One of the joys of being a pet owner is taking your furry friends along with you on your adventures. Hiking with pets can strengthen our bond and add another layer of excitement. Thankfully, the Wasatch is filled with various pet-friendly trails, allowing us to enjoy them with their company. 

Many benefits come from hiking with your dog, both for you and your four-legged friend. Not only do you both get good exercise, but dogs get the needed exposure and mental stimulation while hiking. Both you and your dog’s mental health improve. 

Dayra Lopez is a friend of mine who often hikes the Wasatch with her dogs. “I like hiking with my dogs because I like their company,” Lopez said. When she first became interested in hiking, she took her dogs with her, allowing her to hike with company and not rely on other people’s schedules. Even when friends want to tag along, she still prioritizes her dogs. “They come first.” Lopez said. I took the opportunity to hike with Dayra and her dogs, their company was admirable and added to the overall adventure. 

When taking your dogs on the trails, you must understand the rules and responsibilities; this enables you to sustain the trails and ensure the safety of yourself and others, and, of course, your furry companion. The National Park Service summarizes key “rules” when hiking with your dog.

The first thing to do is to know the specific trails or canyons rules. Some trails will allow you to take your pet off-leash, while others won’t let you bring your dog. For example, Little and Big Cottonwood canyons prohibit dogs because these canyons are Utah watershed areas. Millcreek Canyon is very pet-friendly. On even-numbered days of the month, dogs must be on a leash; however, on odd-numbered days, dogs are allowed off-leash on the trails. If hiking in any state park, dogs are required to be on leash and within 6 feet of you at all times. 

The second step is to check the difficulty of the trails. Is it too rocky? Very steep? Is there shade? Rough terrain can be too harsh for some pets, so ensure your dog is safe on the trail beforehand.

Along with this, it’s essential to understand your dog’s athletic abilities. You don’t want to push our pets limits accidentally. Their age may also affect their abilities, make sure to find an appropriate trail for your furry friend. You can always check with your vet if you are unsure about your dog’s athletic abilities.

Vet checkups before hiking is also a good personal rule to have. Just to make sure your dog is up to date on their vaccinations. You and your vet can help prevent your dog from catching any illnesses, fleas, or ticks. And after hiking, make sure to check your dog’s fur!

Regardless of any trails, it’s essential always to be mindful of others, which is why some trails highly encourage or enforce on-leash walks. Horses, bikers, trail runners, and wildlife share our public trails. By keeping your dog on leash and teaching them trail manners you protect others as well as your dog. Know how your dog interacts with other people and pets, and if they are often more aggressive around new people, keep them at home. 

These are some precautions to consider when hiking with your dog:

• You should always clean up after your dog. Leaving behind dog waste harms our trails; pack in, pack out applies to our furry friends. Leave no trace!
• Check the temperature; it can get extremely hot here in Utah during the summer months. Hiking earlier in the morning can be cooler. Keep in mind that our dogs are wearing winter coats.
• When bringing our furry friends, we also need to pack for them. The American Hiking Society lists the essentials for hiking with dogs. These include a collar, leash, plastic bags to pick up after your dog, water, food, a collapsible bowl, and clothing.
• For every hour you are hiking, you should bring 8 ounces of water per dog and a lightweight, collapsible bowl for your dog to drink from. Bringing your dog small nutritious snacks/treats can help keep their energy levels high on the trials.
• Depending on the weather or terrain, your dog may need clothing. For example, booties to protect their paws or jackets to keep them warm.
• Canine first aid kits are also recommended if you often take your dogs hiking. These kits can be included in your first aid kit or as a separate kit. The recommended canine first aid kit supplies include scissors, hydrogen peroxide, tweezers, gauze pads, and a bootie or two to protect an injured paw.

Where are some of the best hiking trails to take our furry friends?

As mentioned, Millcreek Canyon is a great place to hike with your dogs. Dogs are always welcome, and there are many unique trails to choose from. In addition to Millcreek Canyon, Parleys Historic Nature Park also has many pet-friendly trails, each marked whether dogs are allowed off-leash or not. The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest also allows dogs in most places, as long as they’re not in a watershed area. With a little research, you can find the perfect trails, and avoid no-dog areas. Some of the most popular trails for dogs include Stewart Falls, Mirror Lake, Living Room Trail, Ensign Peak, and Bridal Veil Falls.

Our furry friends deserve to experience the beautiful outdoors with us. I’ve even seen people take cats hiking with them, sometimes even on trails labeled “No Dogs.”

Whenever hiking with our four-legged friends, remember to ensure that we keep them, ourselves,  others, and the trails safe and enjoyable for everyone. Most importantly, make good memories of the Wasatch with your companion by your side.