Dog-Friendly Kentucky Stops for Your Vacation

Visit these Places for a Dog-friendly Kentucky Vacation!

Kentucky is a fantastic state to bring your dog to. There are so many things that you and your pup can do in this state from enjoying nature in one of the many parks, touring a cave, and learning more about history.  To make it easier to plan your future trip, here is a list of pet-friendly places you can add to your dog-friendly Kentucky vacation.

For more information about any of the following places that we have been to, we have linked to our more detailed guides to help with any questions you may have. For the stops that we haven’t been to (or haven’t written yet), the link will take you directly to that company’s website.

Dog-friendly Kentucky Parks

There are so many parks in Kentucky for you and your pup to enjoy. The following parks are ones that we’ve visited and enjoyed. All these parks have pet-friendly accommodations and plenty of trails to explore. These are just a few of the many parks you can experience with your dog.

• Red River Gorge– this is easily one of my favorite places to go camping and hiking with my dogs!

• Cumberland State Park– there are a few trails that are NOT dog-friendly but most of them are!

• Mammoth Cave National Park– your dog is not allowed on the cave tours but there is plenty of non-cave activities for you to enjoy instead!

• Land Between Lakes National Recreation Area

• Carter Caves State Park

• Cumberland Gap National Park– this is NOT the same as Cumberland Falls State Resort Park and the park covers land in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia.

• Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

Dog-friendly Historic Sites in Kentucky

If you are enjoying learning about history, there are several dog-friendly sites that are perfect for you. Kentucky is home to opportunities to learn more about coal mining, President Abraham Lincoln, and Native Americans.

• Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is not just a park, it also was home to the Blue Heron Mining Community. This section of the park has wonderful exhibits to show you how miners and their families used to live and the impacts that the communities had on the surrounding area.

• Big South Scenic Railway will take you on a dog-friendly scenic train ride to the Barthell Coal Camp. You will be able to tour the buildings there and for an additional fee, you can also take a tour of the old coal mine.

• Ancient Petroglyph Rock

• Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park– there are several trails with educational signs outside however dogs are not able to go inside the buildings.

• Abraham Lincoln Boyhood Home– your dog can’t enter the buildings but there are educational signs for you to enjoy outdoors and a few trails (though the trails are rated as difficult)

• Hopkinsville Trail of Tears Commemorative Park- if you stop by with your dog, please be extra mindful of your pup and respectful of the area. The trail of tears is the path where many Native Americans lost their lives after the government forcibly displaced them from their homes to put them on reservations several states away.

Dog-friendly Attractions and Experiences in Kentucky

• World’s Largest Baseball bat and Museum– The museum is off limits to your pup BUT you both can take a photo with the World’s Largest Baseball Bat and then walk around downtown Louisville.

• Kentucky Mt Rushmore– a nice photo opportunity in a fun neighborhood where you can get food and coffee.

• Original KFC and Sanders Park– your dog can’t go inside the KFC but the two of you can go through the drive-thru to grab a meal and enjoy the park farther into town.

• Kentucky Stonehenge– this is attraction is located on private property and provides a great photo opportunity, so be extra respectful with your dog in this space.

• Yahoo Falls– the tallest waterfall in Kentucky. This stop offers a nice hike for you and your dog.

• Kentucky Bourbon Experience– Take the time to stop at some distilleries and try some good old-fashioned Bourbon and Moonshine! Many places have dog-friendly outdoor seating but call ahead to verify.

• Dinosaur World

• Kentucky Horse Park – Dogs are allowed on the park grounds and the museum lobby. However, they are NOT allowed in the museum exhibits.  The restaurant on site has outdoor seating where you can eat with your pup.  You can also take them inside the gift shop as long as you are carrying them or have them inside a kennel, or K9 Sportsack.

• Hidden River Cave and American Cave Museum– we have not been here YET, but their website does state that they are pet-friendly, and the reviews only warn that part of the cave tour has some metal grates that you may have to carry your pets over.

Get Ready to Book Your Dog-friendly Kentucky Vacation!

I hope this list of dog-friendly Kentucky parks and attractions helps to get you started on planning a memorable vacation. If you need extra tips on how to plan a vacation with your dog or a list of dog road trip supplies to make your trip more stress-free check out our posts on these subjects and more! Don’t forget to get one of Remington’s Pup Passport so you can always remember the travel adventures you and your dog share.

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