Best Hiking Vacations With Dogs – Want to take your dog for a walk in a US? it. National park? We share what we think are the five best US it. National parks for dogs.
National parks provide a variety of valuable services and experiences. However, free roaming with your best four-legged friend is not always one of them! But there are parks where they can have fun with you. In this article, we share five dog-friendly US it. National parks to hike with your pup.
Best Hiking Vacations With Dogs
I am a drug addict, dog lover and love to take my “main person” everywhere. I also prefer to go where he can come with me. (Excluding, for example, an annual trip abroad to Greece, Patagonia or Costa Rica!)
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Almost all US it. National parks accept dogs, but what they can and can’t do varies widely. I was very fortunate to be able to visit almost every national park in the US. it. Without a dog (56/63, with Alaska and Samoa being my current count). Cotopaxi and I like to go everywhere together. So I began to explore, study and experience US. it. National Parks, where he was not only allowed to join me; But who legally let him leave the car and go for a ride with me!
Cotopaxi and I are on one of the many dog-friendly trails in Southwest Harbor Maine’s Acadia National Park.
Bringing your dog to a national park is a privilege. Close them, clean them and be careful. Most of the bears found on Appalachian trails, a ranger told me when I visited in 2023, are off-leash dogs. I went this way. And here we are… leave no trace and stock up on 10 essentials :)!
Cotopaxi is a B.A.R.K. If you decide to bring Ranger and the world’s best satellites together, think the same.
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We spent 10 days in this long and narrow Virginia National Park when I hiked 110 miles of the Appalachian Trail. The AT grades in the park are relatively less steep than most ATs and are great for dog walking. Big Meadows Lodge has pet-friendly rooms and all three of our campsites accommodate dogs. Park campgrounds also have access to Waysides, which are shorter hikes when we’re not on the AT. In general, this park is available in DC, Baltimore and some other east coast cities. You can feel good about getting to know your cat and getting out there and exploring. This may be the best of the dog-friendly US. it. National parks that I’ve visited.
From the Endless Wall Trail to Long Point to the Caymoor Miners, this West Virginia National Park is popular for rafting and nearby rock climbing/mountain biking. There are also great dog-friendly hiking trails.
Fayetteville is a fun little town with makers, artists, breweries and coffee shops. We stayed at this Sasquatch themed Airbnb with a large fenced yard that is also pet friendly.
Cotopaxi will likely be rafting the New River soon (his kayaking and canoeing experience is eight at best). But he loves the hikes at NRG and it’s great to visit the new national park.
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The first Cotopaxi National Park was also his first tent camping experience and our first trip with him. The National Park and State Park border each other and we have 3 Dune Challenges that are technically in the State Park. Their website states that pets are allowed in both national and state parks. Dogs are welcome at all beaches except West Beach and the lifeguard swimming areas in the state park. They are allowed on every trail except the Pinhook Bog Trail and the Glenwood Dune Trail System.
This is an often overlooked U.S. it. National Park. It is located near Chicago and close to the great Great Lakes region. We camped at Dunewood Campground and from there you can hike and bike along Lake Michigan through Beverly Shores. Be sure to grab a nice drink at the Goblin and Grocer (a short walk from the campground).
We lived in two different small towns in Northern Michigan during the summer months bordering the beautiful National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan.
And that includes trail maintenance, cleaning and a few other things. This allowed Cotopaxi and I to constantly roam the roads. From Pyramid Point to Empire Bluff, Platte River Trails to Alligator Hill, we have plenty of trail options for dogs. The only two trails I did that weren’t dog friendly were Dune Climb and Sleeping Bear Point.
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Uphills and downhills are also great for dogs. The small towns around Sleeping Bear (Franklin, Interlochen, Empire, Leelanau, Leland, Northport, etc.) are also very dog friendly.
The only adventure I had with my husband while staying home in Cotopaxi was a ferry ride and a trip to the Manitou Islands. I wrote about visiting the Manitou Islands here on my website!
Cotopaxi in Joshua Tree National Park and one of the many dirt roads that few cars drive on, perfect for Yucca hiking!
For example, we now live near a national park in Joshua Tree, California. Dogs are allowed to walk/walk the dirt roads (which we do often) but not the trails. This is due to the disappearance of water sources for bighorn sheep on the trails. Resources are essential for their survival and they see dogs as a threat. Sheep will not go to water sources if they smell/see/feel dogs nearby. Death Valley and Saguaro are two other parks he visited but was not allowed to drive. Then there are parks like the Grand Canyon. There are many trails he is not allowed on, but he can hike/hike the entire Rim Trail. The Grand Canyon is a big place you know, the Rim Trail has everything you need. It is long.
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Super friendly like our list, limited but possible like the Grand Canyon, and you have to be creative or leave them at home like Joshua Tree.
If you insist on walking your dog and don’t want to turn back, the National Forests are the place for you! It’s less strict about where and when your dog can go (after splashing around with poo bags, of course), but you and your cat can definitely chase it.
Visiting national parks and being able to bring your dog is an unforgettable experience. Depending on how you want to spend your time there, you should consider which park to visit with them. Leave them at home or with a friend!
Happy trails and fun rides to you and your little ones! Thank you for reading and supporting the Happy People Walk. Comment below with any questions or your favorite dog-friendly US. it. National parks for hiking your pups.
Georgia’s Best Dog Friendly Trails: Our Favorite Dog Hikes
Wanderer, father of Dodd, planet lover. Experienced track leader at Hashtag59 and Happy People. Freelance writer and content creator. Curator of Health and Wellness. If you have an adventurous or energetic pup, walking your dog is one of the best ways to spend quality time together. Hiking trails across the country range from easy hikes to challenging routes, so you can find a pet-friendly trail for you and your nearby dog.
We’ve rounded up a few STs in each state to get you started. Routes for dog-friendly hiking trails. And while the list is not exhaustive, the dog-friendly hikes vary in distance and difficulty and have something special to see (waterfalls, lookouts, canyons, rivers, fall colors) and are also good for your four-legged friend. Hiking friendly (in the shade, not too rocky, good smells, cool water). Whether you’re planning your next outdoor adventure or just want to take in the dreamy scenery, these tail-wagging hikes are sure to spark your imagination.
Pro tip: Before you head out, make sure you have all the gear you need for a safe and fun ride. When you get to the trails, remember to obey trail laws, obey the rules of the road, and always follow your dog.
Perfect for kids and people of all ages and abilities, the short Bald Rock Trail offers a great reward for your efforts. From the parking lot, an easy path leads to Bald Rock Lookout, the highest point in Alabama, where you can enjoy beautiful views of wooded hills under a wide sky. Plus, if your pooch still has energy for a tan (or just wants to make some new friends), you can hang out at the Bosarge Memorial Dog Park after your walk.
