Washington State RV stay in Cle Elum. Beautiful, mountain scenery and an easy drive to the Bavaria themed village of Leavenworth. The Whispering Pines RV Park sits along the Yakima River and features large sites, river walk trail and swimming pond.
Key Campground Takeaways:
Large, pull-through sites
Some sites have 50 amp and sewer
Riverwalk trail along the Yakima Riiver
Swimming pond
Wooded sites
Our Campground Stay:
Nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Whispering Pines RV Park offered shaded sites, a nice riverwalk for the dogs and a swimming pond. With over 100-degree temperatures during our stay, the pond was very popular with campers. Our dogs enjoyed the pond early morning for off-leash play. A riverwalk path offered glimpses of the swift water Yakima River. We appreciated the shaded and spacious sites. Our site had 30 amp and water with no sewer but was fine for a two-night stay to explore the local area.
Whispering Pines RV ParkRiverwalk at Whispering Pines RV ParkRiverwalk at Whispering Pines RV Park
What to do:
Walk the dogs along the riverwalk accessed in the campground. This trail borders the Yakima River and offers river access for fishing. The river runs fast so we didn’t let the dogs swim but the campground swimming pond was a great option early morning for the dogs.
Visit the Swiftwater Cellars in nearby Suncadia Resort Community. Reservations are a must at this winery restaurant, even for a wine tasting. The wine is very good.
Take a drive to Leavenworth, Washington, a German-themed village with Bavarian architecture, dining and shopping. The dogs enjoyed a walk through the village and the cooling mist at the Leavenworth Sausage Garten.
Leavenworth, WashingtonLeavenworth, Washington
Chili & Cedar’s Review: 4.9 Paws out of 5 Paws
Thank you for some shade and the swimming pond. It was so hot during our stay; we didn’t want to come out of the air-conditioning. We enjoyed our walks on the river trail each morning and our morning swim in the pond. Lots of green space in this park for dogs. Leavenworth was very dog friendly, and we give the Leavenworth Sausage Garten 5 PAWS for keeping us cool with their misting machine.
Swimming pond at Whispering Pines RV ParkLeavenworth Sausage Garten
Wonderful, dog-friendly Coeur d’Alene RV park. Blackwell Island RV Park provides access to Lake Coeur d-Alene, a 26-mile lake nestled in a mountain setting in northern Idaho. With spectacular views, the lake is popular for its sandy beaches, watersports and surrounding hiking trails.
Key Campground Takeaways:
Large, pull-through sites with full hookups.
One mile from the city of Coeur d’Alene
Swimming beach and marina
Dog swimming beach!
Dog-friendly
Our Campground Stay:
Blackwell Island RV Park is a great destination campground with marina, swimming beach and spacious sites. The location is perfect to enjoy all the attractions of Cour d’Alene and the beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene. Many campers towed boats to take in all the water activities. Best feature was the dog swimming area. There were trails to take the dogs and the park clearly welcomed dogs. The park is well maintained with level sites.
Blackwell Island RV ParkBlackwell Island RV ParkBlackwell Island RV Park Dog Beach
What to do:
Boat, swim, enjoy Lake Coeur d’Alene. There are many boat ramps and marinas on the lake. Boating and water sports are very popular on this beautiful lake.
Take a drive around the lake to explore the lakeside communities and enjoy the beautiful lake and mountain vistas.
Take a day trip to Sandpoint, a quaint town on Lake Pend Oreille. Another spectacular mountain lake. Sample some brews at Laughing Dog Brewing in nearby Ponderay – dog-friendly inside and out.
Laughing Dog Brewing in Ponderay, Idaho
Hike the Tubbs Hill Trail, an easy, dog-friendly, 2-mile loop just south of Coeur d’Alene.
Chili & Cedars’ Review: 5.0 PAWS (out of 5 PAWS)
This is our first park with its own dog swimming beach! It was very hot while we were there, so we loved having our own swimming beach. This is a very dog-friendly park with lots of green space, walking trails and did we mention the dog swimming beach – score!!
Dog beach at Blackwell Island RV ParkChili at Blackwell Island RV Park
Wow! A natural, wilderness setting with over 200 acres and a mile of Lake Huron Shoreline. Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping is a northern Michigan RV Stay located just outside Mackinaw City with views of the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge. Perfect stay for a day trip to Mackinac Island via ferry.
