Traveling With Pets: Pet-friendly Rentals for Furry Companions

Picture waking up with your dog in a pet-friendly vacation rental surrounded by nature. You play fetch in the garden right outside your door, take the hiking trails near your property, or explore nearby towns to meet new people (and pups). Life's sweet with your four-legged best friend, and you both get to enjoy a home away from home.

If you're an avid traveler and a pet owner, finding pet-friendly rentals is a crucial piece of the puzzle. Spotting properties that won't treat your pet as a second-class citizen can be tricky, especially when, in most rentals, pets might be tolerated but not really welcomed. It's always a safe bet when the hosts are animal lovers, too, but where do you even begin to find them?

In this article, we've compiled a list of our top pet-friendly rentals in the US that will guarantee an inclusive and memorable stay for the whole family (including your furry companion). Whether you crave pet-friendly beach houses, lakeside cottages, or riverfront cabins, we have the perfect getaway. Don't forget to book directly with Houfy to avoid extra booking fees!

Pet-friendly Rentals for Carefree Vacations With Your Fur Baby

1. Good Woods Cottage - Okemo Killington - Dog Friendly - Plymouth

This dog-friendly cocoon at Plymouth, Vermont, is a 2400 square feet lakefront gem that can accommodate up to 8 guests. Hosted by Alecia, one of Houfy's featured hosts, it maintains a rustic, old-time charm that'll draw you in, wrap you up, and beg you to stay awhile.

Come and enjoy the nostalgia and make memories of crisp winter or warm summer days spent on the lake. Take a nap amidst the colorful foliage, observe the ducks, the geese, the turtles, and the eagles, or enjoy some freshly squeezed lemonade on the porch.

Spend countless hours playing with your four-legged friend in the garden, and enjoy joyful waggy tails as your dog runs freely outside. Explore hidden swimming holes and hiking trails together, or rest while watching the fantastic view of the lake. Don't forget to take a picture of your pet to create your own page in the host's doggie photo album.

Finally, get a taste of the generous amenities, such as the hot tub, the firepit, the grilling areas, and the volleyball court. You can also find fishing and boating opportunities and a private beach nearby. Dreamy!

Good Woods Cottage - pet-friendly rental

2. The Salty Mermaid - Pool, Hot Tub & Dog Friendly - St George Island

The old Florida beach meets mid-century modern in this fully renovated, dog-friendly vacation home. Located in a quiet area on the west bayside of St.George Island, this 2600 square feet of beauty can welcome up to 10 guests. With a fun and funky vintage design, it's bound to make a lasting impression.

Dogs of all sizes and breeds are welcomed in a fully fenced backyard for endless games. Kristi, one of Houfy's selected hosts, allows up to 3 dogs on the property with no additional fees. The rental provides dog beds, bowls, a dog door off the back porch, and biodegradable doggie pick-up bags for the beach.

While Kristi allows fur babies to get on furniture and beds, she offers pet covers to keep dog hair to a minimum. Other than that, your pet will have room to explore inside or run freely outside. You can even let it swim (on a leash) to the nearby sandy beach.

In the meantime, the rental offers a plethora of activities for guests, such as a golf cart available for rent, as well as kayaks and paddle boards, which you can find at the end of the road. From family game nights to cooking gourmet meals in the fully-equipped kitchen, this beautiful rental will make you feel at home.

The Salty Mermaid - pet-friendly rental house

3. Sound Front, Sunsets, Close to Town - Duck

If you're craving unobstructed sunset views, enjoy this beautiful condo in Duck, North Carolina. Accommodating up to 6 guests in 1450 square feet of goodness, it's a heaven on earth for beach lovers. Furry companions are also welcome to experience total rejuvenation at this pet-friendly rental.

Its ideal location gives you incredible water access for paddle boarding, kayaking, or relaxing afloat. After a full day of exploring the Outer Banks, you can swim in the indoor pool or lay out on the outside pool deck. You can also take the bikes for a quick ride into the quaint town of Duck for incredible shopping and places to eat. The beach is a quick bike ride or walk across the street.

Amanda-Lee and Jeff, the owners of this gorgeous condo, offer a garage packed with toys and equipment that'll take your holidays to the next level. For just a small fee, you can ditch the hefty rental companies and gain access to bikes, kayaks, tennis rackets, paddleboards, and more.

