VISIT THE MOST POPULAR DOG FRIENDLY NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS

As most of you know, we travel a lot with our dogs Icy and Phoebe so we're always on the lookout for the best dog friendly places. I'm delighted to introduce you to Nichole, my Guest Blogger from DogVills . 

Nichole is the Editor In Chief at DogVills, a blog about all things dog, including dog training tips, dog health tips, dog news, dog recipes and more.  Nichole loves to travel with her dogs too and she has graciously offered to share some of the Most Popular dog friendly National and State Parks in the U.S.  So, Take it away Nichole!

NICOLE from DOGVILLS:

"I love taking my dogs on outings with me! I’m always looking for places like hotels, restaurants and stores that allow dogs so that I can bring them with me everywhere I go! While I’m used to the challenge of finding indoor spaces that allow pets, I was shocked to discover how difficult it is to find dog-friendly national and state parks!

Did you know that most parks either have very restrictive pet policies or ban them entirely? In some parks, you can’t even drive through the entrance with a dog in the car! Don’t worry, though, we’ve rounded up the top dog-friendly national and state parks in the United States to make planning a vacation with your pooch a little easier!

DOG FRIENDLY NATIONAL PARKS

There are 60 national parks and over 10,300 state parks in the United States.  Together, they spread out across over 18 million acres! While the vast majority of them don’t allow dogs, there are a few that welcome our canine companions! Just remember that even the most dog-friendly national parks have rules about where you can take your dog. Make sure you learn and follow them, so these parks don’t have a reason to ban dogs entirely.

    Acadia National Park- Acadia National Park, established in 1919, is in the state of Maine, just southwest of Bar Harbor. The park sits on 49,075.26 acres and sees approximately 3,509,271 visitors annually. Arcadia National Park features an array of lakes, mountains, shorelines and woodlands.

   BadlandsNational Park- Badlands National Park, founded in 1978, is found in southwestern South Dakota, near Rapid City. The park sits on 242,755.94 acres and sees approximately 1,054,325 visitors annually. Several movies have been filmed in the Badlands National Park, including the 1990 Dances with Wolves, the 1997 Starship Troopers and the 2007 National Treasure: Book of Secrets.

   Cuyahoga Valley National Park- Cuyahoga Valley National Park, conceived in 2000, is based in northeastern Ohio, along the Cuyahoga River between Akron and Cleveland. The park sits on 32,572.35 acres and sees approximately 2,226,879 visitors annually. The national park features more than 125 miles of hiking trails, as well as an array of caves, rolling hills, waterfalls and winding rivers.

   Grand Canyon National Park- Grand Canyon National Park, originated in 1919, is set in northwestern Arizona, in Coconino and Mohave counties. The park sits on 1,201,647.03 acres and sees approximately 6,254,238 visitors annually. The park’s main feature is the Grand Canyon, a gorge that was carved out by the Colorado River.

   Great Sand Dunes National Park- Great Sand Dunes National Park, founded in 2004, is in south-central Colorado, in Alamosa and Saguache counties. The park sits on 107,341.87 acres and sees approximately 486,935 visitors annually. The national park is home to North America’s tallest sand dunes, reaching heights of 750 feet.

   Mammoth Cave National Park- Mammoth Cave National Park, formed in 1941, is situated in central Kentucky, in Barren, Edmonson and Hart counties. The park sits on 54,011.91 acres and sees approximately 587,853 visitors annually. The park surrounds parts of the Mammoth Caves, the world’s longest cave system, which measures 405 miles in length.

   North Cascades National Park- North Cascades National Park, created in 1968, is positioned in Washington, in Chelan, Skagit and Whatcom counties. The park sits on 504,780.94 acres and sees approximately 30,326 visitors annually. North Cascades National Park features an expansive glacial system, forested valleys, numerous waterways and rugged mountain peaks.

   Shenandoah National Park- Shenandoah National Park, established in 1935, is situated in Virginia, surrounding part of the state’s Blue Ridge Mountains. The park sits on 199,217.77 acres and sees approximately 1,458,874 visitors annually. Shenandoah National Park features some impressive waterfalls, ranging in height from 28 feet to 93 feet.

