22 Best Dog Friendly Hikes in Utah

Are you bored with shopping in the city?

Luckily, Utah has lots of incredibly amazing hiking trails waiting for you to explore.

And partnering up with your furry friend is the best when it comes to venturing into the wild as they will follow you wherever you go and never complain!

Location	Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Utah
Near Salt Lake City	Bowman Fork Trail
	Neff’s Canyon Trail
	Dog Lake via Big Water
	Grandeur Peak via Church Fork
	Killyon Canyon to Lookout Peak
	City Creek Canyon via Canyon Road
	Mount Olympus Trail
	Heughs Canyon Trail
Near Layton, Utah	Adams Canyon Trail
Near Park City, Utah
Near Park City, Utah	Round Valley Loop Trail
Near Pleasant Grove, Utah	Battle Creek Falls
Near Pleasant Grove, Utah	Stewart Falls Trail
Near Alpine, Utah	Horsetail Falls
Near American Fork, Utah	Silver Lake and Silver Glance Lake Trail
Near American Fork, Utah	Mount Timpanogos via Timpooneke Trail
Near Moab, Utah	Professor Creek and Mary Jane Canyon Trail
	Fisher Towers Trail
	Grandstaff Canyon Trail
	Corona and Bowtie Arch Trail
	Mill Creek Waterfall
Near Boulder, Utah	Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail
Near Boulder, Utah	Upper Calf Creek Falls Trail

Near Salt Lake City, Utah

1. Bowman Fork Trail

The Bowman Fork Trail is 4.5 miles into Millcreek Canyon, about 25 minutes drive from Salt Lake City.

It is well-shaded, features a few lookout spots, where you can see the backside of Gobbler’s Knob, a great place to hike, especially in summer. It is also one of the best wildflower hikes around this area and follows a stream that your pup can play in.

2. Neff’s Canyon Trail

Another popular hiking spot near Salt Lake City is the Neff’s Canyon trail, located south of Millcreek Canyon.

It is 2.7 miles long, accessible year-round, with an elevation gain of 3,000 feet. There is a meadow near the top, where most people would stop and return. But if you hike all your way up to the top, you will find stunning views of the Big Cottonwood Canyon.

3. Dog Lake via Big Water

Dog Lake is a popular spot among dog parents, especially in summer, which you will expect to see other dogs romping around the shore.

While you can get there from the Mill D North Fork Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon, dogs are not allowed. The only way to get to this scenic lake with your furry friend is via the 4.7 miles long Big Water Trail in Millcreek Canyon.

4. Grandeur Peak via Church Fork

Grandeur Peak is an 8,299-foot summit, and the east trail from Church Fork gets lots of visitors as it is only 2 miles into Millcreek Canyon.

Make sure to get there earlier with your dog to avoid the crowds and have your sunscreen ready as there is hardly any shade in the upper half. At the top, you will get the view into Parleys Canyon and Salt Lake Valley.

5. Killyon Canyon to Lookout Peak

If you want a relatively quiet hike with your furkid, then be sure to check out this trail. It is roughly 4.85 miles long, and can get a little bit muddy in Spring, or after rain or snow. From the peak, you will get the view of Emigration Canyon, City Creek Canyon, and Salt Lake Valley.

6. City Creek Canyon via Canyon Road

You are in town with your family but would love to go on a hike with your dog instead? You can surely do that thanks to the City Creek Canyon, which is just minutes away from downtown.

It is a 6.7-mile out-and-back trail, small incline, suitable for people of all ages and skill levels. One thing to note, though, is that cyclists are allowed. So, be careful when you are walking uphill.

7. Mount Olympus Trail

While Mount Olympus is not the tallest in this area, it is pretty much recognizable from every location in Salt Lake Valley. This trail is not very long yet is steep, gaining 4,100 feet over 3.25 miles.

So, ensure you build up your dog’s stamina and endurance first and get them geared up before taking up the challenge. Hike up to the peak may be hard, but it is worth the effort when you finally get up there for the incredible views.

8. Heughs Canyon Trail

Rather than just rocks, wildflowers, and meadows, you prefer to see a waterfall near Salt Lake City? Check out the Heughs Canyon, about 15 minutes drive from the city to the trailhead.

The trail will get steeper near the end, and is very steep across the boulders. So, be careful and watch your footing. And you will see the beautiful waterfall once you get to the base of the boulder field.

Near Layton, Utah

9. Adams Canyon Trail

Feel like traveling to the North for a hike? Adams Canyon Trail is perhaps the best dog-friendly hiking trail in northern Utah. It is a semi-shaded trail, 3.5 miles round trip with over 1,200 feet of elevation gain, and features a 40-foot waterfall at the end.

While it doesn’t sound like a big waterfall, you won’t even notice when you get there as it is so beautiful.

Near Park City, Utah

10. Round Valley Loop Trail

If you live in Park City, east of Salt Lake City, and prefer to hike with your pooch around that area, you might want to take a look into the Round Valley Rail Trail. Your pup will certainly love this place as they can run wild thanks to the wide-open space it offers, not to mention it is also a great place for cross-country skiing.

There are a few main trailheads, and most people would start from Quinn’s Junctions as it is easier to access from Kearns Boulevard.

Near Pleasant Grove, Utah

11. Battle Creek Falls

If you are seeking an easy dog-friendly hike to train your pooch for a more challenging trail, look no further than the Battle Creek Falls. This trail is pretty short, 1.2 miles out-and-back. And as you approach the falls, you will find a small trail on the right that leads to the base, or you can also continue to hike up to the top if that’s what you prefer.

