There’s no better feeling than hitting the trail with your dog! But it’s not as simple as setting your trail filter to ‘dog friendly’.
Finding the right trail to hike with your dog is kind of a multi-step process. But don’t let that scare you! It’s not as difficult as it sounds, and the more hikes you plan the easier it gets. Before too long, it becomes second-nature.
You may be wondering, why so many steps? If the trail is dog friendly, it’s dog friendly. Well, after hiking dozens of trails with my pups I’ve come to the shocking realization that (as with most things on the internet) you can’t take that ‘dog friendly’ badge at face value. While dogs might be permitted on the trail, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe (or enjoyable) for your dog.
And, in case things weren’t complicated enough, what is fit for one dog is not necessarily fit for the other. Only you know what your dog can and cannot handle. Keep in mind, most dog friendly trails WILL be suitable for your dog – but reviewing the information, just to be safe, will help you avoid any unwelcome surprises so you and your dog can actually enjoy your time on the trail.
NOTE: If this is your first dog’s first hiking trip, you can read about training your hiking dog, here.
Anyway, assuming your dog is already trail-ready: let’s get into the steps!
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1. Search AllTrails for a Dog Friendly Trail
NOTE: The best places to find a dog friendly trail are: BLM land, National Forests and State Parks. National Parks typically do not allow dogs on their hiking trails or they have 1 or 2 short trail options that are usually paved (boring).
First and foremost, you need to set your filter to ‘dog-friendly’. This probably goes without saying, but it’s an important thing to mention. Some people risk it and bring their dog to dog-free zones, but I do not recommend that. There are often legitimate reasons that the trail has a ‘no dog’ rule: too many predator sightings, dangerous terrain, nesting grounds for endangered birds, the list goes on. Just stick to dog friendly trails. It’s not worth the risk and there are plenty of beautiful dog friendly trails to be explored!
You can search dog friendly trails on whatever platform you use, but here is how to set the filter using AllTrails:
AllTrails makes it super easy to set filters, but here is how to limit your search to dog friendly trails. Simply tap ‘Suitability’ (on the app it’s located just beneath the search bar) and check the ‘Dog Friendly’ box.
If you’re using the desktop version of AllTrails, the ‘Suitability’ tab will either be to the right of the search bar (if you’re on the Explore page) or underneath the map (if you searched via the homepage).
2. To Leash or not to Leash your Trail Dog
Make sure you know the leash laws of the trail, and just as importantly, know your dogs limits.
Assess the trail before and after arriving. Read the latest trail reviews. Reviews often have more detailed information on terrain, steep drop-offs, weather damage etc. All of which could sway your decision on whether or not to keep your dog tethered.
Once you arrive at the trail, quickly check the posted signs at the trailhead. Posted signs often have valuable information beyond leash laws. Things such as:
- Water quality notices
- Trail closures (sometimes trails are only partially open due to weather or fire damage)
- Wildlife sightings
If anything in the trail reviews (or on posted signs) is concerning, a leash might be a good option for your dog.
Choose an on-leash trail if:
- You’re new to hiking with your dog and / or your dog isn’t trained to be off-leash.
- Your dog doesn’t play well with others. Ideally only well-trained dogs should be allowed off leash (even on an off-leash trail), but you’ll get the odd owner who just lets their dog run wild. If your dog is reactive you do not want to be in a situation where an off-leash dog runs up on you. Stick to on-leash trails to reduce the risk of this happening. You’ll still need to be vigilant on the trail (there’s no guarantee that everyone will follow the rules) but you’re much safer where there are posted leash rules.
- You don’t want the added stress that comes with hiking an off-leash trail. Off-leash hiking requires plenty of training and a LOT more vigilance. You need to have eyes on your dog pretty much the entire hike to make sure they don’t run off, eat / drink something they shouldn’t, approach other hikers / animals, and so on.
3. Decide between a Loop Trail or Out & Back
If your dog is a seasoned hiker, this is likely a non-issue for you when selecting a trail. But if your dog is new to the game or if he / she tends to be a bit reactive, you might be better suited to a loop trail.
On an out & back trail, you are almost guaranteed to run into other hikers, bikers, and possibly other dogs making their return trip. This still happens on a loop trail (some people start at the end) but it’s less common.
