The best dog-friendly cabin rentals in Cabot Trail

Located in northwest Cape Breton Island in the province of Nova Scotia, the “Trail” (as locals call it) is renowned for its spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, rugged coastlines, and charming fishing villages. You can drive the loop in a day and, for the best possible views, start east in the town of Baddeck and drive west toward Cheticamp. Those who linger in the region a bit longer for a camping road trip can enjoy incredible hiking trails, superb photography opportunities, and excellent golf, fishing, and swimming. Moose, bald eagles, and whales all call the area home.

85% (15)

Top-rated campgrounds

Located in northwest Cape Breton Island in the province of Nova Scotia, the “Trail” (as locals call it) is renowned for its spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, rugged coastlines, and charming fishing villages. You can drive the loop in a day and, for the best possible views, start east in the town of Baddeck and drive west toward Cheticamp. Those who linger in the region a bit longer for a camping road trip can enjoy incredible hiking trails, superb photography opportunities, and excellent golf, fishing, and swimming. Moose, bald eagles, and whales all call the area home.

85% (15)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. The Dancing Moose Vacation rentals

100%

(3)

4 sites · Lodging · Englishtown, NS

The Dancing Moose Vacation rentals, (formally the Dancing Moose Cafe) is a beautiful 3.5 acre ocean front, (rock) beach accessible property, located right on the Cabot Trail, one of the most scenic routes in the world! We are located on the east side (sunrise) on the Cabot Trail, about 15 minutes from Ski Cape Smokey, 25 minutes from the entrance of the Cape Breton Highland National Park with over 35 well maintained hikes. The on site restaurant, The Dancing Moose Cafe, is changing its activity starting this year (2025) and will only be open, serving breakfast for guests that stay on the property. Full a la carte breakfast is available, including our "famoose" Dutch Pannekoek. Breakfast is optional and not included in the rental fee. There are 4 different kind of vacation rentals on the property, The Sleeping Moose Cottage (1x), The Zzzz Moose Camping Cabins (3x) The ZzzzMoose 2.0 Camping Cabin (1x) and the Birch Plain Tower 1x). The Sleeping Moose has a minimum of 2 nights. All other rentals can be booked for 1 night, or more of course. Except for the Birch Plain Tower al our vacation rentals are pet friendly. (as long as you see this message it means we are working on setting up the rental units)

2. Sally's Brook Wilderness Cabins

92%

(13)

8 sites · Lodging · Baddeck, NS

Sally’s Brook is located in Unama’ki, within the unceded ancestral territory of the Mikmaq people. Sally’s Brook is an Eco-friendly property in the heart of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. We have three wilderness cabins and a yurt available for rent year-round, and three Lotus Belle glamping tents in the warmer weather. We have a wood-fired sauna and communal CookHouse kitchen-dining building for guests. We also have the Hive Dome! This 26 foot year-round space is the perfect place to host your own event with us, gather for our movie nights, board games, playing music, and retreat from bad weather with so much space to move around. Guest Use of the Hive: While you are staying on the property, we welcome guests to reserve time in the Hive for their own private use. Our staff will prepare this space for you by lighting the wood stove, stocking wood and heating it up for your arrival. Stretch, practice yoga, play games or music, or celebrate with your group! $30 + HST for a 3.5 hour reservation to current guests Morning, afternoon or evening (until 10:00pm) reservations are available

3. Cabot Cottage and Seaside Cabins

3 sites · Lodging · Englishtown, NS

Enjoy the beauty of both the forest and the ocean on this 4 acre property off the Cabot Trail, where 3 wilderness cabins and a large 2-level home are nestled among the forest which leads down to the waterfront. The space is perfect for those who love nature and rustic vibes. All of the cabins sleep two people, with a personal fire pit, bbq, kitchenette, drinking water (although no running water), and all the amenities needed to spend a few nights in nature. The shared outdoor bathroom has been hand crafted with lots of natural light, a composting toilet (i.e. non-flushing), hot water shower and two sinks. ------- Shared spaces include the trails, washroom, deck overlooking the bay, adirondack chairs at the lookoff, kayaks, hammocks, wood shed, and checkerboard table. There will be up to 12 people on the property - 6 in the cabins, 4 in the main level of the home, and our on-site property managers stay in the walkout basement of the home. ------- The whole property is essentially on a hill. Parking is near the top, followed by the cabins, the shared bathrooms, the 2-story home, and then the waterfront is a few minutes further down. The paths are not suitable for people with mobility issues and potentially seniors. --------------------------------- Registration Number: STR2526T9953

4. Dragonfly Cottage

100%

(3)

3 sites · Lodging · Rock Elm, NS

Get away from it all, a very quiet cabin in the woods. A great place to decompress and enjoy some time away. The property is left natural and has an apple tree and berries can be found around the area. Excellent high speed internet now available. There is an area to hook up a camper that provides water, power and sewer. Registration # STR2526B0709

Stories from the community

T

Tom

August 2025

With kids

3 nights at The Dancing Moose Vacation rentals

Everything was great here. Comfortable cabin in a very beautiful location. Ton was helpful and friendly. A great base from which to explore the Cabot Trail. Tasty breakfast too!

A

April

June 2025

Weekend Trip to The Dancing Moose Vacation rentals

We had the nicest time staying at The Zzz Moose/ Dancing Moose cabins! The cabin was very clean, there was plenty of space for our family and our kiddo loved the loft. The private bathrooms were a nice touch, and we easily made dinner there both nights with the kitchen supplies and private refrigerator. (All of which were very well maintained and clean) The location was great for us to enjoy the Cabot Trail, and also it’s right on the ocean, so we enjoyed walking down to the water for sunset. The host was incredibly communicative and happily answered questions throughout our time there. And to top it all off, he’s an incredible chef, and we enjoyed a delicious breakfast by him.

