We're avid animal lovers here at Explore Boone and firmly believe that furry friends need a vacation just like the rest of us! Follow this guide to discover the wealth of enjoyment you will have when you embark on a pet-friendly adventure to Boone.
Jump To: Off-leash dog parks, pup-friendly restaurants, shops, and lodging.
Gearing Up
Make sure to stock up on any essentials before venturing out, whether you’re hitting the trails or making stops on the High Country Wine Trail. Animal basics can be found at The Pet Place, a locally-owned pet store with last-minute trip necessities like bags, raincoats, leashes, life jackets, and treats. Bring your pup along when you browse the shelves at Mast General Store in downtown Boone for dog toys and outdoor gear, in addition to human treats, clothes, and supplies. Also downtown is Footsloggers, a dog-friendly outfitter with shoes and essential outdoor equipment. Mountain Running Company is another pup-friendly shop that carries specialty running and disc golf equipment.
The Blue Ridge Parkway
Adventurous canines won’t want to miss out on a stay in Boone, where waterfalls, mountain streams, lakes, and vistas are all around. They’ll experience the true joy of sticking their heads out of the window on the Blue Ridge Parkway and exploring overlooks, hiking trails, and fishing spots along the way.
A stop at Julian Price Lake at Milepost 297 on the Blue Ridge Parkway could allow for a 1.9-mile loop around the lake or an afternoon catching trout, surrounded by colorful rhododendron blooms from May to July. Price Lake Boat Rentals offers stand-up paddleboard, canoe, and kayak rentals by the hour, and dogs are welcome to hop in the boat and join you. Moses H. Cone Memorial Park at milepost 294 features miles of carriage trails perfect for a stroll with the pooch through apple orchards and fields, around one of the stocked lakes, or to the Flat Top Manor house.
Further south on the Blue Ridge Parkway, at milepost 316.4, is Linville Falls. The largest waterfall by volume of water on the Parkway, this thunderous landmark can be viewed from easy or strenuous trails all the way to the basin. Dogs are welcome to accompany their companions, on a leash, to either of these overlooks or down to the base of the falls.
More Great Trails
The Blue Ridge Parkway isn’t the only place to enjoy incredible views, water features, and fresh mountain air with your furry friends. The Boone Greenway (pictured below) is a great place to get outside and see nature, right in Boone’s town limits. The path follows the headwaters of the New River, weaves around meadows and wetlands, historic hydroelectric station ruins, picnic tables, and through covered bridges. To the northwest of Boone is Elk Knob State Park, where dogs and their owners can climb to the top to view 360 degrees of incredible mountain vistas.
Check out our extensive Boone Area Hiking Guide for more great trails in the area.
Tour A Historic Town
Valle Crucis is a small scenic town that should not be missed by anyone visiting the High Country, especially those with friendly dogs. The Original Mast General Store is a wonderful place to get provisions for both people and pups. From outdoor gear to the old-timey sweets found at the candy barrel, the Mast General Store has a lot of great merchandise to explore, including hiking gear and toys for man's best friend! Just across the street in a farmhouse built in 1816 with a wrap-around porch for pups to enjoy, is Over Yonder Restaurant and Fresh Market.
Nearby, Valle Crucis Community Park has playgrounds, covered picnic shelters, and river access for fly fishing, playing, and floating, everything the family - including the pets - could want. The park instates a small parking fee during the peak summer months and operates on donations for the rest of the year. Valle Crucis is also home to a beautiful waterfall, Crab Orchard Falls, accessible by a lovely 1.4-mile lollipop loop starting at the Valle Crucis Conference Center.
Go on a River Adventure
Take a tour of the area by tube with any of the great river tubing guide services along the New River, most of which have doggy tubes and cooler tubes available for rent. (It's always a good idea to clip your pup's toenails to avoid popping any tubes). Many of those guide services also offer canoe and kayak rentals, too!
Preserve the Awe
Always remember to follow Outdoor NC principles when enjoying the outdoors with pets. Learn more about Traveling with Pets at OutdoorNC.com
Off-Leash Dog Parks in the Boone Area
Arko Dog Park at the Watauga Humane Society
Mountain Dog Coffee Dog Park in Foscoe
Beech Mountain Bark Park
Tate-Evans Park in Banner Elk
Pet-Friendly Shops
- Mast General Store (Downtown & Original Store)
- Footsloggers
- Boone Belles
- Hands Gallery
- Mountain Running Company
- Lucky Dog Vintage
- Appalachian Tees
- Appalachia Threads
- Appalachian Sportswear
- Anna Banana's
- The Pet Place
- Barks & Co.
