Dog-Friendly Hotels Upstate NY: Top Picks 2026 Guide

Planning a weekend escape upstate with your dog? The hard part isn't finding a hotel that allows dogs — it's finding one that genuinely welcomes them, where the outdoor access is real, the pet policy is clear before you arrive, and your dog is treated as a guest rather than a liability.

This guide is organized by region — the Catskills, Hudson Valley, and the Adirondacks — and every pet policy below was verified against the property's own information. Fees and rules still shift with the season, so always reconfirm when you book. We lead with our own home base, The Leeway in the Catskills, and then expand to the upstate properties we'd actually send a guest to.

What makes a hotel truly dog-friendly?

A "pets welcome" line on a booking page tells you almost nothing. Before you book, get clear answers on five things:

• Fee structure. Is it a one-time per-stay fee or a per-night charge? On a three-night trip, a $50/night fee ($150 total) costs twice what a flat $75 stay fee does. This is the single biggest source of surprise charges.
• Size and breed limits. Many upstate properties cap dogs at 30–60 lbs. Some have no limit at all. If you have a large breed, this narrows your options fast.
• Unattended-dog policy. Can you leave your dog in the room to go to dinner? Many boutique and historic properties say no, or require a crate. This shapes your whole itinerary.
• Where dogs can actually go. A resort may "allow dogs" but bar them from the restaurant, pool, spa, and most of the grounds. Confirm what's open to your dog, not just the room.
• Real outdoor access. On-site lawn, creek frontage, or a trailhead within a few minutes is the difference between a basecamp and a parking lot with a "pets welcome" sign.

With those in mind, here are the picks by region.

Best dog-friendly hotels in the Catskills

The Catskills are the most natural fit for NYC dog owners — about two hours up the Thruway, with creeks, rail trails, and mountain hikes that welcome leashed dogs. It's also where the dog-welcoming hotel culture runs deepest.

The Leeway — Mount Tremper, NY (our top pick)

The Leeway is a boutique inn set along the Esopus Creek in Mount Tremper, in the heart of the central Catskills. It's built for the guest who wants real comfort in a rural setting — and it's one of the few properties in the region where bringing your dog feels considered rather than tolerated.

• Pet policy: Up to two well-behaved dogs under 60 lbs. One-time $75 pet fee per stay (not per night). Dogs must be leashed outside the room and not left unattended.
• Why it works for dogs: Open creekside grounds, full kitchens for prepping your dog's meals, charcoal grills, a garden, and picnic areas mean your dog can decompress between your own meals and downtime. Keyless entry makes early or odd-hour arrivals with a tired dog painless.
• Nearest trails: The Ashokan Rail Trail (11.5 flat, leashed-dog-friendly miles) is a short drive, and Slide Mountain, Giant Ledge, and Overlook Mountain are all within easy reach. The village of Phoenicia is minutes away.
• Best for: Weekend Escapers from NYC who want a creekside reset, and hikers who want a comfortable basecamp.

Explore The Leeway's accommodations and the property, or read more on Catskills hotels with hiking and nature access.

Scribner's Catskill Lodge — Hunter, NY

A 38-room design-forward lodge on 20 acres near Hunter Mountain, with panoramic views and an on-site restaurant, Prospect, that welcomes dogs on its seasonal deck. Its "Pupstater" program sends every dog home with a bandana, tag, toy, and treats, and provides a bed and bowls during the stay.

• Pet policy: Two dogs, no size limit, dogs only (no cats). The lodge's own Pupstater page lists a $100-per-dog, per-stay fee, though some booking channels quote $50 per night — confirm directly when you book. Dogs must be leashed; the pool, rink, and Prospect's indoor areas are off-limits.
• Best for: Adventure Seekers and large-breed owners who want a polished lodge with on-site dining they can share with their dog.

Eastwind Hotel — Windham & Oliverea Valley (Big Indian), NY

Eastwind's Scandinavian-inspired Catskills properties are genuinely dog-forward. The Windham location sits on 17 acres near Windham Mountain; the Oliverea Valley location in Big Indian is close to Slide Mountain country (and to Mount Tremper). Both provide a welcome kit — toy, treats, bandana — plus dog beds and bowls.

