Some years the mountains go full red and orange. Other years the leaves skip that part and head straight from green to brown.

Either way, the trails are worth it once the heat finally breaks. Here are 18 hikes across six states where your dog gets to come along, from a 360-yard boardwalk to a 12-mile day. Pick the one that fits your pup’s energy, not yours.

Leash rules and closures change, and a dog-friendly trail can sit inside a park that isn’t dog-friendly everywhere. Check the park’s page before you load the car.

For even more dog-friendly hikes, check out our trail blazer guide!

Alabama

1. Lost Falls Trail, DeSoto State Park

Fort Payne | 2.4 Miles | Easy | Leashed

The pick for a dog who lives for a good sniff. The trail winds past rock formations on Lookout Mountain and ends at a waterfall. Leashed dogs are welcome on all of DeSoto’s hiking trails.

2. Talmadge Butler Boardwalk Trail, DeSoto State Park

Fort Payne | 360 yards | Easy | Leashed

Made for a senior pup, a tiny pup, or a lazy Sunday. It’s a short boardwalk through the forest with mountain views and zero commitment.

3. McKay Hollow Loop, Monte Sano State Park

Huntsville | 4.3 miles | Moderate | Leashed

Save this for the dog who treats every walk like a little expedition. The trail climbs rocky mountain forest above Huntsville and passes overlooks. The elevation is a bit strenuous at times, so pack water for two and be honest about your pup’s stamina.

Arkansas

4.  Yellow Rock Trail, Devil’s Den State Park

Washington County | 2.7 miles | Moderate | Leashed

The main feature of this trail is the Yellow Rock Overlook, giving a gorgeous view of the Lee Creek Valley. This is a popular spot for hikers so its recommended to start early to find a decent parking spot.

5. Petit Jean Canyon Trail, Petit Jean State Park

Morrilton | 2.8 miles | Moderate | Leashed

A stream-side walk through a forested canyon, with rock formations along the way. The ground is rocky and steep in spots, so this one suits a sure-footed dog.

6. Buffalo River Trail, Steel Creek to Villines Homestead

Ponca | 4.3 miles round trip | Moderate | Leashed

Read this before you plan a Buffalo River weekend: the National Park Service closes nearly every trail there to dogs. The Ponca to Steel Creek stretch is one of the few exceptions, and the Ozark hardwoods put on a show.

Florida

7. Ravine Gardens State Park Inner Loop, Ravine Gardens State Park

Palatka | 1.8 miles | Easy | Leashed

A shaded ravine walk with bridges, forest and a spring-fed creek below. Fall color is softer here, but the cooler late-fall weather makes it a good Florida pick.

8. Paynes Prairie Loop Trail, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

Gainesville | 6.2 miles | Easy | Leashed

A wide-open prairie hike for the dog who likes to sniff everything in sight. Keep your pup close and watch for wildlife along the way.

9. Azalea Trail, Ravine Gardens State Park

Palatka | 1.4 miles | Moderate | Leashed

A little more adventurous than the park’s easy loop, with winding trails, ravines, bridges and stone steps. Good for an active dog who doesn’t mind a little mud.

Georgia

10. Amicalola Falls Lookout, Amicalola Falls State Park

Marble Hill | 2.3 miles | Moderate | Leashed

Georgia’s tallest waterfall, listed at 729 feet, is the payoff. The route runs through hardwoods with creek views and overlooks, and the North Georgia mountains bring the color.

11. West Rim Loop, Cloudland Canyon State Park

Rising Fawn | 5 miles | Moderate | Leashed

If you only do one Georgia hike, make it this one. The trail hugs the canyon edge with overlook after overlook. Skip the park’s Waterfalls Trail with your dog: it has about 600 metal stairs, and the state park itself warns they’re hard on dogs.

12. Preachers Rock from Woody Gap Recreational Area, Blood Mountain Wilderness

North Helen | 2 miles | Moderate | Leashed

This short Appalachian Trail hike is shaded for most of the climb and delivers a wide mountain view in about two miles round trip. The rock overlook is open and exposed, so keep dogs close.

Kentucky

13. Princess Arch Trail, Red River Gorge Geological Area

Slade | 0.6 miles | Easy | Leashed

Short, sweet and very Kentucky. The trail winds through hardwoods to a natural sandstone arch and a ridge-top view.