Restaurants with Pet-Friendly Patios
Breakfast
- Boone Bagelry (Downtown Boone)
- Melanie’s Food Fantasy (Downtown Boone)
- Betty's Biscuits (Downtown Boone)
- Stick Boy Kitchen
- Local Lion Doughnuts and Coffee
- Mountain Dog Coffee in Foscoe
Lunch and Dinner
- The Local (Downtown Boone)
- Wild Craft Eatery (Downtown Boone)
- Pedalin’ Pig (Boone and Banner Elk locations)
- Coyote Kitchen & Lost Province Tap Room
- Basil's Fresh Pasta and Deli
- Red Onion Café
- Over Yonder at Rhode's Motor Lodge
- Lily’s Snack Bar
- Tapp Room
- The Cardinal
- Come Back Shack
- The Dog House Café in Foscoe
- Town Tavern in Blowing Rock
- Social on Main in Blowing Rock
- Hellbender in Blowing Rock
- Blowing Rock Ale House in Blowing Rock
- The Speckled Trout Café in Blowing Rock
Beverages & Bites
- Appalachian Mountain Brewery
- Booneshine Brewing Company and Beer Garden
- Lost Province Brewing Company (upstairs patio only)
- Blowing Rock Brewery and Ale House in Blowing Rock
- Grandfather Vineyard and Winery
- Linville Falls Vineyard and Winery
- Banner Elk Winery
Pet-Friendly Accommodations
Sleeps 2 to 12 people. Cabins and chalets rented by the week, weekend, or month,...
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Welcome to App A-Frame! A mid-mod dream perfect for you and your kids to enjoy a...
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Sleeps up to 4. Very nice, one-bedroom, one-bath house. Slate floors, bright...
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Rentals for 2-24 guests. Blue Ridge Mountain Rentals offers over 175 of the best...
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Each room in this historic motor lodge is carefully crafted with unique vintage...
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Rentals for 2-28 guests. We have a passion for living in the mountains and...
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Brand NEW! Modern luxury, 3700 sq ft, sleeps 20! Cathedral ceilings, high-end...
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Sleeps 8. This fully remodeled, A-frame cabin rental has a European alpine...
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Enjoy all the beauty and mountain activities the "High Country" has to offer...
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A cabin that blends its long history with modern amenities and updated décor....
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Always fresh, always clean, our guest rooms are full of thoughtful amenities....
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Rentals for 2-15 guests. Foscoe Rentals is centrally located between Boone,...
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Introducing Glamping Unplugged, a YEAR-ROUND take on primitive camping and an...
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Rentals for 1-4 guests. Grandfather Campground is open all year, so come and...
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This 101 room boutique hotel is situated in the heart of the Blue Ridge...
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Boone's Hampton Inn & Suites is a modern hilltop hotel with Blue Ridge...
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Sleeps 8. Harmony View, located in Boone, is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath cabin with...
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Beautiful cabins nestled in the woods of Historic Valle Crucis, and centrally...
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Rentals for 2 - 17 guests. High Mountain Cabin Rentals is a rental property...
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Welcome to Hillside Hideaway, a one-of-a-kind container home located between...
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Located in the heart of the High Country, the Holiday Inn Express greets you...
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Find us in the Blue Ridge Mountains, walking distance from downtown Boone and...
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Honey Bear Campground is conveniently located off Hwy 105 in Boone, North...
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Boone’s first boutique hotel and rooftop lounge offer a new experience with...
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Rentals for 2-12 guests. The largest inventory of vacation rentals in the area....
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Kradels Kabins offers a 5-star experience at three mountain cabins in and around...
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Beautiful mountain lodge featuring indoor pool, hot tub, hot breakfast, exercise...
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The Mast Farm Inn is a world-renowned historic North Carolina Country Inn &...
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Merrywether Lodge is centrally located between Boone and Blowing Rock, just...
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Pet friendly vacation cabin rentals located in the gated community of Powder...
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Sleeps 14. Completed in November 2009 & renovated in 2017, this energy...
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Firefly Cabin is a luxury couples retreat on 7 private acres. With huge windows...
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Skywatch Cabin is a modern couples retreat made to immerse you in the forest. It...
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Visit this Boone, North Carolina hotel located at the recreational crossroads of...
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Rhode’s Motor Lodge is a unique 54-room boutique hotel situated on Hwy 321 in...
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Cozy getaway for up to 6 people. The cabin has two Queen beds and a Queen...
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Quaint 3 bedroom cabin located on creek - fire pit, hot tub, less than 10 min to...
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Rustic Log cabin w/all the amenities of home! Gorgeous views - secluded yet...
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Opened in June 2020. After an eventful day, make yourself at home in a modern...
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Sleeps up to 6. White Fence Farm Downtown is a quaint, restored 1920s farmhouse...
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