Dog-friendly getaways

Cabot Cottage and Seaside Cabins

3 sites · Lodging · Englishtown, NS

Enjoy the beauty of both the forest and the ocean on this 4 acre property off the Cabot Trail, where 3 wilderness cabins and a large 2-level home are nestled among the forest which leads down to the waterfront. The space is perfect for those who love nature and rustic vibes. All of the cabins sleep two people, with a personal fire pit, bbq, kitchenette, drinking water (although no running water), and all the amenities needed to spend a few nights in nature. The shared outdoor bathroom has been hand crafted with lots of natural light, a composting toilet (i.e. non-flushing), hot water shower and two sinks. ------- Shared spaces include the trails, washroom, deck overlooking the bay, adirondack chairs at the lookoff, kayaks, hammocks, wood shed, and checkerboard table. There will be up to 12 people on the property - 6 in the cabins, 4 in the main level of the home, and our on-site property managers stay in the walkout basement of the home. ------- The whole property is essentially on a hill. Parking is near the top, followed by the cabins, the shared bathrooms, the 2-story home, and then the waterfront is a few minutes further down. The paths are not suitable for people with mobility issues and potentially seniors. --------------------------------- Registration Number: STR2526T9953

Sally's Brook Wilderness Cabins

92%

(13)

8 sites · Lodging · Baddeck, NS

Sally’s Brook is located in Unama’ki, within the unceded ancestral territory of the Mikmaq people. Sally’s Brook is an Eco-friendly property in the heart of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. We have three wilderness cabins and a yurt available for rent year-round, and three Lotus Belle glamping tents in the warmer weather. We have a wood-fired sauna and communal CookHouse kitchen-dining building for guests. We also have the Hive Dome! This 26 foot year-round space is the perfect place to host your own event with us, gather for our movie nights, board games, playing music, and retreat from bad weather with so much space to move around. Guest Use of the Hive: While you are staying on the property, we welcome guests to reserve time in the Hive for their own private use. Our staff will prepare this space for you by lighting the wood stove, stocking wood and heating it up for your arrival. Stretch, practice yoga, play games or music, or celebrate with your group! $30 + HST for a 3.5 hour reservation to current guests Morning, afternoon or evening (until 10:00pm) reservations are available

The Dancing Moose Vacation rentals

100%

(3)

4 sites · Lodging · Englishtown, NS

The Dancing Moose Vacation rentals, (formally the Dancing Moose Cafe) is a beautiful 3.5 acre ocean front, (rock) beach accessible property, located right on the Cabot Trail, one of the most scenic routes in the world! We are located on the east side (sunrise) on the Cabot Trail, about 15 minutes from Ski Cape Smokey, 25 minutes from the entrance of the Cape Breton Highland National Park with over 35 well maintained hikes. The on site restaurant, The Dancing Moose Cafe, is changing its activity starting this year (2025) and will only be open, serving breakfast for guests that stay on the property. Full a la carte breakfast is available, including our "famoose" Dutch Pannekoek. Breakfast is optional and not included in the rental fee. There are 4 different kind of vacation rentals on the property, The Sleeping Moose Cottage (1x), The Zzzz Moose Camping Cabins (3x) The ZzzzMoose 2.0 Camping Cabin (1x) and the Birch Plain Tower 1x). The Sleeping Moose has a minimum of 2 nights. All other rentals can be booked for 1 night, or more of course. Except for the Birch Plain Tower al our vacation rentals are pet friendly. (as long as you see this message it means we are working on setting up the rental units)

Dragonfly Cottage

100%

(3)

3 sites · Lodging · Rock Elm, NS

Get away from it all, a very quiet cabin in the woods. A great place to decompress and enjoy some time away. The property is left natural and has an apple tree and berries can be found around the area. Excellent high speed internet now available. There is an area to hook up a camper that provides water, power and sewer. Registration # STR2526B0709

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best dog-friendly cabins in Cabot Trail guide

Where to go

Baddeck

The gateway to the Cabot Trail, Baddeck offers some of the prettiest scenery in Nova Scotia, thanks to the picturesque Bras d’Or Lakes. The town is full of history, home to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, the Kidston Lighthouse, and Theatre Baddeck. Look out for tent campsites, RV spots, and glamping sites outside of town.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park

A third of the Cabot Trail winds through this national park, home to 26 hikes, including the renowned Skyline Trail. This five-mile loop is partially covered with a boardwalk (to help protect sensitive plant species). It offers the best views of any spot along the Cabot Trail. If you have a keen eye, you might spy moose, eagles, or even bears from your national park campsite.

Pleasant Bay

If you enjoy whale watching, this is one of the very best spots in the province. You can also check out whales on land with a visit to the excellent Whale Interpretive Centre. Visitors can see a life-size model of a pilot whale, saltwater livestock tanks containing live creatures found in the whale’s habitat, and 16-scale illustrations of whales frequently spotted in the nearby waters.

Cheticamp

The Acadian community of Cheticamp is a significant cultural and linguistic destination in Nova Scotia. Here you’ll learn about the Francophone community’s history, traditions, and culinary heritage. A must-see attraction is Les Trois Pignons. It’s home to Hooked Rug and Home Life Museum and offers demonstrations for the local craft of rug hooking.