4. Research the Terrain
You can’t totally trust the ‘dog friendly’ trail rating. Some trails allow dogs, but may not necessarily be safe for your pup. This is where trail reviews really come in handy! Other hikers are pretty good about giving pertinent details that may not be listed in the trail description. Things such as:
- Steep drop-offs
- Weather damage (sometimes trails get washed out, making them more dangerous)
- Rough terrain (some trails require scrambling, which may be difficult for your dog)
If you think your dog can handle the terrain, all that’s left to think about is gear!
Dog Shoes / Boots are recommended for trails with:
- Sand [or any desert trail, really]. I’ve had a few paw pad injuries on desert trails – sandy trails get hot and non-sandy desert trails typically have firmer / rougher ground.
- Rough Rock. The rougher the terrain, the bigger the chances of paw injuries.
- Ice / Snow. If your dog rips around on the trail like mine does, snow will melt and refreeze between their toes which causes a lot of discomfort.
A Sturdy Harness with a Handle is recommended for trails with:
- Large Rocks & Scrambling. Even if you think your dog can handle hopping rock-to-rock, it doesn’t hurt to have just in case they need assistance hopping onto (or off of) large rocks.
5. Consider Trail Length & Elevation
If this is your first time hiking with your dog, start with an easier trail to get an idea of how much your dog can handle. Every dog is different, but it’s important to note that smaller dog breeds, young dogs, and older dogs may not be able to hike as far (or as high).
Shorter trails are always a better starting point. Your first hike with your dog likely won’t go entirely according to plan – there’s a lot of live-and-learn with this sort of thing – but at least on a short trail you’ll be able to get back to your car quickly if need be.
Another reason to start small: dogs have to ‘get in shape’ just like we do! Okay, maybe not JUST like we do, but they do build up stamina over time. I’ve learned that the hard way! My dog’s have gotten SO fit over the years, which is actually kind of annoying if I’m being honest. Our daily 3 – 4 mile walks just aren’t doin’ it for them anymore. So beware: you might just create your own personal live-in trainer without meaning to!
NOTE: If your dog is under 1 year old, lengthy hikes are not recommended. A dog’s skeletal structure is still developing until they’re 1 year old (on average) so excessive exercise is discouraged. You also want to make sure your dog has had all it’s core vaccines and required boosters before introducing them to a new environment (and potentially other dogs on the trail).
6. Research Wildlife
If you’re hiking close to home you’re probably aware of what creatures lurk in your local wilderness, but if not do a quick search! That way you know what to be on the lookout for (and if it’s safe enough for off-leash hiking, if that’s your plan). Predators are obviously the main concern, but there are a few other considerations:
Large Animals & Predators. There are the obvious ones – bears, cougars, wolves, coyotes – but animals like elk and moose can be just as much of a threat. We’ve all seen those tourist-photo-op-gone-wrong videos.
Small (but potentially dangerous) Animals. Venomous snakes, black widows, etc.
Ticks. Arguably the most vile things to walk the Earth. Summer is the height of tick season, but I’ve seen them in temperatures as low as 45 degrees (about 7 degrees Celsius). Some kind of tick protection is necessary for your dog (whether it’s a spray, a collar, or a vet-prescribed treatment) but it’s especially important if Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever have been reported in your area. Either way, when you get home make sure to groom your dog and feel through their fur for tiny 8-legged vampires.
Nature Preserves / Nesting Areas / Wildlife Refuges. Sometimes dogs are allowed in these areas, but with leash rules. Either way, if your trail cuts through one of these areas make sure you keep your dog tethered and under control to avoid disturbing the wildlife (and potentially getting fined).
7. Know Your Hunting Seasons
Let me be clear, I’m not suggesting someone will shoot your dog. Hunters are typically very respectful of rules and careful with their weapons (it’s a widely recognized rule that you only shoot when you know your target AND what’s behind it). Whether there are laws about hunting on hiking trails depends on where you are hiking. But even so, hunters usually don’t hunt from trails like that. They especially avoid heavily used trails, since there likely isn’t any wildlife there anyway. However:
A. You’ll still hear any potential gun shots (which could spook your dog on the trail)
B. There’s always a small chance your dog becomes lost, and if that happens you want to minimize risk of an accident
Because of that, I like to put my dogs in brightly colored harnesses (usually blaze orange) when we’re on secluded trails and I don’t allow my dogs off-leash (even though it’s permitted) at the peak of hunting season. Most of the hunting activity is going to be within the first week of hunting season.
