Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Wisconsin

Dodgeville, WI is home to the pet-friendly Governor Dodge State Park. With over 5,000 acres of land, your leashed pup will have plenty of hiking trails to enjoy. There are two designated pet swim and picnic areas where Fido is welcome to join you. Please note that dogs are not permitted in other beach or picnic areas, playground areas, and any park buildings. Popular activities include camping, hiking, fishing and more.

Leashed dogs are welcome at Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve, one of the last stretches of undeveloped bluff land along the Lake Michigan shoreline, from Mequon up to Port Washington. Enjoy tremendous views along a 1/2 mile of 90- to 100-foot bluffs that look out onto Lake Michigan. Stroll across bridges over the gorge or down the gorge stairways to walk along the Lake Michigan shoreline. This 73-acre park offers plenty of hiking trails, boardwalks through the wetlands, picnic areas and restrooms.

The Pheasant Branch Conservancy is a pet-friendly protected natural area in Middleton, WI. Bring Fido while you explore the 160 acres of wooded hills, marshes, meadows, forests and prairies. Be sure to keep your pup on a six foot leash at all times and clean up after them.

Bring Fido to explore the pet-friendly Pattison State Park in Superior, WI. This 1,400-acre recreation area features the highest waterfalls in Wisconsin and the fourth-highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you in walking the scenic hiking trails.

Big Bay State Park in La Pointe, WI is a dog-friendly outdoor recreation area that welcomes four-legged friends. The park provides several amenities for visitors, such as hiking trails, swimming beaches, a one-mile boardwalk and campgrounds. To ensure safety, pets must be leashed and cleaned up after. Dogs aren’t permitted on playgrounds, buildings, observation towers or beaches. Note that a ferry ride from Bayfield to Madeline Island is needed to reach the park.

Fox Brook Park is a pet-friendly spot in Brookfield, WI. Your leashed pup can join you for a stroll on their perimeter trail, on the disc golf course or splash in the water. An annual membership or daily permit is required for each vehicle.

Check out the pet-friendly Potawatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners on hiking trails throughout the park, but are not permitted on the ski trails. The eastern trailhead of the Ice Age Trail is located within the park near the site of the old observation tower and will lead hikers along a beautiful stretch of Sturgeon Bay. The best time to visit is during fall when the leaves on the trees are turning an array of beautiful colors. Please note that there is a fee to enter.

The Elroy Sparta State 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 dog-friendly "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in Sparta! The map below shows a trailhead where you can pick up the Elroy Sparta State 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.

Hixon Forest is a pet-friendly hiking destination in La Crosse, WI. You and your leashed pup will find a variety of hiking trails from beginner to expert difficulty to explore together. Consider other trail users when visiting with your dog, and ensure you clean up after them.

Silver Creek Park is a pet-friendly recreation area on 72 acres in Manitowoc, WI. Your leashed dog is welcome to enjoy the rural, wooded grounds with you. There are lots of hiking trails in the park and a beautiful bridge spanning the creek. Take a walk or enjoy a picnic with access to the shoreline along Lake Michigan.

Dog-friendly Devil's Lake State Park is located in the Baraboo Range in eastern Sauk County, just south of Baraboo, WI. The recreation space welcomes leashed dogs to explore with their owners year-round. During your visit, plan a hike along Devil’s Lake via the West Bluff Trail. One of the most popular hikes in the area, this 4.8-mile loop is a challenging climb up paved and rocked steps, before allowing hikers spectacular lake views from Balanced Rock.

Leashed dogs are welcome within some pet-friendly regions of the Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek, WI. The recreation site is considered the state's most complete park, offering 468 campsites, 20 miles of trails, a lighthouse and 8 miles of Door County shoreline. Fido is allowed on the White Cedar Nature Trail, the Pine Picnic Area and the rocky shores. Dogs are prohibited on other trails, picnic sites, inside buildings and on the sandy beach.

Outdoor enthusiasts and their four-legged adventure companions are welcome to explore Newport State Park in Ellison Bay, WI. This dog-friendly recreation area offers a range of amenities, including hiking, biking, camping, picnicking and more. Pets must be on a maximum eight-foot leash, attended at all times and picked up after.

At Stigler Nature Preserve in New Berlin, WI, you will find a short, mile-long dog-friendly trail to explore with Fido. There is a clearing of high grass about halfway through, but the remainder of the trail winds through the woods.

Ridge Run Park is a pet-friendly spot in West Bend, WI. Your pup is welcome to tag along as you walk the trails or go snowshoeing. Please note Fido must remain on a leash during your visit.

Riverside Park is a pet-friendly community hub in La Crosse, WI. Fido is welcome to explore the area with you but must remain on a leash. Amenities include water access for kayaking and fishing, hiking trails, and green space. This park is home to annual events hosted by the City.

Leashed dogs are welcome to join you at the pet-friendly Fonferek's Glen Brown County Park in Green Bay, WI. This park features views of a 30-foot waterfall, which you can see from the overlook just a short walk from the parking lot. There's also a 1.4-mile loop trail for you to enjoy with your furry friend.

Lower Cato Falls is a pet-friendly recreation area in Reedsville, WI. It's 84 acres and includes both, developed areas with amenities and wooded or rocky areas in their natural state. Fido can join you for a hike on the nature trails, a picnic on the lawn or pavilion, a game of disc golf, or for a wade in the Manitowoc River. Dogs are welcome on a leash in the park and in the water, as the current can run too quickly at times.

Brunet Island State Park in Cornell, WI welcomes outdoor enthusiasts and their furry friends to explore together. This pet-friendly retreat features an array of activities such as camping, fishing, boating and hiking. Designated pet picnic and swim areas are also offered within the 1,300 acres. Dogs are required to be on a leash no longer than eight feet, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their animals.

The Riverside International Friendship Gardens in La Crosse, WI, is a dog-friendly destination where your pup can join you as you explore a beautiful collection of public gardens. These gardens honor La Crosse’s sister-city relationships with communities from China, Germany, France, Russia, Norway, Ireland and Cameroon. An audio tour is also available on their website to enhance your visit.