Dog-friendly Weekend Trips from Dallas, TX

Written by Jordan in Arkansas,Dog-friendly,Southwest,Texas,USA Travel,Weekend GetawaysLast Updated April 20, 2023

I am constantly hunting and searching for the best dog-friendly weekend trips from Dallas.

The city is great, but sometimes everyone needs a break from all the hustle and bustle. I know that after a long work week, there is nothing I want than to relax, hike, and explore at a slower pace of life.

…and my dog is super sick and tired of sitting in the apartment all week!

Weekend getaways are the PERFECT excuse to explore new (super cool) places close to home. And the best part is that you can bring your dog along for the fun!! Here are THE BEST dog-friendly weekend trips that are within driving distance from Dallas, TX!

P.S. (This list is constantly growing so be sure to save it and check for more pup-friendly getaways!)

dog-friendly weekend trips from Dallas with dogs

This site contains affiliate links to products. I only show products I have tried and love. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Tip! Want to plan the best dog-friendly weekend trip from Dallas? Download this FREE TRAVEL PLANNER to keep everything organized!

Colorado Bend State Park

Distance from Dallas: 3 hours 20 minutes

colorado bend state park

This is a beautiful state park 3 hours outside of Dallas and one of the best places to camp in Texas. You can make a reservation through the Texas State Park website to reserve an epic campsite.

Once you arrive, you and your pup can start hunting for the natural swimming hole along the Spicewood Springs Trail (you will NOT want to leave). After you have finished swimming, you can fish, paddle the river, or have a picnic at your campsite.

When you wake up the next morning prepare for the hike to Gorman Falls. This is a 3-mile hike to a 70-foot waterfall!  Beautiful views the entire time! Don’t forget shoes for hikes and the swimming hole. I used my keens for both!

Dog-Friendly Stays Near Bend, TX

Ozark’s National Forest- Pettigrew, Arkansas

Distance from Dallas: 5 hours 28 minutes

Whitiker's Point, Pettigrew, Arkansas

Okay, this one requires more of a drive, but it definitely surprised me (in the best way). This is best for a 3-day weekend trip.

Book a cozy cabin and head on your way. It is about 5.5 hours from Dallas (we stayed in Pettigrew, AR), so best to get an early start. Be prepared as you enter the Ozark National Forest, you are entering the land of no service and never-ending dirt roads. It is the perfect excuse to put your phone away and enjoy life around you.

Here, you can start looking for natural swimming holes, waterfalls, and awesome hikes. Be sure to hike Whitiker’s Point (3 miles) as it leads you to a BEAUTIFUL overlook and Glory Hole (1.8 miles) for a unique waterfall in a rock!

Bring your hammock along on this trip and be ready to spend a lot of time relaxing, reading, and enjoying the views!

Tip:: This is the Airbnb we stayed in. It was private, cozy, and had everything we needed. The swimming hole below was a short walking distance away! It is in the middle of nowhere though!

Other dog-friendly stays near Pettigrew, AR

Glen Rose, TX

Distance from Dallas: 1 hour 30 minutes

dinosaur valley state park

Glen Rose is home to my favorite Texas State Park: Dinosaur Valley. It is only 1.5 hours from Dallas, but the perfect escape from the city life.

 Here you can swim in the river, take your dog for a hike, and search for real dinosaur footprints. Make sure to reserve your campsite online beforehand, they do fill up quickly during peak times!

Tip::: If you are traveling without a dog, make sure to stop at Fossil Rim. It’s an awesome drive-through wildlife park (giraffes, ostriches, zebras…).

Dog-Friendly Stays in Glen Rose, TX:

Broken Bow, Oklahoma

Distance from Dallas: 2 hours 50 minutes

two people and a dog in front of a cabin in Broken Bow Oklahoma

This truly was a hidden gem and it’s only a 3-hour drive from Dallas!

We stayed in the CUTEST cabin at Whip Poor Will Resort. It had a full kitchen, porch, fireplace (inside and out), grill, comfy bed, and fishing pond right outside.

It is also located near Beaver’s Bend State Park and Broken Bow Lake. Both are BEAUTIFUL and offer great hiking and swimming. You can read more about the hikes we did in Broken Bow HERE.

Make sure to bring your hiking /water shoes on this trip! I, of course, wore my keens 🙂

Dog-Friendly Stays near Broken Bow, OK

Are you looking to stay closer to home? Check out this Dog-friendly Dallas Guide!

Eisenhower State Park, TX

Distance from Dallas: 1 hour 12 minutes

Another Texas state park where you can swim, fish, or hike on the 4 miles of trails. It is only 1 hour from Dallas! Perfect for summer weekends to cool off in the lake!

There is a sandy beach that is not dog-friendly, but you can hike a bit to find hidden swimming spots. After checking out Eisenhower State Park, head over to Waterloo Regional Park to find the unique cave.