   Yosemite National Park- Yosemite National Park, founded in 1890 is set in California, in Madera, Mariposa and Tuolumne counties. The park sits on 761,747.50 acres and sees approximately 4,336,890 visitors annually. The world-renowned park is famous for its biological diversity, clear streams, granite cliffs and sequoia groves.

   Zion National Park - Zion National Park, conceived in 1919, is found in southwestern Utah, in Iron, Kane and Washington counties. The park sits on 147,237.02 acres and sees approximately 4,504,812 visitors annually. The park features 4 life zones: coniferous forest, desert, riparian and woodland.

DOG FRIENDLY STATE PARKS

Abilene State Park- Abilene State Park is in Taylor County, Texas. The 529.4-acre park features camping areas, hiking trails, picnic areas and a swimming pool.

Hot Springs State Park- Hot Springs State Park is in Hot Springs County, Wyoming. The 1,108.67-acre park features hot springs that constantly flow at a temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit.

Huntington Beach State Park- Huntington Beach State Park is in Georgetown County, South Carolina. The 2,500-acre park is popular for its large sandy beach and countless wild birds.

Itasca State Park- Itasca State Park is in Becker, Clearwater and Hubbard counties, within the state of Minnesota. The 32,690-acre park is home to more than 200 species of wild birds.

Lost Dutchman State Park- Lost Dutchman State Park is in Pinal County, Arizona. The 320-acre park is named after the legendary Lost Dutchman Gold Mines.

Oak Mountain State Park- Oak Mountain State Park is in Shelby County, Alabama. The 9,940-acre park is home to the Alabama Wildlife Center and the Oak Mountain BMX Track.

Tuttle Creek State Park- Tuttle Creek State Park is in the state of Kansas. The 1,200-acre park features an artificial beach, camping sites and nature trails.

Remember, the rules vary at each of these dog-friendly national and state parks, so make sure you take the time to learn them! We want to be considerate pet parents so we don’t ruin the fun for anyone else."

Thank You for sharing all this great pet travel information Nichole! It will be so helpful in planning dog friendly vacations to National and State Parks.  I'm glad you included the point of following the individual rules for each of these parks, as they do vary and most have some restricted access for dogs.  One example is that Grand Canyon National Park allows dogs but they don't allow them to hike down the canyon with you, dogs must remain up on the rim.

I hope you enjoyed Nichole's dog travel post as much as I did. You can read more from Nichole on the DogVills blog.  Happy Trails & Happy Tails!!

Icy on one of our many trips to dog friendly Sedona, Arizona

You may also like these Icy and Phoebe approved DOG FRIENDLY TRAVEL DESTINATIONS!

Have you been to any of these parks with your pet?  Tell us about it in the comments, we LOVE hearing from you!!

A GUIDE TO DOG FRIENDLY FALL ADVENTURES

I have always loved the Fall, but I'll admit I took it for granted year after year.  Only after living in Phoenix, Arizona for nearly 10 years did I really appreciate the joy of a majestic Fall season.  In Phoenix they joke that there are only two seasons; Hot and Hotter!

Although we loved living in Phoenix, we soon missed the blazing beauty of the Autumn leaves.  Even driving on the highways you can't help but be struck by Fall's gorgeous hues. The bright yellows, fiery reds, and deep rust tones create a stunning landscape against cool, crisp, sunny skies. Dogs love Fall too, so I've compiled this Guide to Dog Friendly Fall Adventures!

Enjoying the beauty of Fall with my dogs

I love outdoor activities with my dogs in every season.  Each season is special, with it's own brand of fun things to do with your dog unique to that season.

Fall is one of the best times to embark on outdoor fun activities and adventures with dogs! The weather is cooler and the Summer crowds have thinned out.

As October approaches we start thinking about Pumpkins, Hiking & Biking in cool weather, Fall Festivals & Costume Parades, Apple Picking, Corn Mazes, Fall Foliage, and Hay Rides!  So much FUN and bonding to be had with our dogs during the Fall season! 

