Exploring the Southwest: A Guide to Dog-Friendly Hikes in Arizona and Utah
Arizona and Utah have some of the best National Parks in the country, and with some planning can be enjoyed by both you and your dog.
This blog will highlight our four days in northern Arizona and southern Utah adventuring with Ellie.
✨ SAVE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE - Our Google MyMaps is a one-stop shop for all the trailheads, scenic lookouts, and hotels for our journey.
📍Grand Canyon (Arizona)
Is the Grand Canyon dog-friendly? Yes - Limited areas.
Ellie's experience: Ellie explored 2 miles of the South Rim with stops along with the many scenic viewpoints, including Mather Point. The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and one of the largest canyons on Earth. We found a secluded spot in the shade and spent time in awe of the canyon's beauty. Pictures just do not do it justice!
Visiting the Grand Canyon with your dog:
Leashed pets are allowed along any of the hiking trails that stay above the perimeters, which allows you spectacular views of the canyon.
Pets are not allowed below the canyon rim for safety reasons, as many of the trails are narrow, steep drop-offs and are highly trafficked by humans, mules, and wildlife.
📍 Antelope Canyon (Page, AZ)
Is Antelope Canyon dog-friendly? Yes - Limited areas.
Ellie’s experience: Check out the full story in our Explore Antelope Canyon with your Dog blog. 10/10 would recommend!
Visiting Antelope Canyon with your dog:
It is not common knowledge that dogs can visit Antelope Canyon. The more popular and well-known way to explore the Antelope Canyon is through guided tours on Navajo land, but this option does not allow dogs.
We found a route in Glen Canyon Recreation Area that is unique, adventurous, and best of all, pet-friendly!
This route involves kayaking through Lake Powell and entering Antelope Canyon through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
📍 Horseshoe Bend (Page, AZ)
Is Horseshoe Bend dog-friendly? Yes - Very dog-friendly.
Ellie’s experience: Just 5 miles south of Page, AZ, lies a 1,000-foot canyon called Horseshoe Bend. Ellie joined us on this 1.5-mile roundtrip hike with a wide walking path down to the viewpoint at the top of the cliff that overlooks the horseshoe-shaped curve of the Colorado River.
We stayed about an hour between the walk and relaxing on the overlook admiring the deep reds and browns of the rocks and the sparkling blues and greens of the river.
Visiting Horseshoe Bend with your dog?
Best times to visit: sunrise, sunset, or mid-day (to avoid significant shadows over the canyons and river).
Shade is limited, so consider temperature before going out.
📍 Toadstool Hoodoos (Kanab, Utah)
Is Toadstool Hoodoos hike dog-friendly? Yes!
Ellie’s experience: We stopped for this hike on our drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon National Park. This quick 1.8-mile roundtrip hike (out and back) took us about 45 minutes. Ellie wore her booties to help protect her paws from the rocky and warmer ground surface.
Visiting Toadstool Hoodoos with your dog:
Located in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, this is a very dog-friendly and easy hike.
Explore the land of balanced rock formations that look like giant mushrooms, called hoodoos.
What are hoodoos? Hoodoos are an incredible and rare formation made over millions of years. A hoodoo is a spire made of rock and minerals ranging anywhere from five to one hundred and fifty feet tall.
There are no fees to visit, and the trail is open year-round. The whole hike is exposed, so caution going in the middle of summer with your dog.
📍 Bryce Canyon National Park (Southwestern Utah)
Is Bryce Canyon National Park dog-friendly? Yes - Limited areas
Ellie's experience: Luckily, dogs are allowed at one of the best places to take in the views of Bryce- The Grand Amphitheater. Ellie went on a 1-mile roundtrip walk on the Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points.
Visiting Bryce Canyon with your dog:
Bryce Canyon NP has the greatest concentration of irregular rock spires (called "hoodoos") found anywhere on Earth!
Dogs should stay on paved areas (The Rim Trail is paved).
These views of the Amphitheater are accessible year-round.
Don't miss out on sunset at the park!
📍 Arches National Park (Moab, Utah)
Is Arches National Park dog-friendly? Yes - Very limited areas.
Ellie's experience: We secured a timed entry pass weeks in advance, which allowed us into the park at a designated time. Ellie had the windows down as we traversed through the scenic drive. The park road is easy to follow and has many well-identified pull-offs to stop and enjoy the photographic views.
Pets are not allowed on the hikes to help preserve the park's unique features and landscapes.
