Photo by Mitchell Orr on Unsplash
A stroll around the neighborhood promises us a relaxing way to spend an hour or so while our dog gets much-needed exercise. We can wander as slowly or as quickly as we want, stop and chat with neighbors, and drink in the fresh air, an idyllic way to start or end a busy day. Or we can head to our favorite dog park in Pennsylvania to allow our pooch to socialize and run around.
Sometimes, though, we crave an adventure: nothing too taxing or difficult but the chance to get outside and explore with our pups. With all of the dog-friendly hiking trails in Pennsylvania, we’re never too far from our next adventure.
Here are 10 easy dog-friendly hike trails in PA that are worth checking out.
1. Tank Hollow Trail – Jim Thorpe
Leash your pooch for an adventure along Tank Hollow Trail, an easy path that boasts tons of natural beauty. If you’re looking for a short and sweet trail that won’t take all day and is ideal for dogs and kids, this is it. The 3.3-mile trail usually takes a little over an hour to complete, although if you have the time, you might want to take it slow to soak up the scenic beauty. Tank Hollow Trail features a scenic overlook that boasts stunning views of the Lehigh River, particularly pretty in the spring with the vibrant green and during the fall’s colorful foliage.
While the dog-friendly trail is generally considered easy, be prepared for a few challenges, including rocky, sometimes muddy, terrain. Your best bet is to wear sturdy shoes to help you navigate the rocky areas and bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes, too, during the warmer months, and expect to run into other hikers and runners on this popular dog-friendly hike in Pennsylvania.
Address: Tank Hollow Trail, State Game Lands 141, 404-416 Behrens Rd, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
2. Fall Run Trail – Glenshaw
You’ll only need around half an hour for your journey along the 1.4-mile out-and-back Fall Run Trail, a dog-friendly hike through the woods near Pittsburgh. Bring your pooch and your kids along on this easy path in Fall Run Park that will lead you over picturesque footbridges and past tiny waterfalls and fascinating rock formations. While the trail scores an easy rating, be prepared for some inclines and rocky terrain as you walk through the woods. Shoes (read: no flip flops) are recommended due to the sometimes uneven path.
Trees line the trail, offering shade and somewhat cooler temperatures on hot summer days. Listen carefully as you’ll likely hear Fall Run Falls before you see it. The majestic 25-foot waterfall sits next to a small footbridge, wildflowers, and large rocks, where you can sit for a breather. Try to hike after it rains; otherwise, the waterfall may be little more than a trickle.
If you’ve got the right footwear, you and your pup might want to navigate the slippery rocks and walk to the base of the waterfall for close-up photos and to cool off on hot days. You can also climb a steep staircase that will give you an aerial view of the cascade. Fall Run Trail is open year-round.
Address: Fall Run Park, 187 Fall Run Rd, Glenshaw, PA 15116
3. John Heinz Lake Loop Trail – Philadelphia
On the opposite end of the state from Fall Run Falls, John Heinz Lake Loop Trail, one of the best dog-friendly hiking trails in Philadelphia, clocks in at 3.5 miles and typically takes around two hours to complete. If you visit on the weekend, expect crowds. If you want quiet, try to visit during the week.
The trail is predominately flat, with a portion suitable for strollers and wheelchairs, and its easy rating appeals to families with kids and pups. Bring binoculars and a camera, especially if you enjoy birdwatching. The loop trail will take you around the lake, where you might catch sight of swans and sunning turtles, through a wooded area, and past fields of wildflowers.
Address: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19153
4. Hell’s Hollow Trail – Portersville
Meandering one mile through McConnells Mill State Park, Hell’s Hollow Trail promises jaw-dropping natural beauty, including lush green during the warmer months, vibrant bursts of color in the fall, and a 15-foot waterfall. You’ll only need around a half-hour, but allot more time if you’re hiking in the winter, especially if there is snow or ice on the ground. Wintertime may require spikes and poles while you’ll need bug spray in the warmer months.
At 20 feet wide, Hell’s Hollow Falls drops into a clear pool, providing an idyllic backdrop for photos. One of the best dog friendly hikes in PA, the trail features a little bit of everything, from leafy forests and gentle streams to charming footbridges and chiseled rock formations. A staircase sits right next to Hell’s Hollow Falls, allowing you to go to the base of the waterfall. Be careful, however, as the stairs end in the water.
Address: McConnells Mill State Park, 1761 McConnells Mill Rd, Portersville, PA 16051
5. Tobyhanna State Park Lakeside Loop Trail – Tobyhanna
Allot around two hours for your hike along the dog-friendly and kid-friendly Tobyhanna State Park Lakeside Loop Trail, a 5.1-mile path that’s popular with hikers all year and cross-country skiers in the winter. The predominately flat trail wanders through the forest and past Tobyhanna Lake, home to a sandy beach that’s perfect for sunbathing and cooling off on those scorching summer days in Pennsylvania. It’s also an idyllic spot for ice skating and ice fishing in the winter.
Use insect repellant and pack extra if you’re hiking during the warmer months when bugs tend to come out in full force. Sturdy shoes are recommended since the path is predominately comprised of gravel, and you may have to climb over or around fallen trees blocking the trail. Despite minor challenges, including slight inclines and fallen trees, Tobyhanna State Park Lakeside Loop Trail lives up to its easy rating.
