Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Hendersonville, NC

Bullington Gardens in Hendersonville, NC is dog-friendly. This 12 acre horticultural education center and public botanical garden provides hands-on education to students, youth clubs & adults. It's also a place where visitors can stroll the grounds, enjoy the gardens and find a peaceful spot to relax. Leashed dogs are welcome on the property and water is provided beside the gift shop.

Check out the dog-friendly Holmes Educational State Forest in Hendersonville, NC. Take a strenuous hike with your pup or a leisurely stroll. There are tons of different trails to explore. You can have a picnic, or spend a night star gazing! Please keep your dog on a leash at all times, and remember to pick up after him.

The Ecusta Trail is a dog-friendly multi-use greenway connecting Hendersonville and Brevard, NC, along a transformed historic rail corridor stretching through the mountains of Western North Carolina. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail, with pets required to remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet while visiting. The trail offers a beautiful route for walking, running, biking, and wheelchair access through communities including Laurel Park and Horse Shoe.

The North Carolina Arboretum is a 434-acre natural treasure with 65 acres of cultivated gardens and 10 miles of dog-friendly hiking and biking trails adjacent to the Bent Creek Experimental Forest in Asheville, NC. The trails are rated easy to difficult, and leashed dogs are allowed on all of them. Dogs are not, however, allowed in any of the buildings and some of the gardens. An entry fee does apply to visitors.

Triple Falls and High Falls Trails in Pisgah Forest, NC, is dog friendly. It's a moderately easy, 2.6-mile hike that will take about 1.5 hours to complete with Fido. Although this trail may be short, it will certainly take you past some of the most beautiful areas on the way to the waterfalls. Color is plentiful in spring when the flowers are blooming and fall when the leaves are changing. Please note that dogs must be on a leash and under control of the owner. Hunting allowed by permit on certain days.

Chimney Rock State Park is a 1,000 acre scenic attraction located in the Hickory Nut Gorge of Chimney Rock, NC. The park features dog-friendly hiking trails and amazing 75-mile views. Hickory Nut Falls Trail is a beautiful hike to take with your leashed dog at any time of year. The 1.4 mile round trip leads visitors to one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. Magnificent views await those who take this gently rolling trail with gradual, moderate uphill sections, rocky terrain, and a small staircase at the base of the falls. The hike should take 45 minutes to an hour. Picnic tables, benches, and resting areas are located at several points along the trail.

Catawba Falls Trail is a pet-friendly trail in Old Fort, NC. This wonderful trail has multiple bridges and a stream crossing that ends at a beautiful waterfall where both you and your dog can play.

Craggy Gardens is a pet-friendly stop off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, NC. There's plenty of natural wonder to enjoy including violets, blackberries, Turkscap lilies, May Apples, along with a variety of birds and other fauna. One of the popular hiking trails, Craggy Pinnacle, winds through a tunnel of rhododendrons and leads the hiker to gorgeous 360-degree views at the summit. This hike is only a 1.5-mile round-trip hike, making it a relatively easy walk for you and your pup. Visitors to Craggy Gardens can also enjoy the Visitors Center where books, souvenirs, and CDs are available for purchase.

Pulliam Creek Trail in Saluda, NC, is dog friendly. It's a moderately difficult, 6.5 mile-hike that will take about 3 hours to complete with Fido. Your dog will appreciate you taking him on this trail. Visit in spring to see the wildflowers in full bloom. The trailhead is on Big Hungry Road, not far past its intersection with English Heifer Cove Road. There is a green ribbon tied around a pole and a Wild Trout Waters sign with a small parking area.

Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) is a pet-friendly attraction in Tryon, NC. This site is primarily oriented to horses, but when equestrian events are not in progress, it's a great place to bring the dogs. There are many trails, streams, ponds, and woods. Lots of places for dogs to run and explore. The facility is close to Columbus, NC, and Landrum, SC.

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Carl Sandburg and communicating the stories of his works, life and significance as an American poet, writer, historian, biographer of Abraham Lincoln, and social activist. The park is located on 264 acres in western North Carolina. Visitors can tour the Sandburg Home, hike on over 5 miles of trails, visit the farm and dairy goats, and much more. The average visitor spends two hours at "Connemara." Make sure to have Fido become a "Bark Ranger" while you are there! Admission is free to enter the park, access the bookstore and information in the ground floor of the Sandburg Home, walk the trails and visit the barn. There is a fee for the house tour. Please note that dogs are not permitted in any buildings. Carl Sandburg Home NHS is open 7 days a week, year round. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days.

The dog-friendly Pine Tree Loop Trail is located in Bent Creek Experimental Forest in Avery Creek, NC. It's an easy, 2-mile hike that will take about 1 hour to complete with Fido. This popular trail is wide enough to let bikers easily pass and offers plenty of stream crossings for your dog to splash in. Come during the week, or the off season, to avoid the larger crowds.

Mount Pisgah and Buck Spring Lodge Trails are pet-friendly in Canton, NC. It is a difficult, 2.4 mile hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway that will take about 1.5 hours to complete with Fido. This trail involves a lot of climbing, so be sure you and your dog are in shape before heading out. The views from the summit of Mount Pisgah, one of the highest peaks in the Blue Ridge range, are spectacular. Dogs must be on a 6-foot leash or shorter.

Hooker Falls Trail of DuPont State Forest in Pisgah Forest NC, is dog friendly. It's an easy, 0.75-mile hike in DuPont State Forest that will take about 20 minutes to complete with Fido. This fabulous state forest has 10,400 acres of lush forests, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, wildflowers, and more. Please note that dogs must be on a leash and under control at all times; Hunting by permit on certain days.

Explore the more than 6 acres of Pack Square Park in Asheville, NC with Fido by your side. This stunning, dog-friendly, public park has a large open green space, three water features, original art by regional artists, native trees and greenery, ample seating, a veteran's memorial, and public restrooms. Just remember to keep your pup on a leash and clean up after them.

Jones Gap State Park is a pet-friendly place in Marietta, SC. Bring your dog to explore the trails at this Upstate park. Highlights include waterfalls, creeks and shady walks through the trees. Dog owners are reminded to bring a leash and to clean up any mess that is left behind.

Jump Off Rock offers three dog-friendly, shaded, moderate trails taking anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes to complete. The boulder rocks make for a perfect workout for both small and large Fido’s. The view is spectacular and at the end of the trail there are benches under the trees to rest, as well as a hand-pump water station for Fido to have a fresh drink of mountain water.

DuPont Forest is a pet-friendly recreation area in Cedar Mountain, NC. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains between Hendersonville and Brevard, this 10,400 acres of forest feature four major waterfalls on the Little River and several on the Grassy Creek. It's the perfect place to take your pooch for a wander and explore some natural beauty.

Travelers driving the scenic route along Old US Hwy 25 can stop to stretch their legs at the 120-acre Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve in Landrum, SC. This dog-friendly area is home to the oldest bridge in South Carolina extending 14' high and stretching 130' long over Little Gap Creek. The bridge was constructed from locally quarried stone and features a 5' Gothic arch. It was part of an old state road that connected Charleston and Columbia to North Carolina.

Jones Gap Loop Trail is a pet-friendly hiking path in Marietta, SC. Dogs are welcome to enjoy this trail with their owners. Creeks and waterfalls are the main highlight of this trail. It's rated moderate difficulty.