12. Stewart Falls Trail

Stewart Falls is a two-tier waterfall, over 200 feet tall, and is one of the most scenic waterfalls in northern Utah. For that reason, you will expect the trail to be very crowded, especially on the weekends. So be sure to arrive there as early as you can to avoid the traffic.

It is longer and more popular than the Battle Creek Falls Trail, 3.6 miles out-and-back. An excellent hiking spot that you don’t want to miss out.

Near Alpine, Utah

13. Horsetail Falls

Horsetail Falls is another great place that you can visit with your four-legged friend. The trail is not too long, but is rocky, and the steep grade is what makes the hike challenging, which gains about 1,600 feet in 2.05 miles. While it is not as steep as Mount Olympus, this will surely give you and your dog a great workout. Overall, it is well worth the hike for the beautiful falls at the end of the trail.

Near American Fork, Utah

14. Silver Lake and Silver Glance Lake Trail

Silver Lake Trail offers lots of gorgeous views, 4.4 miles round trip, located in American Fork Canyon. Before you begin, look across Silver Lake Flat, and you will get a great view of Mount Timpanogos. The first two miles are quite easy, and soon, you will reach Silver Lake, where most people would stop, take photos, relax, then make their way back. But if you keep hiking up for another 0.7 miles, you will find the beautiful Silver Glance Lake!

15. Mount Timpanogos via Timpooneke Trail

Mount Timpanogos, or Timp, is the second-highest mountain in the Wasatch Range. Offering spectacular views, especially on the summit, and being one of the best hiking trails in Utah, you know it can get very packed on the weekends. So, make sure to get there early to beat the crowd. This trail is about 13 miles round trip, and if you think you can’t make it to the summit at the perfect timing, don’t worry, you can break that up into a multi-day trip as there are campsites that allow you to spend the night there.

Near Moab, Utah

16. Professor Creek and Mary Jane Canyon Trail

Are you looking to hike in southeast Utah with your dog? Check out Moab’s hidden gem, Mary Jane Canyon, which the trail will lead you to a double spouted waterfall at the end.

One of the best things about this place is that you will be hiking in the creek, for the most part, so be prepared to get your feet wet! Note, there is another trail with no shade or water called Sylvester Trail that starts from the same parking area, be careful not to take the wrong one!

17. Fisher Towers Trail

Fisher Towers is another place you have to visit. The trail will lead you through an impressive array of rock formations. It is a 4.5-mile out-and-back trail, and most people would stop when they get to the base of The Titan, known to be the largest free-standing tower in the United States, yet the best views are at the end. That said, if you have a large dog, it can be difficult for them to pass the ladder at about 2 miles into the trail.

18. Grandstaff Canyon Trail

Grandstaff Canyon Trail is perhaps best known for the spectacular Morning Glory Arch that spans 243 feet, located at the end of the hike. It is also a popular spot where people would put a climbing harness on their pup, climb up there and rappel down from the top. There are a handful of creek crossings, and you need to be aware of the poison ivy along the trail, make sure not to touch them and keep your furry friend away from this poisonous plant.

19. Corona and Bowtie Arch Trail

Is Morning Glory Arch not enough for you? And you would love to see more? Sure, check out this 2.3-mile out-and-back trail, where you will see another two stunning arches, Corona and Bowtie. You will be crossing the train tracks, climbing up a small rocky section, and eventually come to the first wire handrail.

Once you get around the corner, you will get the first amazing views of both the Corona (on the right) and Bowtie (on the left) Arches! Towards the end, you will have to hike up a steeper part using the second metal cable, then a ladder. And your pup should be able to climb up around the rock. From there, the rest of the trail is quite easy and leads you to the arches.

20. Mill Creek Waterfall

So, you have ventured to the arches on a hot day? One of the best things you can do after that is to freshen you and your four-legged friend up at Mill Creek Waterfall! The falls are just about a mile into the trail, but you can continue to hike up for another 0.7 miles to a more quiet swimming hole to cool off.

Near Boulder, Utah

21. Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail

If you happen to travel down south, don’t miss out on the Calf Creek Falls in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument! There are two separate trailheads, lower and upper, in which the Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail is more popular as the route is a lot easier. With a gorgeous 130 feet oasis waterfall and a swimming hole at the end of the trail.

22. Upper Calf Creek Falls Trail

While the Upper Calf Creek Falls Trail is a lot shorter, it is more exposed, and the first 600 feet may look scary, which is why it is less trafficked. You will find a pool above the falls that most people would swim in, also a popular spot for cliff jumping! After you have fun there, don’t forget to make your way down to the base of the falls, there are stunning views, and a much bigger swimming hole awaits you!

Conclusion

Just before we wrap up, make sure to follow the rules when hiking with your furkid. Keep them on a leash whenever you see the sign, and you should leave no trace regardless of which trail you take. Lastly, remember to bring your dog’s food, treats, and water bottle. Also, here are some tips for hiking with your dog, and a list of what you may want to pack for your pooch to ensure their comfort and safety. Enjoy, have fun, and stay safe!

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Charles Clark

Charles Clark is the editor at Pupspal. He’s a pet content writer, life-long animal lover, and an outdoor enthusiast who has owned and trained multiple dogs since childhood. His first pup was a Labrador Retriever named Bubba Joe, whom he credits as his best friend until this day! When not writing, you can find Chuck hiking in Utah with his Border Collie Bailey.