The only thing better than a hike with your hound is when your trek through the wilderness ends with the payoff of a majestic waterfall. Grab your pup’s leash, lace up your hiking boots and set off on one of these spectacular waterfall hikes.
Fido’s Favorite Waterfall Hikes
Posted by Billy Francis
Anna Ruby Falls
Head to Helen with your Havapoo for a Bavarian-inspired vacation that includes a stop-off at a breathtaking waterfall. Drive with your dog through Unicoi State Park to reach Anna Ruby Falls, a beautiful set of twin waterfalls that plummet more than 150 feet from the top. Venture into the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest on a steep but paved hike to see the falls in all their splendor.
Plan your visit with Fido for spring when native plants are in bloom and before the summer heat sets in. This out-and-back hike is under a mile in length and is rated moderately difficult. Nearby Bear Creek Lodge & Cabins welcomes the whole pack to wake up to mountain or river views.
Multnomah Falls
Oregon’s tallest waterfall, Multnomah Falls, is just a 30-minute drive from Portland. Start your hike at Multnomah Falls Lodge, a historic building that dates back to 1925. Head to Benson Bridge to see sections of the falls, and glance to the west for a view of Shady Creek Falls in the distance. From here, the trail takes a steeper incline before it reaches Multnomah Falls Upper Viewpoint and the tiered plume of water cascading over a section of the Columbia River Gorge from an impressive height of 627 feet. Multnomah Falls is rated as moderately difficult.
The best time of year to hike is from April to October. Stay among the lush evergreen forests of Oregon’s high country by booking a pet-friendly room at Mount Hood Oregon Resort.
Cedar Falls
Dogs and their owners are welcome to get up close and personal with one of Arkansas’ most impressive waterfalls on the Cedar Falls Trail in Petit Jean State Park. One of the most popular trails in the state, it’s highly trafficked, so you should keep Fido on a close leash at all times. The rocky hike takes you alongside Cedar Creek and over a footbridge. Scramble across smooth rocks and get to within feet of the cascade when you arrive.
Cedar Falls Trail is rated as moderately difficult. To witness the falls in all their splendor, visit during the wet season in April and May. After all that exercise, put your feet up by the fire pit at Mammaw’s Mountaintop Retreat.
Rifle Falls
Teeming with luscious vegetation, Rifle Falls State Park is the closest thing to a tropical destination you’ll find in The Centennial State. Take a stroll with your Saluki on Rifle Falls Coyote Trail, the fastest route to the falls. This easy loop trail is just over half a mile in length and features a variety of viewpoints along the way. Fido will be in “pawradise” when he feels the spray at the luscious falls surrounded by flora and sees the limestone caves tucked behind the falls that gush out from different points at the top.
Visit Rifle Falls in spring when the water is flowing at its peak. The parking lot area is small, so start your hike early to avoid crowds. Afterwards, pitch up with your pup at Rifle Falls Campground, located under half a mile from the gorgeous falls.
Niagara Falls
The Niagara Falls straddle the border between the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1885, Niagara Falls State Park on the U.S. side of the falls is the oldest state park in the country. Leashed pups are permitted along the green space and footpaths within view of the falls. Fido can keep his paws dry on the Niagara Gorge Trailhead, which is the gateway to a network of trails in the park. From here, head to the Great Gorge Scenic Overlook Hike, which can be completed by all levels of hikers in about an hour. Get a different “pawspective” on Goat Island Scenic Walk, an easy paved loop that takes roughly 30 minutes to complete and offers views of Horseshoe Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.
Plan your trip in May or September, just outside of peak tourist season, and when the weather is still mild. Bring your Border Collie to the border for a relaxing stay at The Giacomo, Ascend Hotel Collection.