Key Campground Takeaways:
Family friendly campground with full hookups
Full sized heated pool, playgrounds and miniature golf
Natural swimming beach on Lake Huron
Beautiful picnic and sitting areas on Lake Huron shoreline
Dog-friendly with trails and dog exercise areas
Woodsy and natural setting
Easy access to Mackinac Island
Our Campground Stay:
Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping is a large, family and dog-friendly campground on over 200 acres with a mile of shoreline on Lake Huron. With a natural setting, walking trails and beautiful shoreline picnic/sitting areas, this northern Michigan RV stay is a hidden gem in northern Michigan. We chose an oversized lot with plenty of room for the dogs. There are many sites with lake views, and we expect they book up quickly. The campground is about 3 miles from Mackinaw City. We enjoyed beautiful sunsets from the campground with views of the Mackinac Bridge. Mackinac Island is a short ferry ride from Mackinaw City.
Mackinaw Mill CampingMackinaw Mill Camping, Lake Huron shoreline
Mackinac Island boardwalkGreat Turtle Brewing and DistilleryRound Island LightWatercolor Cafe, Mackinac Island
Chili & Cedar’s Review: 4.8 Paws (out of 5 paws)
Mackinaw Mill Camping was one of our favorite campgrounds. Plenty of space to play, walking trails, beaches for watching the sunset or swimming. We also liked our ferry ride to Mackinac Island and our stroll around the dog-friendly island. We stopped for breakfast at the Watercolor Cafe and for lunch at the Great Turtle Brewing & Distillery.
Mackinaw Mill CampingSunset at Mackinaw Mill CampgroundMackinac Island Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry
This Douglas Lake RV Park is true luxury. Against the backdrop of the Smoky Mountains, the park has stunning views of Douglas Lake. Many sites have large brick outdoor fireplaces. Anchor Down RV Resort is meticulously maintained with 170 sites. It’s truly a beautiful park. We did notice that the park had a lot of “Resort Rules” and a crew running around in golf carts to monitor enforcement. The park offered golf carts for rental and campers were charged a fee to use their own golf card. Despite the rules and numerous fees, this campground is worth a visit. According to fellow campers, plan your visit far in advance for this popular park. With all the park amenities, Douglas Lake activities, proximity to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the Smoky Mountain National Park, this is a great park for a week or two-week stay. The park is open March thru December 1st, but keep in mind that the lake water levels are lowered in the fall and winter.
Anchor Down RV Resort, Dandridge, TNAnchor Down RV Resort Lake Douglas view
What to do:
Enjoy all the amenities this resort offers to include swimming pool, lake swimming beach, paddle board/kayak rentals, volleyball, basketball, pickleball, gaga ball, playground, and dog park. Launch your boat or jet ski directly from the park. Rent a pontoon from the resort during the summer months or from local marinas. We rented a dog-friendly pontoon from the Mountain Harbor Marina. Our two-hour boat trip was a wonderful way to see this stunning lake.
For extended stays, check out the attractions in nearby Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Tour the Great Smoky Mountains National Park via car or hike the numerous trails. See my review for my post on the Gateway to the Smokie Mountains for more ideas.
Anchor Down RV Resort BeachAnchor Down RV Resort Walking PathAnchor Down RV Resort Dog ParkDouglas Lake
Chili & Cedar’s Review: 4.8 PAWS (out of 5 PAWS)
The Anchor Down RV Park is definitely dog friendly. There was plenty of green space and even a nice size dog park. We also had fun on the pontoon ride! Next time we want more swimming time, mom!
Chili enjoying a pontoon ride on Douglas LakeDouglas Lake, TennesseeCedar Lounging Douglas Lake, TN
The Barefoot RV Resort in North Myrtle Beach is the perfect location to take in the sights and attractions and beaches of Myrtle Beach. This newer resort with paved sites and full hookups is conveniently located to walk, bike or take a golf cart to restaurants, shops and beaches. Short drive to the best dog park ever!
Key Takeaways:
Newer Resort in North Myrtle Beach
Paved, spacious sites with full hookups
Walk, bike or take a golf cart to restaurants and shops
Heated Pool
Half mile from Atlantic Ocean Beaches
Short drive to the best dog park ever!
Our Stay:
The Barefoot RV Resort is a newer resort in North Myrtle Beach with easy access to the Atlantic Ocean Beaches and all the attractions of Myrtle Beach. We appreciated the level sites and grassy areas for the dogs. This is a family friendly resort with a heated pool and child play areas. Many campers rent golf carts and drive to nearby restaurants and shopping areas in Barefoot Landing.
