCINO, CALIFORNIA

Anchor Bay is the charming coastal setting for twelve lovingly-restored 1930s cottages, decorated in fresh spring hues and featuring a mix of wooden rockers, window seats, and old stone barbecues. Guests enjoy bounty from an organic orchard and edible garden, as well as “a rainbow of multi-colored eggs” direct from hen to your skillet! Your pup is free to explore the nine-acre property off leash, provided she/he doesn’t get too excited at the prospect of meeting the resident rabbits and the Pygmy and Nubian goats! One major pet perk: after a romp on the beach or a swim in the pond, there is a warm-water dog wash, as requested by the owner’s pup, Rascal!

Website: marvistamendocino.com Rates: From $215 a night. Pet fee $85 per stay for one dog, $115 for two to cover extra cleaning. Rugs and slipcovers are all washable so the place is kept to the highest standards of cleanliness.

DOG & PONY RANCH IN JACKSON, CALIFORNIA

You can be confident a place is canine-friendly when it includes the word “dog” in its name, but you may be pleasantly surprised to learn there’s not even an additional pet fee when you stay at this stunning private guest house set on a 60-acre ranch in California’s Gold Country. The property sleeps up to six, with an impressive range of amenities including firepit, hot tub, and swimming pond. Resident rescue Lab Cody is on hand to help introduce your dogs to the barn animals, including donkeys and llamas (which you can take for evening walks!), but provision is also made for less sociable pups with lots of fenced space for them to call their own. Check out Cody’s dedicated web page to learn his inspiring story and why he might be the dream vacation pal for your pup: dogpony.com/cody-corner

Website: dogpony.com Rates: From $249 a night. $150 cleaning fee with 24 hours between bookings as an extra covid precaution.

BEST FRIENDS ROADHOUSE & MERCANTILE IN KANAB, UTAH

There’s pet friendly, and there’s pet centric . . . Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is the home-between-home for a staggering 1,600 pets on any given day. With local attractions including Bryce Canyon and Lake Powell, it has also become a destination attraction, and you can now stay just a short drive away in one of 40 rooms and suites at the Best Friends Roadhouse. The design has an almost Scandinavian flair—a mix of crisp whites and natural woods, accented with animal-themed artwork. A continental vegan breakfast is included, along with a pet grooming facility, a dog park with a seasonal splash pool, slide-out pet beds, and plenty of treats. There is also the option for a pet-walking service for an additional fee, handy if you plan to take one of the 14 free tours at the sanctuary, including the unmissable tour of Dogtown with over 400 resident rescue dogs. Definitely one for the bucket list.

Website: bestfriendsroadhouse.org. Rates: Rooms from $149, suites $239. Discounts for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary Members

PEBBLE COVE FARM ON ORCAS ISLAND, WASHINGTON

Or to give it its full, ever-more appealing name: Pebble Cove Farm Inn and Animal Sanctuary. You’ll be sharing four acres with a variety of adopted farm animals, including a Royal Palm turkey (aka Dread Captain Redbeard) and a pair of sheep named Tempeh and Tofu—a clue that everything served here is vegan! One guest perfectly sums up the experience: “Seriously?! That’s what I was thinking upon first seeing the gorgeous property . . . then the pony strolling onto the lawn as if on cue . . . followed by the chickens, then discovering the rowboat, the garden with carrots we could pull from the ground and heirloom tomatoes fresh off the vine, the twilight-hour s’more feast. I swear it felt as if we were on The Truman Show, waiting for the man behind the cameras to reveal himself. A great memory for all.”

Website: pebblecovefarm.com Rates: Starting at $160 for the Garden Cabin, to $265 for the Cottage.

BARKING MAD FARM IN ENTERPRISE, OREGON

“Disappear for a while . . .” That’s the alluring motto for this farmhouse turned bed and breakfast set beside the dreamy Wallowa Mountains—one of Travel Oregon’s Seven Natural Wonders. This three-suite property has bathrooms worthy of a five-star hotel, access to your own private dog park, and organic gourmet breakfasts—we love the sound of the raspberry crepes with crème fraîche and huckleberry drizzle! From here you can visit the artist community of Joseph, hike deep canyon trails with your furry pal, or simply relax on the wraparound porch watching the deer, buffalo, and soaring eagles. Oh, and don’t miss the complimentary tour of the working farm—it includes “piglet snuggles”!

