The Benbow Historic Inn sits on the banks of the Eel River near Garberville, surrounded by redwood forests and the famous Avenue of the Giants. It’s the kind of place where you can actually step outside your room and hear the river, which makes it feel like a real escape rather than just another hotel stay.

They have dog-friendly rooms in the Terrace building, so you’re not stuck in some cramped corner of the property. The rooms are comfortable, and you get that sense of being somewhere genuinely historic without it feeling stuffy or unwelcoming to dogs.

If you’re traveling with a dog, the KOA Campground on the property is worth considering as an alternative to a hotel room. There’s a dedicated fenced doggie playground where your dog can actually run around and play safely, which is helpful when you’ve been driving all day and your dog needs to burn off energy. Other dogs usually show up there too, so it’s a good spot for socializing if your dog is into that.

After you and your dog explore the trails through the redwoods or walk along the river, there’s the Salon’d Soggy Doggy™ Pet Wash on site. It has both hot and cold water, so cleaning up a muddy dog is actually manageable instead of being a nightmare. You’re not hauling your dog to some distant groomer—it’s right there.

The Humboldt County area itself has plenty of hiking trails winding through the old-growth redwoods, and several parks and beaches allow dogs. You can easily spend a few days exploring without running out of places to go. The setting feels genuinely remote and peaceful, which is probably why people come here in the first place.

When making reservations, confirm that dog-friendly rooms are available since they do fill up, especially during peak season.