Take Fido on a leisurely ascent up a mountainside or over stunning landscapes across the U.S. on a dog-friendly tram or gondola ride. These scenic attractions welcome four-legged riders to join their humans for a unique and breathtaking experience.
Trams and Gondolas That Welcome Furry Riders
Posted by Lauren Barker
Telluride Gondola
Marvel at spectacular year-round views from the Telluride Gondola with Fido. This wind- and solar-powered tram gives passengers a front-row seat to Mother Nature from 10,500 feet. Pawprint stickers mark which cabins allow leashed dogs on board for the 12-minute ride between Telluride and Mountain Village. On either side of the journey, pups can join their owners for hiking, shopping and dining at local restaurants like Black Iron Kitchen + Bar and Smuggler Union Brewery & Restaurant. Best of all, the Telluride Gondola is completely free for people and pups.
When Fido’s paws are back on the ground, spend the night at The Hotel Telluride where he’ll be welcomed with treats, bowls and a bed.
Gondola Skyride Stowe
Plan a pet-friendly small town summer vacation to Stowe and ride with Fido to the top of Mount Mansfield on board the Gondola Skyride Stowe. Located at Stowe Mountain Resort, this lift offers canine passengers the opportunity to see the town from above. Once you reach the peak, your pup can stretch his legs on a pet-friendly hike among the alpine tundra and grab a quick snack from The Waffle before a return ride back to the base. Leashed dogs are only permitted on the Gondola Skyride Stowe during summer and fall.
Spend the night with Fido at Topnotch Resort in downtown Stowe and relax around one of the outdoor fire pits during dinner at The Roost.
Gatlinburg SkyPark
Hold on tight to Fido as you ascend 500 feet above town at Gatlinburg SkyPark. Calm, leashed dogs that can be held are welcome to join you on the bright yellow Sky Lift chairs that climb the side of Crockett Mountain, offering incredible views of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains along the way. Once you reach the top, relax around the fire pits, grab a drink and a bite to eat, and continue admiring the views from amphitheater seating. People and pups without a fear of heights can walk across the Gatlinburg SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America.
Allow enough time to explore more pet-friendly attractions in Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge and spend the night at Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg.
Mt. Rainier Gondola
Revel in the views of Mount Rainier, the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S. during a ride on the Mt. Rainier Gondola. During the summer, canines are permitted on board the eight-passenger gondolas that take visitors over 2,400 vertical feet to the summit. Once at the top, guests can dine with their pups at Summit House, which features a pet-friendly patio and incredible views of the Cascade Mountains.
Take time to drive through Mount Rainier National Park, stopping at lookout points for photo opportunities along the way. Then stay at this church-turned-Airbnb in downtown Enumclaw.
Loon Mountain Resort Gondola
Board the White Mountain Express Gondola to the summit of Loon Mountain during your summer visit to New Hampshire. Leashed dogs are permitted to ride the gondola from mid-May through mid-October, giving them access to hiking trails, open slopes and unbeatable views. Once on board, you’ll travel 1,738 vertical feet through the alpine terrain of White Mountain National Forest. Visit in early autumn to get some of the most beautiful views of fall foliage.
With an abundance of dog-friendly trails like those at Franconia Notch State Park, you’ll want to stay a few days. Book a quiet and quaint getaway at Pemi Cabins and take advantage of all the area has to offer.
Mammoth Mountain Scenic Gondola
Most ski resorts can be just as much fun in summer as in winter and Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center is no exception. During the off-season, leashed dogs are welcome to join you on the Mammoth Mountain Scenic Gondola, an aerial tram that offers riders a 360-degree view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains at more than 11,000 feet above sea level. Once you and your pooch have reached the summit, you can explore scenic trails, take photos in front of the summit totem and grab lunch or a snack from Eleven53 Cafe. If you’d rather hike than ride back to the base, leashed pups are permitted on trails at Mammoth Mountain.
If you have more time to spend in Mammoth Lakes, take Fido to see Devil’s Postpile National Monument, grab dinner at Mammoth Brewing Company, and spend the night in a cabin at Convict Lake Resort.
Needles Gondola at Snowbasin Resort
Pups exploring Ogden, UT will be excited to learn they’re welcome on the Needles Gondola at Snowbasin Resort, located just east of the city, during the summer and fall. Snowbasin Resort includes 3,000 acres of rugged terrain and 26 miles of hiking and biking trails to explore with Fido. Once you’ve reached the top, grab a bite from one of the restaurants with outdoor seating areas and enjoy activities and events with live music, like the annual Oktoberfest.
End the day by letting Fido run off leash at South Ogen Dog Park before dinner at Burger Church food truck. Then call it a night nearby at Hampton Inn & Suites Ogden.
Jackson Hole Bridger Gondola Rides
When you’re spending a weekend in dog-friendly Jackson Hole, take Fido for a hike on the Wildflower Trail. You’ll enjoy panoramic views of Jackson Valley and the surrounding mountains from this moderate four-mile path leading up to Bridger Gondola. When you’ve taken in the view from the top, the gondola will welcome your dog to ride back down during the summer season.
Back in Teton Village, grab dinner at Mangy Moose and settle into your room at Teton Mountain Lodge and Spa.
Breckenridge “BreckConnect” Gondola
Take a ride on the Breckenridge with your furry mountaineer. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you as you glide over a wildlife preserve to the top of Peak 8 in the Rocky Mountains, making several stops along the way including at Peak 7 where you can dine with a view on the patio of Sevens or Ski Hill Grill. The gondola is free for both people and pets and runs throughout ski season, as well as from mid-June to mid-September. If you’re visiting in winter, be sure to take Fido cross-country skiing at Breckenridge Nordic Center.
For a convenient stay, book a room at The Lodge at Breckenridge before traveling an hour and a half north for another scenic ride on the Winter Park Resort Gondola, which welcomes dogs from June to October and provides a front-row seat to the Continental Divide.
Trees of Mystery & Sky Train
For a truly unique gondola experience, visit Trees of Mystery & SkyTrail in Northern California. This quirky roadside attraction welcomes dogs to join you on a ride through the redwood treetops to a lookout high above the canopy and out toward the ocean. Leashed dogs are also permitted on the trails, in the gift shop and for photo opportunities in front of the giant Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues.
Sleep among the giants at Woodland Villa Cabins, where the Klamath River meets the Pacific Ocean in the heart of the redwoods.
Have you taken a tram or gondola ride with your dog? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!
Banner photo by Getty Images.