Top 5 Dog-Friendly Hikes in Utah
Utah has a diverse landscape. Depending on where you are, you will have different terrain and views. My name is Kylee and I was lucky enough to grow up in Utah. I have two dogs, Rae and Remi, who love to explore with me. I’m excited to show you some of my favorite dog-friendly hikes! Below, there are a few hidden gems as well as a few popular hikes that you should not miss out on with your pups!
Corona Arch
Corona Arch is located in Moab. It is one of the many arches in this region, most of which are found in Arches National Park. Since dogs are not allowed to hike in the national park, this is a great alternative! The hike is approximately 2.5 miles out and back, with a 482 ft. elevation gain. You will have scenic views of red rock canyons and another small arch on this hike. While there are some challenging obstacles, people of all ages can do this hike, as well as your pups. If you are worried about certain areas, such as a small ladder, a harness with handle would be a great option to have on your pup. If you plan on hiking this trail in the hotter months, there is very little shade on this trail. Start early and bring sunscreen and plenty of water for each person and dog in your group!
*Please note: DO NOT follow the railroad tracks as they will not get you to your destination. It is also illegal to walk on them since they are still active train tracks.
Wall Lake
Wall Lake is located in Kamas on the Mirror Lake byway. This scenic byway is full of beautiful views and lakes. This is one of our favorite short hikes up in the high Uinta mountains! It’s a 2.5 mile out and back hike with an elevation gain of 147 ft. Some of the many reasons I love this trail is because it’s a great hike for people of all ages, the dogs can be off leash, you can make your hike longer by hiking to some of the many lakes that surround Wall lake, and it’s a fantastic place to cool off on a hot summer day!
Lower Calf Creek Falls
Lower Calf Creek Falls is located in Grand Escalante National Monument, near Boulder, UT. This is one of the longer hikes on this list but it is definitely a must see if you are in the area! The trail is 6 miles out and back with approximately 200 ft. elevation gain. You start this picturesque hike walking between two tall red rock walls and ending at the 126 ft. fall in the middle of the desert. While hiking the canyon, there are many stops that are numbered telling the history of the canyon, via the maps provided at the trailhead. I highly recommend putting on sunscreen, bug spray, and bringing plenty of water. During the day, there is very little shade and this canyon can get excruciatingly hot. If you start early, you might just get this little slice of heaven to yourself!
Stewart Falls
Stewart Falls is located near Sundance, up Provo Canyon. This is a great family friendly hike, however it can be quite busy on the weekends. The hike is approximately 3.5 miles out and back with an elevation gain of about 650 ft. You start at one of the Mount Timpanogas trail heads and end at a 200 ft. two tiered fall. This is one of my favorite hikes in the fall, if you’re leaf hunting! In the spring and summer, it is a great place to take the pups to cool off, while getting amazing views throughout the entire hike. After your hike, I highly recommend driving through the alpine loop on your way out for some more views!
Golden Wall to Castle Bridge
Golden Wall to Castle Bridge is located in Red Canyon, near Bryce Canyon. This is a fantastic alternative to Bryce Canyon if you have your pups with you! This hike is approximately 2.1 miles with an elevation gain of 615 ft. This is a great family and dog friendly trail. When hiking this trail, we saw a handful of people. The trail was scenic and serene, however we did start early in the day. If you plan on hiking this trail in the hotter months, there is very little shade on this trail. Start early, bring sunscreen, and plenty of water for each person and dog in your group!
In the area? Check out dog-friendly hikes in Colorado or California!