NOTE: I’ve also started attaching Ruffwear Beacon lights to my dog’s harnesses in case our hike ends up going late (or if they happen to get lost).
8. Look Up the Weather & Shade
Excessive heat and excessive cold are both concerns for a trail dog, but a lot of the concern is dependent on your dog. Dogs often don’t understand their own limits, so it’s up to you to ensure that the temperature isn’t too extreme for your pup.
Both of my mutts are double-coated, so winter weather has never really been a worry for us (aside from ensuring their booties stay on to protect their paws). Heat is another story! Anything over 75 degrees Fahrenheit (about 24 degrees Celsius) and shade is a definite requirement when I’m choosing a trail. You really do not want to mess around when it comes to heat exhaustion! We had a scare with our dog Tuna a few years ago – my husband had to carry him back to our car, and this wasn’t even on a hiking trail! We were just casually walking him through a neighborhood on a summer day.
If you’re determined to take your dog on a summer hike, I highly suggest sticking to trails with shade and getting out on the trail as early in the day as possible when temperatures are lower.
To determine if the weather is too cold or too hot for your dog, consider the following factors:
- Age. Old & young dogs don’t regulate their temperature as well
- Size. Small dogs are more susceptible to cold
- Breed / Coat Type. Double-coated breeds are more prone to heat exhaustion but are also much more cold-tolerant
- Behavior You’ve Witnessed. Some dogs are the exception to the rule. You can have a double-coated breed who doesn’t enjoy snow and cold weather!
9. Is There Access to Water?
[AND is the water safe to drink?]
Having access to water is a bit of a double-edged sword. It’s awesome (especially on warm days) to find a trail with a cold lake or gentle river for your dog to cool off in, but the water quality is VERY important. Make sure you research this, particularly for summer hikes or trails in warmer climates where cyanobacteria is more common. This bacteria (in large concentrations) is usually very visible – it can look like green paint was spilled in the water. But it can still be deadly in smaller amounts, and takes many different forms: sometimes there’s scum, sometimes it’s flecks of green / blue algae, sometimes it’s red, sometimes it’s yellow-brown. Because of that your best bet is looking up water quality reports for whatever body of water you’re hiking near.
If that fails (not every body of water is tested), you can visually inspect the water before letting your dog wade in and try to avoid stagnant water. Rivers are usually (but not always) a safe bet because the constant flow of water prevents dangerous bacteria from accumulating.
NOTE: It’s important to pack some water (and a bowl) for your dog. Even if you think there’s access to clean water on the trail.
10. You’re ready to hit the trail with your dog! So now what?
Make sure you have all the gear you need
Some important things to remember are:
- Water & Bowl. There are plenty of affordable, light-weight collapsible bowls on the market
- Up-to-date Tags. Vaccine tags & name tag with your contact information
- Harness / Collar & Leash. Even for off-leash trails
- Tick Repellant.
- Poop Bags.
A few extras I routinely bring are: first aid kit, Ruffwear lights, and hiking boots (depending on the trail).
Read all posted signs at the trailhead & Be open to a change of plans!
At the trailhead you’ll often find trail rules posted and, possibly even more important, any warnings about water quality, wildlife sightings, and so on.
Sometimes you get your hike planned out and it all looks great (on paper) but the reality doesn’t quite pan out the same way. You may have planned an off-leash hike, but if anything seems concerning, you can always keep your dog on a leash to be on the safe side. You really can’t go wrong trusting your gut.
Stay vigilant on the trail
Once you’re on the trail, the work isn’t over! Whether your dog is on or off-leash, it’s important to be on the lookout for any hazards (although it’s MUCH more important when you’re doing an off-leash hike). Enjoy the trail, but keep your dog in sight at all times and always be alert. It’s a good rule of thumb even if you don’t have your hiking buddy with you.
Have your own trail dog tips to share? Drop it in the comments!
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