As for your fuzzy friends, they can splash in the pool, spend their time exploring their new surroundings, or cool off at the beach after days full of play. Win-win!

Pet-friendly vacation rentals in North Carolina

4. Downtown Saluda - Love Pets - Saluda

In the heart of Downtown Saluda, North Carolina, you'll find this year-round vacation home of 2400 square feet accommodating up to 11 guests and pets. Only a 35-minute drive from Asheville and Biltmore House, this immense open-concept offers tranquility and connection with nature.

Warm yourself by the chiminea of the scenic deck overlooking a decorative fish pond and the grounds. Lounge on a hammock with the sound of birds, or stroll down the hill for endless walks with your dog. Grab pizza, coffee, muffins, bread, and craft beer from nearby shops, or play tennis for an evening well-spent.

This place will inspire you to enjoy moments of tranquility on the front porch while letting your dogs play. If you feel a little more adventurous, you can try dozens of activities, such as rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding, or rock climbing. The property is only a block from the Purple Onion, Saluda Grade restaurants, the Green River Brewery, and shopping.

If your goal is to reconnect with your family or embark on a friend's trip, this is the perfect place to do it. There are multiple areas suitable for pack-n-plays for both adults and kids, such as a playground just down the hill and complimentary children's books and toys.

Rental pet-friendly in Downtown Saluda

5. Game Rooms! Fire Pits! Screened Porch! In Town! - Burnsville

Want to experience a Swiss Chalet without a passport? Welcome to this little corner of the world in Burnsville, North Carolina. In town, yet secluded and spacious, this 1900 square feet chalet can accommodate up to 10 guests, as well as your furry friends.

Imagine toasting marshmallows on a chilly night by the firepit with the calming sound of burning wood. One of your friends plays the ukulele, and life's sweet. The chalet features a wrap-around deck and a screened-in porch with rocking chairs where you can relax with your dog, watching the snowfall in winter.

You can find a huge seasonal game room in the basement with a mini pool, darts, a pop shot, and many more surprises. The upstairs game room offers Wii, darts, wall checkers, and a bunch of board games and puzzles. If you're traveling with kids, you'll have a hard time prying them out of this room, but we can't guarantee it'll be easier for adults, too.

As for your four-legged friends, they'll have the time of their lives running around sniffing new scents and sights, playing in the snow, or unwinding in the tranquility of their mountain surroundings.

Vacation rental pet-friendly in North Carolina

6. Riverfront Cabin, Trout Fishing, Pool, Hot Tub - Hiawassee

For the river lovers who love fishing, this cute little cabin in Hiawassee, Georgia, offers year-round mountain views and easy river access. Accommodating up to 10 guests and 2 furry companions, it offers moments of peace far away from noisy crowds.

If you love trout fishing and riverside picnics by the firepit, this place will be your refuge. Imagine catching your own food and cooking it on the outside grill. Perfection! Trout are released weekly less than a half mile up the river, making this an excellent fishing location. The river is stocked and has a feeder.

For the extra sprinkle of luxury, the cabin offers a hot tub for two and a community pool that only opens during the summer. You can also use tubes to float down the river in the backyard. For extra activities, you can rent boats within 5 minutes of Lake Chatuge or visit the nearby waterfalls.

It's also worth visiting the Appalachian Trail, the Brasstown Bald, the Bell Mountain Scenic Overlook, the Hamilton Gardens, and the Alpine Helen. Your beloved pet can accompany you on your adventures, hiking, swimming, or exploring the wildlife.

Riverfront Cabin - house rentals pet-friendly

Book Your Pet-friendly Vacation Rental Today!

From luxury pet-friendly vacation rentals to vintage lodgings in nature, pet owners have endless options for city escapes with their furry companions. Both you and your pet can instantly tell the difference between a property that tolerates dogs and one that actually welcomes them with love and respect. To avoid uncomfortable situations, make sure your rental is pet-friendly before booking.

Hopefully, our selected Houfy listings will inspire you to make reservations for your next pet-friendly vacation. As long as you're a responsible pet owner who picks after your pet and respects the property's policies, you'll have no issues whatsoever. It's time to see those waggy tails in the air again, and Houfy can make that possible with gorgeous properties without booking fees. Book yours today!