6 min read

Dog-Friendly Ski Resorts and Winter Weekend Destinations in & Around Maryland

The winter months can be challenging when it comes to finding fun dog-friendly activities! Never fear, DOCC has compiled the ultimate list of dog-friendly ski resorts, lodges, and cabins in and around Maryland that make perfect dog-friendly weekend getaways! All of these dog-friendly finds are less than three hours away from Baltimore! There's SNOW much fun just waiting to be had!! If you visit any dog-friendly winter wonderlands in the DMV, tag us on Instagram and let us know how it went! Stay warm out there, friends! 🐶🧣🧤

Wisp Resort - McHenry, MD

If skiing or snowboarding is your thing, then Wisp is the place for you! Located in Deep Creek Lake, MD, Wisp takes just about three hours to get to, and trust us; it's worth the drive! Not a fan of shredding it up on the mountain? Wisp offers snow tubing, a mountain coaster (it's FUN), and a fully stocked lodge for those who prefer to eat, drink and watch. 😅 You can stay right on the resort with up to 2 non-aggressive dogs under 40 lbs! Pet rooms are limited, and advanced notice is required! So, call Wisp to check availability and prepare for an additional $50 non-refundable fee charged per stay. Not too shabby for these incredible views, right?!

While you're in Deep Creek, check out Short Story Brewing and sit outside with you pup (if you dare 🥶)!

Blue Moon Rising Cabins - Deep Creek Lake, MD

Cozy dog-friendly tiny home cabins in Deep Creek Lake with amazing views and hiking trails? Ummm, yes, please! This entirely dog-friendly resort is less than 3 hours from Baltimore and is just as amazing in the summer as it is in the winter. Blue Moon Rising is the coziest, quaintest escape from city life, and our friends at Blue Moon Rising have confirmed that there is no limit to the number or size of dogs you can bring, as long as they are well-behaved. Choose from 14 different cabins, all featuring a unique design and personality.

How about a SLEIGH RIDE? Yep, you got it. Pleasant Valley Dream Rides has you covered and you can book your horse-drawn, snowy ride here.

Read more about dog-friendly activities to do and see in Deep Creek including an off-leash dog park, local dog-friendly eateries, and hiking trails here.

Shenandoah Yurt - Stanley, VA

Truly a one-of-a-kind experience in a gigantic, dog-friendly (with $50 fee and pre-approval) YURT just minutes from Shenandoah National Park. Obviously, there's tons of nature to explore and hikes to take with the pups, but this luxury yurt also offers an outdoor hot tub perfect for stargazing, archery, e-bikes available to rent, a pool table, a full kitchen, board games, and so much more! Nearby, there's skiing and snow tubing at Massanutten Ski Resort, Luray Caverns (where small dogs are permitted to be carried on the tour with you!), and the incredible Skyline Drive. It's quite literally like nothing we've ever seen before. Take a look for yourself at the photos below!

DOCC pro tips

1. Take a car with 4-wheel drive just to be safe!

2. All unbooked nights go on a SUPER sale four nights before check-in - follow the Yurt on Facebook or Instagram for those updates!

Seven Springs Mountain Resort - Champion, PA

Wake up to snow-covered mountains calling your name and set foot into a snowy winter playground like nowhere else when you book a winter getaway to Seven Springs! Exceptional skiing and snowboarding, snow tubing, top-rated terrain parks, plenty of indoor fun, snowshoe tours, snowmobile tours, & SO much more are waiting for you in this Pennsylvania winter wonderland!

Similar to Wisp Resort, this sister resort offers a select number of dog-friendly rooms at their on-site resort lodge. Call and check for availability and pricing, and expect to pay an extra fee per pet per room.

Arctic Paws Dog Sled Tours - East Stroudsburg, PA

Okay, this is an INSANELY COOL winter activity...have a Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Alaskan Husky, or Samoyed? You can BYOD (bring your own dog) to experience the joy of your Northern Breed dog running with the pack and pulling you on a dog sled! Yes, we said WITH the pack! How cool is that? Click here for the requirements your dog should meet and pricing.

