Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Maggie Valley, NC

The Lake Junaluska Walking Trail in Lake Junaluska, NC, is pet friendly. Dogs are welcome on the two paved walking trails at Lake Junaluska Retreat and Conference Center. Choose between a 2.3-mile loop around the lake or a longer, 3.8-mile trail. All visitors are welcome, not just those staying at the United Methodist retreat near Asheville.

Waterrock Knob Trail in Sylva, NC, is pet friendly. It's a difficult, 1.2-mile hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway that will take about 1 hour to complete with Fido. With the steep elevation on this trail you will want to be sure your dog can climb and maneuver over large rocks. Please note that dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

Richland Balsam Nature Loop Trail in Asheville, NC, is pet friendly. Bring Fido on the moderately easy, 1.4 mile hike that will take about 1 hour to complete.. Set out on this trail that is only a few feet short of being the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The elevation makes it a nice, cool hike during the summer. Please note that dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

Graveyard Fields Trail is dog-friendly and located in Canton, NC. The trail is a moderately easy, 3.4 mile hike in the Pisgah National Forest that will take about 2 hours to complete with Fido. This trail was named for the devastating fires in 1925 and 1942, but still offers plenty of beauty. The well-marked trails will bring you by two waterfalls, a river, blueberry bushes, and still offers cool temperatures in the summer. Please note that dogs must be on a 6-foot leash on National Park Service property.

Sam Knob Summit and Flat Laurel Creek Trail is a pet-friendly hike in Canton, NC. It's a moderately easy, 3.6 mile trek that will take about 2.5 hours to complete with Fido. These two trails combine for a nice loops hike that leads you out to a picturesque lookout. The trail itself is gorgeous with wildflowers and berries to enjoy in spring, and colorful leaves in the fall. Please note that dogs must be on a leash between April 1 and August 15, but must be under voice control at all times.

Jackson County Greenway is a pet-friendly trail that's perfect for enjoying a walk with Fido in Sylva, NC. This one-mile paved trail along the Tuckasegee River offers scenic views and sitting benches. Bring your leashed pup along for some exercise and fresh air at this popular recreation area.

The Max Patch Loop, located in Del Rio, TN, is a moderately easy, 3.5-mile hike in the pet-friendly Pisgah National Forest that will take about two hours to complete with Fido. It is not easy to get to this trail over the bumpy forest service roads, but the trail is still quite popular. The beauty makes the trek all worthwhile. Please note that dogs must be on a leash.

Cold Mountain via Art Loeb Trail is a pet-friendly hike in Burnsville NC. It's a difficult, 10.6 mile trek in Pisgah National Forest that will take about 7 hours to complete with Fido. Although this trail is one of the easiest for exploring the 6030 foots summit of Cold Mountain, it is only for those people and dogs who are experienced and in fit condition. Please note that dogs must be leashed between April 1 and August 15, and under voice control; leashing dogs is strongly recommended in wilderness areas year-round.

Devils Courthouse and Little Sam Trail is dog-friendly in Balsam Grover, NC. It's a difficult, 4.2 mile hike in the Pisgah National Forest that will take about two hours to complete with Fido. When you pull into the parking lot you will be staring up at an impressive rock face standing 5760 feet. Please note that dogs must be on a leash on National Park Service property.

Black Balsam Knob is a pet-friendly place in Canton, NC. It's located at Black Balsam Knob Rd at milepost 420 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Drive the mile or two to the end of the road (where there is a parking area with pit toilets) to start on any number of trails. From here you can access the Sam Knob Summit and Flat Laurel Creek Trail as well as the Art Loeb, Ivestor Gap and Mountain to Sea Trail, just to name a few. The trail network is extensive and beautiful and camping is abundant. Some trails have creeks and streams for Fido to get a drink and others are high and dry, so plan accordingly. Bringing along a trail map of the area is highly encouraged.

Western Carolina University’s Campus Recreation & Wellness (CRW) Fields at Camp is a pet-friendly outdoor facility in Cullowhee, NC. This 7.5-acre site features lighted intramural fields and a 0.5-mile gravel running track (not fully fenced). Dogs must remain leashed during sporting events. Visitors need a parking pass; details are available on the university website.

Skinny Dip Falls is a pet-friendly hike in Canton, NC. The easy, 3/4-mile wooded trail leads to a beautiful waterfall that’s perfect for a dog looking to cool off! There are several places to wade or have a seat in the cool mountain water. Be careful as the terrain can be rocky in areas.

Check out the pet-friendly Dahlia Ridge Trail System located at the Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC. Your leashed dog is welcome to join you in exploring the three miles of running and walking trails that wind throughout the campus. Please remember to pick up after your pup.

Mingo Falls is a must-sniff stop for waterfall-loving pups and their people in Cherokee, NC. One of the tallest waterfalls in the southern Appalachians, this spectacular cascade tumbles down a dramatic rock face into Mingo Creek below. The dog-friendly trail to the falls is short but steep, with a quarter-mile climb and 161 steps leading to a wooden viewing bridge where Fido can pose in front of the misty masterpiece. Local Cherokee residents and visiting hikers alike flock to this scenic spot, so keep your pup leashed and camera-ready.

Allens Creek Park is a pet-friendly community hub in Waynesville, NC. The area features a paved 0.4-mile trail, restrooms and a small children’s playground. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome to enjoy the peaceful setting alongside their owners.