Bridal Veil Fall
Bring your furry best friend to pet-friendly Yosemite National Park, home to one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. The Bridalveil Fall Trail is only a half-mile trek and leads to a gorgeous overlook of the 620-foot waterfall. Dog owners will also appreciate that the trail is paved, so there’ll be no scuffed paws on sharp rocks. Leashed dogs can also check out part of North America's tallest waterfall along the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail. This mile-long paved loop provides views of the final 320-foot drop of the waterfall, Yosemite Creek and has exhibits where you can learn about the park.
The best time of year to visit Bridalveil Fall is in early spring when the flow is most powerful. The trail is for hikers of all levels. With its stunning location at an elevation of more than 5,000 feet and next to Yosemite National Park’s South Gate, Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is a great base camp for visitors throughout the year. The lodge’s Pampered Pet Package includes beds, bowls, a dog toy, pet sitting, and a gourmet biscuit baked by Tenaya’s Executive Chef.
Starved Rock State Park
Deep in the wilds of backcountry Illinois, you’ll find Starved Rock State Park on the banks of the Illinois River. Brimming with canyons and falls, this area is a dream for waterfall chasers. Starved Rock and Sandstone Point Overlook Trail is a 4.3-mile loop that features mini canyons, beaches along the river, and places to view the waterfalls that plummet from high bluffs into watering holes below.
The summer months, which can be rainy in Illinois, are the best time to visit this state park to guarantee that the tumbling falls will be active. This trail is rated as moderately difficult. Spend the night in a pet-friendly pioneer cabin at Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center, located just minutes from the park.
Nambe Falls
People and pups planning a pet-friendly weekend away in Santa Fe should add Nambe Falls in the Pueblo of Nambé to the itinerary. Located in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this spectacular waterfall is the result of a dam being built to supply drinking water to locals. The short trail to the falls is only half a mile in length. Along the way, pause to take in mountain views and allow Fido to cool down in creek crossings.
Although Nambe Falls is a great place to cool off, summer temperatures can get too hot for Fido. Visit in late spring or early fall to avoid the heat, but still enjoy the water. Spend the night in nearby Casita de Nambe, an adorable pet-friendly Airbnb with a fully fenced backyard for Fido to explore off leash.
Cummins Falls
Cummins Falls State Park is a “ruff” and rugged destination for pups who love to take a plunge. Hike together on the two-mile loop that leads to the park’s namesake, Cummins Falls. Watch the water glide over staggered rocks from a height of 75 feet, then take a dip with your dog in the idyllic swimming hole with other revelers before heading back. Or, get a different perspective on the Falls Overlook Trail.
The loop trail is rated as moderate, while the overlook is suitable for all hikers. Make sure you keep an eye on the weather forecast and only attempt this hike on dry days due to flash floods. With panoramic views of both lake and woods, the rustic and pet-friendly Cabin by Bear Lake offers weary travelers a place to relax after a day of hiking.
Arethusa Falls
Arethusa Falls is a pet-friendly hike that comes highly recommended by even the most seasoned outdoor adventurers in the Granite State. Take a detour toward Bemis Brook early into the nearly 3-mile out-and-back hike. This little side path leads to a couple of pretty waterfalls along the way. After exploring these warm-up falls, rejoin the main trail to reach Arethusa Falls. The picturesque cascade is framed by trees on either side.
Arethusa Falls is best visited during fall and is moderately difficult. After your trek, spend the night on the first floor at Marriott North Conway with easy access to the grassy relief area outside.
Dry Falls
Highlands is a quaint little mountain town in North Carolina that draws tourists from far and wide, thanks to its souvenir shops, the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and five scenic waterfalls. Dry Falls is unlike the other destinations on our list because you can actually walk behind the curtain of water with your dog. The easy trail is just a quarter mile in length and allows most levels of hikers to feel the cooling spray of the falls on a hot day.
Dry Falls is best visited in the summer when the water provides Fido with cooling relief from the sun. Enjoy a few more nights and the array of hikes around Highlands with a stay at the pet-friendly Highlander Mountain House.
Have you taken your dog on a waterfall hike? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!
Banner photo by Rachel Baskerville on Unsplash.