Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails | Going hiking with your dog can be a fun and exciting experience! You get a chance to explore the great outdoors with your best friend!

Discovering new terrain with your pooch is not only entertaining but also adventurous, with endless new smells and strange sounds! As dogs are not permitted on every hiking trail in the US, it is important to find the ones that do. Do your research and look for the best dog-friendly hiking trails near you to make your hiking experience as convenient and enjoyable as possible.

Here are the 10 Best Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails to explore in the US.

Herman Gulch Trail, Colorado

The Herman Gulch Trail in Colorado is one of the best dog friendly hiking trails. If you live in Colorado, you can easily visit the town of Idaho Springs, which is 30 minutes west of Denver. Idaho Springs is home to hot springs and the Herman Gulch Trail. This trail is 7 miles long out and back and is rated moderate difficulty. Do give yourself time for breaks to rest and replenish yourself. Also, carry doggy snacks for your pet to enjoy on the way! The best time to use this trail is from June to October. It is also horse-friendly, so your dog might also come across some of those along the way! Be sure to dress according to the requirements of the weather and keep your dog close, as the trail can get quite crowded at times.

Tubbs Hill, Idaho

The Tubbs Hill trail in Idaho is an easy two-mile loop circling the base of Tubbs Hill, right at the edge of Lake Cier d’Alene. This hike is also accessible from downtown Cier d’Alene. You can also get access to the lakefront beach along this way. This path is rated easy in terms of difficulty, it’s a great option for non-experienced hikers. The best time to use this trail is from May to October. Many also use this trail for running and fishing. The scenic view and lush greenery provide a great escape for you and your dog to enjoy!

Runyon Canyon Trail, California

The Runyon Canyon trail is a great path to go hiking with your dog. If you live in LA and are looking for the best hiking trails, all you have to do is head north of West Hollywood to access the Runyon Canyon Trail. This path is a 2.7-mile loop and provides great views over the city. Your pup can easily run around and enjoy itself while on this spacious trail. But do make sure to carry lots of water and sunscreen as it can get pretty sunny. The trail is rated as moderate, and you often get to view wildlife while hiking.

Arden Point and Glenclyffe, New York

The Arden Point and Glenclyffe trail situated near Garrison, New York, has plenty to see and do for you and your dog. This 3.8-mile dog-friendly loop provides picturesque views of the Hudson River. You will come across lots of fun swimming spots where your pup can take a dip and cool off.

Pheonix Mountain Preserve

The Phoenix Mountain Preserve has some great desert trails to choose from when going hiking with your dog. Most of the hikes are rated from easy to moderate. Most of these hikes are pretty short such as 3 miles out and back. You can also sight the city from Camelback Mountain from these trails. Dogs are allowed on most of the trails. It can get quite hot, and shade is limited while hiking. Do note that dogs are banned from hiking trails at the preserve if the temperature exceeds 100 degrees. It’s best to keep your dog on a leash as rattlesnakes are native to the area. The preserve is open and accessible all year round.

Griffith Park Main Trail, Los Angeles

The Griffith Park Main trail in Los Angeles is among the 53 miles of trails within the enormous urban park. The Main Trail is the most dog friendly as it leads directly to the Griffith Park Dog Park, where your dog can run off-leash. The main trail is a 3-mile loop and provides plentiful shade, and is open all year round for you and your pup to enjoy.

Violet Crown Trail: Austin Texas

The Violet Crown Trail is the go-to trail for all athletes, dog lovers and outdoor enthusiasts! There are 7 miles of trails in total with lots of shady areas in between. It is recommended to keep your pup on a leash while hiking. The trails are open all year round but sometimes close due to high water levels. The trails have some great pools where your pup can cool down its paws from the Texas heat.

Al Lopez Park Trail: Tampa Florida

The Al Lopez Park in Tampa, Florida falls under some of the best dog-friendly hiking trails. It is loved and recommended by many hikers who frequent it often. There is also a large fenced dog park within it, so once you are finished with the hike, you can let your pup loose in the dog park to play with other dogs. When hiking on the trail, it is recommended to keep your dog on a leash. The hiking loop inside the park is 1.2 miles long and open all year round.

These are some of the best dog-friendly hiking trails in the US. Do try and visit the one closest to where you live to enjoy the serene, picturesque outdoors with your favorite pup!

by Bobby J Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.