Top 5 Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in US to Celebrate National Dog Month

Everybody loves to walk the dog, whether it’s on a dog-friendly beach, along a picturesque riverbank, or within a lush forest surround, but it’s also an excellent excuse for some pet-friendly exercise while you get to enjoy the great outdoors.

To help you celebrate National Dog Month, we’ve created a shortlist of the best must-visit dog-friendly hikes in the US for you and your furry friend to enjoy.

Hit the Dog-friendly Hiking Trails of Runyon Canyon Park in Los Angeles, California

Where better to start our shortlist of the best dog-friendly hikes in America than heading to the West Coast trail of Runyon Canyon Park in the Hollywood foothills on the outskirts of Los Angeles, California. With a magnificent array of outstanding trails with sweeping 360-degree vistas over downtown LA and the Pacific Ocean, here you can try the pup-friendly Runyon Canyon Road or the more challenging Indian Rock Trail, blessed with views of the Hollywood Sign itself.

Considered to be one of California’s best dog hikes, with purpose-built water fountains for both you and your four-legged friend, both of you will love hitting the slopes to see the exceptional sights across Los Angeles. With countless different dog walking trails to choose from, once you’ve spent the day exploring, be sure to quench your thirst with a refreshing beverage at LA’s favorite dog-friendly bar, the trendy Idle Hour Bar in North Hollywood.

Take in the mesmerizing sights and sounds of Runyon Canyon Park by staying at the best dog-friendly hotel in town at the Best Western Royal Palace Inn & Suites, in Los Angeles, California.

Take Your Pup on a Hike Around the Lower Macleay Trail’s Dog-Friendly Trails in Portland, Oregon

We head north up the West Coast for our next top tip of the best dog-friendly hikes in US and the delightful city of Portland, Oregon, and its Lower Macleay Trail. With a range of customizable trail loop lengths, you and your BFF can enjoy the charming natural beauty of the superb Macleay Park, all set within Portland’s city limits.

Whether you choose the moderately difficult Witch’s Castle to Pittock Mansion via Wildwood woodland hike to inspect the mossy ruins of the Witch’s Castle or take a sedate stroll along the easier Aspen Loop, you’ll soon see why it’s a desirable dog walking hotspot. Then, once you’ve spent the day exploring the vibrant forests of this exquisite Portland park, make sure you stop in at the spectacular Lucky Labrador Brewing Company Beer Hall, known as one of the best dog-friendly bars in Oregon.

Explore the dazzling beauty of Lower Macleay Trail with your furry friend before unwinding every night at one of the top-rated dog-friendly hotels at the Best Western Portland West Beaverton, in Portland, Oregon.

Enjoy a Desert Escapade with Your Dog on the Trails of Dobbins Lookout Outside Phoenix, Arizona

For dog walkers who love hiking with their dogs, our next awe-inspiring pet-friendly hiking adventure sees us heading to Dobbins Lookout within the South Mountain Park/Preserve on the outskirts of Phoenix, Arizona. As one of the best dog hikes in USA, it benefits from the striking panoramic vistas of the Phoenix skyline, making Dobbins Lookout a prime spot for dog lovers who want to catch an amazing desert sunset framed by the region’s impressive red stone rock formations.

With views of South Mountain Park/Preserve’s three mountain ranges of the Ma Ha Tauk, Gila, and Guadalupe Mountains, Dobbins Lookout offers a selection of moderate to hard hiking trails, including the Holbert Trail and the Desert Foothills Trailhead. After catching the perfect desert sunset with your best friend, make sure you also stop by the brilliant, family-owned New Mexican eateries of Los Dos Molinos, which have two of the best dog-friendly restaurants in Phoenix.

After soaking up the enchanting desert views at Dobbins Lookout, treat yourself and your pup to a stylish dog-friendly stay at Vīb Hotel by Best Western Phoenix-Tempe, in Tempe, Arizona.

Explore the Pet-Friendly Coastal Paths of Newport Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island

Heading to New England on the East Coast, our next top hike in the US for you and your dog is the highly recommended Newport Cliff Walk in Rhode Island. Not only does Newport Cliff Walk have a majestic dog-friendly beach, but it also allows you and your four-legged friend to create new lasting memories with the sea breeze in your hair and the sound of crashing waves in the background.

While Newport Cliff Walk requires dogs to be leashed at all times, it still makes for a desirable stroll along the cliffs surrounded by the Gilded Age Newport mansions that overlook the Atlantic Ocean, before you finish your walk at one of the country’s top dog-friendly beaches, Easton Beach. Once you and your pet have built up an appetite, our final tip is to head to the best dog-friendly restaurant in town, known as the incredible Clarke Cooke House.

Stroll along the gorgeous Newport Cliff Walk with your four-legged companion before kicking back at the Best Western Niantic – New London/Mystic Area in Niantic, Connecticut, with its premium dog-friendly accommodations.

Wander the Dog-Friendly Hikes of the Jewell Falls Trail in Portland, Maine

Our final destination on our stunning shortlist of the best dog-friendly hikes in US sees us making our way to the breathtaking Jewell Falls Trail in Portland, Maine. As part of the Fore River Sanctuary, this remarkable dog hike provides walkers with a bounty of trailheads, some of which incorporate the jaw-dropping natural waterfall that is the Jewell Falls themselves.

In addition to this, the network of easy-to-moderate dog hikes includes canal towpaths, marshland areas, and upland forests, perfect for birding and nature watching with your best friend. Then, after exploring the unbelievable dog-friendly sanctuary of Jewell Falls Trail, be sure to try out the food and a few local brews, as well as its specialty Fido-inspired dog menu at the mouthwatering Little Tap House brewery in downtown Portland.

Discover Portland’s beautiful hidden gem, the Jewell Falls Trail, and then complete your day out with a cozy dog-friendly hotel experience at Best Western Merry Manor Inn, Portland, Maine.