30‑Day Dog‑Friendly RV Road Trip: Englewood, FL → Rapid City, SD → Return

Day 1: Englewood → Tallahassee

Morning: Depart Englewood and cruise north along I‑10, stopping at the dog‑friendly Cascades Park trail for a quick stretch.

Afternoon: Continue to Tallahassee, explore the historic Florida State Capitol grounds where leashed dogs are welcome.

Evening: Park for the night at Love’s Travel Stop in Tallahassee and dine at the dog‑friendly Coast & Harvest restaurant.

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Day 2: Tallahassee → Mobile, AL

Morning: Head west on I‑10, enjoy a brief walk at Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo’s petting area (leashed dogs allowed).

Afternoon: Arrive in Mobile; stroll the riverfront Mobile Bay Trail with your pup.

Evening: Overnight at KOA Mobile Bay and grab dinner at Waffle House, which welcomes dogs on the patio.

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Day 3: Mobile → New Orleans, LA

Morning: Drive to New Orleans, stop at the scenic Bonnet Carré Spillway for a quick dog walk.

Afternoon: Explore the historic French Quarter on a leashed‑dog walking tour.

Evening: Stay at Love’s Travel Stop – New Orleans and eat at the dog‑friendly Dat Dog (outdoor seating).

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Day 4: New Orleans → Shreveport, LA

Morning: Depart early, enjoy the river views at Lake Pontchartrain on the way out of the city.

Afternoon: Arrive in Shreveport; walk the Red River Levee Trail with your dog.

Evening: Overnight at KOA Shreveport and dinner at LuLu’s Bar & Grill, which has a pet‑friendly patio.

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Day 5: Shreveport → Dallas, TX

Morning: Head north on I‑30, stop at Texarkana’s Spring Lake Park for a brief hike.

Afternoon: Reach Dallas; visit the White Rock Lake Trail, a favorite dog‑walking spot.

Evening: Park at Love’s Travel Stop – Dallas and enjoy a meal at Truck Yard (dog‑friendly patio).

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Day 6: Dallas → Oklahoma City, OK

Morning: Depart Dallas, take a short detour to the Lake Murray State Park trail.

Afternoon: Arrive in Oklahoma City; explore the Myriad Botanical Gardens dog‑friendly paths.

Evening: Overnight at KOA Oklahoma City and dinner at Hideaway Pizza, which welcomes dogs.

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Day 7: Oklahoma City → Wichita, KS

Morning: Travel north on US‑287, stop at the Chisholm Trail Museum (leashed dogs allowed).

Afternoon: Explore Wichita’s Delaware River Trail alongside your dog.

Evening: Stay at Love’s Travel Stop – Wichita and dine at Barbecue Barn patio.

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Day 8: Wichita → Kearney, NE

Morning: Drive to Kearney, visit the Great Platte River Road Archway (dogs welcome on the exterior).

Afternoon: Walk the Hawthorne Park loop trail with your pup.

Evening: Overnight at KOA Kearney and dinner at Oma’s Pizza (patio seating).

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Day 9: Kearney → Rapid City, SD

Morning: Head west on US‑26, stopping at the Chadron State Park trail for a short hike.

Afternoon: Continue to Rapid City; check in at Love’s Travel Stop – Rapid City.

Evening: Walk the City of Presidents outdoor sculptures, dog‑friendly and illuminated at night.

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Day 10: Rapid City – Mount Rushmore & Crazy Horse

Morning: Visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial (leashed dogs allowed on the visitor center grounds).

Afternoon: Drive to Crazy Horse Memorial for a guided tour (dogs welcome on the walking path).

Evening: Return to Rapid City, overnight at KOA Rapid City and dinner at Bubba’s Bar-B-Que patio.

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Day 11: Rapid City – Devil’s Tower

Morning: Travel to Devil’s Tower National Monument (leashed dogs permitted on the base trail).

Afternoon: Hike the Preserve Loop Trail with your dog and enjoy the scenery.

