Activities For Dogs In Vermont On Hot Days
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
Just because Vermont is tucked away in one of the northernmost regions of the United States doesn't mean it doesn't still get hot. In fact, The Green Mountain State routinely averages a high of over 75 degrees from June through August. And while the towering trees and scattered lakes do provide at least some respite from the sun, there are plenty of other options that are certainly better and more entertaining than hiding under a Sugar Maple, and we've got a good list of them here, just waiting for you to find when the heat gets unkind.
Ben and Jerry's
Popular
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Hot Day
Cheap
Easy
10 - 45 min
Items needed
Leash
Dog bags
Activity description
For anyone unaware, Burlington, Vermont is the original home of one of America's greatest ice creams: Ben and Jerry's. The duo first launched their delicious delights out of a renovated gas station in 1978, and although it's no longer there, you can still take your pooch to catch a lick at the scoop shop in Waterbury, where their factory is located. It's all outdoors and perfectly dog-friendly, the ice cream is a great way to cool down on a hot day, costs little, and the nearby woods and streams help keep the temperature down better than the open expanse of the concrete jungle.
Step
1
Plan your trip
Waterbury is located in the north-central part of the state, which isn't terribly far to get to for most people around the Burlington area - although it's a bit longer for those in the south. Make sure to pack a leash, dog bags, and most importantly for a hot day, water! The sugary ice cream will make you that much more thirsty, so it's a good idea to have some on-hand, even if they will serve you some at the scoop shop. And just a hint: if you plan to travel any more than 30-45 minutes to get there, make it even more worthwhile by planning a shaded hike or a dip in a nearby stream since you'll be out of the city and in a place that's naturally cooler anyway.
Step
2
Hit the Rocky Road-ish
Once you've got your basic plan and supplies, hit the road! When you arrive, grab yourself a cone (or bowl if you're feeling less adventurous) and a small tasting for your canine companion as well (just try to stick to something simple without anything harmful like chocolate). Hunker down under an umbrella to escape the sun and let the cool, creamy deliciousness take you away from the blaze overhead. Once you've cooled down with ice cream, you can even take a stroll down the road to the flavor graveyard where retired flavors rest peacefully.
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Mills Riverside
Popular
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Hot Day
Cheap
Easy
20 - 90 min
Items needed
Leash
Dog bags
Towels
Activity description
There are plenty of dog parks strewn across the great state of Vermont but on a hot day, few are better than Mills Riverside Dog Park. On top of having loads of hiking trails and a pavilion to escape the sun, it also boasts a fantastic off-leash area complete with a section that butts up against the Brown River, where you and your dog can go for a swim and cool off when the sun's rays threaten to overheat your day. It's as cheap as basic dog park fees, is easy to get to, as it's only 30 or so miles from Burlington, can eat up a significant portion of the day if you so choose, and best of all, is a great place to get some exercise and cool off.
Step
1
Pack supplies
Before you go, make sure you've paid all the necessary dog park fees to save yourself some time down the road. You'll also want to make sure you have enough water to drink, especially on super hot days, a leash for the leashed hiking trails, dog bags for cleanliness, and towels to dry both of you off after taking a dip in the river. However, be extra mindful: the off-leash area is not technically a dog park and therefore is not fenced, so make sure your dog is well-behaved enough to handle the area so as not to cause you any issues or disturb other park-goers.
Step
2
Arrive and thrive
After you arrive, the park is your playground. Our best advice is to use the water feature to your advantage. There are plenty of nicely-shaded trails to hike up into the deeper parts of the park, which can be great for working up a sweat before taking a dip, or if it's too hot, can be left for after the pair of you have properly soaked yourselves to the point where wind and shade are all you need to stay cool.
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Quimby Country
Popular
0 Votes
Hot Day
Moderate
Easy
1 - 48 hrs
Items needed
Leash
Water
Overnight bag (for stays)
Food
Activity description
When it gets too hot, general logic says head north! (At least in the northern hemisphere.) Well, in Vermont you're just about as north as you can go while staying in the United States, but if you want to maximize that to its fullest potential, head on up to Quimby Country in Averill. It's right on the border of Canada and has quite a few little lakes and ponds to swim or paddle (and doggy paddle) around in, plus the promise of significant tree shade and even dog-friendly cabins with canine accommodations in every one! The cabins alone offer dog bowls, bags, a pail for refuse, towels and even blankets to cover the furniture after messy adventures. There's plenty to do, it's only moderately expensive, and it will also certainly help you beat the heat, especially if it's for more than a day.
Step
1
Plan and book
While you can't always see hot days coming, when they are on the horizon and you have the free time to enjoy them, get your trip booked ahead of time if possible so you can plan to enjoy as much as Quimby offers. Consider how many bedrooms you will need and whether or not you'll need a kitchen, as those are the two main facets of booking. Once you've decided, call ahead and see what's available, then book something appropriate. Make sure you take note of where and when certain activities are available to make sure you maximize your time. In the meantime, pack some supplies for yourself and a leash for your dog and enough food and water to last your stay.
Step
2
Stay and play
Once you arrive, unpack and prep yourself for the next day or few days, mapping out any remaining activities you'd like to attend during your stay. While the options are a bit more limited as far as what you can do with your dog, including swimming, paddling, and hiking (the first two of which are great for keeping cool), any other activities may still be possible, as the kind folks at Quimby sometimes offer dog walks and pet sitting if their staff isn't on duty, leaving you free to explore more for reasonable periods of time, should you so desire. Try to stay on top of the weather and plan water-based activities for the hottest days and hikes for those that will drop to a more comfortable temperature.
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More Fun Ideas...
Drive Ins
If it's too hot during the day, wait until it cools down and catch a movie in a drive-up theater such as Fairlee and Sunset. You can roll down the windows, relax, and even sip some cool drinks while you take in a film.
Manchester's Best Friend
If you're looking for something a bit different, try looking for local events. Manchester is a great place to walk around outdoor markets, sidewalk sales and so on, and they even have outdoor concerts where you and your pup can drop a blanket and plop down for some evening tunes.
Conclusion
Just because it's summer with Spot, that doesn't mean you two have to be hot, hot, hot. Vermont does a naturally great job of staying somewhere temperate throughout most of the year, but when you've got to beat the heat, we've got loads of ideas on how to do so, if the list above is any indicator. So no matter where you are, if you're ever lost on what to do, head on over to Wag! We've got suggestions just for you (and Blue).