Take Your Four-Legged Friend on Your Next Hike
By Marilyn Jones
The number of four-legged friends who travel with their humans might surprise you.
Seventy-eight percent of American pet owners travel with their pets each year. According to Hilton Hotels & Resorts, 58 percent of people would prefer to travel with their pet over a friend or family member. And half of all travelers base their travel plans on accommodating their pets.
The most popular pets to travel with are our canine friends, who tend to do well on the road. And most enjoy a good romp outdoors, where they can sniff to their hearts’ content and bark at a bird or two.
Fortunately, there are many good hiking/walking options around Alabama that allow dogs on leashes. Hiking also offers a good opportunity for owners to bond with their pets, and both parents and pups enjoy the exercise and a chance to be outdoors.
Megs Kenny of Huntsville loves taking her dog, Ganondorf, hiking, and watching him enjoy nature.
“Seeing dogs be dogs is such a gift, and it’s amazing to have so many natural spaces where they can just be dogs,” Kenny says. She and Ganon, as she calls him, recently hiked the Walls of Jericho
near Scottsboro.
“We run dog biathlons together, so hiking on trails is excellent training,” Kenny says. “And there’s nothing like a sunset on a trail with your best friend by your side.”
Besides hiking trails, many towns and cities have parks and trails that cater to dogs. For example, Red Mountain Park in Birmingham features 1,500 wooded acres, including 20 dog-friendly miles of walking, hiking, and mountain biking trails. Remy’s Dog Park is a six-acre off-leash park at Red Mountain. The park features separate areas for large and small dogs, as well as a section for special needs pets. Dogs must remain on a leash outside the dog park.
At any public space that allows dogs, remember to bring supplies to clean up after your furry friend (don’t rely on places to provide bags). And be prepared to bring water to hydrate your hound.
On any trail that’s rocky or technical, or if it’s very long, be sure your dog can handle the physical rigor before starting off on your next adventure.
Here are a few more Alabama attractions welcoming pet owners and their fur babies.
State Parks
Visit each park’s web page at alapark.com
Oak Mountain State Park
200 Terrace Drive, Pelham
205-620-2520
This state park features more than 50 miles of trails, from short loops to longer hikes that include overnight stays. Dogs are welcome in most areas of the park as long as they are leashed.
Chewacla State Park
124 Shell Toomer Parkway, Auburn
334-887-5621
Chewacla has a variety of trails for hikers and mountain bikers alike. Leashed dogs are allowed on all trails, and some cabins.
DeSoto State Park
7104 DeSoto Parkway NE, Fort Payne
Office: 256-845-5380
Campground: 256-845-5075
DeSoto offers more than 25 miles of dog-friendly trails. Sites include Lookout Mountain, seasonal waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. Your dog must be always kept on a leash. DeSoto State Park also offers dog-friendly cabins and campsites.
Monte Sano State Park
5105 Nolen Ave. Huntsville
Office: 256-534-3757
Campground: 256-534-6589
There are more than 20 miles of trails. Dogs are welcome on the campsites and in two cabins for an additional fee. Dogs must be leashed.
Cheaha State Park
19644 Hwy 281, Delta
General information: 256-488-5111
Campground: 256-488-5115
The Talladega National Forest surrounds the park. The park is home to the Cheaha Trailhead on the Pinhoti as well as trails that connect with the Appalachian Trail; it also provides access to the Odum Scout Trail and the Chinnabee Silent Trail. Here, hikers can experience tranquility, native wildlife, and beautiful waterfalls. Leashed dogs are welcome. Mike Bosarge Memorial Dog Park is also located here.
Wind Creek State Park
4325 Alabama Highway 128, Alexander City
Office: 256-329-0845
Wind Creek State Park is dog-friendly and offers trails. Leashed dogs are welcome to join guests to explore the park. In addition to a variety of other outdoor activities, such as a view of the Piedmont Plateau or the Lake Martin Amphitheater, dogs are also welcome at the campsites for an additional fee.