Evening: Camp at KOA Devils Tower and eat at the dog‑friendly Red Rock Café.

**Day 12: Devil’s Tower → Billings, MT**

Morning: Depart for Billings, stop at Yellowstone River Valley Trail for a quick walk.

Afternoon: Arrive in Billings; stroll the Yellowstone Trail along the river.

Evening: Overnight at Love’s Travel Stop – Billings and dinner at Mel’s Diner (pet‑friendly patio).

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Day 13: Billings → Cody, WY

Morning: Drive to Cody, explore the Buffalo Bill Center of the West (dogs allowed on the outdoor plaza).

Afternoon: Walk the scenic Riverside Trail alongside the Shoshone River.

Evening: Stay at KOA Cody and enjoy a meal at Dogie Diner (dog‑friendly patio).

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Day 14: Cody → Yellowstone (West Entrance)

Morning: Enter Yellowstone National Park via the West Entrance; dogs are permitted on paved roads and picnic areas.

Afternoon: Visit the iconic Old Faithful geyser and surrounding boardwalk (leashed dogs welcome).

Evening: Camp at West Yellowstone KOA and dine at Wild West Pizzeria (pet‑friendly patio).

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Day 15: Yellowstone – Lower Loop Exploration

Morning: Drive the Lower Loop, stop at Grand Prismatic Spring overlook (dogs allowed on the road).

Afternoon: Explore the Yellowstone Lake shoreline trail with your dog.

Evening: Return to West Yellowstone KOA; dinner at Campfire Brewing (dog‑friendly outdoor seating).

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Day 16: Yellowstone → Grand Teton

Morning: Head south to Grand Teton National Park; stop at the dog‑friendly Colter Bay area.

Afternoon: Hike the Jenny Lake Loop (leashed dogs allowed on the trail).

Evening: Overnight at KOA Jackson and dinner at Snake River Grill patio.

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Day 17: Jackson Hole – Town & Trails

Morning: Walk the Gros Ventre River Trail with scenic views.

Afternoon: Explore downtown Jackson, visit the Jackson Hole Rodeo (outdoor area dog‑friendly).

Evening: Stay at Love’s Travel Stop – Jackson and eat at Cafe Genevieve (pet‑friendly patio).

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Day 18: Jackson → Salt Lake City, UT

Morning: Depart for Salt Lake City, stop at Mirror Lake State Park for a short hike.

Afternoon: Arrive in Salt Lake City; stroll the Bonneville Shoreline Trail with your dog.

Evening: Overnight at KOA Salt Lake City and dinner at Red Iguana (dog‑friendly patio).

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Day 19: Salt Lake City → Moab, UT

Morning: Travel to Moab, visit the Arches National Park Visitor Center (dogs allowed on the road and in the parking area).

Afternoon: Walk the Delicate Arch Viewpoint (leashed dogs permitted on the paved road).

Evening: Camp at Moab KOA and dine at Moab Brewery patio.

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Day 20: Moab – Canyonlands & Dead Horse Point

Morning: Explore Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky; dogs are welcome on the paved viewpoints.

Afternoon: Visit Dead Horse Point State Park for breathtaking vistas and a dog‑friendly trail.

Evening: Return to Moab KOA; dinner at Desert Bistro patio.

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Day 21: Moab → Bryce Canyon, UT

Morning: Drive to Bryce Canyon, stop at the Red Canyon trail (dogs leashed).

Afternoon: Walk the Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon (leashed dogs allowed on most sections).

Evening: Overnight at Bryce Canyon KOA and dinner at Stone Hearth Grille patio.

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Day 22: Bryce Canyon → Zion National Park, UT

Morning: Depart for Zion; stop at the Kolob Canyons trailhead (dog‑friendly).

Afternoon: Hike the Pa'rus Trail in Zion (leashed dogs allowed throughout).

Evening: Camp at Springdale KOA and eat at Oscar’s Cafe (pet‑friendly patio).

