A Dog-Friendly Catskills Weekend
The walk will probably take longer than you expect. There are leaves to investigate, unfamiliar smells beside the path and a dog who has no particular interest in reaching the overlook on schedule. That is a perfectly good way to spend a Catskills morning.
Phoenicia works well for this kind of weekend: outdoor time close at hand, a village to work into the day and accommodations where the dog can be part of the trip. A few arrangements made before arrival leave you free to enjoy it.
Start with a room that welcomes the dog
Phoenicia Lodge’s private cabins offer pet-friendly stays, and Signature King Suite 12 with Private Yard is another option. Pet permissions are specific to the accommodation; the inn rooms and other named suites are not interchangeable with these choices.
Ask about our current fee, dog limits and unattended-pet policy when booking. If the private yard is part of the appeal, plan to supervise your dog there. The real benefit is having somewhere comfortable to spend an hour between outings, with a familiar bed or blanket waiting inside.
A morning on the Ashokan Rail Trail
The Ashokan Rail Trail is a strong first choice. Leashed dogs are welcome, the wide stone path gives you a straightforward route, and you can make the walk as short as your companion needs. From Phoenicia, begin by considering the Boiceville trailhead.
Take water and a bowl; there is no running water along the trail. Keep your dog close when bicycles pass, and carry waste out with you. The reservoir is for looking at: dogs cannot enter the water.
There is plenty to enjoy without a swim. On a mild day, an out-and-back walk with time at an overlook can be the main event, leaving the afternoon for a change of scene rather than another long hike.
Three hikes to consider with your dog
For a change from the rail trail, head into the woods. These routes offer different levels of effort, so choose for the dog who is actually coming along.
Meads Meadow and Overloop, near Woodstock. The shorter loops in Overlook Mountain Wild Forest offer woodland walking without committing to the sustained climb to the fire tower. They are a good starting point when you want a forest outing rather than a summit day.
Onteora Lake, toward Kingston. Farther east along Route 28, Bluestone Wild Forest has marked trails through woodland and old quarry country near the lake. Use the DEC map to choose a loop that fits your dog’s stamina; this is rougher ground than the Ashokan Rail Trail.
Giant Ledge, toward Big Indian. For an experienced trail dog and a group comfortable with rocky climbing, Giant Ledge offers a more demanding mountain outing. The exposed edges call for a short leash and close attention. Choose one of the woodland routes instead if your dog pulls or struggles with footing.
Keep your dog leashed, carry water for both of you and follow current trail notices. From Phoenicia Lodge, these outings give you a choice of directions and terrain, with a familiar place waiting after the walk.
Lunch with everyone included
Phoenicia Diner’s outdoor seating is listed as dog-friendly by BringFido. Call the diner to confirm which area and service are available for your visit, especially outside warm weather. A table with room for the dog to settle is more useful than a patio that happens to have a spare chair.
A cabin kitchen gives you another pleasant option: bring lunch back and eat at your own pace. There is less to coordinate, and a tired dog can rest while you do. Keep the day’s meals compatible with the Lodge’s pet policy rather than assuming you can leave the dog alone or in the car.
An unusual option for the right dog
Rail Explorers permits dogs on its Catskills tours, with one dog per bike. The dog must be restrained and able to ride calmly on the floor or in a carrier; the brake operator cannot hold it.
That can make the rail bikes a shared outing for a settled dog accustomed to unfamiliar sounds. It is less appealing for one who dislikes vibration, moving equipment or sitting in a confined space. Ask the operator about your dog before reserving. A walk is an equally good plan if the ride would be stressful.
Keep the rest of the weekend simple
A village walk and another modest outing may be all you want for the second day. Mountain trails take more preparation: choose a specific route, confirm its rules and consider your dog’s footing and stamina as carefully as your own. Exposed viewpoints are not the default choice for a dog who pulls.
Belleayre Beach excludes pets, including those left in vehicles, so save it for a different trip. Pack a towel for muddy paws, waste bags and the familiar things that help your dog rest in a new room.
There is no need to build an elaborate dog itinerary. A good walk, a meal you can enjoy together and a comfortable place to come back to will occupy the weekend nicely. By the second afternoon, the dog may have a favorite patch of floor, and you may have a favorite stretch of trail.