• Pet policy: $50 per dog, per night. No size or weight limit ("when we say pet we really mean dog"). Dogs must stay leashed on the property and can't be left unattended in rooms.
• Best for: Large-breed owners and anyone who wants a design-driven stay without size anxiety. (Eastwind also has a Lake Placid location — see the Adirondacks section.)

Top pet-friendly stays in the Hudson Valley

The Hudson Valley trades creekside cabins for historic estates, river towns, and luxury farm resorts. Fees here run higher, but several properties have invested real thought into the dog experience.

Troutbeck — Amenia, NY

A 250-acre historic estate with English gardens, a pool, and over a century of literary history. Troutbeck accepts dogs, but with specific conditions worth knowing up front.

• Pet policy: Two dogs, no size limit, in select room types only (Benton House and Garden House rooms/suites), requested in advance. The estate's own site lists a $125-per-dog charge (some booking channels show $100), plus a separate $40/night resort fee. Dogs must be crated when alone in the room and never left unattended, must be leashed on the grounds, and aren't permitted in public areas. Beds and bowls are provided subject to availability.
• Best for: Comfort Travelers who want an estate experience and can plan around the crate-and-supervision rules. The Harlem Valley Rail Trail is nearby for long leashed walks.

Wildflower Farms, Auberge Collection — Gardiner, NY

A 140-acre luxury farm resort below the Shawangunk Ridge, about 90 minutes from the city. Roughly half its suites are dog-friendly, and those come with private fenced courtyard gardens — the rare luxury property that designs outdoor space for the dog, not just around it. Dog beds, towels, treats, and bowls are provided.

• Pet policy: Two dogs up to 75 lbs. $150 per dog, per night — the premium end of the range. Dogs welcome in the dog-designated garden suites.
• Best for: Comfort Travelers who want top-tier amenities and a private outdoor space, with Minnewaska and Mohonk hiking minutes away. Budget for the fee on multi-night stays.

Dog-friendly lodging in the Adirondacks

The Adirondacks are the Adventure Seeker's region — six million acres of trails and lakes. Accommodations skew more rustic, and one of the marquee resorts is more restrictive than its "dog-friendly" billing suggests, so it's worth reading the fine print.

Eastwind Lake Placid — Lake Placid, NY

Eastwind's Adirondack outpost carries the same dog-forward policy as its Catskills properties: $50 per dog, per night, no size limit, welcome kit and dog bed included, dogs leashed and not left unattended. For trail access in the High Peaks region paired with a design-driven stay, it's the most straightforward dog-welcoming choice in the area.

• Best for: Adventure Seekers who want High Peaks access without size restrictions.

The Sagamore Resort — Bolton Landing, NY (small dogs only)

A historic AAA Four-Diamond resort on a private island in Lake George. It welcomes dogs and provides a gift bag, mat, and bowls, though its size cap and area restrictions are the strictest in this guide, so it suits some travelers better than others.

• Pet policy: Two dogs, 30 lbs or less — the tightest size cap here. The resort's own pages list $100 per night, per dog (some channels show $75; guests report being charged $100 at check-in), and dogs are restricted to Lodge rooms/suites, condominiums, and certain houses. Dogs are not permitted in the main hotel, restaurants, pools, spa, fitness center, golf course, beach, or on the island shuttles. A $30 resort fee applies nightly.
• Best for: Owners of small dogs who want a full-service lakefront resort and don't need their dog with them at meals or amenities. If you have a large dog or want your dog at your side all day, look elsewhere.

Pet policies and fees: what to know before you book

Here's the verified snapshot. Treat fees as "confirm at booking" — several properties quote different numbers across booking channels, and seasonal surcharges are common.

*Fee varies by booking channel — confirm directly with the property.

The national context: the average U.S. hotel pet fee is around $76 per stay, so this region runs roughly average to high, with the boutique inns (like The Leeway's flat $75) often working out cheaper than per-night resort fees on a multi-night trip. For The Leeway's specifics, see our FAQ.

Trails and outdoor adventures near dog-friendly hotels

The lodging is only half the trip. A few leashed-dog-friendly trails worth building a weekend around:

• Ashokan Rail Trail (near Mount Tremper) — 11.5 miles, flat and paved, easy for any dog; reservoir and mountain views.
• Giant Ledge (central Catskills) — moderate climb with some of the best valley views in the range; a favorite from the Mount Tremper / Big Indian area.
• Windham Path (near Windham) — an easy 1.5-mile meadow-and-woods loop, great for a quick morning walk.
• Harlem Valley Rail Trail (near Amenia) — flat, scenic miles ideal for long leashed walks from Troutbeck.
• Minnewaska & Mohonk Preserve (near Gardiner) — dramatic ridge hiking below the Shawangunks; check current leashed-dog rules per trail.

