Summary
- Be prepared before hiking – check the weather, pack water, snacks, and gear. Utah’s trails offer epic views and natural wonders.
- Utah is full of dog-friendly trails with breathtaking sights. Explore parks for minimal hiking and enjoy yourself with your furry friend.
- Discover top-rated dog-friendly trails in Utah for unforgettable views. Ensure your pup stays hydrated and ready for the adventure.
Exploring Utah’s stunning landscape is something that should be on everyone’s bucket list. And you don’t need to do it alone – Utah is full of dog-friendly hiking trails where you and your pet can discover the unique rock formations, sprawling mountain-top views, and immersive slot canyons that shape the regions across the state. You can even explore several parks in Utah that offer breathtaking views with minimal hiking, making it easy to enjoy the beauty of the state with your furry friend by your side.
As always, it’s important to be prepared before heading out on a hike, especially when your pup is coming along. Make sure you check the weather forecast, as well as bring enough water and any necessary equipment. Many of these hikes are accessible without special gear and include water along the way. Regardless, it’s important to pack snacks and water for you and your dog on any hike, especially if you’re exploring in the summer.
Utah’s nature is protected by a myriad of different agencies, which means not all trails are dog-friendly. But this list showcases Utah’s top-rated dog-friendly trails, so you don’t have to spend time researching where you’re allowed to explore with your pet. All of these trails feature must-see natural attractions across the state of Utah. You won’t be disappointed when you discover the epic views and natural wonder all of these trails contain.
10 Utah Parks That Offer Scenic Views With Minimal Hiking
Want to see Utah’s iconic scenery, but not interested in a rugged hike? These 10 parks have some of the best views in Utah, no hiking required.
10 Living Room Lookout Trail
AllTrails rating: 4.5
A beautiful sunrise over Salt Lake City
Looking for a quick dog-friendly hike in the Salt Lake City area that will get your blood pumping? The Living Room Lookout Trail is perfect! This 2.3-mile trail usually takes just under 2 hours to finish, so it’s a perfect option to squeeze in during the week or on a busy weekend. You’ll be led up to an amazing overlook surrounded by unique rock formations. Because this trail is so close to the city, it’s one of the best places to see a sunrise or sunset in Salt Lake City.
You should have no problem finding free parking on Colorow Road, but it’s important to note this trail is very popular. The Red Butte Gardens are nearby if you are looking for additional natural spaces to explore, though they only permit service dogs on the grounds. Take your pup up the Living Room Lookout Trail any day of the week for excellent views of Salt Lake City and the surrounding mountains!
- Fees: None
- Distance: 2.3 miles
- Total Hiking Time: Around 1 hour 45 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
There is minimal to no shade along this trail, so be prepared, especially if you’re hiking in the summer months. Bring ample water for you and your dog, and consider getting your dog
boots
or
paw protectors
to keep their paws safe!
9 Bullion Falls
AllTrails rating: 4.5
Bullion Falls, Fishlake, Utah
The Bullion Falls Trail is a relatively quick and easy hike outside Marysvale, Utah, that you and your dogs will love! This rocky trail takes you right up to a 60-foot waterfall, so it’s a perfect place to cool down in the summer. The trail parallels a river, making it easy to access water throughout the hike.
People usually take this route in the spring, summer, and fall – it’s pretty popular, so make sure you’re prepared to encounter other people and pets! Throughout the 2-mile hike, you will only gain 443 feet of elevation, making it easy to complete in just over an hour. If you love waterfalls, we can’t recommend this hike enough.
- Fees: None
- Distance: 2 miles
- Total Hiking Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate
Fifth Water Hot Springs: A Guide To Utah’s Hidden Gem
Just out of Salt Lake City are the relaxing Fifth Water hot springs to the backdrop of waterfalls.
8 Red Reef Trail
AllTrails rating: 4.6
This premier trail in Southern Utah is one you and your dog won’t want to miss! The Red Reef Trail near Leeds, Utah, is a hugely popular trail thanks to its excellent views. When hiking, you’ll be completely surrounded by stunning red rocks, get an up-close view of the local flora, and see sweeping views of the red mountains. There’s usually plenty of water along the way, so it’ll be easy for your dog to stay hydrated. On that note, make sure you wear shoes that you don’t mind getting wet!
Temperatures can get quite hot in the summer, so be aware of the forecast and consider a hike in the winter or shoulder seasons to make sure you and your dogs stay safe. No matter when you visit, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable hike down the Red Reef Trail.
7 Mount Olympus
AllTrails rating: 4.7
Mount Olympus in the Wasatch Mountain Range, Utah
Mount Olympus is a dog-friendly trail that’s perfect if you’re looking for a challenge. This 7 to 8-mile trail has over 4,000 feet of elevation gain, making it quite steep, especially as you near the top. But as you can imagine, the views from the summit are stunning.
Located just outside of Salt Lake City, the Mount Olympus Trail showcases epic views of the Wasatch Valley. This popular trail is frequented by people and dogs alike! Hikers should be aware that there is a rock scramble near the top of the trail, but if your dog is an experienced hiker, they shouldn’t have any problems.
