Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Georgia (US)

Pet-friendly Fort Pulaski National Monument in Tybee Island, GA, offers dog owners the chance to experience many interesting and exciting activities year-round. Leashed dogs are welcome to enter the fort and explore the hiking trails within the monument. Fido is also allowed to walk along the shoreline; however, dogs shouldn't enter the water due to the very strong current. While visiting, they offer Fido the chance to join the Bark Ranger program and receive a free tag for his collar! This program consists of learning what each letter in B.A.R.K. stands for and practicing these lessons during your visit.

Bring your furry best friend to the dog-friendly Rock City in Lookout Mountain, GA, for a mountain adventure. Leashed pets can explore The Enchanted Trail that takes you through the 14-acre property. You'll see over 400 different species of flora, panoramic views of seven states (on clear days) and even a waterfall. There's a cafe at the top of the mountain that offers a dog menu and pup cups.

Located near historic Savannah, the dog-friendly Skidaway Island State Park is a part of Georgia’s intracoastal waterway. The park provides camping and picnicking surrounded by Spanish moss-draped live oaks. Trails wind through maritime forest and over salt marsh allowing visitors to watch for deer, fiddler crabs, raccoon, egrets and migrating birds such as colorful painted buntings. An observation tower provides another chance to watch for wildlife on the barrier island. Dogs must be leashed at all times and are not permitted in any buildings.

Leashed dogs are welcome on historic site trails at Wormsloe State Historic Site, a pet-friendly attraction in Savannah, GA. A breathtaking avenue sheltered by live oaks and Spanish moss leads to the tabby ruins of this Colonial estate dating back to the 1700. The interpretive nature trail (0.8 miles) leads past the tabby ruins along the marsh to the Colonial Life Area where, during programs and special events, demonstrators in period dress exhibit the tools and skills of Colonial Georgia. Many more nature trails are also accessible, ranging from 3 miles (Battery Trail) to 0.2 miles (Yellow Trail). Dogs aren't permitted in any buildings.

Anna Ruby Falls is a beautiful waterfall near Helen, GA. Located in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest, this picturesque spot can be accessed from a pet-friendly, half-mile trail within Unicoi State Park. The short hike is fairly steep, but the view of the falls is worth it. Dogs are welcome on the trail, as long as they are leashed and cleaned up after.

Fort McAllister State Park is the ultimate pet-friendly historic attraction in Richmond Hill, GA. Leashed dogs are welcome in the museum, on Red Bird Creek trail and throughout the historic grounds.

Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area is a 10,000-acre, pet-friendly open space along a 48-mile stretch of the river in Sandy Springs, GA. Leashed dogs are welcome to accompany you on a visit to this large forested park where you can enjoy hiking, biking, rafting and fishing. Take Fido for a stroll along a woodland trail and then reward him with a swim in the river after. Please remember to clean up after your pup during your visit.

Whitewater Creek Trail, part of the East Palisades Trails in Atlanta, is a scenic and dog-friendly hiking path that winds along the Chattahoochee River. Leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners for a peaceful walk or hike, with opportunities to wade into the water. Visitors should use caution, though, as water levels and currents can change rapidly.

Red Top Mountain State Park in Acworth, GA, boasts 1,562-acres of land along the 12,000-acre Lake Allatoona. Bring your leashed pup and hike over 15-miles of dog-friendly trails at this scenic park. Swimming, fishing, camping and biking are also popular activities at this park.

Leashed dogs are permitted on four pet-friendly "Chimp Trails" at Project Chimps, an attraction in Morganton, GA. The main trail parking is just past the green mailbox #2031 on the right, from there you can take the Blue Trail to the trailhead. The four trails (Blue Trail, Nature Trail, Yellow Trail and White Trail) are accessible from dawn until dusk and are a great place to view wildlife or hear the sounds of nearby chimps within the sanctuary. There's also a 1-acre off-leash dog park adjacent to the trails, featuring separate areas for small and large dogs. A donation is requested per hiker.