More on getting outside in the Catskills is on our explore page.

Plan your dog-friendly Upstate NY getaway with The Leeway

The best dog-friendly hotel upstate isn't the one that prints "pets welcome." It's the one where the fee is honest, the outdoor access is real, and the whole stay is built around the understanding that your dog is a travel companion, not a complication.

For the Catskills, The Leeway in Mount Tremper is our top recommendation — creekside grounds, a flat $75 pet fee, full kitchens, and some of the best trail access in the region. For a Hudson Valley splurge, Wildflower Farms offers private dog gardens for guests willing to invest. And for the Adirondacks, Eastwind Lake Placid gives you High Peaks access without the size limits.

Book early — dog-friendly rooms tighten fast for foliage season — confirm the pet policy directly, and bring the good leash.

Browse our studio suites or two-bedroom suites for room to spread out, then book your stay.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a hotel truly dog-friendly in Upstate NY?

A genuinely dog-friendly hotel is clear about its fee before you arrive, gives your dog real outdoor access (lawn, creek, or a nearby trailhead), and is upfront about where dogs can and can't go and whether they can be left alone. The difference shows in the details: welcome kits, in-room beds and bowls, and staff who treat your dog as a guest rather than an exception.

Are there dog-friendly hotels in Upstate NY that allow large breeds like Bernese Mountain Dogs or Newfoundlands?

Yes. Several upstate properties have no size limit, including Eastwind (Windham, Big Indian, and Lake Placid), Scribner's Catskill Lodge in Hunter, and Troutbeck in Amenia. The Leeway welcomes dogs up to 60 lbs. By contrast, The Sagamore caps dogs at 30 lbs, and Wildflower Farms at 75 lbs — so large-breed owners should confirm the limit before booking.

Do dog-friendly hotels in Upstate NY charge pet fees?

Almost always. Fees in this guide range from a flat $75 per stay at The Leeway to $150 per dog, per night at Wildflower Farms. The key question is per-stay versus per-night: a one-time fee is usually the better deal for multi-night trips. The U.S. average is about $76 per stay, so the boutique inns here are competitive while resort per-night fees add up quickly.

Which Upstate NY regions have the most dog-friendly hotels near hiking trails?

The Catskills offer the best balance of dog-welcoming lodging and leashed-dog trail access — the Ashokan Rail Trail, Giant Ledge, and Windham Path are all standouts. The Adirondacks have the most trail mileage overall but more rustic and restrictive lodging, and the Hudson Valley pairs ridge hiking near the Shawangunks with higher-end resorts.

What amenities should I look for in a luxury dog-friendly hotel in Upstate NY?

Look for in-room dog beds and bowls, welcome treats, and — most importantly — dedicated outdoor space. Wildflower Farms, for example, offers suites with private fenced courtyard gardens, which is rarer and more useful than a generic "pets welcome" policy. Also confirm whether dogs are allowed on dining terraces and grounds, since many luxury properties limit where dogs can roam.

Can I leave my dog alone in a hotel room in Upstate NY?

It depends entirely on the property, so ask before booking if you plan to dine out without your dog. The Leeway and Eastwind ask that dogs not be left unattended. Troutbeck requires dogs to be crated and never left alone. Policies like these should shape your itinerary — plan for dog-friendly outdoor dining if your hotel doesn't allow unattended dogs.

What dog breeds or sizes are typically restricted at Upstate NY hotels?

Restrictions are usually about size rather than breed at the properties in this guide. Weight caps are the most common limit — 30 lbs at The Sagamore, 60 lbs at The Leeway, 75 lbs at Wildflower Farms — while Eastwind, Scribner's, and Troutbeck have none. Always confirm both size and any breed rules directly with the property, as policies can change and aren't always listed accurately on third-party booking sites.

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The Leeway is a boutique inn in Mount Tremper, NY, along the Esopus Creek in the Catskills. We welcome up to two dogs under 60 lbs with a one-time $75 pet fee. For reservations and full pet policy details, visit the-leeway.com.