DR. WILKINSON'S BACKYARD Resort & Mineral Springs has been a fixture in Calistoga since 1952, and walking through the property with your dog, you’ll understand why it’s lasted more than six decades. The place has an authentic, lived-in quality—this isn’t some slick spa resort. The mineral hot springs and volcanic ash treatments have been drawing people to Calistoga for generations, and the owners have kept things relatively unpretentious.

What makes it work for dog travel is that your dog can actually be part of your stay here. You’re not leaving your dog in a room while you soak in mud baths—they can come along and explore the lush grounds while you’re doing your thing. The resort has enough space that it doesn’t feel cramped, and the landscaping gives dogs room to move around. The geothermal mineral waters that Calistoga is famous for are the real draw, and honestly, there’s something a bit quirky and appealing about soaking in water heated by the earth itself while your dog hangs out nearby.

The vibe is very much “wine country relaxation” without the pretension you’ll find at fancier spas in the area. You’ll see families here, couples, people who just want to experience what made Calistoga popular with wellness-minded visitors decades ago. The volcanic ash treatments and mineral baths do have real health properties—people have been coming here specifically for that since the ’50s.

If you’re touring Napa’s wine country and your dog is coming along, this is one of the few places where you can actually spend quality time in the actual experience rather than sitting it out in a hotel room. Calistoga itself is a smaller, more relaxed town compared to Napa or Sonoma, and Dr. Wilkinson’s fits that vibe. Plan on at least an afternoon to make the most of it—rushing through defeats the purpose.