If hiking in the winter, come prepared with spikes and/or snow shoes. This trail enters a potential avalanche zone, so make sure you check
the current danger ratings
before heading out on a hike!
6 Stewart Cascade #056
AllTrails rating: 4.7
Stewart Cascade #056 is a waterfall worth chasing! This two-tiered waterfall reaches just over 200 feet high, so it is known as one of the best waterfalls in Northern Utah. The trail winds through the east side of Mount Timpanogos Wilderness, so this is a great way to explore this section of the Wasatch Mountains.
Throughout your hike, you’ll have access to some streams (including the waterfall at the terminus), but it is still a good idea to bring plenty of water to make sure you and your pup stay hydrated. We highly recommend this dog-friendly waterfall trail in Northern Utah for its beautiful scenery and its amazing water features!
5 Delano Peak
AllTrails rating: 4.7
Tushar Mountains in Utah
You and your dog could be standing atop this 12,000-foot mountain in Southern Utah. Delano Peak showcases incredible views of the Tushar Mountains and beyond. While this is definitely a challenging route, it is well-suited for dogs and hikers of varying skill levels because of its relatively gentle slope. You’ll follow a gradual incline that leads to the grassy-sloped summit of Delano Peak, making it far easier to conquer than most of its neighbors.
Delano Peak trail is a perfect hike for anyone wanting to experience epic mountain-top views, even if they’re a novice. But don’t forget to take your best four-legged friend with you!
Conquering Kings Peak: A Journey To The Pinnacle Of Utah’s Breathtaking Natural Beauty
Explore the highest point in Utah, King’s Peak, and all that its beautiful views have to offer.
4 Corona and Bowtie Arch via Corona Arch Trail
AllTrails rating: 4.8
Southern Utah is well-known for its abundance of beautiful natural arches, especially in Arches National Park. But there are so many other trails that showcase these structures outside the park. Skip the fees and bring your dog with you to Corona and Bowtie Arch!
This top-rated trail takes you to some of the most accessible arches outside the national park, where you can even spend a night under the stars at one of the nearby campsites. These two red-rock arches are a must-see for anyone visiting Moab!
This trail does include a scramble and ladder section that might be difficult for some dogs to get over, so having your dog wear a harness is a good idea so that you can assist them up the climb. Along the trail, you’ll get views of the arches as well as the winding Colorado River. The trailhead is located right near the river, which is a great place to cool off before and after the hike. The Corona and Bowtie Arch Trail shows off the magnificent natural beauty found in Southern Utah, so we can’t recommend this hike enough!
- Fees: None
- Distance: 2.3 miles
- Total Hiking Time: ~1 hour, 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate
3 Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon Loop
AllTrails rating: 4.8
Explore the photogenic slot canyons of Utah on this 8-mile loop. Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon Loop is a trail full of scenic, natural rock structures. We love this dog-friendly hike because it delivers excellent canyon routes that don’t require any gear. Both of these canyons showcase Utah’s slot canyons in an accessible way.
While this loop covers just over 8 miles, there is only about 810 feet of total elevation gain. The wide slots make it easy for hikers of varying experience levels, as well as their dogs, to see these natural wonders!
You can choose to do this loop in a day, but if you want to backpack with your dog, this loop is perfect! Spend a night in nature beneath a blanket of stars.
Be prepared to get wet! During any time of year, hikers can encounter water sections they will have to wade through. These are usually ankle-deep, but the levels can get higher. Some hikers bring water shoes, but at the very least, make sure you wear quick-dry technical clothing.
2 Lower Calf Creek Falls
AllTrails rating: 4.8
There is a lot to love about the Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail. This dog-friendly trail in the North Escalante region is one you won’t want to miss. Hike through a historical playground – this trail features rock art that’s dated back to 1200 AD! And did you know that farmers used to grow watermelons along this trail? This and other interesting historical information is available on AllTrails for you to peruse before you hike. At the end of the trail, you’ll discover the beautiful, spouting falls. You and your dog can take a dip in the swimming hole to cool off.
Every bit of this experience is incredibly scenic, from the drive to the hike itself. This trail showcases beautiful waterfalls and the abundant nature found in North Escalante. It’s no wonder that these falls are a must-see, especially in the springtime.
1 The Wave Trail
AllTrails rating: 4.9
The Wave Trail, Coyote Buttes North, Arizona and Utah, USA, one of the US hikes with limited permits
This absolutely iconic trail takes the number one spot as the best dog-friendly hiking trail in Utah! The Wave Trail delivers picture-perfect views of the mesmerizing rock formations found in Coyote Buttes North. This 6.7-mile trail is accessible for you and your four-legged friends. Bring your camera – you are going to want to document the incredible views along the way.
The wave-like sandstone formations can be found throughout the Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness in Southern Utah. But The Wave Trail is a popular choice because it showcases these mind-blowing geological structures. Temperatures can get quite hot in the summer, so it’s recommended you check out this trail in the winter or shoulder seasons. Walk among juniper trees and experience the stunning natural beauty of The Wave Trail with your pup!
