Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Alabama

Visit Red Mountain Park, a nonprofit organization in Birmingham, AL featuring 1,500 wooded acres. Visitors can enjoy 20 dog-friendly miles of walking, hiking and mountain biking trails, Remy’s Dog Park, and beautiful destination sites – the historic Redding Hoist House, three treehouse views and glimpses of iron ore mine entrances. Dogs must remain on a leash while not in the dog park.

Moss Rock Preserve is a beautiful 349-acre nature preserve in Hoover, AL, abundant with trees and plants, rock outcroppings, streams, waterfalls, wildlife and other unique natural features. There are nearly 12 miles of dog-friendly hiking footpaths, as well as "Boulder Field" which is a favorite among rock climbers. Dogs are allowed throughout the park; they must be on no more than a 6-foot leash and under their owner's control at all times.

Little River Canyon National Preserve provides visitors with abundant outdoor recreational opportunities in Fort Payne, AL. The park is pet friendly, but be sure to keep Fido leashed at all times. Hikes include wooded trails, breath-taking overlooks, beautiful waterfalls and peaceful picnic areas. Daily and annual passes are available.

Bring Fido to Desoto State Park in Fort Payne, AL, and explore the more than 25 miles of dog-friendly trails together. As you hike on Lookout Mountain, you and your furry friend will enjoy rock formations, seasonal waterfalls, beautiful views of the west fork of Little River, abundant animal life, and diverse communities of flora. Trail difficulty ranges from easy to strenuous. Just keep Fido on a leash at all times. Desoto State Park also offers dog-friendly cabins and campsites.

At over 1,000 acres in size, pet-friendly Ruffner Mountain in Birmingham, AL provides visitors with over 11 miles of scenic hiking trails in a protected urban area. Bring Fido to the Overlook Trail via Quarry Trail, one of the park's most popular hikes that leads to awesome views across Birmingham's skyline. Just remember that all dogs must be on a leash at all times, and owners must clean up after their pets.

Oak Mountain State Park is a dog-friendly park in Pelham, AL. Mountain biking and hiking are two of the most popular activities at the park. With more than 50 miles of trails, visitors have plenty of options to choose from be it a short loop or an overnight trip. Dogs are welcome in most areas of the park as long as they are leashed. Bike and horseback riding trails may not allow dogs for safety reasons. Dogs are not allowed in stores, food service areas, bathhouse, pool or swimming areas. Fido cannot be left unattended and will be confiscated if left in a hot car more than 30 minutes.

Offering more than 20 miles of trails, dog-friendly Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville, AL, offers plenty of hiking opportunities for you and your pup to enjoy. Just be sure to keep Fido on a leash. Dogs are welcome in the campsites and in two of the cabins for an additional fee. Bike and horseback riding trails may not allow dogs for safety reasons. Dogs are not allowed in stores, food service areas, bathhouse, pool or swimming areas. Dogs can not be left unattended and will be confiscated if left in a hot car. Prices for entry vary by age and annual memberships are available.

Wind Creek State Park is a dog-friendly state park and trail in Alexander City, AL. Fido is welcome to join you on-leash to explore the hiking trails of the park, in addition to a variety of other outdoor activities like a viewing of the Piedmont Plateau, or the Lake Martin Amphitheater. Dogs are also welcome at the campsites and two cabins for an additional fee.

Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Orange Beach, AL is pet friendly. Located near Gulf Coast in Gulf State Park, this trail will take you and your pooch on a journey through nine different ecosystems across 28 miles. The diverse area includes longleaf sand ridges, oak maritime forest, dunes, pine flatwoods, freshwater marshes, and coastal hardwood swamps. Leashed pups must be kept close by because wildlife, such as snakes and alligators, can sometimes be found on the trail.

Old Cahawba Archaeological Park is a dog-friendly historical site and area of interest in Orrville, AL. Cahawba was once Alabama's state capital from 1819-1826 and became a ghost town shortly after the Civil War. Leashed dogs are welcome to accompany you to explore the ruins and walk throughout this interpretive park. The park has 5 miles of walking trails to enjoy and owners are asked to please clean up after their pet.

