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Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Highlands, NC

There are 6 dog-friendly hiking trails in Highlands. 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 Highlands.

Pet Friendly Dry Falls

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.

Pet Friendly Secret Falls Trail Head

Secret Falls Trail Head

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.

Highlands Biological Station

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.

Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park

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.

Mountain Waters Scenic Byway

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.

Yellow Mountain Trail

Yellow Mountain Trail

Yellow Mountain Trail is a pet-friendly trail in Highlands, NC. This one's for more experienced canine hikers as it is rated difficult. Grab your supplies and stride out on a trail that leaves to astonishing views from the top of a mountain. Take pause at the fire tower at the top and enjoy the natural show. Leashed dogs are welcome, as long as they are cleaned up after.

Oconee State Park

Mountain Rest, SC

Oconee State Park

Oconee State Park is a dog-friendly recreation site in Mountain Rest, SC. The 1,165 acres include two mountain lakes and a variety of recreational facilities for visitors to enjoy, including campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas and hiking trails. The park also serves as the western terminus for the 85-mile Foothills Trail, which crosses the state's crown and ends at Jones Gap State Park. Leashed pets are allowed in most outdoor areas. Pets are not allowed in or around lodging facilities.

Black Rock Mountain State Park

Mountain City, GA

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.

Gorges State Park

Gorges State Park

The dog-friendly Gorges State Park is perfect for those looking for a challenge in Sapphire, NC. Most of the trails in Gorges State Park are labeled as strenuous, but can offer rewarding panorama of Lake Jocassee or waterfalls. Trails range from half a mile to fourteen and a half miles, so be sure to check out the parks website to figure out what trail meets your needs. Leashed dogs are always welcomed!

Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail

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.

Long Creek Falls

Long Creek Falls

Long Creek Falls is a 25-foot waterfall on its namesake creek in Oconee County, just before the creek flows into the mighty Chattooga River. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trailhead.

Mud Creek Trail

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.

Jackson County Greenway

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.

Devils Fork State Park

Devils Fork State Park

Bring Fido to dog-friendly Devils Fork State Park in Salem, SC. The park provides the only public access to mountain spring-fed Lake Jocassee, a 7,565-acre lake which attracts tourists, dog owners and water sport enthusiasts. The park has a mile long nature trail, a boat ramp, playground, picnic areas and shelters, in addition to a park store which sells select grocery items and firewood. Overnight visitors can reserve one of five pet-friendly villas to enjoy an extended stay in this scenic park. During your visit drive to Jumping Off Rock for a panoramic lake view, hike the Oconee Bell Trail, and see the breathtaking waterfalls on Lake Jocassee.

Silver Run Falls Trailhead

Silver Run Falls Trailhead

Take Fido for a leisurely stroll along the Silver Run Falls Trailhead located just outside of Cashiers, NC in Nantahala National Forest. This short, pet-friendly hiking path is mostly flat and leads to a an impressive, 20-foot water fall. Please leash and clean up after your pets on the trail.

Oconee Station State Historic Site

Oconee Station State Historic Site

Oconee Station State Historic Site is a pet-friendly destination that was once a military compound in the 18th and 19th century in Walhalla, SC. Visitors can enjoy marked historical sights, as well as an array of recreational activities. Bring Fido along for a hike on the 1.5-mile nature trail leading to Station Cove Falls in Sumter National Forest, blooming with wildflowers in spring. Another option is the interpretive Oconee Connector Trail that spans approximately four miles and circles a four-acre pond for fishing. Dogs are welcome in all outdoor areas on a leash.

Yellow Branch Falls Hiking Trail

Yellow Branch Falls Hiking Trail

Bring Fido for an adventurous hike along Yellow Branch Falls Hiking Trail near Walhalla, SC. This 3-mile out-and-back trail is moderately difficult and should take 1hr 30 mins to complete. Beginning at a picnic area off of SC-28, hikers should follow a short nature trail which connects to Yellow Branch Falls Hiking Trail. Meander across several small streams before reaching Yellow Branch Falls, a beautiful 50-foot vertical waterfall. The trail is open year-round and is a popular route to explore. Dogs are allowed to be off-leash in some areas.

Bartram Trail (Jones Gap to Whiterock Mountain)

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.

Big Bear at Little Tennessee River Greenway

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.

Blue Ridge Railroad Historical Trail

Blue Ridge Railroad Historical Trail

The Blue Ridge Railroad Historical Trail 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 Mountain Rest! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Blue Ridge Railroad Historical Trail. 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.

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Highlands, NC, US