Address: Tobyhanna State Park, 114 Campground Rd, Tobyhanna, PA 18466
6. Henry’s Woods Trail – Nazareth
Slip on your pup’s leash and explore the beautiful natural scenery of Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center along the Henry’s Woods Trail. At just 1.8 miles, the short, sweet, and easy trail takes less than an hour to complete and is both kid and dog-friendly. Prepare for a few minor challenges, including slight inclines and slippery terrain at times, and crowds, especially on the weekends. If you’re craving quiet, consider visiting during the week.
Offering plenty of shade, the trail features pretty views of Bushkill Creek and colorful wildflowers in the warmer months. If you’re up for a longer, more challenging adventure, opt for the moderate five-mile Henry Woods & Jacobsburg Trail. Carve out around two hours for your journey through the woods, a popular spot for birdwatching. Like its shorter counterpart, the Henry Woods & Jacobsburg Trail can get incredibly busy, but the biggest challenges tend to be muddy terrain, especially after it rains, and having to share the trail with other hikers, runners, and mountain bikers.
Address: Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, 400 Belfast Rd, Nazareth, PA 18064
7. Little Lehigh Parkway Path – Allentown
Begin your adventure along the Little Lehigh Parkway Path at Bogert’s Covered Bridge, the oldest covered bridge in the Lehigh Valley. The easy six-mile trail can get busy with hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, so expect to run into others. Bring your pooch along on this dog-friendly hike in Pennsylvania that usually takes around two hours to complete and boasts such natural and manmade beauty as a spring, Little Lehigh Creek, and the historic covered bridge.
While the trail earns an easy rating, you might have to deal with a few challenges, especially if you’re hiking in the warmer months. The pretty path lacks shade, so bring plenty of sunscreen and water, as the sun can get hot in the summer. As with most trails, sturdy shoes are recommended. Little Lehigh Parkway Path is predominately made of gravel, with some loose spots, and you’ll have slight elevation gain of 232 feet.
Address: Lehigh Parkway, Lehigh Parkway E, Allentown, PA 18103
8. Little Falls Trail – Greentown
If you’re short on time but want to get out in the fresh air with your pup, you can’t go wrong with the 1.4-mile Little Falls Trail, an easy trek that requires around 30 minutes. Wandering through Promised Land State Park, the dog-friendly hiking trail is packed with natural beauty. Stroll along the path, passing Lower Lake and Lower Lake Dam, streams brimming with tiny cascades, over a fairy tale footbridge, and to the gem of the trail – the waterfall that gently tumbles down a series of rocks into a pool of water.
Use sufficient insect repellant when setting off in the warmer months as it can get buggy. As with many of the trails, including these easy hikes in Pennsylvania, you might have to deal with some rocky patches and tree roots, so slip on sturdy shoes to help you navigate those common challenges.
Address: Promised Land State Park, 100 Lower Lake Rd, Greentown, PA 18426
9. Ironton Rail Trail – Coplay
Pack a picnic and bring the whole family, including the kiddos and pups, for a hike along the Ironton Rail Trail. Plan to spend at least four hours exploring the 12.8-mile dog-friendly hike in Pennsylvania that is popular with hikers and bikers. Walk along the flat, paved and gravel trail that’s dotted with attractions, including an old train caboose, the Saylor Park cement kilns, a historic phone booth, ruins, and a water tower.
Take it slow if you’re not in a hurry, and stop for a picnic or a breather at one of the tables or trail-side benches. The tree-lined path promises awe-inspiring natural beauty all year, but it’s particularly striking during the peak of the fall foliage.
Along the way, you’ll deal with a few minor challenges. Prepare to cross busy roads, and you might hear noise from a nearby gun range at one point. To avoid the crowds, start early in the day on the path that has several trailheads.
Address: Saylor Park, 245 N 2nd St, Coplay, PA 18037
10. Chickies Rock Overlook Trail – Columbia
Don’t forget your camera for your short but sweet trek along Chickies Rock Overlook Trail. Both kid-friendly and dog-friendly, the one mile path leads to an overlook with breathtaking views of the Susquehanna River. While there’s a railing at the overlook, keep a close eye on the kiddos and dogs as an extra precaution. Lovely weather days and weekends tend to be the busiest, so if you’re looking for a quiet walk, try visiting during the week.
That easy rating comes with a few caveats. Prepare to deal with some rocky terrain that can be better navigated with sturdy shoes and trekking poles and use plenty of insect repellant if you’re visiting during the warmer months as the area can get quite buggy.
Address: Chickies Rock County Park, 880 Chickies Hill Rd, Columbia, PA 17512
Tips for a Successful Hike
With the many dog-friendly hiking trails in Pennsylvania, you’re never too far from your next adventure. For a fun experience for all – humans and pooches – keep a few simple rules in mind.
- Unless signs specifically say dogs are permitted off-leash, keep your dog on their leash for their safety and the safety of others.
- Pick up after your pup. Bring bags along so, if your dog does their business, you can pick up after them.
- Pack out what you bring in. Anything you take with you – poop bags, bottled water, snacks, etc. – take back out and dispose of as necessary to help keep Pennsylvania clean for others.
Pennsylvania boasts thousands of scenic hiking trails, many of them dog-friendly and easy. If you and your pup are up for a challenge, you’ll find some difficult ones, too. One of the best places to find hiking trails is at state parks in Pennsylvania.