All dog sled photos are by Inner Heart Photography.

Don't have one of the breeds listed above? You can still go sledding with over ten rescued huskies that work for Arctic Paws! Check out full details here and try this experience the next time you're in the Poconos. We're begging you...please tag us in your awesome photos!

Postcard Cabins - Shenandoah & Shenandoah North Location in Virginia

Located just over two hours from Baltimore near Shenandoah National Park, Postcard Cabins allows dogs for a $40 cleaning fee. Guests are expected to keep dogs on a leash outdoors, clean up after them, and not leave them unattended inside the cabins.

Honey House Luxury Glamping - Hedgesville, WV

Honey House is a luxury glamping husband-wife company (they're from Baltimore!) that manages multiple incredible off-the-grid cabins less than two hours away in West Virginia! Happy Place and Rainbow Ridge are dog-friendly and offer tons to do with your pup in nearby Berkeley Springs and Martinsburg, West Virginia!

Cold Weather Packing List for Your Dog

Some hand-picked, safe, and inexpensive winter essentials for your dog. Heading to one of the above snowy destinations? You'll definitely want to grab these! Please note that this post contains affiliate links. We link only to products that we truly believe in!

Natural Dog Company Paw Soothing Stick - apply this on your dog's paw pads before going outside to play in the snow! Use a wipe or warm cloth on paw pads after coming inside to remove any salt or other contaminant from paws.
MudBuster Portable Dog Paw Washer - when you need something a bit more heavy duty than a towel. Fill up with warm water and simply stick your dog's paws into the cup for a quick wash immediately after coming inside from a snowy walk. You never know what chemicals and contaminants are in salt and snow...better to be safe and give the paws a quick dip!
Natural Dog Company PawTection Dog Paw Balm - perfect for the on-the-go, this non-toxic wax stick provides a layer of protection between your dog's paws and the cold ground!
Outdoor Dog Hiking & Running Boots - for our serious hikers out there! These boots will protect your pup's paws in any weather, on any hike, and will aid in keeping them warm, too!
Rechargeable Hand Warmers - humans, this one's for you! We recently discovered rechargeable hand warmers and were skeptical at first, but quickly became hooked. Keep them in your coat pocket for walks and hikes with or without your dog during the winter months and thank us later.

We strongly recommend that you visit the website of any resort/cabin before visiting for the latest hours and policies, and to ensure their pet policy! Please remember to bring poo bags and pick up after your pet when nature calls. Also, remember that not everyone may be as obsessed with your dog as you are and to respect fellow vacationers' space. Let's be responsible pet owners so that we can continue visiting these beautiful places with our dogs for years to come!

If you visit one of these dog-friendly winter getaways or one that isn't listed above, we'd love to hear about your experience! Reach out to us at hello@dogsofcharmcity.net or on Instagram.

Staying Local? Here are some dog-friendly indoor activities close to home:

Pet Depot - indoor swimming for the win! Stay close to home (Timonium), warm, and get your dog in the pool for some of the best exercise they can possibly get! Come on, we're all craving a swim at this point, right?!
Dog-Friendly Breweries - ...are always a great idea! Check out our HUGE list of Dog-Friendly Breweries in Maryland and see which ones allow dogs inside!
Second Chance - the beloved 200,000+ square foot retail outlet selling recycled furniture, construction material, and more is 100% dog-friendly! If you're looking for furniture, materials for a project, or just want to walk around indoors with your pup in the winter, the employees at Second Chance are more than happy to see you & your dogs!
Lowe's or Home Depot - okay...maybe not the most riveting experience, but if you're working on training with your dog in the winter, these stores are dog-friendly and provide warmth, plenty of space, and a good level of friendly distraction!
Check out our full list of over 100+ DOCC Verified businesses that are dog-friendly indoors here.