Visiting Arches National Park with your dog:
Starting in 2022, timed-entry passes are required between 6 am-5 pm daily for all guests between April and October. There are limited tickets per time slot, so plan ahead. If the day you plan to go is already booked, a limited number of tickets will be available for purchase one day prior to entry at 6 pm MDT through Recreation.gov.
You may have your pet with you in the campground and at pullouts along the paved scenic drives. You may walk your pets on roads or in parking lots, but they must be leashed at all times when outside a vehicle.
Dogs must stay on paved areas.
If you're like us, you want your dog to go on every hike with you. But understanding the reason behind restrictions is beneficial. Dogs can damage the biological soil crust. Crust covers much of the desert and is important for plants to live. Each pawprint could take hundreds of years to recover.
Delicate Arch -This hike is not pet-friendly but is worth mentioning. My wife and I let Ellie rest as we snuck off to see Delicate Arch, a 52-foot-tall freestanding natural arch. The hike is a 3.5-mile round trip. Don't miss the wall of petroglyphs located on the rocks at the beginning of the hike.
📍 Cowboy Jacuzzis Hike via Mill Creek Rim Trail (Moab, Utah)
Is Mill Creek Rim Trail dog-friendly? Yes - Very dog-friendly!
Ellie’s experience: Ellie met up with her golden friend, Nala, for this journey, and together we went on a 3-mile roundtrip hike, which takes you along a creek to a water oasis at the end. The dogs found plenty of places to jump in and out of the water along the way. Plus, we even had some fun learning The Nala Stomp.
Visiting Mill Creek Rim Trail with your dog:
Ellie ran into more good boys and girls 🐾 on this trip than on any other hike!
There are a few water crossings along the way (ankle deep), so come prepared with the proper footwear.
Throw an old towel in the car before you head out because you’re bound to have a wet or dirty dog by the end of this adventure.
📍Corona and Bowtie Arch (Moab, Utah)
Is Corona and Bowtie Arch dog-friendly? Yes!
Ellie’s experience: Ellie rested up during the 20-minute drive from our hotel in Moab. She conquered the 3-mile out-and-back hike to the arches. Bowtie is a pothole-type arch located high on the cliff above the trail. Corona Arch is just past Bowtie and is easily spotted with its smooth lines curving down from a massive stone mountain.
Visiting Corona and Bowtie Arch with your dog:
There is a short cliff with a ladder bolted to the rock that allows visitors to climb up the ridge. Be prepared to help your dog up the ladder or traverse the elevation to the left of the ladder.
In another spot, steps are cut into the rock, and a chain cable aid you and your dog as you ascend a steep slick rock ridge. We held on to the handle of Ellie’s harness (use promo code GOLDEN for 15% off) to help guide her.
Stay on the trail. There are green trail markers on the rock in open areas to identify the path.
Disclaimer: Park policies can change. Please check their website for up to date information.
Ellie’s Pro Tips
1️⃣ Purchase America the Beautiful Pass, which covers your parking fee and entrance to over 2,000 parks. If you are visiting more than one park, purchasing a pass is likely worth it.
2️⃣ Pack water. Then pack even more water!
3️⃣ There is limited phone service on many of these hikes. Download the area maps on AllTrails ahead of time.
4️⃣ Leave no trace - when duty calls for your dog, make sure you pick up to preserve the natural beauty of these locations.
5️⃣ Check guidelines for each park or trailhead as many popular trails where dogs are permitted still require dogs to be on a leash.
⚠️ Caution
Be prepared for the wilderness experience in the desert! Without shade or a breeze, we often found our hikes feeling much warmer than anticipated. Some days it was in the 60s, but in direct sunlight and without much shade, it felt significantly warmer.
Many of these parks are located in the high desert, and it is easy to become dehydrated.
What to do?
Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and hiking essentials.
Wear sturdy footwear and protective clothing.
Offer your dog water more often.
Use booties to protect your dog’s paws.
Take rest breaks.
Be on the lookout for shaded areas.
Shorten your hike.
Seek out hikes with spots for your dog to swim to cool off.
Closely monitor your dog’s behavior.
FAQs
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Antelope Canyon by far! Check out our blog for the full story on our bucket list hike.
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Ellie wears these booties to protect her feet from injury, rough terrain and hot pavement.
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April. The weather was cooler in the morning and warmer (but not scorching) in the afternoon.
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Yes and no. All parks have different policies. It is best to check their website before visiting.
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