Leash up and hit the trail! Hike our favorite dog-friendly trails near Atlanta with your favorite four-pawed hiking buddy.
Let’s hike! There’s nothing our dogs love more than a walk in the wild: there’s just so much to sniff and see and do! Grab a leash and hit the trail on our favorite dog-friendly trails near Atlanta. Don’t forget to share your adventures on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter by tagging #atlantatrails in your shots… we’d love to see them!
Hiking with dogs: before you go
Leash up! Keeping your dog leashed helps to keep the trail enjoyable for other hikers, runners, and dogs, and helps prevent unwanted encounters with wildlife. Our favorite leash is the Ruffwear Slackline Leash: it’s a high-quality adjustable lead with a padded handle that doubles as a waist harness, and a swivel clip to help prevent knots and tangles. And don’t forget the water: Atlanta’s warm weather can cause dehydration, quickly, so don’t forget a water bottle (or two) for your pup. Our favorite, trail-friendly dog water dish is the collapsible Ruffwear Bivy Bowl: it’s lightweight, and it folds down to save room in our backpacks. Need a great fit on a harness, collar or leash? Stop by our shop, Trailful Outdoor Co, for a fitting. We’re dog-friendly, and carry a full line of Ruffwear leads and collars, dog gear, harnesses, packs, and toys perfect for the trail.
After the adventure ends, please be sure to check your pup’s fur for the velcro-like seeds of the Japanese chaff flower. This invasive species is spreading quickly through Georgia’s trails by hitchhiking a ride on dogs’ fur. Learn how to identify the plant, and how to help prevent its spread, in our guide to the Japanese chaff flower in Georgia.
Dog-friendly hikes near Atlanta: our favorite trails
Sweetwater Creek Trails
2-6 miles
Dog perks: Four hikes at Sweetwater Creek State Park follow dog-friendly trails of different lengths and difficulties, and the park’s lake offers a post-hike swim.
Human perks: Forest landscapes and a whitewater-filled creek offer North Georgia beauty just outside Atlanta’s perimeter.
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Arabia Mountain Trails
1-30 miles
Dog perks: Wide-open expanses of granite, golden meadows, lakes and forest offer hours and hours of dog-friendly exploration.
Human perks: It’s one of our favorite hiking and cycling spots near Atlanta, with over 30 miles of incredible trails.
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Morningside Nature Preserve
2 miles
Dog perks: A sandy beach on South Peachtree Creek that’s earned it the nickname “dog beach”.
Human perks: Two miles of scenic trails tucked inside Atlanta’s Morningside neighborhood offer a intown walk in a quiet forest.
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Cochran Shoals to Sope Creek
8.5 miles
Dog perks: Three drinking fountains on these dog-friendly trails offer a mid-hike water bowl refill, and Sope Creek is a great swimming spot.
Human perks: Grab some decent in-town mileage on this hike spanning two Chattahoochee River parks, and check out Civil War mill ruins.
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West Palisades Trail at Paces Mill Park
3.6 miles
Dog perks: The sandy shore of Rottenwood Creek offers a shallow mid-hike swim.
Human perks: Paved and dirt trails follow the Chattahoochee River and wind through beautiful forest against an urban backdrop at Paces Mill Park.
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Kennesaw Mountain Cheatham Hill / Kolb Farm Loop
5.8 miles
Dog perks: Compacted dirt and sandy trails are easy on the paws, and a fountain with a built-in dog bowl offers a mid-hike drink.
Human perks: Hike these dog-friendly trails through beautiful meadows, forests, and Civil War battlefields near Kennesaw Mountain.
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Henry Mill Falls Trail at Cochran Mill Park
5.2 miles
Dog perks: Much of this trail’s length is creekside, offering many chances for a dip in Bear Creek.
Human perks: Hike to a beautiful waterfall south of Atlanta at Cochran Mill Park, and sight a beautiful waterfall at the trailhead, too.
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Vickery Creek Trail
3-5+ miles
Dog perks: Over 5 miles of trails wind through pine and hardwood forest. A sandy swimming beach at the bottom of the spillway waterfall makes a great spot for a mid-hike swim.
Human perks: A covered bridge. Two Civil War-era mills, now in ruins. And a towering, cascading spillway waterfall. What’s not to love? Don’t forget your ENO hammock!
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Homestead Trail at Red Top Mountain
5.3 miles
Dog perks: A water dog’s dream: miles of trail along a calm lake shore.
Human perks: The Homestead Trail offers nearly continuous lake views on this gently rolling trail at Red Top Mountain State Park. And be on the lookout for a chimney, mid-hike: it’s all that’s left of an old homestead.
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Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
1.9 miles
Dog perks: Wide dirt paths, a natural spring and a small waterfall provide hours of doggy fun in a cool shady forest.
Human perks: Nestled in southwest Atlanta, Cascade Springs Nature Preserve offers a quick escape from the bustle of the city. It’s home to one of the prettiest in-town waterfalls, the site of a Civil War battle and a photo-worthy, mossy, historic stone spring house.
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What to pack?
Our favorite hiking gear
Ready to hit the trail, but wondering what to pack? Our hiking gear list features our favorite, trail-tested hiking gear for day hikes on local trails and in the Georgia backcountry. We print and stitch our Atlanta Trails shirts and hats locally in Atlanta and Asheville, and they’re our favorite for trail adventures all over the South. And no matter what you pack in, pack it all back out. Please leave no trace and help preserve Georgia’s beauty.
OUR HIKING GEAR LIST
More great dog-friendly hiking adventures near Atlanta
Looking for an adventure in the mountains instead? Check out our top ten favorite dog-friendly trails in Georgia to explore mountain summits, lush river valleys and more. Or cross the NC border for some gorgeous sights and vistas on our favorite dog-friendly hikes near Asheville.
Please Remember
Always leave no trace, pack out everything you pack in, and if you see trash, pick it up and pack it out.
Stay on the marked trail, tell someone where you're going, pack safety and wayfinding essentials, and don't rely on a mobile phone to find your way. Please always practice good trail etiquette. And before you go, always check the trailhead kiosk, official maps, and the park or ranger office for notices of changed routes, trail closures, safety information, and restrictions.
