Top Dog Friendly Hikes

Warm weather is upon us and we at Best Bully Sticks are itching to bring our dogs to new and exciting places! Check out our list of some dog friendly hikes (by state):

Alabama – Moss Rock Preserve (Hoover, AL)

Home to 250 acres of trees and plants, rock outcroppings and more, Moss Rock Preserve has nearly 10 miles of hiking trails. Dogs are allowed in the park, but must be on no more than a 6 foot leashed and well-behaved.

Alaska – Denali National Park (Denali, AK)

This stunning national park is home to a vast array of wildlife from grizzly bears to Dall sheep. Popular for its sightseeing, backpacking and mountaineering, Denali National Park includes North America’s highest peak, Mount McKinley, which is 20,320 feet. Pets are allowed in the park, but must be leashed. They are NOT allowed on the trails, buses, riverbars or the backcountry.

Arizona – Grand Canyon National Park (Grand Canyon, AZ)

Pets are allowed in this renowned park, however they must be leashed. They’re permitted on trails above the rim, Mather Campground, Desert View Campground and Trailer Village among other developed areas. On the other hand, pets are NOT allowed below the rim, in park lodging or on park buses. Pets are allowed on the bridle path that connects the lodge with the North Kaibab Trail, but no other places along the North Rim. If you are looking for lodging for your pets, there is a kennel at the South Rim.

Arkansas – Ozark-St. Francis National Forests (Russellville, AR)

Located in western Arkansas, the Ozark National Forest is 1.2 million acres. In Eastern Arkansas lies the 22,000-acre St. Francis National Forest (one of the smallest national forests in the U.S.). Both parks offer a large variety of outdoor activities like hiking, camping, swimming, fishing and scenic drives. Dogs are permitted in both parks, but must be on-leash.

California – Cabrillo Tide Pools Trail (San Diego, CA)

Looking for a quick, fun hike with your dog? This hike is 1/2 mile and will take about 1 hour. This trail is the only area in Cabrillo National Monument where dogs are allowed, so make sure that your pup is leashed!

Colorado – Flatirons Vista and Doudy Draw Trail (Boulder, CO)

This 3.7 mile hike will take you and your pup 3 hours to finish. Well-known for its beautiful landscape in early spring and its stunning sunsets in the summer, your pup will love it.

Connecticut – The Cascades at Lake Michigan (Fairfield, CT)

Located in Fairfield, CT along the Gold Coast of Connecticut, this area is dog-friendly. The trails surround a lake and waterfall/creek called The Cascades. There are trash bins, but be sure to bring your own baggies.

Delaware – Junction and Breakwater Trail (Dewey Beach, DE)

6.4 miles long, this trail includes asphalt and crushed stone surfaces. Activities include: biking, inline skating and walking. The trail is wheelchair accessible.

Florida – Black Island Trail at Lover’s Key State Park (Fort Myers Beach, FL)

Though your dog is NOT allowed on the beach, they are allowed in areas like the trails and paths that go through the park. Dogs must be well-behaved and on a six-foot leash at all times. The trail is 2.5 miles long.

Georgia – Skidaway Island State Park (Savannah, GA)

If you are headed to Savannah, take a pit stop at Skidaway Island State Park near historic Savannah. This park borders Skidaway narrows, a part of Georgia’s intracoastal waterway. The park has camping and picnicking in a moss-draped live oak landscape. Hikers can watch for deer, fiddler crabs, egrets and more while navigating the trails. Dogs must be leashed at all times and are not allowed in buildings.

Hawaii – Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline (Honolulu, HI)

This 2 mile roundtrip hike is beautiful especially when you can see the migrating whales (when they’re in season). Make sure to keep your dog hydrated as the paved trail can be hot, dry and windy.

Idaho – Marie Creek Trail (Coeur d’Alene, ID)

This trail is composed of a 10-mile hike that will take you and your dog 5 hours to complete. Motor and wheel free, this quiet trail runs along a creek. Wildflowers in bloom are an additional bonus if you visit in the early season.

Illinois – Shawnee National Forest (Harrisburg, IL)

Covering more than 270,000 acres in parts of ten counties in southern Illinois, Shawnee National Forest is the perfect place to get your dog some exercise. Dogs must be leashed.

Indiana – Holliday Park (Indianapolis, IN)

This park contains a great trail within the forest for you and your pup to get some exercise! Close to the White River, this trail has some beautiful scenery as well. Dogs are allowed throughout the park, but are NOT permitted in the nature center.

