The Gunflint Trail, also known as County State-Aid Highway 12 or County Road 12, is a 57-mile National Scenic Byway that winds up paved mountain roads and through the wooded backcountry of Cook County, MN. Located 40 miles from the trail's starting point in Grand Marais, Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters invites you to treat your canine companion to a Northwoods adventure no matter the season. In the warmer months, snag a trophy walleye on a guided fishing trip with your pup, rent a pet-friendly pontoon boat to explore Gunflint Lake at your leisure, or take advantage of the resort’s free use of canoes and kayaks. Pups are welcome to play in the sand and swim in the lake. Hiking trails are open year-round, and reservations can be made for a dog hike with a naturalist guide. In the evenings, you can enjoy sunset views and dinner with your furry friend on the patio of the resort’s lakeside restaurant. Plan your visit during one of the popular ‘Dog Lover’s Weekends,’ when the lodge offers classes and seminars geared toward man’s best friend.

The Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York span over 5,000 miles and are home to more than 3,000 lakes. Begin your tour of the Adirondacks with a walk by the water at Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort. Then, hop on I-87 and head north to Lake George, where Fido can join you on a cruise of one of the region’s most famous bodies of water with Lake George Waterfront Cruises. The one-hour sightseeing voyage offers a glimpse into the history of the area, secluded islands, tranquil bays, and million-dollar mansions. The next stage of your journey leads 80 miles to the village of Lake Placid, famous for hosting the Winter Olympics in 1980. Pause at Mirror Lake for a walk on the 2.7-mile trail around the beautiful reflective water before heading to the summit of Whiteface Mountain for a bird’s-eye view of Lake Placid. Top it off with a nostalgic root beer float at A&W Root Beer Drive-In in nearby Wilmington.

Enjoy the mountain air for a few days with a stay at Cadence Lodge at Whiteface.

Located in both California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is the largest Alpine Lake in North America. Driving around the 72-mile lake takes around three hours with no stops. Before you start the motor in scenic South Lake Tahoe, SUP with your pup in nearby Stateline, NV, at Day Go Adventures. Their dog-friendly rentals allow pups up to 35 lbs and are best taken out in the morning before the winds pick up. Day Go Adventures even provides doggie life vests. After you’re done on the water, stop at Inspiration Point for a short walk along a paved pathway with your pooch to a stunning overlook of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island. Continue to Tahoe City, where you can refuel and rehydrate at River Ranch Lodge & Restaurant before taking a water detour with Truckee River Rafting. Drive around the top of the lake to North Zephyr Cove Beach. This popular dog beach is great for relaxing on the lake with the canine community.

Spend the night at Fireside Lodge in South Lake Tahoe. Pet covers, treats, bowls and dog towels are provided.

The Lake Michigan Circle Tour is a picturesque drive that spans over 1,100 miles and takes around 15 hours to complete with no stops. Start your trip in Milwaukee, where you and your furry first mate can set sail with Milwaukee Boat Line Cruises out onto Lake Michigan. Hop back in the car and onto WIS 32 to the Wisconsin-Illinois state border. When you reach Illinois, you’ll join Route 137 and Lakeshore Drive (US-41) to Chicago. Chill in Chi-town and let Fido loose at Montrose Dog Beach. He can clean up at the on-site dog wash before hitting the road again. Continue onto US-12, aptly nicknamed Dunes Highway, and make your way to Indiana Dunes National Park for walks with your leashed pooch along dune trails and beaches. Afterward, US-31 will lead you to Ludington for off-leash fun at Buttersville Beach, but not before switching vehicles and carving love hearts in the sand at Silver Lake Buggy Rentals.

Camp Baxter is a newly renovated, 1920s cottage that invites furry guests to roam off leash in the expansive backyard while you soak in the high-class hot tub that overlooks the property. The surrounding woodland area offers pet-friendly trails for you to explore together, too.

The Olympic Peninsula Loop is over 300 miles long and takes eight hours to complete non-stop. The route circles Olympic National Park and will lead you down winding roads through thick mossy rainforests to beautiful windswept beaches, coastal crevices and crystal-clear lakes. Begin your adventure in Seattle with a pet-friendly ferry ride to Bainbridge Island. From here, make your way to Port Townsend, where you can putt with your pooch at Discovery Bay Golf Club before continuing to Sequim to catch a whiff of lavender at Purple Haze Lavender Farm & Gift Shop. With a car full of floral delights, it’s time for your first lake stop on the loop at Lake Crescent, which can be reached on Highway 101. Continue around the loop to your final stop, Lake Quinault, where you can get out and walk on the Quinault Rain Forest loop trail or take a 31-mile drive around the lake and stop to see the world’s largest Sitka spruce.

After a day of lake exploration, put your feet up at Lake Quinault Lodge. Located next to the trailhead for the loop, the lakeside lodge is surrounded by acres of National Forest and all pet-friendly rooms have a private entrance.

Bring Fido on a road trip to the Ozarks! Start off with a photoshoot at Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, and then head southwest through Mark Twain National Forest on I-44. Take a break at “Stubby Stonehenge” in Rolla at Missouri S&T, a partial reconstruction of the megalithic monument in England. Continue to Springfield, where you can explore Fantastic Caverns and eat lunch on the patio at a local staple, Big Whiskey's. After fueling up, take I-65 to Branson, MO, where you and Fido can shop for swag at Branson Landing and walk together on the 1.5-mile scenic boardwalk along Lake Taneycomo. The final leg of your journey will take you to Eureka Springs, AR. This area is home to hundreds of miles of lakes and rivers, including Beaver Lake. Grab a kayak from Beaver Lake Outdoor Center and set sail on an Ozarks lake adventure together.

Fido can show off his high five at 5 Ojo Inn in Eureka Springs. Curl up next to the fire and relax together after a day on the water.

Road trips through the Last Frontier often originate in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, and this beautiful journey is no different. Get Fido ready for the road ahead on the off-leash trails at University Lake Dog Park. The next stop is Chugach State Park and the Eklutna Lake Scenic Drive on Glenn Highway North. At just 22 miles in length, it's the shortest route on our list, but that doesn’t make it any less spectacular. The twisting and turning road runs alongside Eklutna River and the out-of-this-world glacial Eklutna Lake, with Twin Peaks in the distance.

Water dogs will enjoy chilling on the balcony overlooking the water at The Lakefront Anchorage. The hotel has a grassy relief area with a waste station and offers dog treats.

Bring Fido to Upstate, South Carolina, for a short road trip between two beautiful lakes. On your way to Lake Jocassee, a mountain spring-fed 7,565-acre lake, make a pit stop at Seneca PetSafe Dog Park to let your canine stretch his legs and meet new furry friends. Then venture through Sunset, SC, to Keowee-Toxaway State Park, where you and Fido can hike along the Raven Rock hiking trail, which offers a picturesque view of Lake Keowee, perfect for a photo opportunity. Next, bring your pup to Devils Fork State Park, the only public access area to the beautiful Lake Jocassee. During your visit, take a hike on the mile-long nature trail, then enjoy lunch at one of the picnic areas or shelters. Go for a tour on the water with Jocassee Lake Tours, and let naturalist guides introduce your party to the wild wonders of America’s most beautiful lake. You’ll visit the many waterfalls that can only be seen by boat, and you and your pup can enjoy a swim around them. At the end of the day, listen to live bluegrass music at an outdoor table while you sip on locally brewed beers at Jocassee Valley Brewing Company.

Stay at the Maplecrest at Lake Jocassee vacation rental with your dog, conveniently located just a mile from the state park and lake. The home has a fenced yard where your pup can play while you sit on the porch.