Traveling to Arizona?! Well you’re in luck because this very diverse state is extremely dog friendly. Whether you’re up north in Sedona, cruising the Phoenix valley or scouring the south near Tucson, there is a fun dog friendly attraction you can enjoy almost anywhere!
Dog Friendly Tourist Attractions in Arizona
Sedona, AZ: Sedona is known for the magnificent red rocks that grace the pages of many tourism books and guides. There’s no doubt that this northern Arizona city is a must-see. You can take your dog to the beautiful Sedona Dog Park and even bring them with you on a Pink Jeep Tour! Almost every restaurant in Sedona has a patio that welcomes dogs, so you won’t have to worry about leaving your pup behind. Sedona is about two hours north of Phoenix.
Payson, AZ: Like Sedona, Payson is a small city that is known for it’s pine trees and local hospitality. Payson also has several dog friendly restaurants and hiking trails. While there’s not a ton to do in Payson, it’s a great destination for eating amazing food and visiting hiking trails with stunning views. This gorgeous city is about 90 minutes north of Phoenix.
Grand Canyon: The Grand Canyon offers a sight like no other. Note that dogs are only allowed on the South Rim and must be leashed. Leashed pets are allowed on trails above the rim, Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, Trailer Village and throughout the developed areas. You cannot take your dog into the canyon. The only dog friendly hotel near at the Grand Canyon is the Yavapai Lodge West. Dogs must otherwise be kenneled. About four hours north of Phoenix.
Downtown Gilbert: The historic downtown Gilbert welcomes dogs with open arms. Along the sidewalks you’ll find water bowls for our precious canine companions. The Farmer’s Market allows dogs, as do most of the delicious restaurants. If you’re in the area, drop on by for lunch or dinner! There are some amazing photo opportunities for you to take advantage of. About 10-20 minutes east of Phoenix.
Superstition Mountains: There are a ton of hiking trails in the Superstition Mountains. Most of them are dog friendly, but make sure you clean up all waste. Some of the trails are flat and short, while others are several miles long and take you to the top of the mountains for breathtaking views. Experience the Superstition trails about 30 minutes east of Phoenix.
Tombstone: The famous site of the shooting at O.K. Corral is one of my favorite Arizona destinations. A majority of Tombstone still houses many of the original structures from the late 1800s. When you go to Tombstone, you can step foot onto many historic locations and landmarks as well as visit museums. There are some delicious eateries for you to enjoy and most of them allow dogs on the patio. Several of the shopkeepers will welcome your dog inside and bowls of water line the store fronts. You cannot take dogs into the museums, the Bird Cage Theater or to the shows. About 2.5 hours south of Phoenix.
Other must-see tourist attractions in Arizona that may NOT dog-welcoming, include:
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Heard Museum
- Old Tucson Studios
- Phoenix Zoo
- Pima Air & Space Museum
- Meteor Crater
- Saguaro National Park
- Many, many more!
Some other dog friendly hikes and mountain trails include:
- Camelback Mountain
- South Mountain Park
- Wildhorse Pass Interpretive Trail
- Peach Loop Trail – Payson, AZ
- Monument Peak Trail – Payson, AZ
- Devil’s Bridge – Sedona, AZ
- Slide Rock State Park
- The Gilbert Riparian Preserve
Wherever you’re headed in Arizona, there is something dog friendly for you to do. Arizona is ahead of the times on animal rights and welcoming dogs into everyday living. This makes it very easy to travel with dogs through this unforgettable state. What are your favorite Arizona tourist attractions?
Jessica Shipman | Beagles & Bargains says
We can’t wait to visit Arizona in June for BlogPaws!! I’m not sure if Luna will make the trip, but I hope so!
Amanda says
Can’t wait to see you again!
Spencer the Goldendoodle says
Great post, I hope to be hitting some of these spots up on my trip to the BlogPaws conference! 🙂
-Spencer the Goldendoodle
spencerthegoldendoodle.com
Amanda says
They are all great places, so you can’t go wrong!
Pawsitively Intrepid says
I am traveling down to Arizona this spring with my pup in tow. Thanks for the great suggestions. That picture at Devil’s Bridge looks amazing.
Amanda says
Where are you headed to in Arizona? There are so many gorgeous places to visit!