Hit the trails with your pooch! Fan-favorite dog-friendly national parks to hike

While it may be intuitive to think that all hiking trails are dog friendly, that’s not always the case. While most parks allow dogs, they typically have trails specifically designated as dog friendly.

In addition, some trails require dogs to be leashed while hiking, while others allow dogs to be off-leash.  Another consideration is the dog-friendly trails’ rating. They can range from easy to very strenuous. You need to determine if your dog (and you) are beginner, intermediate, or advanced hikers.

The good news is that there are many dog-friendly hiking trails in parks across the United States.

We’ve plucked out some of the fan-favorites, from coast to coast!

Pisgah National Forest is located in western North Carolina in Brevard, NC. However, it surrounds almost all of  the ever popular pet-friendly destination, Asheville, NC.  Pisgah National Forest boasts over 500,000 acres of some of the most majestic mountain scenery, and is one of the best places for outdoor exploration in eastern North America. You and your pooch will find whitewater rivers, waterfalls, along with hundreds of miles of hiking trails.

One of the more popular dog-friendly trails is Sam Nob Trail. It’s a moderate trail that is 2.5 miles and takes about 1.5 hours to complete. It’s well maintained, has beautiful views, and portions of the trail have stairs. Dogs must be on-leash.

Find pet-friendly places to stay in Asheville.

Located in the bayside town of Bar Harbor, Maine, this spectacular park is Maine’s only National Park — but it sure is a must-visit for hikers and their pups. Located on Maine’s amazing coast, across from the infamous Mount Desert Island, this park is sure to please two and four-legged visitors. Dogs are welcome on almost all trails and carriage roads.  With approximately 100 miles of dog-friendly hiking trails – you’ll find trails for all skill levels.

One of the more popular dog-friendly beginners’ trail is the Wonderland Trail. It’s a short, 1.5 mile trail that takes you out to the ocean and through Maine’s lush forest. Hiking pups must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

Find pet-friendly places to stay in Bar Harbor.

Shenandoah National Park is located in the glorious Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. It lies just west of Washington, D.C. The Park stretches 105 miles with entrances at Waynesboro, VA and Front Royal, VA.  This scenic park boasts towering waterfalls, lots of wildlife, and spectacular views. They have approximately 100 miles of hiking trails. And the good news is most are dog friendly.

A popular dog-friendly trail is the Hawksbill Loop Trail. It’s considered a moderately challenging 2.7 mile route. It takes approximately 1½ hours to complete. The general rule is that dogs must be on-leash. However, there are some areas of this trail that allow dogs to be off-leash.

Find pet-friendly places to stay in Waynesboro and Front Royal.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park lies along the Cuyahoga River between the Ohio cities of Cleveland, OH and Akron, OH. Dog-friendly Cuyahoga has over 100 miles of trails that welcome dogs. Known as a refuge for native plants and wildlife, this dog-friendly park provides visitors with a plethora of discoveries. The spectacular winding Cuyahoga River sweeps into deep forests and rolling hills — making hiking with your dog a real adventure!

A top rated moderate dog-friendly trail loop to hike is the Salt Run, Kendall Lake and Cross Country Trail Loop. It’s a 6.9 mile loop and it takes about 2.75 hours to complete. There are areas of the trail that allow dogs to be off-leash. For an easier  jaunt, take the ever-popular Towpath Trail to follow the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal. Dogs must be on-leash for this trail.

Find pet-friendly places to stay in Cleveland and Akron.

There’s something for everyone (including your dog) at Olympic National Park. In addition to plenty of hiking trails, this popular spot has beaches, waterfalls, and breathtaking, lush rain forests. Located near Port Angeles and Squim, WA, Olympic National Park allows pups on a number of hiking trails as well as various sections of the beaches.

Devils Punchbowl via Spruce Railroad Trail is a great dog-friendly hike. It takes you along the shoreline of the lake. This trail is considered easy and takes about 50 minutes to complete. Most of the trail is paved, but it becomes unpaved when approaching to Devils Punchbowl. Dogs must be on-leash.

Find pet-friendly places to stay in Port Angeles and Squim.

Grab your four-legged hiking buddy and hit the trails!

TripsWithPets is a leader in the pet travel industry – providing online reservations at pet-friendly hotels across the United States and Canada.

With a vast inventory of pet-friendly accommodations, TripsWithPets provides pet travelers with a wide variety of pet-friendly options.

Pet parents go to TripsWithPets.com for all they need to find and book the perfect place to stay with their pets –  including detailed, up-to-date information on hotel pet policies and pet amenities.

As passionate animal advocates, TripsWithPets  supports local and national 501(c)(3) animal welfare organizations by raising much needed funds through their annual Partners for Animal Welfare Series (PAWS)