We are no strangers to traveling with our pups. We have traveled all over Wisconsin and stayed in lots of great places with our two dogs. However, we have only stayed at one dog-friendly resort–Justin Trails. Tucked into the beautiful bluffs of Wisconsin’s Driftless region, Justin Trails has 200 acres of paradise for both you and your furry companions!
Before I dive into all the resort has to offer, I want to highlight what they mean by “dog-friendly resort.” Justin Trails allows you to take your dog on a getaway without extreme rules or limitations. There are miles of walking trails that are wonderful for off-leash adventures. Your pup may stay with you in any of the suites or cabins with only a $45/day pet fee. If you camp, there is no additional fee for your dog. They have no breed or weight limits. They just ask that your pup be well-behaved and social. Your pup can join you everywhere, including at breakfast.
We drove the country roads, wound our way through the bluffs, and arrived for our weekend getaway on a beautiful fall afternoon. The resort offers many different lodging options and they’re all dog-friendly: luxury cabins, traditional b&b rooms, cozy cottages, and rustic campsites. We quickly got settled into the Sunrise Cottage, which had two bedrooms with king size beds, a full bathroom, an indoor gas fireplace, a patio with an outdoor dining area, an outdoor fire pit, a kitchenette, and a dining table.
There is so much to do on the property, and we were excited to explore! We first set out for a round of disc golf. Justin Trails is home to two beautiful disc golf courses that are free for overnight guests or $10 for a day guest pass, and there are lots of discs available to use if you didn’t think to pack your own. The hilly course provides some lovely views of the resort and surrounding bluffs!
If disc golf isn’t your thing, don’t worry, as there is still plenty for you to do…including feeding the llamas! There are two llamas on the property, Porter & Stout, that you can pet and feed. This was such a cool and unique experience! Your pup can explore off leash on their many miles of hiking trails. There is also a common area in the bottom level of the barn that’s great for hanging out. The barn itself is a wedding venue, and there was a gorgeous fall wedding taking place during our visit. At the ground level of the barn, you can find lounge and dining areas, foosball, a large smart TV, and ping pong.
Even though there were so many fun things to do, I think my favorite amenity was the included breakfast. Breakfast is served in the lodge each day from 7:30am-10am. The lodge’s cozy dining area is open all day with plenty of tables, and they also sell beer, wine, and snacks (and this is also where you will find the discs you can borrow for the courses). The food was so yummy and there were different offerings each day. I loved the mandarin orange muffins and french toast bake! It was nice to start off the day with a delicious home cooked meal and the pups by our side.
For our other meals, we checked out some nearby establishments. We got our dinners to-go and Hayden would pick them up and bring them back to the cottage to enjoy. Our first night we ordered takeout from Slice of Chicago. This local pizza shop looks like a regular house from the outside, but they have a small dining room inside. We shared the Sparta Turnover, which was their take on a calzone, and some delicious garlic bread. The next night we ordered takeout from The Cotter Pin. Hayden really enjoyed his hot sandwich, and I thought the buffalo chicken mac & cheese was so good!
We also took the pups out and about one day. We made the short drive out to St. Mary’s Distillery for a drink on their dog-friendly patio. They make some delicious rum and brandy that they mix into super great cocktails. We then made our way to Alchemy Brewing, where we had lunch on their dog-friendly patio. Everything was delicious and they had a very fun atmosphere!
We had such a great time at Justin Trails Resort! It was so nice that our dogs were able to join us on so many activities on-site, enjoy time off leash, and relax on some local patios. Hayden and I had such a great weekend getaway, and we love it when the dogs can come too without restricting what we are able to see and do. I think Justin Trails has created something really special for anyone looking for a cozy getaway with their furry friends!
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