Iowa – High Trestle Trail (Ankeny to Woodward Recreation Trail) (Ankeny, IA)

High Trestle Trail sits in Boone, Dallas, Polk and Story Counties and is 25.6 miles long. With trail surfaces of asphalt and concrete, you and your pup can enjoy biking, inline skating, horseback riding, walking and cross-country skiing. The trail is wheelchair accessible.

Kansas – Wyandotte County Lake Park Trails (Kansas City, KS)

This park is composed of popular fishing, picnic and biking areas as well as a trail around the lake. A majority of the trails are hard packed dirt, but a lot are gravel and/or rocks. There is an off-leash dog park on the west side of the park. Your pup will love it!

Kentucky – Garvin Brown Preserve and Dog Exercise Area (Louisville, KY)

Garvin Brown Preserve is a 46-acre nature preserve perfect for a walk with your pup.

Louisiana – LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens (Baton Rouge, LA)

Leashed dogs are welcome on the 3 miles of walking trails, gardens and arboretum at LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens.

Maine – Acadia National Park (Bar Harbor, ME)

Acadia National Park is a popular destination for humans and their four-pawed friends as they can enjoy many aspects of the outdoors. This park is ideal for camping, hiking, kayaking, bird watching, climbing and more. Dogs are allowed on the buses and carriages, but must be leashed.

Maryland – Cromwell Valley Park (Baltimore, MD)

Cromwell Valley Park is a stream valley park composed of 380 acres, pasture, cultivated gardens, open fields, woods, hedgerows, orchards and wooded piedmont hills. This park is home to seven pet-friendly hiking trails where you can see some of the wildlife that the area has to offer like red-tailed hawks and white-tailed deer. Dogs must be leashed.

Massachusetts – Cat Rock Park (Weston, MA)

Cat Rock Park will surely please your pets! This park offers an off-leash park that is home to wooded trails and a swimming pond. Warning: the park is unfenced.

Michigan – Orion Oaks Dog Park (Orion Township, MI)

Keep your pup happy by going to the 14-acre off-leash dog park! It includes a separate small dog area, drinking water and designated doggie swim areas.

Minnesota – Luce Line State Trail (Minneapolis, MN)

Sitting in Carver, Hennepin, McLeod and Meeker counties, Luce Line State trail is 72.9 miles. Comprised of asphalt, crushed stone and grass, this trail has many activities such as biking, inline skating, horseback riding, mountain biking, snowmobiling, walking and cross-country skiing. The trail is wheelchair accessible.

Mississippi – Longleaf Trace (Hattiesburg, MS)

Sitting in three counties, Longleaf Trace is composed of 40.6 miles. While the trail is only asphalt, there are several activities one can do: biking, inline skating, horseback riding and walking. The trail is wheelchair accessible.

Missouri – Harry Wiggins Trolley Track Trail (Kansas City, MO)

6 miles long, this trail is on the shorter end, but is still a fun place to give your pup some exercise! The trail is both asphalt and crushed stone and offers activities from biking to inline skating. The trail is wheelchair accessible.

Montana – Paws Park (Helena, MT)

This little dog park has separate fenced areas for both small and large dogs. Water spickets and doggie bags are provided. There are also a vast amount of benches if you prefer to sit while your dog plays. This park is close to downtown and restaurants.

Nebraska – Chalco Hills Recreation Area (Omaha, NE)

Located in Omaha, NE, dogs are encouraged to run and play off-leash at Chalco Hills Recreation Area. Warning: the park is only fenced on one side.

Nevada – Red Rock Canyon (Las Vegas, NV)

Headed to the Las Vegas Strip? Take a detour from the entertainment with your pooch. Less than a 30 minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip lies Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Pets are allowed on the trails, but must be leashed. It is recommended to NEVER leave your pet unattended inside your car and to bring lots of water as this area is subject to extreme temperatures.

New Hampshire – Winnipesaukee River Trail (Tilton, NH)

Sitting in both Belknap and Merrimack counties, this 5.1 mile trail is composed of crushed stone and dirt. Trail activities range from walking to cross-country skiing. The trail is wheelchair accessible.

New Jersey – Bicentennial Park (East Brunswick, NJ)

This park includes a 7 mile long lake as well as hiking trails along the lake and several spots to sit and relax. Bicentennial Park is a popular place to fish, kayak and hang out with your four-pawed friend. Dogs must be leashed.

New Mexico – Paseo del Bosque Trail (Albuquerque, NM)

This multi-use trail is the perfect place to get your pup some exercise.

New York – Gardiner County Park (Bay Shore, NY)

Known for being very dog-friendly, this park is home to many on-leash trails, a doggie water fountain and a waste station.

