Lansdowne does not get the tourist traffic that Mussoorie or Nainital gets - and that is exactly why it works well for dogs. No mall road chaos, no honking cars at a bottleneck, no weekend crowd surging through a narrow street. A quiet Garhwali army cantonment at 1,706 metres with oak and rhododendron forests, a church from 1896, long walking paths, and almost nobody on them on a weekday. Apple and Kimchi would walk for hours here without encountering a crowd.
We have two verified pet-friendly stays near Lansdowne. One is a luxury resort on a private hill surrounded by a tiger reserve. The other is a budget riverside property that claims to be pet-friendly but needs a direct call to confirm. This guide covers both honestly.
1. LaHermitage Resort - 5 Hours from Delhi Ā· TEAM VERIFIED
ā Team Verified Ā· 50 acres Ā· Kalagarh Tiger Reserve on 2 sides Ā· Pet bowls and baskets provided Ā· Jeep transfer
LaHermitage is not in Lansdowne town - it is 54 km away on a private hill at Silwar, accessed by a Gypsy jeep transfer from the parking area. The hill is surrounded by Kalagarh Tiger Reserve (the northern section of Jim Corbett National Park) on two sides. On the other sides: Lansdowne Cantonment town in the distance and the Mandaal River below.
The resort actively markets its pet-friendly status. Their own website features a section called "Gypsy" - their resident dog - and states: "The resort encourages and appreciates the pets, tending them with care and shelter." Pet bowls and pet baskets are provided. A traveller posted photos with a German Shepherd at the property with the caption "She Found Her Paradise - Lansdowne Road Trip with My German Shepherd." 40+ bird species on the hill, including the Monal - the state bird of Uttarakhand - and Hornbill.
The jeep safari into Kalagarh Tiger Reserve can be arranged directly from the property. The resort is 5 km from the Vatanvasa Gate of Jim Corbett National Park.
See the LaHermitage Resort listing ā
---2. SB Mount Resort - ā Listed Ā· Call Ahead
ā Listed - call ahead Ā· Silgarh River Ā· 25 km before Lansdowne Ā· ā¹3,200/night
SB Mount Resort is on the banks of the Silgarh River, 25 km before Lansdowne town on the Kotdwar-Lansdowne Road. The property's own website says: "We are proud to be one of the pet friendly hotels in Lansdowne Uttarakhand." TripAdvisor reviews confirm dogs were welcomed. However, Booking.com shows "Pets are not allowed" - which may reflect an outdated or incorrectly set platform default.
See the SB Mount Resort listing ā
---About Lansdowne for Dog Parents
Lansdowne is an army cantonment - which means the town itself is well-maintained, quiet, and has long paved walking paths through forests of oak and rhododendron. The Tip-n-Top viewpoint (also called Tiffin Top), the Bhulla Lake area, and the forest walks towards Garhwali Regimental War Memorial are all accessible and low-crowd even in season. Dogs on leash are generally fine here - the absence of commercial tourist infrastructure means fewer overcrowded areas.
The best months are October to March. The monsoon (July-September) brings leeches on forest trails and wet roads - manageable but plan accordingly.
Distance from Delhi NCR: approximately 5.5 hours via NH58 (Meerut-Kotdwar route) or via NH334B. Plan a stop at Kotdwar - the last large town before the hills begins. No dedicated pet-friendly pitstop in Lansdowne town itself - carry your own water and food.
Other Verified Stays in the Region
If Lansdowne is part of a broader Garhwal trip, these verified properties are within 2-3 hours:
- Van Vadi Forest Retreat, near Rishikesh - TEAM_VERIFIED, 3 resident dogs, all meals, 3 hours from Lansdowne
- The Hosteller Dehradun - TEAM_VERIFIED, private rooms only, 1.5 hours from Lansdowne
- Garhwal Cottage, Kanatal - TEAM_VERIFIED, 7,200 ft, 2 hours from Lansdowne via Chamba