Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Texas

If your dog likes to ruff it, bring Fido hiking in Texas. Our dog friendly hiking section includes everything from easy one-hour walks to fantastic overnight trips in Texas that won’t be soon forgotten. Seriously, go take a hike!

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Canyon, TX

Palo Duro Canyon State Park Palo Duro Canyon State Park is a spectacular dog-friendly attraction near the Texas Panhandle in Canyon, TX. It was formed by millions of years of water erosion, is 120 miles long, as much as 20 miles wide, and has a maximum depth of more than 800 feet. Its elevation at the rim is 3,500 feet above sea level. It's often claimed that Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the United States. Visitors and their leashed dogs can admire beautiful colorful cliffs that surround the valley and one of the park's most famous rock formations known as The Lighthouse. Please note that dogs are not permitted in any buildings at Texas State Parks. See Details

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

Houston, TX

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Houston, TX's Arboretum & Nature Center offers a dog-friendly, 155-acre nature sanctuary with 5 miles of walking trails that wind through forest, meadow and wetland habitats. Please abide by all city ordinances including controlling your dog on the leash at all times and cleaning up after your pet while visiting the Arboretum. Dogs must be kept on the trails (no swimming in the ponds). Dogs are allowed in the building lobby – tiled areas only. Take a self-guided Habitat Hike - Each hike passes one of the educational Field Stations and features some of their Naturalist’s favorite stops like ponds teaming with wildlife, trees with interesting stories, insect houses, and other fun points of interest. Please note that there's a parking fee. See Details

Comanche Lookout Park

San Antonio, TX

Comanche Lookout Park Comanche Lookout Park is a 96-acre recreational area in San Antonio, TX. Fido is welcome to explore the 4.55 miles of pet-friendly, multi-service trails with you but must remain on a leash. See Details

Barton Creek Greenbelt Preserve

Austin, TX

Barton Creek Greenbelt Preserve Barton Creek Greenbelt Preserve is a pet-friendly recreation area in Austin, TX. This park is popular among nature lovers and adventurists alike. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, swimming and bird watching. Your leashed pet is welcome to join you as you explore this lovely space with hiking trails leading to Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls. See Details

Memorial Park

Houston, TX

Memorial Park Memorial Park, a municipal park in Houston, TX, is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Opened in 1924, the park covers approximately 1,466 acres inside the 610 Loop, across from the neighborhood of Memorial. Leashed dogs are welcome. The park offers several dog-friendly trails ranging in distance and difficulty, but the 3-mile Seymour Lieberman Trail may be best for Fido as it is pedestrian-only with a crushed granite surface and drinking fountains. The park also hosts food trucks each day near Eastern Glades - a 5.5-acre area offering relaxing picnic areas next to Hines Lake. See Details

South Llano River State Park

Junction, TX

South Llano River State Park Known for pristine water and abundant wildlife, the South Llano River State Park in Junction, TX, offers you and your pup more than 18 miles of dog-friendly, multi-use trails to explore. Enjoy a day out in the Texas sunshine with your furry best friend as you hike in the wilderness and spot the wildlife. As in all Texas state parks, dogs must remain leashed at all times on leashes less than 6 feet long. There is a fee per person to enter the park. See Details

Franklin Mountains State Park

El Paso, TX

Franklin Mountains State Park Bring Fido to explore these high-desert mountains on over 100 miles of pet-friendly trails across almost 27,000 acres at the pet-friendly Franklin Mountains State Park in El Paso, TX. Pups must be leashed at all times, and aren't permitted in state park buildings. See Details

Katy Trail (Dallas)

Dallas, TX

Katy Trail (Dallas) The Katy Trail (Dallas) 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 Dallas! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Katy Trail (Dallas). 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. See Details

Pedernales Falls State Park

Johnson City, TX

Pedernales Falls State Park Spend the day with your furry best friend at the dog-friendly Pedernales Falls State Park in Johnson City, TX. You and Fido can enjoy hiking along the 7-mile Wolf Mountain Trail as it winds along the canyons created by the Mescal and Tobacco Creeks. There's also a duck pond, a quarter-mile nature trail to a scenic overlook, and a wheelchair-accessible wildlife viewing station. As in all Texas state parks, dogs must be kept leashed at all times on leashes no longer than 6 feet. See Details

