Are Animal-Focused Activities the Next Big Travel Trend?

We’re not going to sugar-coat it for you: A huge part of booking a vacation is finding the perfect hotel. So what catches your eye? For some, it might be a gorgeous setting that garners an interior designer’s seal of approval. Meanwhile, other jetsetters might flock to properties with a no-expenses-spared spa or amenities like a wine wall. However, a growing number of travelers are flocking to hotels with animal-centric activities. And, no, we’re not talking about puppy-friendly properties that have doggie treats on-demand.

Locations like Carmel Valley Ranch, an upscale resort in its namesake town, are bringing the farm life to you with an itinerary full of thoughtfully curated, electable experiences with a handful of breeds. During your stay, you can book a meet and greet with the grounds’ goats and alpacas, gear up and tour the premises’ bee apiaries, or sip on a beer while hanging with the on-site mini-cows. 

Carley Rudd Photography

For Salvador Preciado, Carmel Valley Ranch’s hilltop ambassador, the property’s animal-focused activities are more than a welcomed break from hours hanging by the pool. (Though don’t get us wrong, that also sounds lovely.) Rather, it’s an opportunity to unplug and unwind—which is exactly what a vacation is all about.

“In our fast-paced world, there’s a growing desire to slow down, disconnect from screens, and reconnect with the natural world,” he explains. “Animals offer a unique way to slow down, find wonder, and truly engage with their surroundings.” 

These sessions might leave guests with a new memory—not to mention a total trip highlight—but Colton Deaver argues these activities also deliver “meaningful and often transformative experiences.” As the equestrian club and recreation manager at Brasada Ranch in Powell Butte, Oregon, Deaver oversees the hotel’s equestrian activities. 

Brasada Ranch

“Whether it’s the calm presence of a horse or the quiet beauty of the high desert landscape, these experiences provide guests with a rare sense of clarity and connection,” he explains. “ It’s not just about recreation—it’s about emotional wellbeing, mindfulness, and rediscovering a slower, more intentional pace of life.”

While the schedule is typically packed with miniature pony meet and greets, horseback riding classes, and guided trail tours, Brasada Ranch is giving its Equine Wellness Experience a permanent spot on its calendar. The program, which is a must-do during the property’s Touch Grass wellness retreat, uses Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) to have guests engage with horses as partners in personal development. Through guided interactions, participants cultivate essential life skills such as emotional regulation, self-awareness, communication, and relationship-building. “The presence and sensitivity of the horses create a deeply reflective and grounding environment,” Deaver explains. “Offering guests a rare opportunity to slow down, connect inward, and grow through meaningful, hands-on experiences.”

Brasada Ranch

Both Carmel Valley Ranch and Brasada Ranch reveal they’re received “overwhelmingly positive” feedback on their farm-focused activities, making it clear this amenity isn’t just a passing trend. “As travelers increasingly seek meaningful, restorative experiences, we’re seeing a shift away from screen-based entertainment and toward immersive, nature-based activities,” Deaver says. “Animal-focused programming, in particular, offers something deeply grounding.”

Before you book, do your due diligence on how a property treats its animals. “Choose resorts that clearly prioritize animal welfare,” Preciado says. “It’s about providing a high quality of life for them, which makes for a positive and safe experience for everyone.” For example, Preciado says Carmel Valley Ranch’s animals have spacious, clean environments, healthy diets, and regular vet care. Meanwhile, Brasada Ranch says it prioritizes its animals’ welfare “just as much as the comfort and safety of our guests.” 

Stephanie Russo

While properties like Carmel Valley Ranch and Brasada Ranch welcome guests with a range of animal experience, check the age ranges for each program. For example, families will want to look into hotels with experience for young children and teens. And remember: These programs are supplementary to your stay. Brasada Ranch charges $125 for its Equine Wellness Experience while Carmel Valley Ranch’s apiary tour and “Little Ranchers” experience cost $105 and $65, respectively. (That said, Carmel Valley Ranch does offer a few complimentary meet and greet events.)

But once you find your go-to property—and animal activity of choice—all that’s left to do is embrace the experience. “Arrive with an open mind and a willingness to truly connect—withboth the animals and the environment,” Deaver says. “These experiences are more than just recreational; they’re opportunities to engage with some of the most intuitive, gentle, and emotionally intelligent animals we share this world with.”