Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Franklin, NC

There are 5 dog-friendly hiking trails in Franklin, and 16 more nearby. Use the links below to get an overview of each one, see pictures, print directions, and even read reviews from other dog owners. Coming from out of town? Get a discounted rate on pet friendly hotels in Franklin.

Pet Friendly Rufus Morgan Falls Trail
Rufus Morgan Falls Trail Rufus Morgan Falls Trail in Franklin, NC, is pet friendly. It's a moderately easy, 1 mile hike in Nantahala National Forest that will take about 40 minutes to complete with Fido. This little out of the way trail is a lovely spot that has soft ground and several water sources for Fido. Please note that dogs must be on a leash between April 1 and August 15, but must be under control at all times. See Details
Pet Friendly Wayah Bald Tower
Wayah Bald Tower Leashed dogs are welcome at Wayah Bald Tower which offers a great pet-friendly hike in Franklin, NC. that leads to awesome view points of four different states. Along the way, you and your pooch will see the Wilson Lick Ranger Station, built in 1913. Continue another 3 miles to Wayah Bald which gives a gorgeous view of the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. See Details
Bartram Trail (Jones Gap to Whiterock Mountain) The Bartram Trail from Jones Gap to Whiterock Mountain in Franlin, NC, is pet friendly. Bring Fido along on the moderately easy, 4.6 mile hike in Nantahala National Forest that will take about 2.5 hours to complete. This section of the 100 mile long Bartram Trail starts at Jones Gap and heads northwest to Whiterock Mountain with some side trails along the way that offer summit views. Please note that dogs must be on a leash between April 1 and August 15, but must be under control at all times. See Details
Big Bear at Little Tennessee River Greenway Big Bear at Little Tennessee River Greenway is a pet-friendly place in Franklin, NC. Bring Fido for a hike on one of the four miles of trails, where there are gazebos, shelters, restrooms, and convenient parking. There is also a small dog park on site. Bring your own water and waste bags. See Details
Bartram Trail Bartram Trail is pet-friendly. Following the route of 18th-century naturalist William Bartram's southern journey in the 18th century, this section of the trail leads from Wallace Branch to William's Pulpit. Leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners on the path, as long as they are well-behaved and cleaned up after. The trail is just over 4 miles and rated moderate. See Details
Dry Falls Dry Falls is a pet-friendly trail in Highlands, NC. This popular hike and waterfall is located a few miles outside of Highlands and gives you the rare chance to walk safely behind the water flow. The 75-ft. tall waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest flows over a cliff, allowing you to walk behind the falls and stay dry (ish). Dogs are welcome on a leash, as long as they are cleaned up after. See Details
Waterrock Knob Trail Waterrock Knob Trail in Sylva, NC, is pet friendly. It's a difficult, 1.2-mile hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway that will take about 1 hour to complete with Fido. With the steep elevation on this trail you will want to be sure your dog can climb and maneuver over large rocks. Please note that dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. See Details
Black Rock Mountain State Park Black Rock Mountain State Park in Mountain City is Georgia's highest state park, offering stunning landscape views, roadside overlooks, and 4 pet-friendly hiking trails. The park welcomes dogs as long as they are on a leash no longer than 6 feet; however, they are not permitted in or around historic sites, lodges, group camps or swimming areas. Please note that this park is closed from December 1 - March 15. See Details
Nantahala Bikeway The Nantahala Bikeway is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Previously an unused railroad corridor, this "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in Bryson City! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Nantahala Bikeway. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has generously provided map data for this trail to Bring Fido for informational purposes only. For more detailed trail information, please visit TrailLink.com. See Details
Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail is a pet-friendly hike in Nantahala National Forest in Cashiers, NC. The hike is nearly 2 miles long and will take you to beautiful wildflowers along the way. Dogs are welcome on the trail, as long as they are cleaned up after and remain on a leash. See Details
Secret Falls Trail Head Secret Falls Trail Head is a pet-friendly trail in Highlands, NC. This 45 minute brisk walk leads to a 35 foot high waterfall and small lake below. Dogs are welcome, but owners are reminded to clean up after them and make sure they are leashed for other hiker's safety. See Details
Highlands Biological Station Highlands Biological Station in Highlands, NC, is a dog-friendly native plant botanical garden with flat trails for owners and their dogs to walk along. The 12-acre botanical garden features native azaleas, plants of the Cherokee, mosses and liverworts, wildflowers, butterfly-pollinated species, and rock outcrop species. At 3,800 feet, it's the highest public native plant botanical garden in the east. The HBS Gardens and grounds are open year-round, dawn to dusk, and are free of charge. Please keep Fido on a leash while visiting. See Details
Mud Creek Trail Mud Creek Trail is a dog-friendly hiking path in Sky Valley, GA. Spanning just over two miles, this out-and-back route leads you to the beautiful 100-foot-tall Mud Creek Falls. Dogs are welcome to walk this moderately challenging trail with you as long as they remain leashed. See Details
Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park is a dog-friendly place in Highlands, NC. The park is a retreat for workers and visitors by day and a space for concerts, ice skating, arts and crafts, markets, and festivals by night. Dogs must be cleaned up after and leashed during their visit to Kelsey-Hutchinson. Dog pickup stations and trash bins are scattered throughout the park. See Details
Big Laurel Falls Big Laurel Falls is a pet-friendly trail in Otto, NC. The hike is just over a mile roundtrip and will take you to a beautiful waterfall to view with your pooch. Leashed dogs are welcome on this scenic trail and can even enjoy a refreshing swim at the end. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess that is left behind along the way. Due to seasonal road closures, this trail is generally inaccessible by vehicle from December 31 through April 1. See Details
Jackson County Greenway Jackson County Greenway is a pet-friendly trail that's perfect for enjoying a walk with Fido in Sylva, NC. This one-mile paved trail along the Tuckasegee River offers scenic views and sitting benches. Bring your leashed pup along for some exercise and fresh air at this popular recreation area. See Details
Bryson City's Island Park Bryson City's Island Park is a pet-friendly place in Bryson City, NC. You can bring Fido to join you at this popular park, as long as they are on a leash. About a quarter of the 4.5-acre park is open and shaded with picnic tables for Fido's snacks and dog waste stations so you can clean up any mess that your pooch leaves behind. The rest is heavily wooded with roughly a half-mile of dirt trails that circle around the island and through its center. While you're wandering around the park, you might notice the ruins of an old lumber mill and Bryson City’s largest and oldest tree, a tulip poplar with a 20-foot circumference. See Details
Nantahala National Forest Nantahala National Forest is a pet-friendly public area in Nantahala, NC. This national forest translates to Land of the Noonday Son in Cherokee. Located near the hip city of Asheville, the forest is full of trails that lead along babbling streams through tall trees. Dogs must be leashed within the forest and all mess should be cleaned up after them to preserve the cleanliness of the area. See Details
Mountain Waters Scenic Byway Mountain Waters Scenic Byway is a pet-friendly activity in Highlands, NC. This sixty-mile drive leads through National Forest's two river gorges, hardwood forests and countryside. It's ideal for dogs who don't enjoy hiking, although you can stop along the way and get out for a walk at certain spots. See Details
Nantahala River Ferebee Memorial Picnic Area Nantahala River Ferebee Memorial Picnic Area is a pet-friendly picnic place located about 2.75 miles downriver from the Nantahala River Launch site in Bryson City, NC. Ferebee Memorial offers picnic area with tables and charcoal grills, and serves as another launch and take out area. Leashed dogs are welcome, as long as they are cleaned up after. See Details
Franklin, NC, US