Pets are family, and when leaving for vacation, they should not have to stay behind. As much as humans get stressed, so do pets. They also need to unwind just as much as their humans. In these pet-friendly vacation areas, guests are able to relax and enjoy their vacations without having to worry about leaving their pets home. Whether it is a luxurious cabin, outdoor camping, or somewhere in between – there is something for every guest in San Antonio, Texas.
Quarantine has had all of us cooped up in our little spaces for quite some time now. With these three getaway places in San Antonio, Texas, there is no reason to stay cooped up anymore. Tourists just need to fill their trip bags with all the necessary requirements for a trip away and make sure not to forget to pack their tag along with their pet, too, and head to any of these pet-friendly getaways.
Places To Bond With Pets In Texas
Most places that allow pets in this area are places that will bring the visitor and their furry friend closer to nature. These are great places to get away from the busy city life for a moment and reboot in serene areas.
The Get-Away House
Those who love scrolling on social media, or Instagram to be specific, have probably seen the little cabins that are planted all over the United States. Get-Away House in Texas has three outposts of them, and they are all a short driving distance from San Antonio. One is located just outside of Dallas and a 4.5-hour drive from San Antonio. The second is outside Houston, about a 3-hour drive from San Antonio, and the last one is located outside Austin in Wimberley, about a 1-hour drive away from San Antonio Even though these cabins are literally located in the middle of nowhere, each and everyone has a comfortable queen bed which will allow peaceful sleep along with amazing scenic views to wake up to in the morning. They also include a bathroom which includes a fully equipped shower and a toilet, and a little kitchen that has all the cooking necessities one might need to make breakfast, lunch or dinner. This getaway place is, of course, pet friendly and costs an additional flat fee of $40 to accommodate the cleaning costs. This getaway area provides water bowls, food, puppy s’mores kit and an outdoor area where guests are able to give their pets space to roam.
The founder says “Getaway was made to allow people space, time, and permission to be off. Their small cabins surrounded by nature offer a break from the fast-paced city life, work and technology so that their guests may be able to reconnect to their core values and recharge their form as well.” Anyone looking for a getaway from everything should definitely consider Get-Away for themselves and their pet friend. In summary, they offer: Scenic views to wake up to
- Cabins that mimic little homes
- Dog food and play kits
13 Acres Retreat
For a vacation that is much more connected to nature, guests should consider 13 Acres Retreat. The little cabins planted on 13 Acres Retreat are placed just a little bit outside of Dripping Springs, which is an hour and a half drive from San Antonio. Every cabin has an air conditioning heater, a comfortable bed along with fresh linens which will allow a good night’s sleep, a small coffee pot for early mornings, and of course the beautiful views of the Texas hill country. In this cabin, they use two composting toilets on site. This should not scare the guest, because they are decorated in a beautiful and comfortable way, and kept clean at all times for good hygiene, so they are pretty safe. They also have a water cooler from which guests are able to fill up their water bottle (it is recommended to carry one), a sink with running water to wash hands and dishes, and a hot running shower. The shower is located outside and can be a bit chilly when visiting during the winter months.
There are endless activities to get on about while staying here. Guests can roam around the property – it has no trail, so this is great for adventurous people – or drive out to nearby surrounding state parks such as Pedernales Falls. There are also hiking activities for the wild, adventurous souls. If that is not a part of the guests wish list, then they may also visit dog friendly breweries and wineries that are located between a 20 to 30-minutes’ drive from the retreat. In summary, they offer:
- A composting toilet
- Water cooler in the area
- There are wineries and breweries close by
Lost Maples State Natural Area Campground
Lost Maples State Natural Area is just 2-hour drive away from San Antonio and is well known for being one of the few places where guests may observe the beautiful fall vegetation. This getaway needs the perfect timing as the leaves only begin changing color once the temperatures drop, which is usually mid-October or early days of November. The weather in Texas is usually unstable, so it is best to contact the park directly and ask about their fall vegetation report. In the peak of the Fall season, Lost Maples starts to get really busy with various activities. It is recommended to book a site in the camp up to a year in advance to guarantee space. Ever since the beginning of COVID, access to this place has been limited, and guests are required to book camping and day passes online or by phoning customer service.
Lost Maples is a place worth visiting, Although peak season is during the Fall, throughout the year the place remains stunning. There is a variety of things to do, with beautiful trails of more than 10 miles that guests can explore, which include a loop that travels beside the top of a 2,200-foot cliff. There are also 30 campsites that have running water and electricity, and 50 basic campsites that guests may hike to if they wish to do so. These also use hygienic composting toilets. For guests who do not enjoy camping, they can make Lost Maples a day trip and not have to a sleepover. What do they offer, in summary:
- Mountain trails to hike
- Campsites to enjoy
- Bird Watching
- Fishing in the Sabinal River or Can Creek
- Hygienic composting toilets
With places such as these, there is absolutely no need for guests to be separated from their furry friends when they go on vacation. Guests should, however, be mindful that pet-friendly places often are in the wild because they intend not to disturb other people who cannot tolerate space. However, this is still a great way to vacation and camp all at once. It is not the old school camping, this is modern camping with electricity and flowing water.