Guide to a Eureka Springs Vacation with a Dog

We just got back from vacationing in Eureka Springs, AR. We spent three days and two nights there with our dog. Although you can’t do everything with a dog, there’s still plenty to do! I am making this to help anyone who might want to visit Eureka Springs with a dog. This is also a good resource for anyone who likes to enjoy the outdoors! 

Where to Stay
There are dog-friendly hotels, but we opted to camp since it is cheaper and offers outdoor activities. The place I recommend for this is the Dam Site Lake Campground along the Beaver Lake. Dogs are allowed everywhere except the designated swimming area and the shower houses, and there is no pet fee. Our campsite was right on the water, so we could just walk down from our site to swim with our dog. There are also hiking trails along Beaver Lake. 

What to Do: Seeing the City
When we got there on the first day, we wanted to see the city. Be aware that if you want to explore downtown, you will need to pay $5 to park. It is handy to keep $5 bills on you for that purpose. There is one free parking area but you will have to walk pretty far if you want to visit the downtown stores from there. 

Quite a few of the stores in downtown Eureka Springs allow dogs. Natural Treasures and Packrats Paradise are a couple I remember that allow dogs. We wanted to check out Blackie's Backyard, but it was not open when we were there. Do not be afraid to peek in and ask the store managers if dogs are allowed or not! Some store managers also leave out water bowls for them. 

Besides stores, Basin Spring Park is nearby and allows dogs.

Besides downtown, there is the Bark Park. We went there twice and did not see other dogs there, so that was kind of a bummer. It is a good place to let your dog get some energy out after being in the vehicle a while, though. 

Christ of the Ozarks also allows dogs. Don’t miss seeing the piece of the Berlin Wall if you go!

What to Do: Outdoor Adventures 
The second day we were there, we went floating. If you have a smaller dog, you can probably get away with kayaking. With a German Shepherd, we always opt for renting a canoe. We did a float trip on the King’s River, but there are lots of places nearby to float and swim. I want to look into floating on Beaver Lake next time. 

The third day we were there, we went to War Eagle Cavern. As far as I know, War Eagle Cavern is the only cavern that allows dogs. They are allowed everywhere except the gift shop. There is a doggie hitching post outside the gift shop if your dog doesn’t mind being left for a few minutes. The cove of Beaver Lake and the cavern are pretty cool! The gift shop was also one of my favorite shops we visited! (One of us watches the dog while the other goes inside when there is a place we want to go into that does not allow dogs.)

Lake Leatherwood offers outdoor activities and is dog friendly. I was not impressed with it, though. There was a lot of trash around the lake. I preferred Beaver Lake where we were camped. 

There are lots of hiking options in and near Eureka Springs. We did not end up hiking because it was hot and had not rained recently when we were there. We may have visited Tea Pot Falls or Eagles Nest Falls if it had rained. 

See at least one sunrise or sunset! This is a picture of a Beaver Lake sunrise:

If you like fishing, there are lots of great fishing spots in or near Eureka Springs! Options include Beaver Lake, the White River, and the Kings River, among others. 

Where to Eat
I saved the best for last! Eureka Springs is unique in that you can experience fine dining with your dog! Several restaurants have outdoor seating areas where dogs are allowed and you can be served. The food was one of my favorite parts of the trip! The four restaurants below are ones that had outdoor seating where dogs are allowed that we ate at. 

Amigos
Amigos is in downtown Eureka Springs, so you will need to park nearby for $5 if you want to eat there. Everything from the food to the service was fantastic! They have delicious carne asada, margaritas, and flan, among other things. Amigos is a do not miss! 

Horseshoe Grill
Horseshoe Grill is not downtown and has its own parking area, so not having to pay for parking is a plus! The food and service were good! They have some great side options, like Mac n cheese and baby bakers. 

Sparky’s 
Sparky’s is also not downtown and has its own parking area, so you don’t have to pay for parking. We got burgers and they were some of the best burgers we’ve ever had! Sparky’s menu is huge! The outdoor seating is a little ratchet, but it was obvious that the employees are very cleanly and have great practices.

New Delhi Cafe
New Delhi Cafe is downtown, so you will need to pay $5 for parking if you go. This was my least favorite, mostly because of the server we had. It’s worth a trip if you are curious about what Indian food is like, otherwise I wouldn’t recommend it. 

Other Restaurants 
Rowdy Beaver does not allow dogs; we asked.

There were some other places that we did not have time to check out: Bad to the Bone BBQ Pit, La Familia Tex Mex, Eureka Grill, and Anglers Restaurant. They had outdoor seating, but I don’t know for sure if they allow dogs since we did not go. There are also food trucks and other places you could get to-go at if you don’t mind not dining in. 

Final Thoughts 
Eureka Springs is worth a trip! We hope to go again, perhaps without our dog so that we have some different options. I hope this is helpful for you if you decide to go with your dog!