Noccalula Falls Park, located in Gadsden, AL, is home to a beautiful waterfall with dog-friendly trails through Black Creek Gorge. Over five miles of paved walking trails wind through the park proper starting at the Admissions Pavilion. Visitors can also enjoy the Black Creek Trail - a 1.7-mile crushed stone path that leads down from Noccalula Falls campground to Black Creek Road. The trail starts at Noccalula Falls Wedding Chapel.

Leashed dogs are welcome to visit the historic Clarkson Covered Bridge in Cullman, AL. This pet-friendly bridge is closed to motorized vehicles, but you and your dog can walk across the bridge. It is the centerpiece of the surrounding park.

Leashed dogs are welcome at Cheaha State Park, a pet-friendly recreational area in Delta, AL. Bike and horseback riding trails may not allow dogs for safety reasons. Dogs are not allowed in stores, food service areas, bathhouses, pools or swimming areas. Fido also cannot be left unattended and will be confiscated if left in a hot car more than 30 minutes. Surrounded completely by the Talladega National Forest, the park is ideal for access to the Kentuck ORV-ATV Trail. Additionally, the park is home to the Cheaha Trailhead of the Pinhoti Trail, which connects with the Appalachian Trail and accesses the Odum Scout Trail, and the Chinnabee Silent Trail. Here hikers can experience tranquility, native wildlife and beautiful waterfalls.

Historic Blakeley State Park in Spanish Fort, AL, is a pristine 2100-acre recreation area that preserves the sites of Alabama's largest Civil War battle and other historic sites. This dog-friendly area is a stop on the Alabama Gulf Coastal Birding Trail and the Civil War Discovery Trail. Leashed dogs are welcome on the 12 miles of trails. There is a fee for entry.

Meaher State Park is a 1,327-acre recreation area in Spanish Fort, AL. It's situated in the wetlands of Mobile Bay and is a day-use, picnicking and scenic park with modern camping hook-ups for overnight visitors. A self-guided walk on two dog-friendly nature trails includes a boardwalk with an up-close view of the beautiful Mobile Delta. Bike and horseback riding trails may not allow dogs for safety reasons. Dogs are not allowed in stores, food service areas, bathhouses, pool or swimming areas. Dogs cannot be left unattended and will be confiscated if left in a hot car more than 30 minutes.

5 Rivers Delta Resource Center is a dog-friendly visitor center on the Mobile Bay Causeway in Spanish Fort, AL. The venue is located where the Mobile, Spanish, Tensaw, Apalachee and Blakeley rivers flow into Mobile Bay, with an exhibit hall, learning center, theater, gift shop and welcome center, walking trails, picnic areas, conference center and reception hall. In front of the gift shop there are marked walking trails identifying different plant and tree species. Perfect for a leisurely walk in the woods with the pooch.

Orr Park is a unique pet-friendly nature preserve in Montevallo, AL. Fido is welcome to join you on this 40-acre park featuring pavilions, a gazebo and a walking trail. The pathway winds through trees carved by a local artist ranging from gnomes, a dragon or a fish eating a snake. A restroom facility is also on site.

Gulf State Park is a dog-friendly park in Gulf Shores, AL, featuring 25 miles of paved trails for walking or biking. Rent a bike from the camp store. Dogs are welcome in most areas of the park as long as the dog is on a leash. Bike and horseback riding trails may not allow dogs for safety reasons. Dogs are not allowed in stores, food service areas, bathhouse, pool or swimming areas, other than the dog pond. Dogs can not be left unattended and will be confiscated if left in a hot car more than 30 minutes.

Lakepoint State Park is a dog-friendly park located on the banks of the 45,000-acre Lake Eufaula in Ufaula, AL. It offers a variety of amenities and activities where Fido can tag along, including hiking trails, fishing, boating, wildlife and bird watching, camping, and picnic areas. Dogs are welcome in most parks as long as the dog is on a leash. Bike and horseback riding trails may not allow dogs for safety reasons.

Bring Fido to check out the five miles of hiking trails (paved and unpaved) that wind up and down the whitewater beauty of the pet-friendly Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Pinson, AL. There are excellent swimming areas for your pup, however, be warned that there is a slight current so small dogs need to be watched closely.