Bring Your Dog to Dog Days of Summer at Jim Thorpe — August 21

Not every great dog day happens on four wheels. Some of the best ones happen in the water. On Friday, August 21, 2026, the Dog Days of Summer swim series wraps up its season in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania — a pool day built entirely around dogs, with owners hopping in alongside them. If your co-pilot is the kind of dog who lunges toward every lake, creek, and puddle on a road trip, this is their kind of finale.

What it is

Dog Days of Summer is a dedicated dog swim — the closing date of a summer series that also ran on July 10, July 24, and August 7. Instead of shooing dogs away from the water, the whole point is to let them paddle, splash, and play, with their people right there in the water with them. It's a joyful, tail-wagging way to burn off energy on a warm August day, and a nice change of pace from the pavement of a car meet.

The rules that keep it fun

This event has clear, sensible guidelines straight from the host, and they're worth knowing before you load up the car:

• A life jacket for your dog is mandatory. Even strong swimmers tire out, and a canine flotation vest keeps the day safe and low-stress.
• Dogs must be leashed when they're not in the water. On the deck, on the grass, in line — leash on.
• Dogs should be confident swimmers and courteous with strangers. This is a social, shared space, so it's best suited to dogs who are comfortable around other people and pups.
• Dog admission is charged separately from human tickets — plan for that at the gate.

You can find the current details on the event listing, and as always, confirm times, pricing, and any last-minute changes with the host before you head out.

Co-pilot tips for a swim day

A water outing has its own packing list:

• Bring a towel (or three) and a mat for the car. A soaked, happy dog is a wet dog, and the ride home is a lot cleaner with a plan.
• Pack fresh drinking water. Pool water isn't for drinking — offer clean water often so your dog doesn't gulp the wrong stuff.
• Watch the hot pavement. Pool decks and parking lots bake in August. Feel the ground with your hand, and keep paws on cooler surfaces between swims.
• Reward the exits, not just the entries. A few freeze-dried dog treats make a great recall reward for a dog who'd happily swim all afternoon — they're light, mess-free, and perfect for a wet-pawed pup.
• Never leave your dog in a parked car before or after the swim — summer heat turns a vehicle into an oven in minutes.
• Know when they're done. A tired dog can overdo it in the water; watch for heavy panting or slowing down and call it before they're exhausted.

Make the drive part of the adventure

Jim Thorpe sits in one of the prettiest corners of the Poconos, so the drive in is worth savoring. Ella always says the route is half the outing — use the Dog Adventure Plotter to map dog-friendly stops, shade, and water on the way. When you're ready for the next outing, the full event listing and our Dog-Friendly Car & Community Events Board are stocked with cars & coffee meets, dog swims, and festivals worth the drive.

Pack the life jacket, grab the towels, and let your co-pilot close out the summer with a swim. Just confirm the day's details with the host first — then dive in.