Having a dog can bring a lot of fun and happiness to your life. Unfortunately, you can’t go everywhere with your four-legged companion, but you still have plenty of options when you want to let your dog stretch their legs and get some fresh air. The following are some dog-friendly spots in Rochester, Minnesota, worth checking out!
Douglas State Trail
If you enjoy outdoor activities with your dog, hit the Douglas State Trail. Formerly a portion of the Chicago Great Western Railway, this 12.5-mile trail runs from northwestern Rochester to Pine Island, passing through the small town of Douglas. It has a paved treadway for hikers, bicyclists, and in-line skaters and a natural path for horseback riders and snowmobilers.
The trail crosses breathtaking rural scenery, giving you and your animal friend the opportunity to see some of Minnesota’s richest agricultural lands. You’ll pass through an array of landscapes, including pastures, rolling fields, and forests. Geese are abundant near Rochester, while pheasants and partridges are commonly sighted in the woods.
To get to the trailhead of the Douglas State Trail in Rochester, you can park your vehicle at a parking lot on Olmstead County Road 14. Restrooms are available at each of the three access points in Rochester, Douglas, and Pine Island. The best time to use this trail is from April to October. Bear in mind that you must keep your dog on a leash.
Silver Lake
For a truly memorable day out with your beloved pet, head down to Silver Lake for some boating fun. Silver Lake Boat and Bike Rentals offers a variety of watercraft for a wonderful water adventure on the scenic Silver Lake or Zumbro River, including rowboats, electric paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks. Dogs are allowed on certain types of watercraft, provided they’re well-mannered and accustomed to the water. They can ride for free as long as no extra cleanup is required.
Silver Lake has an adjacent park that provides plenty of activities. You and your animal companion can get some exercise on the paved trail or play fetch in an open green space. If you’re going there with your children, they can enjoy a wide range of recreational and sports amenities, such as a playground, skate park, baseball field, football field, soccer field, and horseshoe pitch.
Silver Lake Boat and Bike Rentals is located about a mile north of downtown Rochester at 800 W. Silverlake Drive. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.
Carley State Park
If you’re planning to go on a day trip or weekend getaway with your furry companion, consider visiting Carley State Park. This small park features a beautiful and tranquil environment that makes it the ideal place for escaping the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s situated in a lush woodland with towering pines, stunning wildflowers, and a wide range of animal species.
In this state park, there are about five miles of hiking trails for you and your dog to explore and a section of the Whitewater River that offers excellent trout fishing. To get the most out of your visit, consider spending the night at one of the many fully equipped and dog-friendly campsites throughout the park.
Carley State Park is located at 19041 Highway 74 in Altura, which is about 23 miles northeast of downtown Rochester. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily throughout the year.
Roscoe’s Root Beer & Ribs
Looking for a place to enjoy a delicious barbecue meal with your four-legged friend? Roscoe’s Root Beer & Ribs is the place to go. This restaurant has long been a favorite among barbecue-lovers in Rochester because of its top-quality food and excellent service. It uses the finest meats and a secret hand-mixed sauce to make melt-in-your-mouth barbecue dishes that have won many nationally acclaimed cook-offs. Besides succulent barbecue ribs, brisket, pulled pork, ham, and chicken, Roscoe’s also serves some of the best burgers in town. Don’t forget to try the restaurant’s famous old-fashioned root beer.
Other than great food, Roscoe’s Root Beer & Ribs also provides a casual outdoor dining area that’s ideal for dogs. You can choose to sit at a table with an umbrella or under the sun. The restaurant offers water bowls upon request, so your pup will feel right at home.
Roscoe’s Root Beer & Ribs is situated at 603 4th St. SE, just two blocks from the Government Center. Its opening hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday.
Book Review
If you enjoy reading and your dog is mild-mannered, why not spend an afternoon at a pet-friendly bookstore? Book Review is one of the bookstores in Rochester that welcome well-behaved dogs. As a leading comic book shop in southeastern Minnesota, it carries an extensive selection of comic books from every major publisher, including DC, Marvel, Image, Dark Horse, and IDW, as well as trade paperbacks, graphic novels, and manga books. Additionally, it’s a great place to shop for comic collector supplies, posters, and action figures.
Besides comic books and comic-related products, Book Review features the largest inventory of sports cards in Rochester. There are cards for every major professional sport from well-known manufacturers such as Upper Deck, Topps, and Donruss Playoff. Looking for a cheap book? This bookstore also has thousands of used books of different genres for you to choose from. Most books are offered at half their original prices, but you can find something on the sale table that costs $1 or less.
Located on Highway 52 North in Hillcrest Shopping Center, Book Review is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
So, that’s the list of the best dog-friendly spots in Rochester from the dog-loving staff at Tom Kadlec Kia. If you know of any other interesting places that welcome dogs, don’t hesitate to let us know. Send us a message and we’ll be sure to share your suggestions with our readers.
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