Book your campsite or Airbnb and escape for the weekend. We loved staying at Paradise on Lake Texoma! It’s one of the very best spots for a weekend getaway for couples in Texas!

Other dog-friendly stays near Eisenhower State Park

Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Sulphur, OK

Distance from Dallas: 2 hours 12 minutes

dog in the chickasaw national recreation area

We booked a cozy cabin with the best intentions to enjoy Turner Falls. Long story, short Turner Falls was not what I expected. Thankfully, we were able to find other hidden gems throughout the Chickasaw National Recreation Area that were pet-friendly, peaceful, and fun!

Start your weekend trip by heading to the Travertine Nature Center parking lot. From here, you will find a trailhead to the right (if you are looking at the center). Take this trail to find beautiful hidden swimming holes along the creek, a wonderful overlook, and even Bison! End your night with a sunset swim in the Lake of the Arbuckles.

Find out more details about this dog-friendly weekend trip from Dallas HERE!

Dog-Friendly Weekend Trip Stays near Sulphur, OK

San Antonio

Distance from Dallas: 4 hr. 19 minutes

san antonio riverwalk with dogs

I was pleasantly surprised by how dog-friendly San Antonio was! The entire European-style Riverwalk is pup-friendly and so very unique! Here, you can watch the boats, and people, and grab a drink and dinner on the many outdoor patios overlooking the river.

Tip:: If you visit from late November- early January, you will be met with thousands of magical Christmas lights lining the Riverwalk.

After strolling the Riverwalk, head to the ALAMO for your history lesson and photo op. Dogs are not allowed on the Alamo grounds, but can view it from the sidewalk!

BONUS! Make a dog-friendly pit stop at Pedernales State Park for a hike, swim, and picnic! It is only a little over 1 hour away and on your way back to Dallas!

Dog-Friendly Stays near San Antonio:

Wichita Mountains – OK

Distance from Dallas: 3 hours 30 minutes

wichita mountains with dogs- dog-friendly weekend trip from Dallas, TX

Did you know there were mountain ranges in Oklahoma?! Okaaay, they may not be snow-covered and 14,000 ft, BUT they do lead to amazing hikes and views. At just over 3 hours from Dallas, the Wichita Mountains make for a great weekend escape from the big city life.

To make the most out of your trip to the Wichitas, I recommend hiking the Narrows, The Forty-foot Hole, and searching for the Wind Cave. After you are tired of hiking, head into the quaint town of Medicine Park and then drive up to Mount Scott for sunset.

Read more about One Day in the Wichitas here!

Ouachitas -AR

Distance from Dallas: 4 hours 13 minutes

ouachitas mountains

Arkansas is quickly becoming one of my most favorite states to visit. I don’t know if it’s because of the peacefulness of the miles and miles of dirt roads, the ability to disconnect in with no-service, the private swimming holes, or the unique hikes, BUT Arkansas is definitely a hidden gem in the United States. If you are looking for a relaxing dog-friendly weekend getaway, you will love the Ouachita National Forest.

Start your weekend by heading to Lake Ouachita State Park to hike the Caddo Lake Trail. Then head into town to check out Hot Springs National Park. Although the bathhouses here are not dog-friendly, it’s cool to see them from the outside. You can grab lunch at the dog-friendly Superior Bathhouse and check out some of the nearby hikes.

For the remainder of your weekend, you can check out local swimming holes, Lake Catherine State Park, or the amazing Garvan Gardens. There is so much to do, that you will not want to leave.

I HIGHLY recommend booking a glamping tent with Ouachita Wilde. She will set up your tent at a location of your choice (within 80 miles of Mena, AR) and they are SO cute. Complete with air-conditioning, a comfy bed, a grill and cooking dishes, games, indoor and outdoor chairs, and cozy decor…you will not be disappointed! ANDDDD it’s dog-friendly!

Wanting to take a longer dog-friendly road trip from Dallas?

Check out these EPIC ROAD TRIP Itineraries for the ultimate dog-friendly (long) weekend trip from Dallas, TX!

Southeast USA Dog-Friendly Road Trip

Start this epic vacay after driving from Dallas to Chattanooga. From here, you will explore 11+ waterfalls, 4 states, amazing hikes, and other unique dog-friendly attractions.

Tip:: Complete this road trip during October for EPIC fall colors. See the full South East Rod Trip itinerary with dogs HERE!

New Mexico Dog-Friendly Road Trip from Dallas

As soon as this road trip begins, you will fall in love with New Mexico! From Dallas, your first stop is White Sands National Park. One of the ONLY National Parks that is dog-friendly. Spend your day hiking and sliding the dunes in this other-worldly gem.

After visiting white sands, the road will take you to explore Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Do not miss this unique road trip!

I’m ALWAYS looking for more places near DFW to explore. If you have any other dog-friendly weekend trips from Dallas to share, please let me know below 🙂 I’d love to check it out!

Recent Posts