Great Fall activities to do with dogs  

Plan Fall adventures now before the beauty of Autumn is gone!

My dogs love outdoor Fall activities and Halloween treats!

FUN FALL ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR DOG

Be ready for outdoor Fall activities with dogs by having the right gear!  For all that outdoor fun with the dog, you want to make sure your dog is comfortable and safe!

Fall hike with my dog

The two activities I look forward to the most with our dogs are hiking and bike riding.  We hike and bike in Summer, but heat and humidity often makes hiking and biking trips with the dogs short.  Not so in the Fall, here's when we go all out!

BIKE RIDING WITH DOGS

Bicycle riding with your dog is a great activity, but you should do it safely.  Dogs have a habit of getting too close to the wheels of the bicycle or crossing out in front of the bike.  To avoid an accident I bought a Bicycle Leash for my Husky, Icy.  A bike leash for dogs keeps your dog next to the bike and away from the wheels!  I use the Walky Dog Plus bike leash, but there are others on the market.  I couldn't find dog bike leashes in bicycle stores (weird, right?!), but a Google search pulled up several.  Walmart, Chewy and Amazon have a couple of them online.

My dog Icy gets so excited when she see's my bicycle come out!

My Walky Dog Plus dog bike leash helps me bike ride safely with Icy

You can usually bike ride from early Fall until December in the Northern U.S.  In this video you can see how the bike leash keeps her at a safe distance from the bicycle.

Bike riding with your dog is not only a total blast, it has health benefits for both of you!  Need more reasons to bike ride with dogs? Here are 6 Reasons To Bike Ride With Your Dog!

My dogs are very different in size, strength and endurance.  I can't bike ride with both of them together on bike leashes, but I could attach a Pet Basket for Bicycles to my bike for a smaller dog.  That way both dogs could join in for bike rides and not feel left out.  PetSmart, Chewy, and Amazon sell bicycle baskets for small dogs (or other small pets) online. 

A bicycle basket made specifically for small dogs or other small pets!

HIKING WITH DOGS

We've done so much fantastic hiking with our dogs, from Sedona, Arizona to Montauk, Long Island with tons of places in between!  I have to say, hiking is probably my favorite activity to do with dogs.  I love to get out and explore nature with my dogs.  It's a great activity for the 4 of us to do together.  Although my dogs are active at different levels, hiking is something they can easily do together.  If Icy and my husband forge ahead, it's no big deal to stop and wait for me to catch up with my smaller dog.

DOG CLOTHING AND OUTERWEAR

When I think about my dogs being safe and comfortable during outdoor Fall activities, the first thing I think about is clothing and outerwear.  Being a Siberian Husky, Icy pretty much never needs dog apparel of any kind!  As soon as Fall weather arrives however, some small dogs get chilly.  I always had to break out a sweater or jacket for my dog Phoebe when the weather turned cool. They have the cutest clothing for dogs, especially for smaller dogs.

My dog Phoebe in her Cheeta print sweater - I love the pink bow!

For cold Fall mornings, or if there's a chance of rain, your pooch might need a waterproof dog coat like this one.  I love the adorable wool hood on this jacket!

Phoebe was always cozy warm in her hot pink Winter dog jacket

When we go on longer hikes, I often use a dog backpack for Icy.  It helps with carrying gear like water bottles, snacks, bowls, and waste bags.  It also helps reduce her pulling on leash!  Many dogs pull on their leash.  Using a backpack is one way some trainers recommend to reduce the pulling.  Be sure to check with a trainer or pet store staff on how much weight is appropriate for your dog to carry in the pack, if any.  The rule I've heard is to never put more than 10% of a dogs weight in a dog's backpack.

We often used a backpack for Icy on hikes.  It helped keep her from pulling like the sled dog that she is! She can carry her water bowl, water, and snacks!

