10 Dog-Friendly State Parks In Utah

Summary

• There are many Utah state parks where dogs are allowed – all of them, in fact, permit dogs! However, some are more pup-friendly than others, with many offering dog-friendly hiking trails, campgrounds, and scenic drives.
• Antelope Island, Snow Canyon, Goblin Valley, and more state parks allow dogs on trails and in specific areas.
• Great Salt Lake, Kodachrome Basin, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes are also dog-friendly, with various activities available for pets.

The parks of Utah are some of the most unique in the country. Protecting everything from dinosaur quarries to one-of-a-kind rock formations, the state and national parks throughout Utah are special for a variety of reasons.

For those visiting the state of Utah, either as a solo destination or as part of any of the many scenic national park road trips, the trip is always better with company. Many choose to explore the parks with their furry companions, so finding perhaps the most dog-friendly state parks Utah has in store is a must.

Thankfully, all of the state parks in Utah are dog-friendly to some degree. While some parks require furry friends to stay in the car for their visit, these Utah state parks are truly welcoming to guests and their dog co-pilots.

Pets are not allowed inside the Visitor’s Centers at any Utah State Parks. Service dogs are always welcome.

10 Antelope Island State Park

Where Dogs Are Allowed: Scenic Driving Route, Select Hiking Trails

Antelope Island State Park is already one of the most unique places for wildlife watching in Utah, so it’s no surprise there is plenty of room to bring the pups along as well.

One of the highlights of Antelope Island is the scenic loop drive that follows the island’s perimeter. Designated turnouts provide ample opportunities for guests and their furry friends to watch the bison, antelope, bighorn sheep, and more wander the protected spaces.

For those wanting to go off-road, the island’s hiking trails, except for the Frary Peak trail and Sentry Trail, are also dog-friendly (they must always be on a leash, though).

Dogs are not allowed on the beaches at Antelope Island State Park.

9 Snow Canyon State Park

Where Dogs Are Allowed: All Hiking Trails, Scenic Drive Loop, Campgrounds

Snow Canyon State Park is one of the excellent Utah state park alternatives to Zion National Park, and it is far more dog-friendly as well. As one of the numerous Utah parks with stunning views to enjoy with minimal hiking, travelers and their four-legged companions can enjoy a scenic drive through the park, stopping at scenic turnouts along the way.

There are also numerous campgrounds in Snow Canyon, and all the campsites are dog-friendly. For those camping with their doggy companion, a day hike through Whiptail Trail or one of the other dog-friendly trails can also be included.

8 Goblin Valley State Park

Where Dogs Are Allowed: Select Hiking Trails, Campgrounds, Scenic Loop Drive

Pet access in Utah’s national parks is extremely limited, unsurprising given the fragile environments they protect. Those looking to get a picture of Fido in front of some of the more iconic red rock formations still have plenty of options, however.

There is plenty to know about Goblin Valley State Park. The park is full of many of the unusual hoodoos, spires, and sand dunes that can be found in places like Zion National Park. Unlike Zion National Park, however, Goblin Valley State Park is completely dog-friendly. With three winding trails through the goblins, there are plenty of opportunities to snap that perfect photo together.

Those visiting with dogs in the summer should be aware of the extreme temperatures the sand and rock can reach. Dogs (and their human companions) may need some extra foot protection to enjoy this scenic park during hotter days.

7 Bear Lake State Park

Where Dogs Are Allowed: Hiking Trails, Marina, On the Beaches, In the Water, Campgrounds

While all of the state parks in Utah are dog-friendly, many of the bodies of water in them are off-limits. As reservoirs that provide for local populations, swimming is frequently prohibited.

Thankfully, the crystal clear waters of Bear Lake are wide open and perfect for humans and dogs alike to splash in. In addition to the snow-melt-fed lake, the hiking trails around the water are equally picturesque and dog-friendly.

In addition to exploring the beach and shallow waters of the park, Bear Lake allows a variety of on-the-water activities, including boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding, all of which dogs are more than welcome to join in on.

6 Escalante Petrified Forest State Park

Where Dogs Are Allowed: All Hiking Trails, Scenic Loop Drive, Campgrounds

Sleeping rainbows and desert wildlife, there is plenty to see in scenic Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. The park has a variety of trails of various lengths, making it ideal for even less adventurous pups.

Dogs are allowed in all corners of the park, so long as they are leashed. Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is so dog-friendly, however, that there are select areas where dogs can be off-leash, including at the campgrounds in the park.

5 Kodachrome Basin State Park

Where Dogs Are Allowed: All Hiking Trails, Campsites, Scenic Drive Loops

Just half an hour from Bryce Canyon National Park lies Kodachrome Basin State Park, the only place in the world where it’s possible to find naturally occurring sand pipes. Unlike Bryce Canyon, dogs are allowed everywhere in Kodachrome Basin State Park, so long as they are on a leash and well-behaved.

Short one-mile hikes like the Angel’s Palace Trail and more intensive treks like the nearly six-mile Panorama Trail Long Loop provide plenty of opportunities for two and four-legged guests to expend their energy among some of the most beautiful views in Southern Utah.

4 Wasatch Mountain State Park

Where Dogs Are Allowed: Throughout the Park

A majority of Utah’s most famous parks, including all five of the state’s national parks (nicknamed the “Mighty 5”) are located in the southern part of the state. For those looking for dog-friendly Utah state parks, however, there are far more options, and not just in Red Rock Country. The mountain ranges of the northern half of the state are peppered with state and national park sites, and many of them, including Wasatch Mountain State Park, are very dog-friendly.

The Wasatch Mountains are as far from the barren desert as imaginable, with towering mountains covered in alpine plant and animal life. Dogs are welcome to accompany their owners as they hike, picnic, and camp throughout Wasatch Mountain State Park, enjoying the waterfalls and forests that dominate this area.

3 Dead Horse Point State Park

Where Dogs Are Allowed: Hiking Trails, Campsites

Moab, Utah is famous for a variety of reasons, including acting as the gateway for Arches National Park. A perhaps lesser-known park in Moab is Dead Horse Point State Park, which, despite the name, is very welcoming to a variety of four-legged companions.

Dogs are allowed on all eight miles of hiking trails around the park, as well as in the campgrounds. This makes it easy for those traveling with their doggy companions to enjoy all of the dramatic horseshoe bends and canyon overlooks in the park without having to compromise.

Dead Horse Point State Park also has 17 miles of mountain biking trails. For safety purposes, dogs are not allowed on these trails.

2 Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Where Dogs Are Allowed: Throughout the Park

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is one the best places in Utah to work up an adrenaline-fueled sweat, and pups are more than welcome to join in on the fun.

Unlike many of the state parks in Utah where dogs are limited to select trails, furry visitors are welcome to explore the untamed sand dunes with their human companions, so long as they are on a leash.

The sand dunes are popular with off-roading vehicles, so dogs and people alike will need to be aware of their surroundings during their stay. The sunset views, however, are said to be well worth the extra precautions.

1 Great Salt Lake State Park

Where Dogs Are Allowed: Hiking Trails, Beaches, In the Water

The Great Salt Lake is one of the most significant natural landmarks in Utah. The massive saltwater lake is a key part of the migration pattern of hundreds of species of birds. While the waterfowl may be the only ones who enjoy the lake’s resident brine shrimp, the views, campgrounds, and marinas around the lake are perfect for a day of fun.

Dogs are allowed everywhere in the park except inside buildings, making this an ideal recreational opportunity for dog owners to allow their pups to sniff and wander (on leash) to their heart’s content. Since the water is not part of a Reservoir, dogs are also allowed to take a dip in the salty mix as well.