Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Connecticut

If your dog likes to ruff it, bring Fido hiking in Connecticut. Our dog friendly hiking section includes everything from easy one-hour walks to fantastic overnight trips in Connecticut that won’t be soon forgotten. Seriously, go take a hike!

Pet Friendly Devil's Hopyard State Park
Devil's Hopyard State Park Taking its name from the round holes that appear in the waterfalls, dog-friendly Devil's Hopyard State Park in East Haddam, CT is a perfect place to enjoy a day in nature. You and your pooch can hike, picnic, birdwatch and fish in the stream. Just keep Fido on a leash at all times, and note that pets are not permitted in the campground. See Details
Pet Friendly Sleeping Giant State Park
Sleeping Giant State Park Sleeping Giant State Park is a dog-friendly area in Hamden, CT. Despite the name, this park is popular among hikers and people looking for a picturesque place to have a picnic. The name actually comes from the mountaintops resembling the image of a giant having a nap. You can wander the uneven ridges on one of the many hiking trails with Fido as long as he is on a leash. See Details
Gillette Castle State Park Dogs are welcome at the picnic areas and on the hiking trails of Gillette Castle State Park, a dog-friendly attraction in East Haddam, CT. Fido can enjoy the trails that loop and wind around outdoor art exhibits and a historic estate that is reminiscent of a castle. However, you're not allowed to bring dogs inside buildings or on decks. See Details
Lake Mohegan Open Space Lake Mohegan Open Space is a beautiful dog-friendly recreation area in Fairfield, CT. The scenic hiking trails take you around the lake, over a foot bridge, and through woodlands at this 170-acre property. Fido can enjoy some off-leash time on your hike after you reach the "100-foot" sign posted on the trail. Please make sure your pets are under voice control at all times and be sure to clean up after them. See Details
Sherwood Island State Park Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, CT welcomes leashed dogs in the off-season from October 1st to April 14th. This public recreation area can be found on the shore of Long Island Sound and offers swimming, fishing and dog-friendly trails. Pets are not allowed in the park during the summer season from April 15th through September 30th. See Details
Kent Falls State Park Leashed dogs are welcome in picnic areas and on hiking trails at Kent Falls State Park, a pet-friendly recreation area in Kent, CT. You and Fido can explore the covered bridge and the quarter-mile hiking trail that leads to a stunning 250-foot waterfall. Please note that the parking lot may close for a few hours when the park reaches capacity. Arriving early is recommended. See Details
Giuffrida Park Giuffrida Park is a dog-friendly outdoor recreation area in Meriden, CT. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you one of the six trails that range from easy to difficult. Stroll along the reservoir, picturesque meadows, and take in the beauty of your surroundings from the top of Lamentation Mountain and Chauncey Peak. See Details
Salmon River State Forest Dogs are welcome at Salmon River State Forest in Colchester, CT. This pet-friendly preservation area is home to a historic covered bridge that crosses over the shallow waters of the Salmon River below. As well as being a popular hiking and picnic spot, the area is very popular among anglers due to the easy water access. See Details
Topsmead State Forest Topsmead State Forest is a pet-friendly recreation area that can be found among the Litchfield Hills in Litchfield, CT. In a past life, the park was the summer estate of Miss Edith Morton Chase and a number of buildings from yesteryear are still standing as they did one-hundred years ago. You and Fido can enjoy the hiking trails and picnic areas at Topsmead, but are not permitted to go inside any of the buildings. See Details
Bigelow Hollow State Park & Nipmuck State Forest Dog-friendly Bigelow Hollow State Park & Nipmuck State Forest in Union, CT, offers boating, fishing and hiking to locals and visitors. Stretching over 9,000 acres, the park has scenic hiking trails and access points to Mashapaug Lake & Bigelow Pond. Please keep Fido leashed during your visit. See Details
Mianus River State Park Mianus River State Park, formerly the estate of singer and actress, Libby Holman, is a pet-friendly area in Stamford, CT. The river weaves through this 400-acre urban forest where visitors enjoy biking, fishing, hiking and horseback riding in the area. Leashed dogs are welcome as long as they're cleaned up after, but please note that commercial dog walking is not permitted. See Details
Farm River State Park Leashed dogs are welcome at Farm River State Park, a pet-friendly natural space in East Haven, CT. This park is home to 16.5 miles of the scenic Farm River, which flows through the center of the park, as well as trails and meadows to explore with Fido. See Details
Enders State Forest Enders State Forest in Granby is a dog-friendly recreational area in Granby, CT. This diverse forest spreads out over Granby and across to the nearby Barkamsted area, offering wetlands and waterfalls galore. Fido is welcome to join you in the picnic areas and on the hiking trails of this forest. See Details
Harwinton Conservation & Recreation Area Harwinton Conservation & Recreation Area offers pet-friendly trails that run through the woods and along Leadmine Brook in Harwinton, CT. Featuring both short and long hiking options, this recreation destination is a great place for you and your four-legged friend to explore. Bring your pup’s favorite water toy to enjoy at the fishing pond, or relax at the small covered picnic area. As a family recreation spot, a leash law is in effect. See Details
Bluff Point State Park Bluff Point State Park in Groton, CT is dog friendly and welcomes leashed pets. Situated on the shores of Poquonnock River, this park offers over 800 acres for you and Fido to explore. There are wooded hiking and biking trails, opportunities for fishing and boating, and spectacular wildlife viewing on Long Island Sound. Please note that dogs and horses are not allowed on the beach from April 1st to September 1st. See Details
Burr Pond State Park Enjoy some exercise and a picnic with your pup at dog-friendly Burr Pond State Park in Torrington, CT. Explore the hiking trails with Fido in search of the bronze tablet marking Connecticut's role in the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution. Please note that pets are not permitted on the beach and must be leashed at all times during your visit. See Details
Peterson Park & Mattatuck Trail Leashed dogs are welcome at Peterson Park in Wolcott, CT. This small family park offers a paved, pet-friendly walking trail around the park. It also serves as the entrance to the Mattatuck Trail, a beautiful wooded trail that spans many miles across numerous towns. The entrance to the trail is located behind the skate park. See Details
Babcock Preserve The Babcock Preserve is a pet-friendly area in Greenwich, CT, that's open to the public during daylight hours for hiking, walking, jogging, cross-country skiing, nature study, picnicking and horseback riding on designated trails. The 4.1-mile loop features forested land filled with a wide variety of wildlife. Leashed dogs are welcome. See Details
Farmington River Trail The Farmington River 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 Farmington! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Farmington River 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. See Details
Collis P. Huntington State Park Leashed dogs are welcome at Collis P. Huntington State Park in Redding, CT. The park offers a tranquil setting in which you can enjoy dog-friendly hiking trails, canoeing, and pond fishing in five ponds with your pup. See Details
Connecticut