Website: barkingmadfarm.com Rates: start at $105 per night for a cozy two-room suite, with a $12 per night pet fee.

LOVING FARM ANIMAL SANCTUARY IN PASO ROBLES, CALIFORNIA

Enjoy a “farmcation” in California wine country surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and 50 happy rescued animals that, you can rest assured, are now safe for life. All food is plant based, and the owners welcome your nonvegan family and friends because, “Who knows? Maybe they will make positive lifestyle changes after meeting our furry and feathered family!”

These family members include a magnificent horned Alpine goat named Lucas, 10 pigs (including henna-red Bella) and six dogs from Chihuahua to Cattle Dog mixes. You can read the truly moving stories of each animal at lovingfarm.org/our-loving-farm-family. And then book a trip to meet them!

Website: lovingfarm.org/guest-cottage Rates: Check website for rates.

WANT TO GO THE WHOLE HOG WHILE YOU ARE DOWN ON THE FARM? HERE ARE A FEW ESSENTIAL WEARABLES FOR YOU AND YOUR PUP.

What to wear on the farm: You can never have too much denim on a farm. This long-wearing, hardworking fabric is a staple, and you’ll never get a better opportunity to break out those overalls! And if you want to go twinsies with your pup, Canada Pooch® offers a high-quality denim worker jacket lined in faux fur in both large and small dog sizes. Plaid is another farm icon whether you are sporting a daytime shirt or flannel pajamas. For your pup, check out canadapooch.com’s soft flannel plaid reversible vest. Also opt for sturdy closed-toe footwear when out exploring. If your pup needs foot protection or you just want to keep those footies clean, Ruffwear Grip Trex™ dog boots have set the standard for high-performance paw wear and are designed with a Vibram outsole that provides exceptional traction on varied terrain.

Happy trails and waggy tails!

Belinda Jones is a dog-besotted British magazine journalist and bestselling author of eleven romantic comedy novels and a feeelgood road trip memoir titled Bodie on the Road - Travels With My Rescue Pup in the Dogged Pursuit of Happiness (Skyhorse Publishing). Her Instagram handle is @bodieeontheroad

Ellie Laks had a challenging childhood dealing with abuse and bullying. She always found comfort from animals, especially her best friend, Simon, a tri-color Australian Shepherd. She felt safest when she was out in nature with her animal friends.

For as long as she can remember, she dreamed of having a place filled with animals, where lonely, struggling people could go to connect with animals, learn about animals, and find healing for themselves and the animals.

Then, 21 years ago she found out about an abusive petting zoo. One by one, she started to bring the animals home to help them heal and thrive. As time went by, she realized her dream had started—she had created her animal sanctuary! She called that dream “The Gentle Barn.”

And her dream has grown! At The Gentle Barn, they rescue and rehome or provide lifetime sanctuary for horses, donkeys, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, llamas, emus, dogs, and cats. The sanctuary also provides the medical and emotional rehabilitation they need through love, veterinary care, massage, acupuncture, nutrition, and supplementation. The Gentle Barn now has sanctuaries in Los Angeles, California; St. Louis, Missouri; and Christiana, Tennessee.

The sanctuaries offer virtual and in-person private tours, as well as cow-hug therapy sessions. (They were the first sanctuary to offer this therapy, when they first opened in 2000.)

“A tasteful blend between the old and the new” Gifts Jewelry Antiques Home Decor Furniture (UP-CYCLED FRENCH, FARMHOUSE, AND SHABBY CHIC)

Affordable pricing to help rebuild Santa Cruz County.

Dog friendly, stop in for a dog treat and a people sweet.

1855 41ST AVE. # H02 CAPITOLA MALL, CAPITOLA 95010 (831) 515-7456

Bike Available for Rental at Mad Dogs & Englishmen bike shop