Some dogs may require less weight or none at all in a backpack. Check with your Veterinarian before using a weighted backpack on your dog for the first time.  Here are more tips to get your dog to Stop Pulling On Leash.

This stylish Dog DayPak by Outward Hound is neon green with reflective accents so Icy is visible among the trees. You may not consider reflective safety strips when hiking, but more than once we've found ourselves still hiking after the sun has set.  Sunset is often when wildlife start hunting - yikes!! 

Make sure you bring plenty of water on any outing with your dogs! Remember to bring along portable bowls and a water bottle.

SAFETY FIRST!

Fall is actually prime season for Fleas and Ticks!  Be sure to protect your dog with Flea & Tick control like Bravecto   which provides up to 12 weeks protection from ticks and fleas in a tasty chew.  Note: Always Consult your Vet before you begin using any flea/tick product.

Fall is prime Tick and Flea season! Make sure your dog is protected

If you plan to take your dog near beaches, lakes, ponds, pools, or out on a boat you should consider a Life Jacket for Dogs.  A life jacket is a great safety option for dogs around water, especially if your dog is unfamiliar with the area, isn't a strong swimmer, or if she'll be out on a boat.

Icy wears this Outward Hound life jacket when we're near water

I also like the Kurgo Surf 'n Turf life vest which doubles as a life vest or rain coat.  It has 2 handles to help get your dog in and out of the water, and reflective trim.  The flotation layer can be removed so the waterproof shell can be used as a raincoat!

If your Fall adventure with your dog involves a car ride or a weekend getaway, consider a Dog Carrier or Pet Crate and a Dog Safety Harness for the car.

PET CARRIERS AND CRATES

There are SO many beautiful and versatile pet carriers to choose from these days.  Pet carriers come in lots of shapes and sizes, some models even have wheels.  A carrier or crate is a great way to keep your pet safe and secure while riding in the car or at the airport.  If your Fall adventure involves taking your dog or cat on an airplane, here is some information you should know; Tips For Air Travel With Pets.

Phoebe loved her Sherpa pet carrier!  I often left it open for her on the floor of my office so she could nap right next to me.

Outdoor Fall adventures with the dogs usually come with mud, sand, or dirt!  For all those great outdoor Fall adventures with your pup, make sure you protect your car seats with a Car Seat Cover  like this one from 4Knines!  They come in all sizes to fit pretty much any vehicle you've got. 4Knines makes great car seats, I love our 4Knines back seat cover for our Honda CRV!  Investing in a quality seat cover like the one we got from 4Knines is a great idea. 

Outdoor adventures with dogs almost always involve mud, sand and dirt! 

Even if you have a car seat cover don't forget to bring along Pet Wipes and a Towel or Paper Toweling. You'll probably want to get the dirt off their paws before going back into the house after a day of  outdoor fun & adventure!  I always have pet wipes in the car and in my backpack, you just never know what your dog will roll in, step in, or swim in!  If there's anything massively stinky to roll in, my dogs are sure to find it!

One of the things I can't do without on any of our adventures with the dogs is a First Aid Kit.  I can't tell you how many times we've traveled with our dogs or gone on long day trips and needed the First Aid Kit!  It's essential to get a pet first aid kit, or assemble one yourself.  I'll never forget the time my dog Icy cut her paw open on broken glass on her last potty break of the day.  It was at a hotel in Albuquerque, around 11pm.  No Veterinarian's were available and our first aid kit literally saved us! Paw pads bleed a lot more than I expected!

You can find Pet First Aid Kits online, there are tons of them. You can also assemble one yourself. Make sure you have a bag or case fits well into a backpack or your overnight bag.  We never leave home without a first aid kit for dogs!  

In our Dog First Aid Kit we have antibiotic ointment, essential to prevent infection if our dogs cut themselves.  I use Zymox Topical Cream with .5% Hydrocortisone.  This cream is made specifically for pets and is used for wound care, hot spots, and skin infections. 

Anther fun Fall activity is to head for your favorite dog friendly cafe for a mug of steaming pumpkin spice latte, hot apple cider or hot chocolate.  While you relax and enjoy a delicious Fall beverage, your dog can enjoy a special chew stick or her favorite toy, right beside you.

