Dog-Friendly Activities in Texas

Palo Duro Canyon State Park is a spectacular dog-friendly attraction near the Texas Panhandle in Canyon, TX. It was formed by millions of years of water erosion, is 120 miles long, as much as 20 miles wide, and has a maximum depth of more than 800 feet. Its elevation at the rim is 3,500 feet above sea level. It's often claimed that Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the United States. Visitors and their leashed dogs can admire beautiful colorful cliffs that surround the valley and one of the park's most famous rock formations known as The Lighthouse. Please note that dogs are not permitted in any buildings at Texas State Parks.

Houston, TX's Arboretum & Nature Center offers a dog-friendly, 155-acre nature sanctuary with 5 miles of walking trails that wind through forest, meadow and wetland habitats. Please abide by all city ordinances including controlling your dog on the leash at all times and cleaning up after your pet while visiting the Arboretum. Dogs must be kept on the trails (no swimming in the ponds). Dogs are allowed in the building lobby – tiled areas only. Take a self-guided Habitat Hike - Each hike passes one of the educational Field Stations and features some of their Naturalist’s favorite stops like ponds teaming with wildlife, trees with interesting stories, insect houses, and other fun points of interest. Please note that there's a parking fee.

Pundt Park includes a dog park in Spring, TX. The area is grass covered with wide walkways and shady trees. There is also water access, kiddie pools, benches, and waste stations.

BayWatch Dolphin Tours is a pet-friendly, 45-minute tour of the harbor filled with dolphin sightings and fun facts about Galveston, TX. The boat departs every hour on the hour, but be sure to check their website for the current schedule. There is a fee per person, and your leashed pup rides for free.

Dog-friendly Zilker Botanical Garden in Austin, TX, is packed with rare and unusual plants, and the campus includes various themed areas you'll love to explore with your leashed pet. This garden is a unique collaboration between the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department (PARD) and the Austin Area Garden Council (AAGC). The garden is enjoyed by over 400,000 visitors each year and is open most days, but be sure to check their website in advance.

Sea Turtle Inc. in South Padre Island, TX, is a dog-friendly, nonprofit rescue center that rescues, rehabilitates and releases injured sea turtles. Dogs and cats are allowed in all indoor and outdoor public areas as long as they are leashed or crated. Visitors can sit in on a Turtle Talk or take a self-guided tour of the outdoor facility. While they are open year-round, outdoor tanks are covered when temperatures drop below 55 degrees, and turtle viewings are limited. Admission varies depending on the season, and hours are extended during summer months, so be sure to check their website before planning your trip. Note that they will only accept credit or debit cards for admission; no cash.

Sad Monkey Mercantile is a dog-friendly general store in Canyon, TX. They welcome Fido both inside and on their outdoor patio, which features a small gated off-leash spot for pups. Shop for essential snacks and groceries, or pick up a souvenir such as a branded coffee mug or t-shirt. There is an on-site café serving coffee, tea, beer and baked goods.

Red Bud Isle is a pet-friendly area in Austin, TX. Surrounded by water on three sides, this peninsula provides a great place for pooches to socialize, swim, frolic and play off-leash. Dog owners are reminded that parking is at a premium, and to clean up any mess left behind to preserve the cleanliness of the water and the surrounding area. Make sure you keep an eye on your pup as he plays, too. This park is also popular for hiking, kayaking and canoeing.

Comanche Lookout Park is a 96-acre recreational area in San Antonio, TX. Fido is welcome to explore the 4.55 miles of pet-friendly, multi-service trails with you but must remain on a leash.

The Shops at La Cantera is a pet-friendly open-air shopping center in San Antonio, TX. Well-behaved and leashed dogs are welcome in the mall's common areas, and many retailers also allow pups inside. Waste disposal bag stations are located throughout the property. Please refer to their website for a list of dog-friendly stores and restaurants.

Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours offers pet-friendly nightly Haunted History Ghost Tours in San Antonio, TX. All leashed and friendly dogs are allowed. Your guide will take you and Fido on a 90-minute stroll past three of the most haunted spots in the city, The Alamo, the Spanish Governor's Mansion and the Menger Hotel.

Fido will love playing at the Dog Park at Walnut Creek Metro Park in Austin, TX. The 1-acre park features separate areas for small and large dogs. The park also features nearby parking and restrooms. Leashed dogs are welcome throughout the rest of Walnut Creek Metro Park.

Leashed dogs are welcome on the pet-friendly San Antonio River Walk, a public park below street level with parallel sidewalks that are lined with restaurants, shops, hotels and other attractions in San Antonio, TX. Many of the outdoor restaurants and shops welcome dogs on their patios while you dine. Please call ahead to check if the specific business you wish to visit allows dogs, and please remember to clean up after your pet.

Lost Oak Winery is a dog-friendly winery in Burleson, TX, offering wine tastings. Leashed dogs are also welcome along the trails throughout the vineyard. Enjoy a picnic in the picturesque setting with one of their charcuterie boards paired with award-winning wine.

Port Aransas Beach is a pet-friendly recreation area in Texas. Fido is allowed on the beach and water via boats and kayaks. Please note your furry friend must remain on a leash during your visit.

Medina River Natural Area is a pet-friendly destination in San Antonio, TX. Your leashed furry friend is welcome to explore the 511-acre property that has been enhanced with 7 miles of trails. Waste stations and a doggie fountain are available on site.

John Wayne: An American Experience is a dog-friendly museum in Fort Worth, TX. Fido is welcome to join you inside the exhibit halls while on a leash. Learn about John Wayne's life and legacy during your visit to the exhibit that is housed near the Fort Worth Stockyards.

Bring Fido on a Dolphin Watch Nature Tour with Neptune Charters in Port Aransas, TX. This pet-friendly tour will be an unforgettable experience for you and your leashed pup. Enjoy viewing dolphins up close in their natural habitat during a 1.5-hour ride on a 65-foot boat with two large decks.

Visit Pearl, a pet-friendly historical district and culture hub in the center of San Antonio, TX. This property that was once a brewery in the 1800s is now a complex featuring shopping and dining options, a farmer's market, an event space and more. Leashed and behaved dogs are welcome in most outdoor spaces except Gustav’s Geysers.

Barton Creek Greenbelt Preserve is a pet-friendly recreation area in Austin, TX. This park is popular among nature lovers and adventurists alike. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, swimming and bird watching. Your leashed pet is welcome to join you as you explore this lovely space with hiking trails leading to Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls.