Yes, Cabela's welcomes leashed, well-behaved dogs in stores nationwide. The outdoor retailer (owned by Bass Pro Shops since 2017) shares one of the most pet-friendly policies in big-box retail: your dog can come browse the hunting, fishing, and camping aisles with you. A few state and local exceptions apply, but at the vast majority of Cabela's locations, your dog is a welcome guest.
Cabela's Official Pet Policy
Cabela's pet policy is unified with parent company Bass Pro Shops. According to Cabela's own customer help page:
"Pets are allowed in the store except where specifically prohibited by state or local laws. Service animals are exempt from any statutory restrictions and are always welcome and permitted."
In practice, that means leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome at virtually every Cabela's in the country. The handful of exceptions are tied to local health codes — most often in stores with attached restaurants or in states with strict food-handling rules. A small number of locations (notably the Cabela's in Scarborough, Maine) shifted to a service-animal-only policy after state law changed, but those are outliers, not the rule.
If you're driving any meaningful distance, it's worth a 30-second call to your local store to confirm. Cabela's stocks a huge variety of attached cafes, gun ranges, and indoor aquariums, and the pet rules can vary slightly based on which features your store has.
What to Expect When Bringing Your Dog to Cabela's
Cabela's stores are big — typically 80,000 to 200,000 square feet — with wide aisles, polished concrete floors, and plenty of room for a dog to walk comfortably alongside you. Here's what most dog owners notice on their first visit:
- Carts welcome small dogs. If you bring a small dog or puppy, you can place them in the cart (a clean blanket or pad helps). Carts are full-size shopping carts, not the kid-seat style, so they work best for dogs under about 25 pounds.
- Wildlife taxidermy displays. Cabela's is famous for its mounted bear, deer, elk, and fish dioramas. Most dogs sniff and move on, but reactive or prey-driven dogs may need a heads-up at the door.
- Friendly staff. Cabela's employees generally lean into the pet-friendly vibe. Don't be surprised if your dog gets attention at the register or near the gun counter.
- Aquariums and live bait. Many Cabela's locations have a giant indoor freshwater aquarium and a live bait room. The aquarium is fascinating to most dogs (and dog-safe behind glass). The live bait room can be loud and pungent — generally pass through, don't linger.
- Gun range and archery range. If your store has an indoor range, dogs are typically not permitted in the range itself for safety and sound reasons. The retail floor is fine.
Service Animals at Cabela's
Cabela's complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Service animals — dogs individually trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability — are welcome in every Cabela's store, with no exceptions, even at locations that have rolled back broader pet access due to local health codes.
Per ADA guidelines, staff may only ask two questions: (1) Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) What work or task has the dog been trained to perform? They cannot ask for documentation, demand a demonstration, or inquire about your disability.
Emotional support animals (ESAs), therapy dogs, and pets-in-training are not service animals under the ADA. They're welcome at Cabela's under the general pet policy, but they don't have the same legal protections as a trained service dog.
Tips for Your Visit With Your Dog
- Use a standard 4–6 foot leash. Retractable leashes are a tripping hazard in crowded aisles and a nightmare around endcap displays. Stick to a fixed-length leash.
- Bring a poop bag (and water). Cabela's polished floors show every drip. Carry water for your dog and a few extra waste bags — clean up immediately and let an employee know if anything happens inside the store.
- Skip the visit on hot days if you'd leave them in the car. The whole point of bringing your dog is so they don't have to wait in a parked car. If it's above 70°F, that calculation matters.
- Read your dog. Cabela's has firearms cases, archery launchers, and sometimes seasonal demos with loud sounds. If your dog spooks easily, walk the perimeter first and gauge their comfort before diving into the interior aisles.
- Avoid the food court. If your Cabela's has a cafe, restaurant, or fudge shop, your dog is usually not allowed in that area due to local health codes. Service animals are the exception.
- Watch for kennels. Some Cabela's stores have indoor or outdoor kennels available for a small refundable deposit (often $5). Handy if you want to sit down for a meal mid-trip.
Best Things to Do With Your Dog at Cabela's
Cabela's is more interesting than your average big-box run, especially if you're shopping with a dog. A few aisles worth a detour:
- Dog gear aisle. Cabela's stocks a serious selection of hunting and field dog gear: GPS collars, training bumpers, neoprene vests, pheasant-feather toys, and orthopedic kennel pads. Even if you're not a hunter, the field gear is built tougher than most pet-store equivalents.
