If you have a dog who side-eyes you every time the suitcase comes out, this one is for you. Ruthie B has logged some serious miles with us this year — from a tree tent in the mountains to a porch swing on the coast — and along the way we have found a handful of North Carolina getaways that welcome dogs, not just tolerate them. Here are five North Carolina dog-friendly getaways worth building a whole weekend around, from the Outer Banks to the Piedmont to the mountains.
This photo was taken at The Siena Hotel in Chapel Hill for one of our first North Carolina dog-friendly getaways. The hotel is currently closed as it undergoes an extensive renovation. This is one of my favorite photos from all my years of writing, taken by Glory Roze Photography.
5 North Carolina Dog-Friendly Getaways Worth the Road Trip
Engadine Inn & Cabins — Candler, NC
Just 15 minutes from downtown Asheville, Engadine Inn & Cabins sits on 12 rolling acres with mountain views that make it feel much farther from the city than it actually is. While the historic Victorian house itself does not allow pets, all six of the property’s mountain cabins are dog-friendly, complete with hammocks, firepits, and Adirondack chairs scattered around the grounds. Cabin guests can bring up to two dogs (up to 50 lbs each, with prior approval for larger pups) for a pet fee, and there are grassy areas set aside just for potty breaks. We took Winston and Gizmo for a wonderful early spring weekend, and we had the best time exploring Asheville and relaxing on the beautiful property in Candler.
It is a lovely option if you want mountain views and cabin privacy without giving up easy access to everything Asheville has to offer.
Engadine Inn & Cabins is at 2630 Smokey Park Hwy, Candler, NC 28715.
Fearrington House Inn — Pittsboro
Fearrington Village is one of my absolute favorite spots in the state, and it just so happens to be dog friendly, too. The grounds alone are worth the trip — rolling pastures, a herd of Belted Galloway cattle, and walking paths that wind through the gardens and the village center. It is the kind of place where a slow morning walk around the grounds with your dog is the whole point of the weekend.
I have written about Fearrington more than once because we keep going back: our date night staycation at Fearrington House Inn, a full girls’ night guide to Fearrington Village, and my roundup of the 15 best things to do in Pittsboro, NC. Even if you are just passing through, it is an easy stop for a leashed stroll through the village, a coffee at The Goat, and a hello to the resident cows. All of the shops are dog-friendly, except the Belted Goat, though you can get your breakfast or lunch and beverages from Galloway’s to go and eat al fresco. Book your stay here.
Fearrington House Inn is at 2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Pet policies and fees vary by room, so call ahead to confirm availability for your dog before booking.
Meadowbrook Inn — Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock is one of my favorite mountain towns for a weekend away, and Meadowbrook Inn puts you right in the middle of it — a block off Main Street, within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and The Blowing Rock itself. The inn offers a limited number of pet-friendly rooms that must be booked directly by phone in advance, so this is not a spot to leave to chance. Dogs must stay leashed in common areas and be crated when left unattended in the room. We loved exploring the property, especially feeding the ducks on our way to dinner each evening.
It is a great home base for a mountain weekend — walk downtown for dinner, then let your dog stretch out after the drive at one of the nearby trails toward Moses Cone Manor or Pisgah National Forest.
Meadowbrook Inn is at 711 Main Street, Blowing Rock, NC 28605. Call ahead or book here to reserve one of their pet-friendly rooms, as they are first-come, first-served.
Pony Island Inn — Ocracoke, NC
Ocracoke has been a family tradition of mine since I was in 5th grade, and this year we brought Ruthie B along for the first time and stayed at Pony Island Inn — the same inn I stayed at with my parents on our very first trip to the island. It felt like a full-circle kind of weekend. Ocracoke itself is one of the most laid-back, dog-friendly islands on the East Coast, from the wide beaches at Cape Hatteras National Seashore to the porches at Zillie’s Island Pantry to the harbor views at SmacNally’s. David and I are so excited that the Pony Island Inn is now pet-friendly because it is the perfect spot to stay while on the island.
For the full rundown of where to eat, what to do, and how to plan your ferry ride over, check out our Ocracoke Island Travel Guide, and keep an eye on the blog for more dedicated Ocracoke dog content coming soon.
Pony Island Inn is at 785 Irvin Garrish Hwy, Ocracoke, NC 27960. Ocracoke is only accessible by ferry, so plan your route in advance.
Tuxedo Falls — Zirconia, NC
Tuxedo Falls might be the most dog-obsessed property on this list, and I mean that as the highest compliment. We packed up Winston and Ruthie and spent a weekend at this upscale glamping retreat tucked between Hendersonville, Saluda, and Brevard, and both dogs were noses-to-the-ground in heaven from the moment we arrived. Every treehouse and tree tent porch is dog-friendly, and the property has two miles of private hiking trails running alongside two creeks, plus five private waterfalls that guests have all to themselves.
I wrote up the whole trip, including where we stayed and our best tips for bringing dogs along, in A Weekend at Tuxedo Falls: Waterfalls, Dogs, and the Art of Doing Nothing. One dog per accommodation is welcome for a $50 fee, and leashes are required on the trails — the terrain near the waterfalls gets steep and rocky, so sturdy shoes for you and a good leash for your pup are a must.
Tuxedo Falls is in Zirconia, NC, about 35 minutes from Asheville and 40 minutes from Greenville, SC.
FAQs about Dog-Friendly Getaways in North Carolina
Do I need to call ahead to confirm a hotel or inn is dog-friendly? Yes, always. Pet policies, fees, and room availability change seasonally, and some properties only offer a limited number of pet-friendly rooms. A quick call before you book saves you an awkward conversation at check-in.
What should I pack for a dog-friendly getaway? Beyond the basics (food, leash, bowls, waste bags), I always pack towels for muddy paws, a collapsible water bowl for the trail, and my dog’s regular bed or blanket so a new place still smells like home. Here are some of our travel tips for traveling with your dogs.
Are these getaways good for first-time travelers with dogs? Fearrington House Inn and Meadowbrook Inn are both very walkable, low-key options if you are easing your dog into travel. Tuxedo Falls and Engadine involve more hiking and mountain terrain, so they are better suited to dogs who are already comfortable on trails. Ocracoke is flat and not right on the beach, so we spent a lot more time in the village, especially given how hot it was. We did take Ruthie on a day trip to Topsail first to see how she would do with the sand and the ocean.
Which North Carolina region has the most dog-friendly getaways? Western North Carolina, especially around Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains, tends to have the highest concentration of dog-friendly cabins, inns, and trails in the state.
The Bottom Line about North Carolina Dog-Friendly Getaways
From tree tents in the mountains to a charming, resort-like inn in the Piedmont to a porch on Ocracoke, North Carolina has no shortage of places that will welcome your dog right along with you. Start with one of these five, and do not be surprised if your dog ends up more excited about the trip than you are.
Have you stayed at any of these with your pup? Tell me about it in the comments — I am always collecting recommendations for our next trip with Ruthie B. Here is an interactive Google Map to help you plan your North Carolina dog-friendly getaways.