14. Carter Caves Natural Bridge Trail, Carter Caves State Resort Park

Olive Hill | 0.5 miles | Easy | Leashed

A quick walk through hardwood forest to one of the park’s signature sandstone formations. It’s an easy fall outing when you want scenery without committing to a long hike.

15. Cumberland Falls and Dog Slaughter Falls Trail, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

Corbin | 6.1 miles | Moderate | Leashed

Two waterfalls, one hike and plenty of Eastern Kentucky forest. Rocky sections make this one better for an agile dog than a senior couch potato.

Missouri

16. Pickle Creek Trail, Hawn State Park

Ste. Genevieve | 1.6 miles | Hard | Leashed

A clear creek, sandstone bluffs, pine and hardwoods. It’s rocky, so wear sturdy shoes and bring a sure-footed dog. Pleasant any time of year, but fall colors and creeks tend to have an extra magic when combined.

17. Castlewood Loop Trail, Castlewood State Park

Ballwin | 5.6 miles | Moderate | Leashed

Close enough to St. Louis for a spontaneous afternoon, with woods, open stretches and the Meramec River floodplain. Check recent conditions first, since mud and downed branches can affect parts of the route.

18. White Oaks and Whispering Pines Loop, Hawn State Park

Ste. Genevieve | 12.3 miles | Hard | Leashed

The serious one. The one where you debate turning back halfway through, but keep going anyway because somehow, your dog still isn’t tired. Twelve-plus miles of hardwood, pine, stream crossings and rocky outcrops. Bring plenty of water for both of you, and make sure your pup is ready for a full day.

Louisiana

19. Longleaf Vista Interpretive Trail, Kisatchie National Forest

Provencal | 1.4 miles | Moderate | Leashed

Longleaf pines, hardwoods, open meadows and big views make this a different kind of fall hike. Bring water, especially through the sunnier sections.

20. Sugarmill Nature Trail, Fontainebleau State Park

Mandeville | 1.2 miles | Easy to moderate | Leashed

A quiet forest walk through pine and hardwoods with plenty for your dog to sniff. The gentle terrain makes it an easygoing fall afternoon.

21. Wild Azalea Trail: Segment 4, Kisatchie National Forest

Woodworth | 6.2 miles | Moderate | Leashed

Save this one for the dog who treats a normal walk like an insult. The trail rolls through hardwoods, ridges and creek crossings, making for a full-day adventure.

Mississippi

22. Mill Creek Trail, Homochitto National Forest

Meadville | 5.5 miles | Moderate | Leashed

A wooded loop with enough distance to tire out an energetic dog without feeling like a mountain expedition. Oaks, sweetgums and tulip poplars bring the fall color.

23. Clark Creek Improved Trail, Clark Creek Natural Area

Woodville | 2.9 miles | Moderate | Leashed

Waterfall country, Mississippi edition. The trail follows Clark Creek through woods, creek crossings and plenty of elevation changes.

24. Rocky Springs Section, Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

Port Gibson | 8 miles | Moderate | Leashed

A longer walk through hardwood forest, ravines and one of the more historic stretches of the Natchez Trace. There is enough terrain variation to keep an active dog interested.

North Carolina

25. Triple Falls Trail, DuPont State Recreational Forest

Brevard | 2.6 miles | Moderate | Leashed

Three waterfalls in one hike is a pretty convincing reason to get out of bed. The mostly shaded trail has one steeper section and plenty of slick rocks near the water.

26. Erwins View Trail, Linville Falls

Linville Falls | 1.8 miles | Moderate | Leashed

A short Blue Ridge hike with a big payoff. The trail climbs through hardwood forest to several overlooks of Linville Falls and the gorge below.

27. Black Balsam Knob via Art Loeb Trail, Pisgah National Forest

Pisgah Forest | 1.4 miles | Moderate | Leashed

For the dog who wants to feel at one with the woodlands. The trail climbs into the high country, where grassy ridges and huge mountain views replace the usual forest.

South Carolina

28. Caesars Head Overlook Trail, Caesars Head State Park

Cleveland | 0.3 miles | Easy | Leashed

Big view, tiny effort. A short walk gets you to a classic Blue Ridge overlook, with hardwoods that show off beautifully in fall.