Pumpkin picking is a perennial Fall favorite, so look for a dog friendly farm and take your dog pumpkin picking!  I love taking pictures of my dogs out in the field among the bright orange pumpkins, the photos come out so pretty with all that Fall color. Rich Fall color brings so much warmth to a photo.

One thing we look forward to all year in our area are the Fall Festivals and Pet Costume Parades.   It's so much fun to see all the dogs out and about, trotting alongside their family enjoying Fall festivities.  A Pet Costume parade is always fun.  Some people are really clever in the costumes they create for their pets!  It's so inspiring.

Icy marched in our town's Pet Halloween Costume parade looking BOO-tiful in her Headless Horseman costume! 

I'm sure this year's hottest Dog Halloween Costumes will be super heroes again, like Wonder Woman for the girls and Spider Man or Super Man for the boys.  Do you dress your dog up for Halloween?  What will your dog, cat, lizard, or other pet be for Halloween this year? Tell us in the comments! 

I love the little skirt on this Wonder Woman costume, it's so cute!  

You don't even have to leave your own yard to enjoy the beauty of Fall with your pet.  Rake up the leaves in your yard and let your dog or cat play in them!  Throw his favorite ball or toy into the pile and watch him have fun digging and jumping through the leaves to retrieve the prize.  So what if you have to rake the leaves up again, it's worth it!

Once again, I'll be searching for a dog friendly Hay Ride and Corn Maze!  I was unsuccessful last year.

I'm always excited to see Fall themed dog treats, like Greenies Pumpkin Spice flavored Dental Chews for Dogs!  No reason why our pets shouldn't enjoy the flavors of the season, right?  While you enjoy a mug of hot apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte at an outdoor cafe, give your dog a pumpkin spice flavored treat to enjoy and celebrate Fall together!

Pumpkin Spice flavor treats for dogs.  Our pets should enjoy the flavors of the Fall season too!

If you have the time, you can make your own dog treats with Fall themed flavors like pumpkin, apple, or pear. Here's a simple, no bake Pumpkin Spice Dog Treat Recipe.

I take advantage of all those freshly picked pumpkins of Fall.  I add some pure pumpkin to my dogs' food each morning to give them the health benefits of pumpkin all year round. 

In the Fall I make my own pumpkin mush for them from fresh pumpkins we bring home. I add around a tablespoon of it to their food each morning.  If you've never made fresh pumpkin mush yourself, you'd be surprised at how much pumpkin mush even a very small pumpkin can yield!

My dog Phoebe, surrounded by pumpkins at our town's Fall Festival!

🐾 After removing the seeds inside, I cut a fresh pumpkin into large chunks and boil until the pieces are soft.  

🐾 Then I peel off the outer skin (Skin comes off easily after boiling) and mash it all up in a bowl.  You can puree it in a blender if you prefer. 

🐾 Cooked pumpkin freezes well so it should last a couple of months in the freezer.  

Always check with your Veterinarian before introducing any new food into your pet's diet. Never feed raw pumpkin to your pet, raw pumpkin can make them sick.

Whatever you do to celebrate Fall with your dog, cat or other pet be safe and Have Fun!!

Sharing is Caring! If you enjoyed this post, we would really appreciate a social media share! 😍

Please visit my ETSY store, Nature and Critters, where you'll find lots of products for Fall and all year round! Printable art prints, Pet Health Tracker, Pet Emergency Preparedness checklist, Holiday products, and more, all inspired by pets and nature.

HAPPY FALL!!

Dog Friendly Sunset Boat Cruise

Have you ever taken your dog on a Doggie Sunset Boat Cruise?  Some of you may remember me saying that one of my goals this Summer was to take my dogs out on a boat. Icy and Phoebe have never been on a boat before and that was one of my top adventure goals for them.  But life got hectic and the Summer flew by so fast, I didn't make that goal.

Phoebe's First Boat Ride!