While a cemetery might not be the first place you think of to visit with your dog, Bonaventure Cemetery is considered a must-see by Savannah locals and visitors alike. This beautiful final resting place is open daily and there's no admission fee to stroll the grounds. Keep your dogs leashed at all times and make sure to clean up any doggie messes. The dog-friendly Bonaventure Cemetery is over 170 years old, and features few modern amenities. Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and bug spray are recommended.

Callaway Resort & Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA, is pet friendly. This recreational area combines four seasons of adventure, relaxation, and fun among breathtaking landscape, which you can enjoy with your leashed pup. Take in the vibrant blossoms of Spring on over 2,500 spectacular acres. Laze the Summer days away or try your hand at watersports on Robin Lake, featuring the world’s largest man-made white sand beach.

Leashed dogs are allowed at Amicalola Falls State Park, a pet-friendly natural space in Dawsonville, GA. The waterfall the park is named for is the main attraction, as it is 729 feet of beautiful cascading water, and the third tallest east of the Mississippi River. There are also many hiking trails you and Fido can explore. Pet parents should be aware that some of the trails leading to the falls include metal grate steps to make them non-slip for humans, however canines may find these challenging. Please keep your pup on a leash no longer than 6 feet and remember to clean up any messes they leave behind.

The scenic Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, GA, is located on the western end of Lookout Mountain, offering views from elevations as high as 1,980 feet. The park also boasts two cascading waterfalls are located along the Waterfalls Trail. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash 6 feet or shorter; however, they are not allowed in or around historic sites, lodges, group camps, or swimming areas. Pet-friendly camping options are also available.

Fido is welcome to explore Unicoi State Park in Helen, GA. This dog-friendly park features 1,029 acres of adventure activities, a 53-acre lake nestled between mountaintops and gorgeous trails to Helen and Anna Ruby Falls. There is even a small, fenced dog park next to the park's main office. Visiting pets must be friendly and on a short, sturdy leash. Dog owners must be courteous to other patrons and clean up after their pets in all areas of the park. There's an entrance fee per vehicle.

The Atlanta BeltLine is a dog-friendly trail in Atlanta, GA. This trail is one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States. It's also an urban explorer and pet owner’s dream. With local art, shops and snacks speckled along the beautiful path, the BeltLine is a pet-friendly walking connection to all of the best corners of the city.

Flat Rock Park in Columbus, GA, is home to a lovely creek, mountain biking, frisbee golf, picnic tables, grills, playgrounds and more. The pet-friendly main trail is about 2.3 miles around with scenery for you and Fido to enjoy. There are also several smaller trails that break off of the main trail.

Located on southern tip of Georgia's Colonial Coast in St. Mary's, dog-friendly Crooked River State Park is the perfect spot for enjoying the intracoastal waterway and maritime forest. Campsites are surrounded by palmettos and Spanish moss-draped oaks, while cottages are set near the tidal river. A boat ramp is popular with anglers who often take to the water before sunrise. Just down the road is the ferry to famous Cumberland Island National Seashore known for secluded beaches and wild horses. The park's nature trail winds through forest and salt marsh, and hikers may see gopher tortoises, fiddler crabs, herons and other birds. Dogs are allowed on all trails, but must be kept on a 6-ft max leash. Dogs are not permitted in or around historic sites, lodges, group camps, or swimming areas.

Sweetwater Creek State Park is a peaceful tract of wilderness in Lithia Springs, GA. A wooded, dog-friendly trail follows the stream to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned during the Civil War. Beyond the mill, the trail climbs rocky bluffs to provide views of the beautiful rapids below. Additional paths wind through fields and forest, showcasing ferns, magnolias, wild azaleas and hardwoods. Picnic shelters and campsites are also available.

Popular with locals and tourists alike, the Mount Yonah Trail is a pet-friendly trail in Cleveland, GA. Leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners as they hike through a forest, past wildflowers, steep drop-offs and exposed rock outcrops to panoramic views at the summit. The hike is roughly 4 miles round trip and is a moderately strenuous hike.