Dog Friendly Hiking Trails in Texas

Palo Duro Canyon State Park is a spectacular dog-friendly attraction near the Texas Panhandle in Canyon, TX. It was formed by millions of years of water erosion, is 120 miles long, as much as 20 miles wide, and has a maximum depth of more than 800 feet. Its elevation at the rim is 3,500 feet above sea level. It's often claimed that Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the United States. Visitors and their leashed dogs can admire beautiful colorful cliffs that surround the valley and one of the park's most famous rock formations known as The Lighthouse. Please note that dogs are not permitted in any buildings at Texas State Parks.

Houston, TX's Arboretum & Nature Center offers a dog-friendly, 155-acre nature sanctuary with 5 miles of walking trails that wind through forest, meadow and wetland habitats. Please abide by all city ordinances including controlling your dog on the leash at all times and cleaning up after your pet while visiting the Arboretum. Dogs must be kept on the trails (no swimming in the ponds). Dogs are allowed in the building lobby – tiled areas only. Take a self-guided Habitat Hike - Each hike passes one of the educational Field Stations and features some of their Naturalist’s favorite stops like ponds teaming with wildlife, trees with interesting stories, insect houses, and other fun points of interest. Please note that there's a parking fee.

Comanche Lookout Park is a 96-acre recreational area in San Antonio, TX. Fido is welcome to explore the 4.55 miles of pet-friendly, multi-service trails with you but must remain on a leash.

Medina River Natural Area is a pet-friendly destination in San Antonio, TX. Your leashed furry friend is welcome to explore the 511-acre property that has been enhanced with 7 miles of trails. Waste stations and a doggie fountain are available on site.

Barton Creek Greenbelt Preserve is a pet-friendly recreation area in Austin, TX. This park is popular among nature lovers and adventurists alike. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, swimming and bird watching. Your leashed pet is welcome to join you as you explore this lovely space with hiking trails leading to Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls.

Leashed pets are welcome on the nine miles of Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve hiking trails in Dallas, TX. This dog-friendly preserve offers 600 acres of land and features native trees, grass, wildflowers, picnic areas and a butterfly garden.

Your pet will love to explore the beautiful, pet-friendly trail with gorgeous views of Lake Austin at Emma Long Metropolitan Park in Austin, TX. Pets must be leashed in all areas of the park, which also features open space, camp sites, boat ramps and reservation based large picnic table sites.

The Katy Trail (Dallas) 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 dog-friendly "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in Dallas! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Katy Trail (Dallas). 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.

Memorial Park, a municipal park in Houston, TX, is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Opened in 1924, the park covers approximately 1,466 acres inside the 610 Loop, across from the neighborhood of Memorial. Leashed dogs are welcome. The park offers several dog-friendly trails ranging in distance and difficulty, but the 3-mile Seymour Lieberman Trail may be best for Fido as it is pedestrian-only with a crushed granite surface and drinking fountains. The park also hosts food trucks each day near Eastern Glades - a 5.5-acre area offering relaxing picnic areas next to Hines Lake.

With more than 50 acres to explore, you and Fido will find plenty to enjoy at Stagecoach Park in Buda, TX. This pet-friendly recreational spot features a pavilion, amphitheater, pond and trail system. The park also has restrooms. Just keep your pup leashed at all times and clean up after him.

Bring Fido to explore these high-desert mountains on over 100 miles of pet-friendly trails across almost 27,000 acres at the pet-friendly Franklin Mountains State Park in El Paso, TX. Pups must be leashed at all times, and aren't permitted in state park buildings.

Dogs are welcome on leash at Oyster Creek Park in Sugar Land, TX. The area is one the city's most scenic areas with its iconic rock-lined pond and water feature, along with a bridge overlooking the creek. The 111 acres includes a 3-mile hike & bike trail, the Greenbelt trail, restroom facilities, five picnic tables with grills, drinking fountain, benches, public art pieces throughout the park, and a parking lot.

Brushy Creek Lake Park is a pet-friendly recreation area in Cedar Park, TX. Bring your furry friend to the great outdoors to enjoy their hiking trails surrounded by water, forests and vast open fields. Please note your pup must remain on a leash during your visit.

Eisenhower Park is a pet-friendly spot in San Antonio, TX. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you as you explore their various trails. Two pavilions are also available on site.

Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve is a pet-friendly place in Houston, TX. Bring your leashed pooch along with you to enjoy 80-acres of natural land that includes Marshall Lake, fishing piers, a canoe launch, paved trails and more. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess that is left behind.

Known for pristine water and abundant wildlife, the South Llano River State Park in Junction, TX, offers you and your pup more than 18 miles of dog-friendly, multi-use trails to explore. Enjoy a day out in the Texas sunshine with your furry best friend as you hike in the wilderness and spot the wildlife. As in all Texas state parks, dogs must remain leashed at all times on leashes less than 6 feet long. There is a fee per person to enter the park.

Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve is a pet-friendly park in Plano, TX. This 800-acre area has a variety of trails you can enjoy with your pup. You can also enjoy views of the lake and the shaded pavilion.

The Lighthouse Trail at Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Canyon, TX, is pet friendly. This trail is nearly six miles there and back. You can bring your pooch on the trail with you to explore this trail that leads to a rocky outcrop known as the Lighthouse. If you want to experience it alone, make sure you and your pooch set off nice and early.

Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center in Denton, TX, is pet friendly. This gateway to more than 2,900 acres of bottomland hardwood forest, upland prairie, and diverse aquatic habitats invites leashed dogs to visit with their owners. Fido can join you in enjoying more than ten miles of family-friendly hiking trails through diverse habitats. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess left behind to preserve the cleanliness of the natural area.

McAllister Park is a pet-friendly spot in San Antonio, TX. Fido is welcome to tag along various trails and at their picnic tables. A dog park is also available on site.