Phoebe's first Dog Friendly Sunset Boat Cruise

When I heard about a Doggie Sunset Cruise not too far from our house, it sounded like the perfect first step to finally getting my dogs out on the water!  I had planned to take both Icy and Phoebe on the boat ride, but at the last minute I decided to take just Phoebe. I wanted to see what it was like before bringing Icy along.  Phoebe is so easy, she only weighs 11 lbs and virtually nothing phases her.   For a first step in getting my dogs out on a boat, I felt a larger boat with a smaller dog was the right way to go!

Our boat for the Doggie Sunset Cruise on Captain Lou's Fleet in Freeport, New York

WHAT DOES ONE WEAR ON A DOG FRIENDLY BOAT CRUISE?

I wasn't asking that question for me, I was wondering what Phoebe should wear?  We had just been to Jones Beach a few days before and although it's end of season, the surf shop was still open.  They had some onesies for babies on sale at half price -  what luck!  I found this adorable Jones Beach Lifeguard onesie in a 6 months size.  I just cut off the bottom part that snaps and voila!  Phoebe had a cute nautical themed shirt.  Doesn't she look adorable!?  I think red is her color.

Phoebe looked adorable in this Jones Beach Lifeguard shirt, perfect for her first boat ride

As we explored this part of the boat deck, it kind of reminded me of that famous scene in the Titanic movie - you know the one I mean!  If I had a giant blue diamond necklace I'd have pitched it overboard, just for the romance of it! 

Standing out way out on above the water reminded me of the Titanic movie!

I didn't have a giant blue diamond necklace on me, so we just enjoyed the view from the front of the boat, the part that sticks way out into the water - I think that's called the "bulbous bow"?  Any boat experts out there know if that's the right name for what we're standing on in these two photos?

MAKING NEW FRIENDS ON THE BOAT

Phoebe loved meeting this beautiful little dog named Miracle out on deck.  She's the sweetest girl!

Phoebe made lots of other doggie friends too! Most of the dogs were really relaxed and friendly. Here's Phoebe chillaxin' with a small group of seaworthy dog friends she met on the boat.  I loved that so many of the dogs were dressed in nautical themed outfits - check out the tiny sailor hats on the two Shih Tzu's on the right!  I have GOT to get one of those hats for Phoebe's next ocean excursion!

WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN ON THE HARBOR

As the sun set, we cruised past the beautiful lights shining from homes and restaurants along the harbor.  It was so calm and peaceful with the lights reflecting off the water.

Sailing along Freeport harbor, enjoying beautiful lights on the water during our dog friendly boat cruise

It was a little intimidating when we cruised under the drawbridge they had to raise for our boat to fit underneath it.  Especially since they alert everyone with a really loud siren just before the bridge goes up - I didn't realize what was happening at first!  I've lived on Long Island my whole life, but I honestly have never gone beneath a drawbridge as it was going up.  It's pretty cool as you pass directly under the bridge and look UP!

Drawbridge going UP!!

Although it was overcast that evening, we still saw a lovely sunset!  I'm so glad we finally got out on the water with at least one of our dogs.  I can't wait to go again, and I hope to get Icy on a boat soon too!

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We enjoyed seeing the sun set from the boat deck on our Doggie Sunset Cruise

ARE WE FOLLOWING EACH OTHER ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER?  IF NOT, LET'S GET SOCIAL!

If you enjoyed this post, you may like my PET TRAVEL posts.  I share tips and information from travel adventures with our dogs.  You might find your next pet travel destination there!

If you're taking your dog out on a boat, especially a smaller boat, check out these Boating Safety Tips for Pets.

Have you ever been on a boat with your pets?  Tell us about it in the comments.  We love hearing about your pet adventures!

Discovering New Dog Friendly Places!

We love discovering new dog friendly places with our dogs Icy and Phoebe!

We loved the beautiful walking paths at Dix Hills Park!

Peek A Boo, We See You Icy!

Phoebe's loving all those new SMELLS!!

