If you plan ahead, traveling with your dog can be a lot of fun. But, lack of planning can make your trip a nightmare. After all, not everywhere you might try to go will be dog-friendly. By planning ahead, you can make sure you have things to do, places to stay, and places to eat that will welcome both you and your dog. If you’re planning a trip to the “Sooner State”, use this Oklahoma dog-friendly travel guide to start your research:

9 Dog-Friendly Activities in Oklahoma

Not every attraction will welcome your dog. But, you can still make sure there are plenty of things for you and your dog to do together by making sure some dog-friendly attractions are included in your trip. If your travels bring you nearby, consider adding these dog-friendly activities in Oklahoma to your trip plan:

1. Oklahoma Welcome Center

It may not be the coolest attraction you’ve ever visited, but the Oklahoma Welcome Center is a great place to stop. This particular stop is located in Erick as you pass into Oklahoma from Texas on I-40 East.

This welcome center is a rest stop for both you and your dog. There is free coffee available inside the center and there are two dog parks on-site, one for small dogs and one for large dogs.

Doggie bags are provided, each park has some shade, and there is a water fountain outside the entrance. There are also shaded walking grounds outside of the dog parks where everyone can stretch their legs.

2. Myriad Botanical Gardens

Myriad Botanical Gardens is an interactive urban park and botanical garden located in Oklahoma City. It’s 17 acres and features plenty of trails through the gardens. Your leashed dog is welcome to join you as you explore the gardens.

There is a fenced off-leash dog park on the grounds if you want to let your pup run. The only places your dog cannot go are the Children’s Garden and inside the Crystal Bridge.

3. Admiral Twin Drive-In

If you feel like taking a break for a movie and you’ll be near Tulsa, consider catching a flick at the Admiral Twin Drive-In. This is Oklahoma’s largest twin screen drive-in with the capacity for over 1,500 cars. Plus, it’s styled as an old-fashioned outdoor theater for that nostalgic feel. And, your dog is welcome to join you as long as they are leashed and well-behaved.

No outside food or drink is allowed, but they have a well-stocked concession stand and kitchen with plenty of choices. It’s first-come, first-serve for parking spots and it gets busy closer to showtime, so you do want to show up early. They take cash or credit, but cash tends to be faster at the box office.

4. Ray Harral Nature Park

Should your travels bring you near Broken Arrow when you need a break, consider spending some time at Ray Harral Nature Park. This nature park features 40 acres and 3 miles of walking trails. Plus, your dog is welcome to join you!

5. Boathouse District

If you and your dog like to spend time on the water and you’ll be in Oklahoma City, set some time aside for renting a kayak or stand-up paddleboard from the Boathouse District.

Your dog is welcome to join you for your water adventure. You just need to make sure you bring a life jacket for your pooch because everyone is required to wear one.

6. Beavers Bend State Park

Beavers Bend State Park is located in Broken Arrow in the Ouachita National Forest. This state park features trails, kayak or canoe rentals, fishing, and a lake for swimming.

And, your dog is welcome to join you for it all. They’re even welcome to swim in the lake with you! Also, if you want to plan to stay overnight, there are pet-friendly cabin rentals available.

7. Beavers Bend Mining Company

Also located in Broken Arrow is the Beavers Bend Mining Company. You can search for fossils, artifacts, and gemstones here and your leashed dog is welcome to join you. You can choose what you want to pan for and there are graphics to help you identify what you find.

8. The Blue Whale of Catoosa

If you’re traveling along Route 66 near Catoosa, make sure you stop at The Blue Whale. It’s a waterfront structure to the east of Catoosa and is one of the most recognizable attractions along old Route 66. Your leashed dog is welcome to join you for a quick photo op.

9. Oklahoma City’s Wild Western Art Scavenger Hunt Tour

If you like to explore and learn when you travel, set aside some time for Oklahoma City’s Wild Western Art Scavenger Hunt Tour. Not only can your leashed dog join you on this scavenger hunt, but it’s also app-led from your phone and can be completed at any time.

On this scavenger hunt, you’ll walk from landmark to landmark while discovering art, history, and culture. Plaques, art, and statues will help you solve riddles on location and get clues to complete the hunt.

4 Dog-Friendly Hotels in Oklahoma

After a day full of fun and adventure, you want to make sure you have a place to stay that will welcome your dog too. Not every hotel is dog-friendly and dog-friendly rooms tend to get booked fast, so it’s important to do your research and reserve early. Here a few dog-friendly hotels in Oklahoma to help you get started:

1. Beavers Bend State Park Cabins

Beavers Bend State Park offers a lot of different outdoor activities and also has some pet-friendly cabins available for rent. There is a gift shop nearby, lake access, river access, a beach for swimming, a marina, a playground, a restaurant, and more.

There is a two night minimum for weekends and a three-night minimum for holiday weekends or during peak season. There is also an additional pet fee, which is $15 per dog and per day. Also, because of Covid-19, you will need to bring your own cookware and disposable plates and utensils as the park is not currently providing them as a precautionary measure.

2. Aloft Oklahoma City Downtown Bricktown

Should you need to stay overnight in Oklahoma City, consider booking a room at the Aloft Oklahoma City Downtown Bricktown. There is no additional pet fee, but you can only have one dog in the room and they must be 40 pounds or lighter.

3. Residence Inn Oklahoma City Downtown Bricktown

If you have bigger dogs, another option in Oklahoma City is the Residence Inn Oklahoma City Downtown Bricktown. You are allowed to bring two dogs up to 75 pounds with you for your stay.

There is an additional pet fee, which is $100 per room and per stay. You can leave your dog unattended in your room, but you are liable for any disturbance or damage your dog causes. There are potty relief areas on-site and waste stations as well.

4. Crowne Plaza Tulsa Southern Hills

If you’ll need to stay overnight in Tulsa, check out the Crowne Plaza Tulsa Southern Hills. You can bring two dogs up to 75 pounds with you for your stay. There is an additional pet fee, which is $50 per stay. You can leave your dogs unattended in the room as long as they are crated and quiet when you are not around.

3 Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Oklahoma

Although you can always eat the food you packed and stop at drive-thrus or convenience stores, doing so can get boring and cause you to miss out on the local flavor. If you find yourself near one of these dog-friendly restaurants in Oklahoma, consider stopping for a meal or a drink:

1. Blue River Valley Winery

If you enjoy good wine, the Blue River Valley Winery in Caddo is the stop for you. They offer a variety of delicious wines and your dog is welcome to join you both inside and outside. Local favorites include zinfandel, dark chocolate, elderberry, and more.

2. Picasso Cafe

If you’re looking for a creative option and you’re in Oklahoma City, consider grabbing some grub at Picasso Cafe. This cafe treats all of their creations as works of art and offers creative twists on their items.

Their menu features a variety of options with meat or without including vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian options all made with locally-sourced organic ingredients. And, their patio is dog-friendly. There is even a carefully crafted menu featuring dog treat options so you can order something special for your dog too.

3. Roosevelt’s

If you’re in Tulsa around a mealtime, consider stopping at Roosevelt’s. Their outdoor patio seats 90 people and is dog-friendly. In addition to several beers on tap, wine, and cider, they also have a menu with something for everyone. Burgers, sandwiches, and melts, soups and salads, entrees and appetizers, and more are all on the menu.

This Oklahoma dog-friendly travel guide is a good place to start, but it certainly doesn’t include everything. If you find something else you want to see, just make sure you check that it’s dog-friendly before it makes it onto your trip itinerary.

If you’re headed somewhere else, check out the other dog-friendly travel guides available. Here’s to safe travels, happy trails, and wagging tails no matter where your adventures take you!