Our highlight of this stay was the Barc Parc South dog park in Myrtle Beach, a 14-acre park surrounding a large lake. This off-leash fenced dog park is worth a visit to Myrtle Beach! Dogs can run around the lake, swim and just be dogs. On the north side of the city, Barc Parc North provides a 3.3 acre off-leash, fenced park with separate areas for large and small dogs. Both parks are great options for a fun dog outing.
Barc Parc South – Myrtle Beach Dog ParkBarc Parc South – Myrtle Beach, SC
What to Do:
Go to the beach – the Myrtle Beach area spans 60 miles of beautiful Atlantic beaches. Take in a show at the Carolina Opry or Alabama Theater. Enjoy numerous family attractions throughout the Myrtle Beach Area. Golf at any of the 90+ golf courses. Go to the best dog park ever – Barc Parc South!
Playtime at Barc Parc South, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Chili & Cedar’s Review: 4.8 PAWS (out of 5 PAWS)
After numerous beach stays, we are done with the sand and the surf. We enjoyed the sand free RV pads and the easy walk to the dog area at the Barefoot RV Resort. We LOVED the Barc Parc South – although it was several miles from the RV Park, we had the best time ever! We’d come back to Myrtle Beach just to go to this park. After walking the trails, meeting new dog friends, chasing balls and swimming in the lake, we were ready for a nap. But wait, our special day was not over. Our next stop was the Dirty Dawg Pet Wash & Boutique in North Myrtle Beach for spa day!
Swimming at Barc Parc South, Myrtle BeachSpa Day – Dirty Dawg Pet Wash, North Myrtle Beach, SCChili & Cedar On the Go
Luxury motorcoach resort on Hilton Head Island. Access to biking trails that span the entire island. Lush landscaping throughout the resort. Large pool, pickleball courts, activities, dog friendly. Located on Hilton Head Island with proximity to world-class golf courses, amazing restaurants and beautiful beaches.
Key Takeaways:
Beautifully landscaped with live oaks and palm trees
Paved, spacious sites with full hookups
Class A or Class C coaches only
Walking distance to restaurants and shops
Pool, pickleball courts
Easy access to bike trails
Pet Owner’s Paradise
Our Stay:
The Hilton Head Motorcoach Resort is often found on lists of the “best motorcoach resorts” and the park lives up to the hype. The sites at Hilton Head Motorcoach Resort are privately owned with many available to rent. The owners take great pride in maintaining their sites and lush landscaping. We found everyone to be very friendly with many long-time owners who love coming back year after year. With spacious, shaded sites, the 50-acre park caters to large Class A coaches, but they do allow Class C coaches as well. We enjoyed the amenities at the park, especially the pool and dog park.
Hilton Head Island RV Park is located a mile from the beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches. Bike trails can be accessed from the park and will take you all over the island to include the bike friendly flat beaches. We loved the laid-back feeling and natural beauty of Hilton Head Island.
Hilton Head Motorcoach ResortChillin’ at Hilton Head Motorcoach Resort
What to Do:
Bike around the island, via trails accessed from the park. Take the dogs to the beach – there are several dog friendly beaches on the island. Coligny Beach allowed dogs off leash anytime during winter months and before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. during summer months. The flat beaches on Hilton Head Island are perfect for walking, running and biking. Start the day with breakfast at the Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe. Enjoy awesome seafood at the waterfront Hudson’s On The Docks. Catch the gorgeous sunsets on the stunning marshlands. Golf on one of 23 championship courses on the island. Take a guiding fishing trip.
Marsh View, Hilton Head Island
Chili & Cedar’s Review: 4.9 PAWS (out of 5 PAWS)
We felt right at home at this dog-friendly Hilton Head RV park. We loved relaxing in shady sites and enjoyed our trips to the resort dog park. Best of all, we loved the Hilton Head beaches. We arrived for morning swim before 10 a.m. so we could romp in the ocean off leash – so fun! When we returned to the Hilton Head Motorcoach Resort, we washed off the sand at the resort’s dog wash station – sweet!! This island is so dog-friendly – many restaurants allow dogs on the patio, and we especially enjoyed the Hilton Head Brewing Company. No complaints from us – we hope to come back soon!
Morning Beach Time at Coligny Beach, Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaMorning Swim, Coligny Beach Hilton Head IslandHilton Head Brewing Company
