Farm Stays with Fido

Posted by Billy Francis

If searching for the right farm stay feels like trying to find a needle in a haystack, don’t wait until the cows come home to reserve a rural vacation for Fido. Whether he’s a vegan who wants to see where his dinner is grown or an equestrian trying to make new animal friends, he can put all of his eggs in the baskets of these pet-friendly farm rentals. Remember, most of these stays involve interacting with other animals. Dogs who seek solitude may prefer a secluded getaway instead.

Farm Stay Cottage in Nature

Occidental, CA
"You take the hammock, I'll take the tree." Photo by Airbnb

Find peace and quiet at Shanti's Redwood Cottage in Occidental, CA. Relax in the hammock while your dog finds a spot under a shade tree in the fenced backyard, soak away the day in the hot tub, or help your hosts feed the resident farm animals like Cosmo the llama, a Blackbelly sheep, chickens, and ducks. When darkness falls, turn your eyes to the sky and stargaze the night away.

Good Karma Micro-Dairy

Russell, KS
"Lie? I’m a cat." Photo by Airbnb

Fido can walk, talk, and squawk with the animals at Good Karma Micro-Dairy in Kansas. The two house cats, three dogs, chickens, dairy goats, Jersey cows, and horses on this 180-acre farm are happy to share their space with him if you’ll share some of your fresh breakfast. Guests are welcome to roam the grounds and explore miles of hiking trails. Along the way, see if your pooch can sniff out any ancient fossils that are a common sight on the property.

Great Goat Get-Away

Gray, ME
GOAT - greatest of all time. Photo by Airbnb

Deep in the woods at Ten Apple Farm, you’ll discover a great goat get-away like no other. During your stay, meet and interact with goats, sheep, pigs, and chickens. While your pup watches on, try your hand at farm chores like milking and collecting eggs. The highlight is joining the herd of goats on an awesome hike through the 17-acre forest on the property. Pups are even welcome to explore the woods off-leash if they are under voice command.

Historic Blue Ridge Farm

Sperryville, VA
"This is snow fun!" Photo by VRBO

Adventure awaits you and your pooch at this historic Blue Ridge farm in Virginia. Spend your days roaming around 130 acres of mountain forests, pastures, gardens, ponds, and historic structures, and spend your nights in a restored 19th century, two-bedroom farmhouse. Visitors are free to swim, canoe, or fish in the fully stocked three-acre pond on the property. Shenandoah National Park, one of the most pet-friendly parks in the country, is also on your doorstep.

Dave’s Milk Barn

High Falls, NY
"I thought I knew where I was going …" Photo by Airbnb

Dave’s Milk Barn is less weird than it sounds. Guests on two legs and four can settle into cozy digs in the old milking barn of this working farm, which was expertly renovated by master carpenter David Raponi over the course of seven years. Dogs are free to explore the rest of the farm without a leash as long as they are under voice control, and there’s even a watering hole if you know where to look. When the temperature drops in the evening, snuggle around the wood stove with your pup. Fido will have to stay grounded as the bunk beds require a ladder to reach them, but at least that means you can stretch out in bed for once.

Wine Down Ranch

Prineville, OR
The Four Musketeers! Photo by Airbnb

Sometimes, you need to answer the call of the wild. Wine Down Ranch immerses visitors in a classic dude ranch experience out West. The property offers hiking, mountain biking, photography lessons, bird watching, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding, all of which can be catered for canine guests to join in. Bunkhouse guests are welcome to explore as much of the 2,100-acre farm as they like, or just relax on the deck and enjoy the view.

Liberty Farms

Osceola, IA
"It’s ‘ice’ to meet you!" Photo by Airbnb

Liberty Farms is a cute little hobby farm in Iowa. The owners specialize in rearing Angus cows and goats, but you’ll find pigs, llamas, chickens, ducks, geese, and horses here, too. Fido can also get his paws dirty with a few true farm activities. If he fancies himself as a farm dog, he can help garden, harvest honey, bail hay, and rescue and nurse farm babies. During the colder months, he can join you while you learn to can and pickle produce, make candles, and even attempt ice fishing.

Farm Home on 12 Acres

Corona, SD
"They might be bigger than us, but can they bark?" Photo by Airbnb

Performing pups who love to show off will get a kick out of this farm home on 12 acres. The stage is set for them to bark their favorite tunes on the built-in platform outside, with electricity connected for you to provide backing guitar. You might even recruit a chorus of the wild ducks, deer, owls, birds, chickens, sheep, goats, horse, cat, and dog who make up the permanent house band on the property. The rest of the family can avoid the noise pollution on the walking trail that winds around the farm. Dogs who don’t chase chickens can explore off-leash, but are not allowed in the movie room.

Moonshine Bend

Deep Gap, NC
"Who says you need a beach to sunbathe?" Photo by VRBO

Located on the banks of Elk Creek, anglers will love Moonshine Bend. The beautiful waterway that runs through the property is stocked full of trout. Elsewhere on the grounds, you’ll find swimming holes to splash in, hiking trails to blaze, cycling, horseshoes to fling, and wildlife to spot. The farm is conveniently located near Boone and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Fluffy Bottom Farm

Johnson City, TN
Photo by Airbnb

Fido should fit in nicely with the four-legged residents of Fluffy Bottom Farm’s Serenity Cabin. This pet-friendly Airbnb on 30 acres of land is home to goats, llamas, pigs, and chickens, who all wander free range and are happy to greet friendly pups who come to stay. Guests have access to the entire property including a private stretch of the Watauga River less than a mile away, and they’re welcome to borrow kayaks or rent tubes to float down it.

Have you stayed on a farm with Fido? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!

Banner photo by Pixabay.