29. Raven Cliff Falls Trail, Caesars Head State Park

Cleveland | 3.9 miles | Moderate | Leashed

The longer Caesars Head option runs through thick Appalachian forest to a view of the falls. October and November weekends get packed, so go on a weekday if you can.

30. Croft State Park Nature Trail, Croft State Park

Pauline | 1.5 miles | Easy to moderate | Leashed

Quiet is the selling point. Near Spartanburg, this trail follows Fairforest Creek through pine and hardwood, with plenty of stops for your dog to investigate every smell.

Tennessee

31. Cane Creek Falls and Suspension Bridge, Fall Creek Falls State Park

Spencer | 0.4 miles | Easy | Leashed

A waterfall and a suspension bridge in under half a mile. Perfect if your dog’s idea of hiking is a short stroll and a long sniff.

32. Stone Door Trail, Savage Gulf State Park

Grundy | 2.1 miles | Easy | Leashed

The approach to the gorge overlook is short and mostly level, making the dramatic view unusually accessible with a dog. You can enjoy the overlook without taking your dog down the steep stone passage.

33. Gorge Overlook and Woodland Trails, Fall Creek Falls State Park

Spencer | 3.3 miles | Moderate | Leashed

The full Fall Creek Falls afternoon: forest, waterfall views and overlooks into the gorge.

Texas

34. Rustling Leaves Trail, Daingerfield State Park

Tyler | 2.6 miles | Easy | Leashed

Yes, Texas has fall color. This shaded loop circles Little Pine Lake through pine and hardwood forest without much elevation change.

35. East-West Trail to East Trail, Lost Maples State Natural Area

Vanderpool | 10.4 miles | Hard | Leashed

This is the Texas fall-color destination, with bigtooth maples, shaded trails and rocky canyon views. October and November weekends get busy, so plan ahead.

36. Cedar Ridge Outer Loop, Cedar Ridge Preserve

Dallas | 5.7 miles | Moderate | Leashed

A surprisingly rugged hike just outside Dallas, with oak woodland, open prairie and rolling limestone terrain. A good pick for an active dog who needs  more than a neighborhood stroll.

Virginia

37. Twin Pinnacles Trail, Grayson Highlands State Park

Mouth of Wilson | 1.6 miles | Moderate | Leashed

A short high-country hike with two overlooks and a lot of scenery packed into a little mileage. The trail gets rocky and rooty, but the Appalachian views are worth it.

38. Crabtree Falls Trail, George Washington National Forest

Montebello | 3.3 miles | Moderate | Leashed

Virginia’s highest vertical-drop waterfall makes this one worth the climb. The trail follows Crabtree Creek through hardwood forest with several views of the falls along the way.

39. McAfee Knob via Catawba Mountain, Appalachian Trail

Troutville | 8.1 miles | Hard | Leashed

This is a big one. The long climb through Appalachian forest ends at one of Virginia’s most recognizable mountain overlooks, so bring plenty of water and a dog ready for the mileage.

West Virginia

40. Long Point Trail, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Fayetteville | 3 miles | Easy | Leashed

A relatively easy way to get that iconic New River Gorge view. The mostly shaded trail ends at an exposed overlook with the bridge in the distance.

41. Endless Wall Trail, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Fayetteville | 5.4 miles | Moderate | Leashed

For the dog who likes a little drama with their walk. The trail follows the gorge through forest before opening up to huge river and cliff views.

42. Blackbird Knob Trail, Dolly Sods Wilderness

Davis | 8.9 miles | Moderate | Leashed

A quieter option for a dog who would rather have forest than crowds. Spruce, hardwoods, wetlands and mountain scenery make this a pretty fall walk.

Before you go

Pack water for both of you. Watch the footing around waterfalls, steep overlooks and slick rocks, and check conditions after heavy rain. Trail rules and closures can change, so double-check the park’s current guidance before heading out.

The best part comes after: muddy paws on the back seat and a very sleepy dog.

Meet the Author

Hey! My name is Garrett, I’m 22-years-old from Dallas Texas, though I currently reside in Brooklyn. New York has been quite the shift from what I’m used to in the suburbs, but I am enjoying the city life thus far! In my day-to-day routine I am constantly thinking about dogs, mostly because of my work at a local doggy daycare, but also because of my general love for animals!