The Coast
Historic Blakeley State Park
34745 State Hwy 225, Spanish Fort
Office: 251-626-0798
BlakeleyPark.com
This 2,100-acre recreation area preserves the site of Alabama’s largest Civil War battle. This dog-friendly park is a stop on the Alabama Gulf Coastal Birding Trail and the Civil War Discovery Trail. Leashed dogs are welcome on the 12 miles of trails.
Fort Morgan State Historic Site
51 Hwy 180 West, Gulf Shores
Gift Shop: 251-540-7127
Museum: 251-540-5257
Ahc.alabama.gov/properties/ftmorgan
Leashed dogs are welcome to tour the fort. Admission includes access to the dog beach (bayside only). There are hiking trails, and dogs are also allowed inside the museum and gift shop.
Fort Gaines
Dauphin Island
Office: 251-861-6992
Fort-gaines.com
The famous phrase, “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead,” was first shouted by Admiral Farragut during the Battle of Mobile Bay at this location during the War of 1812. The fort has original cannons, a blacksmith shop, kitchens, a museum, a gift shop, and tunnels. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Gulf State Park
20115 State Park Road, Gulf Shores
251-948-7275
Alapark.com/parks/gulf-state-park
Dogs are not allowed on the Gulf beaches. However, the Lake Shelby area is dog friendly and allows dogs on a leash. There is also a dedicated dog park where dogs can run, play, and even swim in the lake.
Lake Shelby also offers rental kayaks and canoes for fishing or just exploring. You can also explore 27 trails from the short Middle Lake Overlook boardwalk trail to the 3-mile Gulf Oak Ridge Trail.
Orange Beach Waterfront Park
26425 Canal Road, Orange Beach
Office: 251-981-2787
OrangeBeachAL.gov/375/Waterfront-Park-Kids-Park
This park is open year-round. Next to the pier is a sandy beach with shallow water, an excellent spot for playing fetch with your pup. There are also several paved walking trails, and lots of grass for your canine companion to play.
Dauphin Island Beach
1011 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island
Town Office: 251-861-5525
Dauphin Island Beach offers dog-friendly beaches year-round. The Town of Dauphin Island has an island-wide leash law requiring dogs to be restrained at all times. Dogs are not allowed at the West End Beach Park.
Botanical Gardens
Dothan Area Botanical Gardens
5130 Headland Ave., Dothan
Office: 334-793-3224
Dabg.com
The 50-acre garden features dog-friendly nature trails for you and your pup to explore. Dogs are allowed in the gardens if they are people-friendly and kept on a short leash.
Mobile Botanical Gardens
5151 Museum Drive, Mobile
Office: 251-342-0555
MobileBotanicalGardens.org
This 100-acre site, with cultivated gardens, woodland trails, and a longleaf pine forest, is a pet-friendly attraction dedicated to preserving native plantings and educating the community about gardening and plant life. Dogs are permitted to roam the grounds if they remain on their leashes.
Huntsville Botanical Gardens
4747 Bob Wallace Ave., Huntsville
Office: 256-830-4447
Hsvbg.org
This garden hosts pet-friendly days for visitors who want to explore the garden with their leashed furry friends.
Dog Days at the Garden are every Thursday during regular hours. Visitors can bring their leashed pups to explore the garden. There are also Meowy Mondays for cat companions to bring their felines in a pet backpack, on a leash, or in another approved carrier.
Aldridge Gardens
3530 Lorna Road, Hoover
Office: 205-739-6558
AldridgeGardens.com
The 30-acre woodland garden features hydrangeas nestled in the heart of the community. It features a five-acre lake and walking trails. Leashed dogs are allowed in the garden from Mondays through Thursdays.
The University of Alabama
Arboretum
4801 Arboretum Way, Tuscaloosa
Office: 205-553-3278
Arboretum.ua.edu
Although many botanical gardens don’t allow pets due to the damage they can cause, dogs are welcome here as long as they are kept on a leash. Dogs must stay on the trails.
These examples are but a fraction of the attractions you can share with your dogs in Alabama. For additional examples, check bringfido.com.
So, get outside and search out one of the many canine-friendly sites Alabama offers.
