Dog-Friendly Activities in Long Creek, SC

Long Creek Falls is a 25-foot waterfall on its namesake creek in Oconee County, just before the creek flows into the mighty Chattooga River. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trailhead.

Dry Falls is a pet-friendly trail in Highlands, NC. This popular hike and waterfall is located a few miles outside of Highlands and gives you the rare chance to walk safely behind the water flow. The 75-ft. tall waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest flows over a cliff, allowing you to walk behind the falls and stay dry (ish). Dogs are welcome on a leash, as long as they are cleaned up after.

Oconee State Park is a dog-friendly recreation site in Mountain Rest, SC. The 1,165 acres include two mountain lakes and a variety of recreational facilities for visitors to enjoy, including campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas and hiking trails. The park also serves as the western terminus for the 85-mile Foothills Trail, which crosses the state's crown and ends at Jones Gap State Park. Leashed pets are allowed in most outdoor areas. Pets aren't permitted in or around lodging facilities.

Foxfire Museum & Heritage Center is a fun, dog-friendly, outdoor museum in Mountain City, GA that focuses on exploring Appalachian history. A mulched, half-mile walking trail takes you and your dog through over 20 historic log buildings that contain artifacts and interpretive signage. Some cabins are used as working artist studios, including a weaving studio and working blacksmith forge. The museum has a 1- mile connector trail that takes you up to Black Rock Mountain State Park. Leashes are required.

Leashed dogs are welcome at Moccasin Creek State Park in Clarkesville, GA. This pet-friendly park offers 2,800 acres to explore with your furry friend, making this the prime spot for hiking, kayaking and fishing. Be sure to visit the Hemlock Falls Trail to view the waterfalls with your furry friend beside you.

Bring Fido for an adventurous hike along Yellow Branch Falls Hiking Trail near Walhalla, SC. This 3-mile out-and-back trail is moderately difficult and should take 1hr 30 mins to complete. Beginning at a picnic area off of SC-28, hikers should follow a short nature trail which connects to Yellow Branch Falls Hiking Trail. Meander across several small streams before reaching Yellow Branch Falls, a beautiful 50-foot vertical waterfall. The trail is open year-round and is a popular route to explore. Dogs are allowed to be off-leash in some areas.

Tallulah Falls Rail-Trail is pet-friendly. This 1.7-mile paved circuit throughout the Tallulah Gorge State Park used to be a railroad line. While the trail does not approach the gorge itself, it does include a bridge over the Tallulah River. Leashed dogs are welcome.

The Tallulah Falls Rail-Trail is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Previously an unused railroad corridor, this "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in Lakemont! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Tallulah Falls Rail-Trail. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has generously provided map data for this trail to Bring Fido for informational purposes only. For more detailed trail information, please visit TrailLink.com.

Leashed dogs are welcome at the pet-friendly Rim Trails at Tallulah Gorge State Park in Tallulah Falls, GA. Combined, the North and South Rim Trails follow 2.5 miles of fairly flat pathways. While your dog can’t approach the gorge up close for his own safety and that of others, the Rim Trails offer great views of both the valley and the changing leaves.

Highlands Biological Station is a dog-friendly activity in Highlands, NC, with flat trails for owners and their dogs to walk along. The 12-acre botanical garden features native azaleas, plants of the Cherokee, mosses and liverworts, wildflowers, butterfly-pollinated species, and rock outcrop species. At 3,800 feet, it's the highest public native plant botanical garden in the east. The HBS Gardens and grounds are open year-round, dawn to dusk, and are free of charge. Please keep Fido on a leash while visiting.

Black Rock Mountain State Park in Mountain City is Georgia's highest state park, offering stunning landscape views, roadside overlooks, and 4 pet-friendly hiking trails. The park welcomes dogs as long as they are on a leash no longer than 6 feet; however, they are not permitted in or around historic sites, lodges, group camps or swimming areas. Please note that this park is closed from December 1 - March 15.

Secret Falls Trail Head is a pet-friendly trail in Highlands, NC. This 45 minute brisk walk leads to a 35 foot high waterfall and small lake below. Dogs are welcome, but owners are reminded to clean up after them and make sure they are leashed for other hiker's safety.

Mud Creek Trail is a dog-friendly hiking path in Sky Valley, GA. Spanning just over two miles, this out-and-back route leads you to the beautiful 100-foot-tall Mud Creek Falls. Dogs are welcome to walk this moderately challenging trail with you as long as they remain leashed.

Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park is a dog-friendly place in Highlands, NC. The park is a retreat for workers and visitors by day and a space for concerts, ice skating, arts and crafts, markets, and festivals by night. Dogs must be cleaned up after and leashed during their visit to Kelsey-Hutchinson. Dog pickup stations and trash bins are scattered throughout the park.

Dogs are welcome at Henderson Falls Park in Toccoa, GA. This pet-friendly park is spacious and clean with lots of well-kept green space for your leashed pup to explore. There are pavilions, an outdoor amphitheater, a hiking trail around the park and of course the small but beautiful waterfall. There are even a number of spots where you and your dog can wade into the cool water. Be sure to bring your own water and waste bags to clean up after Fido.

Love's Travel Stop in Fair Play, SC, is a dog-friendly gas station and rest area. Across America, you'll find Love's Travel Stops that offer facilities for traveling canines. This location has a fully-fenced dog park with a convenient waste station.

Highlands Dog Park is a fully-fenced park for dogs to run and play in Highlands, NC. It has a separate area for small, skittish, or elderly dogs. The park base is mulch and the park has a covered areas and water for dogs.

Fido is welcome to stretch his legs and play at the dog park at Clipper Park, a local convenience store in Clayton, GA. It’s the perfect pit stop for travelers—grab a snack, let your pup burn off some energy and enjoy a break together on the road. This fenced-in area is open 24/7.

Leashed dogs are welcome at Tugaloo State Park in Lavonia, GA. You and Fido can explore pet-friendly hiking trails and partake in water activities, including bass fishing and boating, on the large lake within the state park.

Fido can play off-leash at Rabun County Bark Park in Tiger, GA. This fenced dog park offers agility equipment, shaded spaces, waste receptacles and clean up equipment. Water is also generally available for visiting canines. The nearby Rabun County Recreation Department Park offers pet-friendly walking trails if you and Fido still have some energy left.