After a stressful day at work, your dog greets you with a joyful bark and an ecstatic wagging tail. Your dog easily forgives you and never holds a grudge.
For these and many other reasons, you naturally want to take your bundle of fur on all your adventures. This can be difficult when most national parks do not allow pets on unpaved and backcountry trails. To help you be able to take your dog on all your escapades, we have outlined five spectacular dog-friendly hikes in Bryce Canyon Country.
1. Rim Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park
Even though in Bryce Canyon National Park pets are not permitted on unpaved trails, the 0.5-mile section of Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points is a scenic, panoramic path where pets are definitely allowed, as long as they are on a leash at all times. This paved trail between Sunset Point and Sunrise Point is a great way to see the breathtaking hoodoos and gain many different perspectives of the massive amphitheater. Being a 0.5-mile walk one way or one 1-mile out-and-back, this Bryce Canyon hiking trail takes you and your dog along the ridge of the amphitheater where you can see a unique variety of hoodoos of many sizes, shapes, and colors.
5. Escalante Natural Bridge Trail in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Experience white chimney sand pipes, orange cliffs, and spired sandstones on Kodachrome Basin State Park’s dog-friendly hike, Panorama Trail. This hike captures the best of the best, displaying the park’s most majestic crown jewels. Rated as moderately easy, you and your dog should prepare for 3-3.5 hours to hike along this 5.4-mile double loop trail. Stops include the towering multi-colored spires of Mammoth Geyser, Ballerina Spire, and Fred Flintstone Geyser. Also, take some time to admire the Hat Shop hoodoo formations, Indian Cave, and the 360-degree view at Panorama Point.
3. Blind Lake in Dixie National Forest
Blind Lake is a 7.2-mile trail located near Torrey, Utah. This hike, in Dixie National Forest, features beautiful wildflowers and a refreshing crystal lake, where your dog (and you) can doggy paddle to cool off. As a hidden gem with secret wonders, this easy hike is perfect for man and man’s best friend. A great time to hike this trail is in autumn when the land explodes with a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors.
4. Devils Garden Trail in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Devils Garden is a 1-mile loop trail located near Escalante, Utah that offers great exploration opportunities for kids, adults, and dogs alike. Soak in the solitude, unique rock formations, flat red rock, white cliff views, and sandy washes as you and your dog walk, play, climb, and bird-watching in this vast desert. This is a more relaxing hike to give your dog a little tongue-slobbering breather.
5. Escalante Natural Bridge Trail in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Escalante Natural Bridge Trail is a 4-mile dog-friendly hike that requires multiple river crossings so be prepared to get your feet wet and return with a soggy dog. First, you will come to the Escalante Natural Bridge, and from there, continue upstream until the Skyline Arch appears. Explore with your barking companion near the cliff and on the left side, around the corner, you will find ruin and a petroglyph panel that is visible at the top of a small hill.
Your loving, hair shedding partner wants to be a part of your hiking adventures. So instead of leaving your dog behind, bring him or her along to soak in the fresh smells and deep colors right at your side. Together you can experience the beauty of Bryce Canyon and the surrounding area on these and many more pet-friendly hikes. Know of more hikes great for dogs? Please, comment below, and happy hiking!
