When we plan out RV trips we check out dog-friendliness of every stop before we even leave home. There are lots of web resources to find dog-friendly places.

We've found most State Parks to be dog friendly or dog neutral. Most National Parks are very unwelcoming to dogs.

As far as campsites, smaller independent campgrounds are usually better than the larger, fancier chains--although we've also stayed at many KOAs that welcomed dogs. Just call and ask.

My experience with national parks in the US has been similar to Cindy's and Tracy's. We've visited many national parks in many states and have found that the vast majority do not allow dogs on the trails within the park.

State parks are a different story, and we have found many that welcome dogs with a few reasonable rules. Like Tracy said, it's a good idea to check out the dog-friendliness of the place you plan to visit first.

We always use the "Trailer Life" campground directory to plan our trip in advance. I've also heard "Woodall's" is a good directory. You can get detailed information about the campground, including dog rules, and they also rate each campground for things like cleanliness, amenities, security, etc.

There is a campground inside Grand Canyon NP that allows dogs. We've stayed there. And other National Parks let dogs in, they just can't go on trails, but they can go anywhere a car can go, and you can walk them in grassy areas near roadsides or parking lots. So you can visit, but just plan to camp outside most National Parks.

Beaches that allow dogs are pretty rare, even on leash. You can find lists of dog beaches on line (we usually seek those out when we travel near the seashore). We've been to great dog beaches in Tampa, Sanibel, Keys, Mobile and Galveston.

Eta: boating is a fun activity with dogs too! We rented a pontoon boat in Ely, MN one summer and took the dogs out on the water.

 Quote: Tracy Collins

There is a campground inside Grand Canyon NP that allows dogs. We've stayed there. And other National Parks let dogs in, they just can't go on trails, but they can go anywhere a car can go, and you can walk them in grassy areas near roadsides or parking lots. So you can visit, but just plan to camp outside most National Parks.

Yellowstone also allows dogs in their campgrounds. We've stayed there with our RV several times, and I know of several other NPs that allow dogs in the campgrounds. Like you said, no problem to have your dog in the car while you're sightseeing or in the parking area but not on the trails. Grand Canyon used to allow dogs on the Rim Trail; not sure if they still do.

I remember taking one of our dogs to Yellowstone for the first time (we were camping outside the park that time), and when we stopped at the entrance kiosk, she poked her head out the window, so the attendant said, "Can your dog have a biscuit?" I said yes because one milk bone wasn't going to hurt her, so after that, each time we passed the entrance, she got all excited and was disappointed that we didn't stop (we had a seven-day pass). She seemed to think it was the "Biscuit Booth."

This thread is really making me want to go on vacation with the dogs!!!

to Ben's comment about County Fairs. Do not take your dogs near the livestock. Many have never seen a dog or may not have had a positive experience with a dog. A scared or agressive animal is dangerous to both exhibitors and spectators.

I no longer let our dogs go to school to pick up my son. 2nd graders racing to pet the dogs is not good. Luckily my friendly dog pushed the shy one out of the way or it might have gotten ugly. I chewed/lectured big time.

The same friendly dog, Daisy the red heeler, was a favorite at the local nursing home. She loved to be petted and had awesome manners. I still get calls from the nursing home even though she passed 2 years ago. Maybe when Bob "grows up" we can go again.

My dogs love going to the pasture to check cows. They get to walk the woods, swim in the tank/creek/river, and follow scents to their hearts content. I love living in the country!

LOL... these posts bring to mind something humorous (to me) that I saw a couple of weekends ago.
I followed the Pebble Beach ProAm in Monterrey on TV the entire weekends. TV coverage of these events usually include aerial shots of the surrounding scenery. By far the most common shots were of the beach, which looked like a dog park. There were many owners, some with multiple dogs off-leash. When I say dogs, I mean real dogs; Rotts, Dobies, I even noticed one couple with three Dutchies. As the weekend went along, I increasingly wondered if that area was designated for that. It appeared to be a public area that the dog owners had taken over.
On Sunday, as soon as I got up I turned on the Golf channel to resume following the event. Not long into the coverage, here comes a prolonged aerial shot, including, of course, the beach/dog park. While I'm watching, a jogger comes through, and all of a sudden, two large black dogs give chase. This poor guy is scrambling up cliffs to "escape" the dogs, who appeared to be "just playing" with him, while the owner chatted with another person.
IMHO, it is unfortunate, but I can understand why public places would want to limit their exposure to liability by limiting access to dog owners.

 Quote: Cheri Grissom

Grand Canyon used to allow dogs on the Rim Trail; not sure if they still do.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/luca-stl/IMG_6634.jpg

Neato^^^

I was surprised to discover that Logan loves horses. He has a horse friend who lives next to a park...its mutual, the horse loves him (I mean I guess). One of these days I'd like to take him on a trail ride in the woods with a dog friendly horse. I would just treat the situation similar as if he was trotting next to my bike.

 Quote: Tracy Collins

 Quote: Cheri Grissom

Grand Canyon used to allow dogs on the Rim Trail; not sure if they still do.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/luca-stl/IMG_6634.jpg

Very cool! Don'tcha just love those beautiful wide open spaces out west? Now you'll have to visit those places again to see them all anew through Cinco's eyes.

Melissa,Platt River Campground at Sleeping Bear allows dogs. We stayed at a campground that was full of dogs,near lake michigan. All the dogs were well behaved. None of the dogs woke me up in the night. The campground was full,we had to beg for one of the two spots that were left open.