Grab A Leash And Hit The Trail! 6 Dog-Friendly Hikes in Georgia
I’ve always loved hiking and camping with my two dogs Murray and Munson. Their trail love is unmatched: if I touch my backpack, they’re prancing around and eager to go on whatever hiking adventure is in store. While many Georgia trails are dog-worthy, we have a few that are our go-to favorites whenever we’re hiking in our home state.
These trails are dog-friendly, and Murray and Munson approved. So grab a leash, your favorite canine hiking buddy and hit the trail for some dog-friendly adventures!
Augusta Canal Trail
7.5 Miles
Dog Perks: The mostly packed-dirt trail (a section near downtown is paved) runs along a strip of green between the canal and the Savannah River, where mini rapids cascade over small granite ledges. The canal side of the trail features slow moving water. Select spots along both sides of the trail allow Fido to play in the water.
Human Perks: Enjoy the charm of the canal’s wide, level towpath, once used by mules to pull canal boats to the head gates. Hike along tree-canopied segments while adjacent cool waterways offer relief in the steamy summer months. Trailside activities include boat tours of the Savannah River, canoe and kayak rentals.
Crooked River State Park
4 miles
Dog Perks: The park features four distinct nature trails that wind through forest and salt marsh. There are swimming holes available for both dogs and humans.
Human Perks: The open woods are ideal for bird watching enthusiasts: red-bellied woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, flicker, sapsucker, yellowthroat warbler, pine warbler, Northern parula warbler, yellow-rumped warbler, nuthatch, great crested flycatcher, Acadian flycatcher, barred owl, great horned owl, red-tailed hawk, and migratory songbirds and raptors.
Tugaloo State Park
4 miles
Dog Perks: The park features two nature trails that wind through forested areas and around Lake Hartwell with gentle hills and stretches of flatter trail comprised of hard-packed soil.
Human Perks: Both the Sassafras and Muscadine hiking trails wind through oak, walnut, mulberry and cherry trees. There’s many activities to enjoy including a swimming beach, tennis courts and volleyball. The lake is known for boating and fishing is excellent year-round.
FDR State Park: Pine Mountain Trail
23 interconnecting miles
Dog Perks: Take the 7-mile Wolfden Loop and it’s a full day full of splashing, swimming adventure with a lot of places to cool off in creeks and falls.
Human Perks: There are seven trails suitable for day hiking with lengths varying from 3 to 8 miles in length. There is a strict “no wheeled vehicle” policy so no need to dodge fast moving mountain bikes along the trails.
Long Creek Falls via Appalachian Trail
2 Miles
Dog Perks: Soft compacted soil and relatively short distance make this an easy hike for after school or work. There’s plenty of splashing fun in the creek all the way up to the falls.
Human Perks: This is a sweet short little hike for a family with small children. It’s just the right length for the little ones and nice to hike through beautiful forest. Spring would be the best time to hike when there is plenty of water cascading over the waterfall.
West Palisades Trail
6 Miles
Dog Perks: Hard compacted soil and good splashing fun, with scrambling over a large rock outcrop at Long Island Shoals, a favorite swimming hole for water-loving four-footed trail buddies.
Human Perks: Explore the Chattahoochee River’s most popular recreation area in metro Atlanta. Plenty of running, walking and biking trails follow a paved path through wooded forest and river ecosystems that are perfect for spotting wildlife. Terrain varies from flat to rolling hills to a couple short but steep sections.
Silver Comet Trail
Varies
Dog Perks: When it’s too muddy for the human companions, this paved path has no cars and just a few hills. Perfect mile after blissful mile of paved, smooth trail that just begs for a long-distance energy burning after work walk.
Human Perks: Georgia’s Silver Comet Trail follows an old rail line for 61 miles from just outside of Atlanta to the Georgia-Alabama state line and continues as the Chief Ladiga Trail. One of the longest paved pathways in the U.S., the trail cuts a scenic route through preserved forests, rural countryside and historic downtowns.
Whether you live in Georgia or are just visiting with your pooch, be sure to check out these dog-friendly trails so you can both get a workout and enjoy the relaxing beauty and nature found on Georgia’s trails.
For more hiking and backpacking information, be sure to follow along and click here to check out all the other cool blog posts. You’ll find everything you need from beginner backpacking essential gear lists, to hiking in Africa, to information on how to save your life with a sock!
/
Murray and Munson seam like such great dogs. what an awesome adventure
Thank you! They truly love being out in the woods!
Going hiking with dogs seems like so much fun. Love these pictures.
I live very far away and I don’t have a dog but I love the beautiful scenery you’ve shared with us
Thank you! Georgia does have some pretty fantastic places to hike with my dogs.
I love how you have this separated into dog perks and human perks. It makes it really easy to decide where you want to go.
Thanks Angela. I was hoping to get some feedback on that format as I intended it to help the humans decide on the trail they wanted to try.
This was a fun read, I love the photos, and also how you defined each hike location with ‘dog perks’ and ‘human perks’ 🙂
Thanks Candi! I tried to make it as useful as possible.
Those trails look so peaceful! I’d love to check those out. I’ll be passing through Georgia in a couple of weeks, but I won’t really have time to stop for hiking. I’ll have to keep these trails in mind for next time!
I love when I see dogs out for hikes!! Such happy doggies!!
I’ve never thought of taking my dog on a hike before! I’m sure he would love it! Thanks for the idea!
These look like some really great trails!
Such a fun post! My daughter loves to travel with her dog, and always looks for trails, etc that are dog friendly.
It’s hard when traveling to find decent dog-friendly trails. I hope this post helps someone out who is new to Georgia, or just passing through.
Thanks for sharing! We live close to Georgia so this helps!
I’m glad I could help!
Great info and great pics! Those trails are nice and wide, would be so great to do those!
Thank Gail! Hope to see you out on the trail one day.
I’m not a fan of super skinny trails either…too many opportunities for ticks when you brush up against the foliage all the time.
I don’t have dog or any pet, but I like being outside, and your puppy is so cute!
Thank you! I have to agree, Murray is adorable!
Thank you…he is cute isn’t he?
I love your photos – the places you visit are so pretty! I don’t have a dog, but I can see why you’d want to walk through those areas with one!
Thanks Sarah. I do feel much safer with Murray and Munson with me on the trail. Murray has ben professionally trained for off-leash hiking and the best part? He alerts whenever he smells bear in the area!
Awesome! I’m going to share this with my mother, she loves will love them.
Perfect. Thank you!
What great reviews for the dog lovers and hikers!
Thanks! I enjoy sharing my favorite dog-friendly trails!
We adopted a new puppy, and are so thrilled to show her around town. It can be hard to know where’s dog-friendly. I appreciate having a bucket list of hikes to take her on!
Congratulations on adopting your new puppy!! Puppy breath is the best thing ever! I hope this list of suggested trails is helpful for you and your new best friend.
Our new puppy loves the outdoors and running. She would love going on a trip like this with us. Our other dog not so much lol
Puppy energy…you gotta love it!