- Treat and bone section. The treat aisle leans toward bully sticks, dehydrated liver, antler chews, and pig ears — minimal-ingredient stuff that's tough to find at general retailers.
- Boot and camp wear sections. Wide aisles and minimal foot traffic in the morning hours make these great browsing zones with a dog on a leash.
- The aquarium. Most dogs find it mesmerizing. Park there for 30 seconds and let them watch the trout.
- Boat showroom. If your Cabela's has a connected Tracker Boat showroom, you can usually walk through with a dog — wide floors, polished surfaces, and minimal foot traffic.
Bass Pro Shops sister stores: same policy
Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops have been corporately unified since 2017 and run on a shared pet policy. If your nearest Cabela's is a hike but there's a Bass Pro Shops closer, the rules are functionally identical — leashed dogs welcome, service animals always welcome, local restrictions may apply. See our full Bass Pro Shops pet policy guide for the sister-store details.
Other Pet-Friendly Chains to Know About
If you're planning a dog-friendly errand day, Cabela's pairs well with a handful of other big chains that consistently welcome leashed dogs:
- Bass Pro Shops — same parent company, same policy.
- Tractor Supply — explicitly dog-friendly chain-wide, plus in-store PetVet Wellness clinics.
- REI — leashed, well-behaved dogs welcome at all locations.
- Lowe's and Home Depot — both chains have informal but widespread pet-friendly cultures (no official corporate policy, but stores routinely welcome leashed dogs).
- Orvis — outdoor retailer with a long-standing dog-friendly culture; many stores keep treats at the counter.
- Anthropologie — yes, the clothing chain. Most locations welcome leashed dogs, though it's store-by-store.
- Target and Walmart — service animals only, not general pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dogs allowed in all Cabela's stores?
The vast majority of Cabela's locations welcome leashed, well-behaved dogs. A small number of stores have local health-code or state-law restrictions (Cabela's Scarborough, Maine is the most cited example). When in doubt, call your local store before you drive.
Is Cabela's pet-friendly or do I need a service animal?
Cabela's is genuinely pet-friendly — you don't need a service animal designation to bring your dog. Any leashed, well-behaved dog is welcome under the standard Bass Pro Shops / Cabela's pet policy. Service animals receive additional ADA protections that go beyond the general pet policy.
Can I put my dog in a Cabela's shopping cart?
Yes. Cabela's allows small dogs in shopping carts, and many owners line the cart with a blanket. The carts are full-size warehouse carts, so they work best for dogs under about 25 pounds. Larger dogs should walk on a fixed-length leash.
Do Cabela's stores have dog kennels?
Some Cabela's locations offer indoor or outdoor kennels for customers who want to dine in the in-store restaurant or visit the gun range. There's typically a small refundable deposit (around $5). Availability varies by store — call ahead to confirm.
Are dogs allowed in the Cabela's restaurant or cafe?
Generally no. Local and state health codes prohibit pets in food-service areas, so if your Cabela's has a sit-down restaurant or cafe, dogs are typically excluded from that part of the store. Service animals are the only exception under the ADA.
Is Cabela's pet policy the same as Bass Pro Shops?
Yes. Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela's in 2017 and the two chains share a unified pet policy: leashed pets allowed except where prohibited by state or local laws, service animals always welcome. If you've shopped with your dog at one, the experience at the other is essentially identical.
What's the leash rule at Cabela's?
Cabela's expects dogs to be on a leash at all times inside the store. There's no posted length limit, but a standard 4–6 foot fixed-length leash is the safest choice — retractable leashes can trip other shoppers and snag on displays.
Can I bring a cat or other pet to Cabela's?
Technically yes — the policy says "pets" not "dogs only." In practice, dogs make up nearly all the animals you'll see inside a Cabela's. Cats and small mammals should be in a carrier for their own safety; the store's wide-open layout, taxidermy, and other shoppers' dogs aren't great for a loose cat.
The Bottom Line
Cabela's is one of the easiest big-box wins for dog owners. Wide aisles, friendly staff, a stocked dog-gear section, and a clear corporate policy that welcomes your leashed companion. As long as you've got a fixed leash, a poop bag, and a dog who's comfortable around new smells and sounds, your trip should be a good one. When in doubt, a 30-second call to your local store will confirm any local quirks — but for the vast majority of Cabela's locations, the answer is a clear yes.
