Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Connecticut

Lake Mohegan Open Space is a beautiful dog-friendly recreation area in Fairfield, CT. The scenic hiking trails take you around the lake, over a foot bridge, and through woodlands at this 170-acre property. Fido can enjoy some off-leash time on your hike after you reach the "100-foot" sign posted on the trail. Please make sure your pets are under voice control at all times and be sure to clean up after them.

Taking its name from the round holes that appear in the waterfalls, dog-friendly Devil's Hopyard State Park in East Haddam, CT is a perfect place to enjoy a day in nature. You and your pooch can hike, picnic, birdwatch and fish in the stream. Just keep Fido on a leash at all times, and note that pets are not permitted in the campground.

Leashed dogs are welcome at Bluff Point State Park, a pet-friendly recreational area in Groton, CT. Situated on the shores of Poquonnock River, this park offers over 800 acres for you and Fido to explore. There are wooded hiking and biking trails, opportunities for fishing and boating, and spectacular wildlife viewing on Long Island Sound. Please note that dogs and horses aren't permitted on the beach from April 1st to September 1st.

Sleeping Giant State Park is a dog-friendly area in Hamden, CT. Despite the name, this park is popular among hikers and people looking for a picturesque place to have a picnic. The name actually comes from the mountaintops resembling the image of a giant having a nap. You can wander the uneven ridges on one of the many hiking trails with Fido as long as he is on a leash.

Bring Fido out for an afternoon of fun and exploration on the trails at pet-friendly Tarrywile Park in Danbury, CT. Leashed pups are welcome at this scenic park featuring plenty of parking, hiking trails, benches, picnic tables and a pond.

Leashed dogs are welcome in picnic areas and on hiking trails at Kent Falls State Park, a pet-friendly recreation area in Kent, CT. You and Fido can explore the covered bridge and the quarter-mile hiking trail that leads to a stunning 250-foot waterfall. Please note that the parking lot may close for a few hours when the park reaches capacity. Arriving early is recommended.

Chimney Bluffs State Park in Wolcott, NY, offers some of the most dramatic views along Lake Ontario, with towering earthen spires and scenic hiking trails. Dogs are welcome on all well-marked trails, provided they're leashed (max 6 feet) and supervised. Enjoy nature trails, picnic areas, and restrooms at this stunning, pet-friendly day-use park. Please note that only two pets per group are allowed, and there's a parking fee.

Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, CT welcomes leashed dogs in the off-season from October 1st to April 14th. This public recreation area can be found on the shore of Long Island Sound and offers swimming, fishing and dog-friendly trails. Pets are not allowed in the park during the summer season from April 15th through September 30th.

Enjoy some exercise and a picnic with your pup at dog-friendly Burr Pond State Park in Torrington, CT. Explore the hiking trails with Fido in search of the bronze tablet marking Connecticut's role in the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution. Please note that pets are not permitted on the beach and must be leashed at all times during your visit.

Leashed dogs are welcome at Collis P. Huntington State Park in Redding, CT. The park offers a tranquil setting in which you can enjoy dog-friendly hiking trails, canoeing, and pond fishing in five ponds with your pup.

Giuffrida Park is a dog-friendly outdoor recreation area in Meriden, CT. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you one of the six trails that range from easy to difficult. Stroll along the reservoir, picturesque meadows, and take in the beauty of your surroundings from the top of Lamentation Mountain and Chauncey Peak.

Dogs are welcome at Salmon River State Forest in Colchester, CT. This pet-friendly preservation area is home to a historic covered bridge that crosses over the shallow waters of the Salmon River below. As well as being a popular hiking and picnic spot, the area is very popular among anglers due to the easy water access.

Leashed dogs are welcome to explore Wickham Park in Manchester, CT, except in the aviary, sensory garden and playground areas. This scenic pet-friendly park features beautifully landscaped grounds, themed gardens and plenty of open space for a relaxing stroll. A small cash-only entrance fee applies, making it a worthwhile destination for families and their four-legged companions.

The Babcock Preserve is a pet-friendly area in Greenwich, CT, that's open to the public during daylight hours for hiking, walking, jogging, cross-country skiing, nature study, picnicking and horseback riding on designated trails. The 4.1-mile loop features forested land filled with a wide variety of wildlife. Leashed dogs are welcome.

The Farmington River 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 Farmington! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Farmington River 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.

Dogs are welcome at the picnic areas and on the hiking trails of Gillette Castle State Park, a dog-friendly attraction in East Haddam, CT. Fido can enjoy the trails that loop and wind around outdoor art exhibits and a historic estate that is reminiscent of a castle. However, you're not allowed to bring dogs inside buildings or on decks.

Dog-friendly Bigelow Hollow State Park & Nipmuck State Forest in Union, CT, offers boating, fishing and hiking to locals and visitors. Stretching over 9,000 acres, the park has scenic hiking trails and access points to Mashapaug Lake & Bigelow Pond. Please keep Fido leashed during your visit.

Mianus River State Park, formerly the estate of singer and actress, Libby Holman, is a pet-friendly area in Stamford, CT. The river weaves through this 400-acre urban forest where visitors enjoy biking, fishing, hiking and horseback riding in the area. Leashed dogs are welcome as long as they're cleaned up after, but please note that commercial dog walking is not permitted.

Part of Paugnut State Forest and connected to it by the 2.1-mile John Muir Trail, Sunnybrook State Park is set on 464 wooded acres. This pet-friendly park in Torrington, CT offers plenty of trails, including five nature trails, and a pond to play and cool off in. Pack a lunch, wear comfortable shoes, and enjoy a memorable excursion with your leashed pup.

Topsmead State Forest is a pet-friendly recreation area that can be found among the Litchfield Hills in Litchfield, CT. In a past life, the park was the summer estate of Miss Edith Morton Chase and a number of buildings from yesteryear are still standing as they did one-hundred years ago. You and Fido can enjoy the hiking trails and picnic areas at Topsmead, but are not permitted to go inside any of the buildings.