We're so happy we discovered this local park that allows dogs on their beautiful walking paths!  Dog friendly Dix Hills Park is in Long Island, New York.

Are we following each other on Twitter and Facebook?  If not, Let's connect!

JOIN ME ON THE BLOGPAWS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!!

Dog's Excellent Beach Adventure!

This week's big adventure was a trip to dog friendly Gardiner County Park and Beach in Bay Shore, Long Island.  Bay Shore is also the town where you can take the ferry boats to Fire Island.  We love Gardiner's, it's a beautiful neighborhood park that allows dogs.  It's a real hidden gem for dog lovers on Long Island!

We're Off on an Adventure!

The park itself is lovely, with an open grassy field and several short trails to walk along, but the real draw of Gardiner Park for dogs and their people is the fabulous dog friendly beach at the end of it! 

DOG FRIENDLY BELMONT LAKE STATE PARK, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK

There are so many fun activities to do with dogs!  We love taking the dogs to dog friendly parks and beaches on Long Island, New York.  There aren't many dog friendly parks and beaches on Long Island, I could never figure out why. There are some, but there are more dog friendly beaches and parks in Suffolk County, the Eastern half of Long Island, than there are in Nassau County.  

Icy exploring the rocks and a little waterfall around the lake at Belmont Lake State Park

DOG FRIENDLY BELMONT LAKE STATE PARK IN LONG ISLAND, NY

A really nice Long Island state park that allows dogs is 463-acre Belmont Lake State Park.  Like so many of NY's state parks, it was once a mansion and estate owned by a wealthy family, the Belmont's, in the later 1800's - early 1900's.  This park was formerly part of the family owned thoroughbred horse farm. The farm was owned by August Belmont, the namesake of the Belmont Stakes!

It's such a beautiful park, I'm so happy to have it available for public use. I'm even happier that Belmont Lake State Park allows well behaved, leashed dogs in the park!  The lake and walking/hiking paths are so lovely, we really enjoy it. It's open all year round, too.

A PIECE OF HISTORY AT BELMONT STATE PARK

CANNON BAAALL!!  OK, SO THAT'S REALLY FOR THE POOL, BUT THIS IS AN ACTUAL CANNON.  The Belmont Lake State Park Cannons have been there since the park was a privately owned mansion, owned by the Belmont family.

"WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY, AND THEY ARE OURS....." - OLIVER HAZARD PERRY, COMMANDER OF THE AMERICAN FLEET,  September,1813

The quote captioned above is excerpted from one of the most famous quotes in military history.  I know what you're thinking, Hey!!  That quote is wrong, it's supposed to be We Have Met The Enemy And He Is Us.... but that was actually the original quote paraphrased  by a 1970 Cartoonist, for an Earth Day poster.  Actually, I think many people would agree that his version of the quote probably belongs on a photo of a globe, since it was Earth Day.

BEAUTIFUL NATURAL SURROUNDINGS & HIKING TRAILS

CHECK OUT THIS BEAUTIFUL TREE, DON'T YOU THINK IT WOULD MAKE A GREAT HALLOWEEN TREE?  OR PERHAPS THE KEEBLER ELVES LIVE IN IT??  OR MAYBE A HOBBIT?!

I shall guard the tree in case the elves or some hobbit try to escape and wreak havoc throughout the park!

Phoebe and I stop along the bridge to watch the ducks play in the stream

The ducks were so cute!  There's 4 of them, it's funny but the two in front almost look like alligators, don't they?  But it's the back tail end of two of the ducks, LOL!  No gators on Long Island!

A GOOD SOCIALIZATION OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR DOG!

Parks make for great socialization opportunities for dogs, as long as both are leashed and they both want to meet.  Phoebe met this cute little boy, I think she was kinda smitten!

When you take your pets out for a fun adventure, make sure to Hydrate and Keep Your Pet Safe!

Summer and Fall are prime times for flea and tick activity, be sure to protect your dog against flea and tickborne diseases like Anaplasmosis (Tick Fever)!

Have you been to any great dog friendly parks?  Leave us a comment and tell us about it!