Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Kentucky

Leashed dogs are welcome in all outdoor areas of Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest in Clermont, KY. The arboretum and forest features more than 40 miles of pet-friendly trails through a variety of geographic settings which will delight you and your pup. Please leash and clean up after your pets.

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area occupies 17,000 acres of land in Golden Pond, KY. As the name suggests, this dog-friendly area of natural beauty is situated between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake and offers 500 miles of trails to explore. Pets are permitted on trails and in campgrounds but must be leashed and under control. Please clean up after your dog. Pets are allowed at the Homeplace 1850s Working Farm and you may also have your pet at the Elk & Bison Prairie in the vehicle only. The Woodlands Nature Station offers kennels for pets whose owners wish to visit the facility.

Mammoth Cave National Park in Mammoth Cave, KY, invites you and Fido to camp and hike at this beautiful scenic area. The dog-friendly South Side Trails are conveniently situated along the main road and include The Cedar Sink Trail, Sand Cave Trail, Sloan's Crossing Pond Walk. More adventurous travelers can head to the backcountry to explore 37 square miles of forest ridges, valleys, and scenic rivers. Though dogs aren't permitted in caves, pets may be boarded at Mammoth Cave Kennels and The Woodland Cottages offer in-park dog-friendly lodging. Visitors who bring Fido should be mindful of ticks, snakes and poison ivy.

Lost River Cave in Bowling Green, KY is pet friendly. There are about 2.5 miles of nature trails to explore, featuring three blue holes, a spring and a diverse variety of urban wildlife habitats. Pets are welcome inside the park, but aren't permitted on tours. There are no kennels on the property and owners cannot leave pets unattended or in vehicles.

Although Fido isn't permitted inside the garden or building at The Arboretum State Botanical Garden of Kentucky in Lexington, leashed dogs are welcome on the pet-friendly Walk Across Kentucky trail. The two-mile paved path features seven geophysical regions of Kentucky with large informational signs explaining each along the walkway. The area contains 60 species of plant life and wildflowers, including some ancient trees aged between 200 to 400 years. Please ensure to clean up after your pets.

Sky Bridge Trail is a dog-friendly loop which leaves the Sky Bridge parking area and extends along a high narrow ridge to Sky Bridge and scenic overlooks. Located near Pine Ridge, KY, in the Daniel Boone National Forest, this route offers spectacular views of the Red River Gorge below and the natural sandstone arch known as Sky Bridge. Please note that the trail passes over and beneath Sky Bridge, and then up a flight stairs (75 steps) back to the parking area. Dogs must be leashed for their safety.

Two- and four-legged friends are welcome to visit the pet-friendly Bob Noble Park in Paducah, KY. This 145-acre recreation area features a range of visitor amenities, including a skate park, access to the Greenway Trail, a dog park, playgrounds, sports courts, athletic fields, and more. Fido should be leashed unless in the designated dog park area.

Leashed dogs are welcome at Garvin Brown Nature Preserve, a 46-acre pet-friendly preserve in Prospect, KY. Explore this scenic area which lies next to the Ohio River on the boarder of Indiana and Kentucky.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is a dog-friendly recreation area in Corbin, KY. This stunning park is home to the Niagara of the South, Cumberland Falls. You and Fido can jump on the half mile hike to the falls and gaze at the beauty of the water gushing over the rocks. There are a number of other pet-friendly trails throughout the park too. Fido is not allowed on Trail 9, 10, or Eagle Falls Trail. Dogs are welcome in the park, as long all mess is cleaned up after them and they are on a leash.

Once the home of huge mammoths drawn to the area by salt lick deposited around sulphur springs, Big Bone Lick State Historic Site in Union, KY, now welcomes smaller, furry things to explore on the pet-friendly trails. The Discovery Trail is a great way to get around the park, including a boardwalk, dioramas, and skeletal remains. The trail will lead you through grassland, wetland, and savanna and take you back through time to a place where great beasts once roamed. The area is now also inhabited by bison that can be seen all year round. Dog owners are reminded to keep their pets on a leash under six feet to protect the wildlife in the area and to preserve the park, always clean up after your pooch. For people who want to stay a little longer, there's pet-friendly accommodations around the park too.

Rock Bridge Hike Trail Head is a pet-friendly hiking trail near Campton, KY. This easy pathway descends into a deep ravine and leads hikers and their canine companions beneath towering hemlock trees. Hikers will have the opportunity to enjoy the tranquil setting near Rock Bridge, a natural standstone arch that spans across the creek.

Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park in London, KY is dog friendly. You and your pooch can enjoy the wooded hills and think about the pioneers who once braved the wilderness of Kentucky in search of a better life for themselves and their families. There are two hiking trails that span a total of 8.5 miles in length in the footsteps of those that wandered here over the years. Dogs are welcome to join their owners on a leash under six feet, as long as all mess is cleaned up after them.

Choose your own adventure from over 28 miles of dog-friendly hiking trails in Green River Lake State Park in Campbellsville, KY. Multi-use trails are one-way and range from easy to difficult hikes. On your adventure, you might be lucky enough to spot deer and other wildlife as you walk near the 8,200-acre lake. Make sure to keep Fido leashed on the trails for his protection and the protection of the wildlife.

Dogs are welcome to join their owners at Kingdom Come State Park, where you'll discover the crest of Pine Mountain near Cumberland, KY. Pet-friendly trails, including the 12 O’Clock Trail, will lead you to eight overlooks around the park that offer great views of the mountain peaks and valleys for miles around. You can bring Fido with you to enjoy the trails and views, as long as they are on a leash under six feet and all mess is cleaned up after them.

Bring Fido to Chimney Top Rock Trailhead for a pet-friendly hike along the Chimney Top Trail in Pine Ridge, KY. This popular pathway is suitable for all levels of hikers and is under a mile out and back. Trekking Terriers will be rewarded with a fantastic overlook. Leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners on the path, which is a stop along the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway in Daniel Boone National Forest.

Iron Ore Trailhead West is a dog-friendly trail situated within Armco Park in Ashland, KY. This 3.7-mile loop is considered moderately challenging and is best traversed from March to November. The trail is popular with dog walkers, bird watchers, hikers and runners. Pets are permitted to be off-leash in certain areas.

Bring Fido on an outing to Auxier Ridge Trailhead in Stanton, KY, and hike the dog-friendly loop of Auxier Ridge and Double Arch trails. This shaded trail is 6.2 miles in length and leads to amazing views of the Red River Gorge Geological Area. There is a small series of metal stairs along the way, so you may want to pick up your pooch at this point, if possible.

McDougal Lake in Hodgenville, KY, is a dog-friendly natural area with well-maintained, clearly marked trails and scenic views. The parking area is small but typically uncrowded and includes a portable restroom, trash can, picnic table, and grill. Maps and benches are placed throughout the park, though trash cans are limited on trails. Swimming is prohibited, but fishing and camping are allowed.

Leashed dogs are welcome on the pet-friendly grounds and walking trails at Ashland - The Henry Clay Estate in Lexington, KY. This historic site was the 19th century residence of politician Henry Clay. Please note that dogs are not permitted in the mansion or any other buildings on the property.

Leashed pups can join you along the scenic Legacy Trail which meanders from downtown Lexington, KY, through a variety of parks and neighborhoods. This paved, dog-friendly trail stretches for 12 miles and ends at the Kentucky Horse Park. There are three different trailheads around Lexington that you can use to access the trail.