Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Rutland, VT

Green Mountain National Forest is a pet-friendly attraction in Rutland, VT. This gorgeous area offers diverse vegetation and varied trails to explore with your pooch. Encompassing more than 400,000 acres in southwestern and central Vermont, the striking scenery includes rugged mountain peaks and quintessential Vermont villages. Leashed dogs are welcome, as long as all mess is cleaned up after them.

Lefferts Pond in Chittenden, VT is pet friendly. While you’re in Vermont, be sure to take your pup on a walk on one of the many beautiful hiking trails in the area like Lefferts Pond Area. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails, as long as they are well-behaved and all mess is cleaned up to preserve the cleanliness of the pond.

Taconic Ramble State Park in Castleton, VT, is pet friendly. Bring your dog for a leashed stroll around this lovely park, which includes a Japanese garden and numerous trails that are located on steep, rocky, challenging terrain. Please note that you and your furry friend must trek up a very steep, hilly trail to access the garden.

Bring Fido to Coolidge State Park in Plymouth, VT. This dog-friendly recreation area welcomes dogs throughout the park to join their owners in activities like hiking, picnicking and camping. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. Note that day-use fees may apply.

Bring Fido to Gifford Woods State Park in Killington, VT. This pet-friendly recreation space welcomes pups and their owners to explore together while enjoying activities like camping, hiking, fishing, picnicking and more. Pets are permitted in the Moose, Coyote, and Whitetail cabins. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

Half Moon State Park in Hubbardton, VT is pet friendly. Located within Bomoseen State Park, visitors and their furry adventuring companions are invited to visit this recreation space to camp, fish, hike and more. Dogs aren't permitted in most cabins or the cottage, but pets are allowed in the Dragonfly cabin and elsewhere in the park. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

Bring Fido to Lake St. Catherine State Park in Poultney, VT. This pet-friendly recreation space welcomes pups and their owners to explore together while enjoying activities like camping, hiking, fishing and picnicking. Dogs aren't permitted on the sandy beach or in the designated swimming areas, but they are welcome elsewhere in the park, including the grassy area around the campers' beach. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

The Delaware and Hudson 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 West Pawlet! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Delaware and Hudson 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.

Clarendon Gorge to Greenwall Shelter via Long Trail is pet-friendly. This trail is 14.6 miles in length, but as an out-and-back, you can choose to hike as much or as little as you want. The white markers along the way will keep you and your pooch from straying from the path. Dogs who don’t want to hike all day but still want to brave the bridge will be pleased to know that it’s just a short walk from the trailhead parking area. Dogs must be leashed and all mess should be cleaned up after them.

Bring Fido to Bomoseen State Park in Fair Haven, VT. This pet-friendly recreation space welcomes pups and their owners to explore together while enjoying activities like camping, hiking, fishing and picnicking. Dogs aren't permitted on the sandy beach, in the designated swimming or day-use areas, but they are welcome everywhere else in the park. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

Black River Overlook is pet-friendly. Located along the river, this is a paved river pathway that offers nice views across the water. This easy trail is just under half a mile in length and can be completed by all levels of canine hiker. Leashed dogs are welcome, as long as they are cleaned up after.

Killington Peak via Bucklin Trail is a pet-friendly hike in Mendon, VT. At just over seven miles there and back, this more strenuous pathway is no walk in the park, but it’s worth every step. Hikers are rewarded with panoramic views of three state’s most-prized mountain ranges: Green Mountain, the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Adirondacks of New York. Leashed dogs are welcome on the pathway, as long as they are well-behaved and cleaned up after.

Four-legged friends are welcome to visit the pet-friendly White Rocks National Recreation in Wallingford, VT. This outdoor recreation space offers an array of amenities for visitors, including hiking, fishing, picnicking, snowshoeing and more. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

Four-legged friends are welcome to visit the pet-friendly Coolidge State Forest in Plymouth, VT. This nature preserve offers an array of amenities for visitors, including hiking trails, photography, waterfalls and more. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

Mendon, VT is home to Aitken State Forest, a 918-acre, pet-friendly recreation area welcoming dogs and their owners to explore together. Outdoor enthusiasts and their furry adventuring companions are invited to visit this park for day hikes, bird watching, dog walking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and more. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

Hubbardton Battlefield Wildlife Management Area in Castleton, VT is pet friendly. Parkgoers and their furry adventuring companions are invited to visit this recreation space to hike, fish, hunt and view wildlife. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.