After months of telling myself that I should just take Caesar and drive three hours north to one of our favorite spots, we are finally going to do it this weekend. To kick off spring break, I have booked a two night stay in Macedonia, Ohio so we can spend two full days hiking Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Ohio’s only national park. There are some preparations I always make before one of our trips. If you’re interested in taking your dog on a dog-friendly vacation to CVNP, here are some tips I have for you!
Book A Hotel
While bored to death and day-dreaming in a history class, I scrolled through hotel dates at LaQuinta in Macedonia, Ohio, until some rooms and prices worked for me. After deciding to kick-off my spring break with a hike to CVNP, I booked the hotel. I have stayed at this particular hotel several times now.
In 2012, after a storm hit my area, I came across the hotel chain LaQuinta, which allows dogs for no extra cost. LaQuintas are fairly cheap but still nice and clean. I usually pay around $90-$100 a night for a room with a king-sized bed. They also offer free breakfast, which is a win for me since I don’t often like to spend more money than I have to.
LaQuintas also offer a space outside to relieve your dogs and provide waste bags to clean up after your dog. Overall, I have never had a bad experience at a LaQuinta. I’ve used them in many different areas and states now, and I would always take my dog to one.
Pack The Right Gear
After having a hotel all booked, the next thing I think of is what to pack. Here is a typical list of items I pack for Caesar:
- Wet & dry dog food to mix (he won’t eat just dry food away from home)
- Food & water bowl
- TOWELS!!!!!
- Two leashes
- Harness
- Extra collar
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Bandanas (so he can look cute)
- Collapsable water bowl
- Treats
- First Aid Kit for dogs (and for me)
Here is what I pack for me:
- Too many clothes and a whole lot of extra socks
- Waterproof jacket, gloves, and beanie (if winter/fall time)
- Crocs, tennis shoes, waterproof hiking boots (always pack extra shoes!)
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Backpack full of water
- 24 pack of water bottles
- Snacks like jerky and granola bars
- Plastic grocery bags
After several trips to Cuyahoga, the items above are all a MUST for me and Caesar. I get so much water and carry it, mostly for Caesar. I also clip Caesar’s water bowl and treat pack to my backpack. The treats are good for getting his attention if need be.
I have a backseat cover for my car that is always handy, but with as much as Caesar loves water and as many rivers as there are in Cuyahoga, taking many towels is always a good idea.
Stop At Boston Mill Visitor Center
No matter how many trips I take to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, I always stop at the Boston Mill Visiter Center. It makes for a nice spot to stop, talk to park rangers, and to scout out which trials might be best for the day. Here, I pick up maps and gather my thoughts. I also talk to the rangers to see what insights they might have on the trails that day.
This time will be extra special at the Boston Mill Visiter Center because this will be the first time I have been to the new facility since it opened last October. I am a sucker for park shirts, so I am hoping I can pick one up at the new center. The Boston Mill Visitor Center is also a good place to let your dog out if he’s been trapped in the car too long.
There are many trials with various levels of difficulty and distance at CVNP. Typically, Caesar and I will tackle between 6-10 miles depending on the weather. With this being early March, the weather should be perfect for a long hike.
After The Hike
You may have noticed that my list excluded shower necessities. Well, I no longer bring my own shampoo, conditioner, or body wash because LaQuinta provides that in their hotel rooms. It’s less I have to worry about. I always make sure plenty of towels are on hand when I get back from my hike. Somehow, I always tend to get very dirty, and so does Caesar.
Caesar loves to roll in dirt and play in rivers on our long hikes. CVNP is mostly made up of sandstone, which, when broken down, can make for a very sandy dog. After our hikes, he certainly needs a bath before getting on a freshly made bed. I used to bring shampoo for him, but I made a mess of the tub the first time I tired to bathe him in a hotel. Plus, I couldn’t seem to get the dirt fully out of him by only using a cup to pour water on him. The next time we went to CVNP, I scouted out the area and found Macedonia had a Pet Valu where I could wash Caesar much easier, much more thoroughly, and without much mess.
Now, whenever we go somewhere, I always search for a Pet Valu or another place that has a pet wash. It’s a HUGE life saver when you have to sleep on white sheets.
With so much dirt and sand, it’s also important to remember to bring some plastic bags to put dirty clothes and towels in. Never leave the house without extra bags!
Remember To Relax
At the end of the day, the most important way to have a dog-friendly trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park is to remember to have fun and allow your mind to find peace.
The whole reason I book these trips with my dog is to find inner peace and to create a stronger bond with him. When I am with Caesar in a woods, I never feel alone, scared, or worried. I feel at ease. While we can’t speak each other’s language, we still seem to find a way to talk to one another.
Hiking in steep places that are full of jagged rocks and long winding trails like CVNP can be hard on your body and the body of your dog. Caesar is trained for these long, rough hikes. Before taking your dog on a hike such as this, build up their strength and stamina (and your own too!). Remember, everyone has their own pace and their own abilities. Make sure you are aware of dog’s body language and know when they need a rest. Same goes for you and your body!
I’m sincerely looking forward to our next trip to CVNP, and when it’s all done, I’ll probably be looking forward to our next trip. They never seem to last long enough.
Extra CVNP Photos:
