Dog Friendly Vacations Missouri – I should note that our next three stops were to visit family and friends (St. Louis, Kansas City, and Denver). We ventured out and did a few activities with the dogs, but mostly we relaxed and spent time with wonderful people who opened their homes to us and made our trip that much better. I am so grateful to everyone who has been with me and Oates and supported us along the way.
After leaving Ohio, we tackled another 8 hour day of driving to St. Louis to visit our aunt who lives out of town. It was great to spend time with her, especially since I had never been to Missouri to visit her before. I often see her at family events, but this was the perfect opportunity for us to spend time together. She treated me to delicious food and wine and treated me to oatmeal at Dog Days in St. Louis. We had a great time. Thanks again Aunt Dot!
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To be honest, I wasn’t planning on doing a lot of “touristy” sightseeing on this trip, but I really wanted to see the St. Louis Arch. When my aunt told me (how could I not know?) that it was the “Gateway to the West,” we couldn’t miss it. Perfect for our trip.
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The park is dog friendly, but it was around 90 degrees and very humid even though we got there early in the morning. Keep the oats for about 45 minutes and then reheat.
After the oats got a little overheated (again – see our Ohio post!) I quickly looked for a place to cool them down. I found a dog adventure park, so I called the owner and spoke to him directly. He said they have a couple of great little places to hang out and no real swimming (I also looked at the Marina Dive Center in St. Louis, but when I called them they closed the pool after Labor Day) but it’s good enough for to me – until he calms down.
Treecourt is fantastic and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting (or living near St. Louis). There were lots of friendly dogs and their owners, two small running water pools to cool off in, lots of space to run around and explore, and a small mineral pool because the area is apparently famous for its mineral water. Oatmeal was basically the dog version of a spa day and I met a lot of really great dog owners.
We are incredibly lucky in this regard. We were in St. Louis the day after Labor Day, so my aunt mentioned that many of the city’s public pools were now open to dogs. There were maybe 50-60 dogs and Oates was swimming and chasing toys the whole time. I assume they have a few events at the pools in early September, but I’m thankful we were there on a day when most of the pools were open for dogs. I didn’t bring the camera into the pool, which was smart because I left it wet, but here’s a cell phone video of it swimming.
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Here are Instagram highlights from our time in St. Louis so you can see more of our amazing visit!
My aunt also has a beautiful butterfly garden where she keeps monarch butterflies at home and releases them into the wild every year. There were about 8 cocoons when I was there, but we also saw loads of butterflies in her garden so I had to take a few pictures. Sometimes I take pictures of something other than oats… sometimes.
Thanks again, Aunt Dot, for the wonderful time we had in St. Louis and for welcoming me and Oates into your wonderful home! What a great part of our trip 🙂 Heading to Missouri for an unforgettable beach trip. Most of the best dog-friendly beaches and swimming areas are located in or around Columbia, which is home to several state parks and natural areas with connecting hiking trails. In fact, most of these areas have dog parks that include ponds and lakes just for your pets to play in. When choosing a vacation rental in Missouri, keep in mind that state parks have fairly strict rules regarding dogs on public beaches and swimming areas. However, pets are allowed on the hiking trails as long as they are on a leash. Learn about Missouri’s top dog-friendly beaches.
Twin Lakes Recreation Area offers burlesque entertainment in south suburban Columbia. The fenced grounds include a large garden, Paws Pond, part of the beach and the 16 acre Twin Lakes fishing lake, giving your dog plenty of opportunity to run and swim freely. Although the beach is closed from November to March (the thin ice is a problem for both bipeds and quadrupeds), the beach remains open and unrestricted the rest of the year. Some pet-friendly vacation rentals are within walking distance of the park. In fact, if you find a dog at Hinkson Woods Preserve, you can walk it on the trails all the way to the dog park. While you tend to your dog, the rest of the family can swim nearby in Little Mates Cove, just feet away, or take a stroll along Hinkson Creek. Later, stroll along the Forum Natural Area and Branch Hinkson Creek Wetlands.
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If you drive north from downtown Columbia, you’ll find yourself in the Garth Nature Area, which has a private, fenced dog park with a pet-only pond and beach. While the beach or pond aren’t that big—the entire park covers 3 acres—there’s enough for your dog to stretch his legs and have a good time. The dog park is part of the larger Garth Nature Area, with footpaths through woodland and around ponds and marshes. Explore the neighborhood with your dog on a leash or walk from the park to Space Park along the Bear Creek Trail. Afterwards, enjoy Houlihan’s, Smokin Chicks BBQ, and 44 Stone Public House together. Get ready to hang out in the yard with your dog.
On the southeast side of Columbia is Grindstone Natural Area, which offers the largest off-leash dog area at 200 acres. Explore the Millstone Nature Trail, which winds through woods and fields. Climb to the top of Lost Mountain to enjoy the view, or let your pup play in the creek, which is totally allowed. However, the Hinkson Creek Trail, which also passes through the natural area, is severely restricted. When your dog feels exhausted from the excitement, you can hit the slopes at Capone Park alone and enjoy the stunning views.
Stevens Lake Park is one of the few places open only to dogs or people, although leashes are required. Join Fido on the sand and get his feet wet, then walk around and even cross the lagoon (the start is a fenced path with an island in the middle). After letting the dog out, hit the Columbia Country Club and then stroll the North Village. Here you can enjoy a meal at Shakespeare’s Pizza Downtown or Flat Branch Pub and Brewing (dogs allowed) and see a show at The Blue Note or The Canvas On Broadway (dogs not allowed).
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Broemmelsiek Park in Defiance, Missouri is the perfect country retreat where you and your best four-legged friend can get some privacy and some one-on-one time. Although dogs are not allowed on the park’s lakes, there is a 4.7-acre enclosed dog park with its own pond and beach. After spending some energy, take him for a walk elsewhere in Brummelsek Park; There are over 400 acres of land and many trails for you to explore. You can return to the astronomical area at night to watch the stars. If you want to explore a larger area, check out Weldon Springs Preserve and Howell Island Preserve. Rent a raft on the Missouri River Raft and enjoy an adventure with your pet (some rental agencies allow this). Nearby Peace Park has historic sites like Thomas Jefferson’s original tombstone and the Franciscan Quadrangle. Better yet, you can explore with your dog as long as you follow the outside trails and clean up after him.