North Carolina – Biltmore Estate (Asheville, NC)

This estate is pet friendly. Dogs are allowed to explore the grounds and 250+ landscaped gardens. Your pup can also join you at many restaurants with outdoor seating in Antler Hill Village.

North Dakota – Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (Mandan, ND)

Rich in Native American history and U.S. military history, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is great for history buffs and pups. Leashed dogs are welcome on many trails such as the nature trails, interpretive trails and the Scouts trail system.

Ohio – Sharon Woods Park (Cincinnati, OH)

Sharon Woods Park is home to wooded and lakeside areas for your dog to enjoy on-leash. Dogs are NOT allowed in the playground.

Oklahoma – Osage Prairie Trail (Tulsa, OK)

This 14.5 mile trail sits in both Osage and Tulsa counties. Comprised of asphalt, activities range from biking to horseback riding. This trail is wheelchair accessible.

Oregon – Thousand Acres (Sandy River Delta) (Troutdale, OR)

Your eyes do not deceive you as the name quite literally says it all! There are a thousand acres of off-leash trails that lead to the sandy river where your pup can wade or swim. Be cognizant that it may be muddy due to Portland’s frequent rain. However, there is a main gravel trail that is more clear.

Pennsylvania – The Gettysburg National Military Park (Gettysburg, PA)

President Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address here. Dogs are allowed to visit the outside portions of the battlefield, but they must be leashed. Dogs are NOT allowed in buildings or the cemetery. The battlefield has Auto Touring and you can get tapes or CDs to guide your tour.

Rhode Island – Washington Secondary Trail (Cranston, RI)

Located in Kent and Providence counties, Washington Secondary Trail is home to a 19.2-mile bike path. Only asphalt, this trail is home to activities from fishing to cross-country skiing. It is wheelchair accessible.

South Carolina – West Ashley Greenway (Charleston, SC)

West Ashley Greenway is located in Charleston County and is home to a 7.8-mile trail — perfect for your pup! With asphalt and dirt surfaces, visitors can walk or mountain bike.

South Dakota – Custer State Park (Custer, SD)

With 71,00 acres of awesome views and outdoor space, Custer State Park welcomes leashed pets throughout the park. You can enjoy the 18-mile Wildlife Loop from the comfort of your own car. There are also several hiking trails where pets are permitted. Pets are NOT allowed on designated swimming beaches or in any park buildings.

Tennessee – The Trails at Fontanel (Nashville, TN)

The Trails at Fontanel are known for being well-maintained and open to leashed dogs. Enjoy Whites Creek and the Fontanel Mansion.

Texas – Emma Long Metropolitan Park (Austin, TX)

Your dog’s tail is sure to be wagging at this park as they look at the beautiful views of Lake Austin along the trail. Dogs must be leashed.

Utah – Dimple Dell Regional Park (Sandy, UT)

Dimple Dell is a natural ravine that runs from Sandy, UT and heads due east up into the mountains. The park is home to numerous hiking, biking and horseback riding trails that crisscross the ravine. Dogs must be leashed at all times, especially in the early spring/early summer when the river runs at the bottom of the ravine (it can run very fast and be extremely cold). The area is quite shady in the summer if your pup is not a fan of the sun.

Vermont – Island Line Rail Trail (Burlington, VT)

Located in Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties, this beautiful trail is 13.4 miles long. Activities range from fishing to cross-country skiing. The trail is wheelchair accessible.

Virginia – Crabtree Falls (Charlottesville, VA)

Crabtree Falls is the highest vertical-drop cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. This area features a series of five major cascades and a number of smaller ones that fall a total distance of 1,200 feet. It is open from dawn to dusk daily. Well-behaved dogs are allowed off-leash on the trail.

Washington – Olympic National Forest (Olympia, WA)

This national forest is known for its beauty and openness to pets. Keeping your dog on-leash is recommended, but not required. However, in the Olympic National Park, they must be leashed and are NOT allowed on the trails.

West Virginia – Kanawha State Forest (Charleston, WV)

This beautiful forest is home to lots of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. This pet-friendly area has levels from easy to hard. Most trails have streams or a river along them. Other amenities include an outdoor pool, fishing, campgrounds and shelters.

Wisconsin – Johnson Dog Park (Racine, WI)

This large dog park is home to 28 acres of off-leash fun for your pup! It has wooded areas and fields, a river and more.

Wyoming – Shoshone National Forest (Cody, WY)

Shoshone National Forest is home to 1,300+ miles of trails, 11 picnic sites and 4 scenic byways that travel throughout the forest and offer breathtaking views of the mountain peaks, glaciers, streams, rivers, plateaus and more. Dogs must be on-leash in developed recreation sites.

Sources: Bring Fido, TrailLink

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