The Lighthouse Trail

Canyon, TX

The Lighthouse Trail The Lighthouse Trail at Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Canyon, TX, is pet friendly. This trail is nearly six miles there and back. You can bring your pooch on the trail with you to explore this trail that leads to a rocky outcrop known as the Lighthouse. If you want to experience it alone, make sure you and your pooch set off nice and early. See Details

Trinity Park

Fort Worth, TX

Trinity Park Trinity Park in Fort Worth, TX, welcomes leashed pets to join their owners for a visit! The 252-acre pet-friendly recreation area offers a wide variety of amenities, including a basketball court, walking paths, a playground, picnic shelters, an observation deck and more. See Details

James Kiehl River Bend Park

Comfort, TX

James Kiehl River Bend Park James Kiehl River Bend Park, located in Comfort, TX, is a serene 25-acre natural area with grass and woodland that is dog friendly. You and Fido can walk along the 1.5 miles of multi-use trails that go alongside the Guadalupe River, including the Pecan Loop, the Prairie Loop and the River Loop. Pups must be leashed at all times. See Details

Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve

Plano, TX

Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve is a pet-friendly park in Plano, TX. This 800-acre area has a variety of trails you can enjoy with your pup. You can also enjoy views of the lake and the shaded pavilion. See Details

Brazos Bend State Park

Needville, TX

Brazos Bend State Park Branded as a nature lover's paradise, Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, TX is dog friendly! Dogs on a leash no longer than six feet are welcome to explore the park as long as they do not drink from or enter the lakes. Dog owners should be very aware that Brazos Bend is home to alligators. Alligator safety tips are available on Brazos' website. The State Park's 37 miles of trails circle lakes and wind through the hardwood forest. See Details

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Austwell, TX

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Bring Fido to explore the pet-friendly Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Austwell, TX. This park encompasses more than 115,000 acres and features tons of lovely hiking trails for you and your canine friend to walk. Dogs must be leashed at all times and cleaned up after. See Details

Government Canyon State Natural Area

San Antonio, TX

Government Canyon State Natural Area Government Canyon State Natural Area is a pet-friendly spot in San Antonio, TX. Leashed dogs are allowed to join you on their front country trails. The path system has two loops, Savannah and Lytle, to explore. Please note there could be potential closures due to poor weather or condition. See Details

Emma Long Metropolitan Park

Austin, TX

Emma Long Metropolitan Park Your pet will love to explore the beautiful, pet-friendly trail with gorgeous views of Lake Austin at Emma Long Metropolitan Park in Austin, TX. Pets must be leashed in all areas of the park, which also features open space, camp sites, boat ramps and reservation based large picnic table sites. See Details

Medina River Natural Area

San Antonio, TX

Medina River Natural Area Medina River Natural Area is a pet-friendly destination in San Antonio, TX. Your leashed furry friend is welcome to explore the 511-acre property that has been enhanced with 7 miles of trails. Waste stations and a doggie fountain are available on site. See Details

Guadalupe River State Park

Spring Branch, TX

Guadalupe River State Park Guadalupe River State Park in Spring Branch, TX, is a scenic, pet-friendly destination featuring four miles of river frontage and 13 miles of hike-and-bike trails. While dogs aren't allowed in the water, they're welcome on-leash throughout the park's trails, like the Painted Bunting and Barred Owl paths. Please ensure you have your pets' vaccination records on hand and refer to their website for details on the entrance fee. See Details

Big Bend Ranch State Park

Presidio, TX

Big Bend Ranch State Park While the backcountry and many of the trails of Big Bend Ranch State Park in Presidio, TX, are not pet friendly, leashed dogs are permitted on two paths, Closed Canyon Trail and Hoodoos Trail. During these hikes, Fido can join you in taking in the beautiful scenery while a bit of climbing over boulders. While dogs are also permitted in the campground, they may not be more than a ¼ mile from campsites or designated roads. See Details