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Day 23: Zion – Exploration & Relaxation

Morning: Walk the Watchman Trail (dogs leashed).

Afternoon: Enjoy a scenic drive through the canyon, stopping at the Zion Canyon Overlook (dog‑friendly).

Evening: Return to Springdale KOA; dinner at Deep Creek Coffee Company patio.

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Day 24: Zion → Grand Junction, CO

Morning: Begin the eastward journey, stop at Hurricane, UT for a quick walk at Hurricane City Park.

Afternoon: Arrive in Grand Junction; explore the Colorado National Monument (dogs on paved roads).

Evening: Overnight at KOA Grand Junction and dinner at Rockslide Café (pet‑friendly patio).

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Day 25: Grand Junction → Denver, CO

Morning: Drive to Denver, visit the Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre (dogs welcome on the trails).

Afternoon: Walk the Cherry Creek Trail in downtown Denver with your dog.

Evening: Stay at Love’s Travel Stop – Denver and dine at Sam’s No. 3 patio.

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Day 26: Denver → Salina, KS

Morning: Head east, stop at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge for a brief walk.

Afternoon: Continue to Salina; explore the Lakewood Park Trail with your pup.

Evening: Overnight at KOA Salina and dinner at Red's Grill (pet‑friendly patio).

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Day 27: Salina → St. Louis, MO

Morning: Drive toward St. Louis, pause at the Arrowhead Stadium dog‑friendly park.

Afternoon: Arrive in St. Louis; walk the Forest Park Loop (leashed dogs allowed).

Evening: Stay at Love’s Travel Stop – St. Louis and enjoy dinner at Bailey’s Range patio.

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Day 28: St. Louis → Nashville, TN

Morning: Depart for Nashville, stop at the Cheatham State Park trail (dog‑friendly).

Afternoon: Explore downtown Nashville’s Riverfront Park with your dog.

Evening: Overnight at KOA Nashville and dinner at Five Points Pizza (pet‑friendly patio).

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Day 29: Nashville → Birmingham, AL

Morning: Travel to Birmingham; visit the Railroad Park trail (dogs leashed).

Afternoon: Stop at Oak Mountain State Park for a short hike.

Evening: Stay at Love’s Travel Stop – Birmingham and dine at Dreamland Bar-B-Que patio.

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Day 30: Birmingham → Englewood, FL

Morning: Begin the final leg home, pause at Gulf Coast State Park for a beach walk with your dog.

Afternoon: Continue to Englewood, arriving by late afternoon.

Evening: Celebrate the journey with a dinner at the dog‑friendly Water Street Café and unload the RV.

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Time and Cost Estimates

• Cascades Park (FL) – 1 hour – $0
• Love’s Travel Stops (30 nights) – 30 nights – $1,050
• KOA Sites (13 nights) – 13 nights – $455
• Dog‑Friendly Restaurants (average $15 per meal, 2 meals/day) – 60 meals – $900
• Gas (≈9,000 mi @ 8 mpg @ $3.50/gal) – 1,125 gal – $3,938
• Yellowstone National Park entry – 1 vehicle – $35
• Grand Teton National Park entry – 1 vehicle – $35
• Arches National Park entry – 1 vehicle – $30
• Canyonlands National Park entry – 1 vehicle – $20
• Bryce Canyon National Park entry – 1 vehicle – $35
• Zion National Park entry – 1 vehicle – $35
• Devil’s Tower entry – $25
• Crazy Horse Memorial donation – $25
• Miscellaneous state park fees (5 sites) – $5 each – $25
• Total Estimated Cost – $7,001

Tips

If you need to shorten the trip, consider skipping the return leg through Colorado and Kansas, flying home from Salt Lake City, or reducing the time spent in each national park to a single day. To extend the adventure, add extra days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton for deeper exploration, or incorporate a loop through the Black Hills (Custer State Park) and the Badlands before heading east.