Salt Lake City offers a unique combination of modern convenience and nearby natural scenery. With two mountain ranges surrounding the city, scenic views can be found just about anywhere, whether you are going on an invigorating urban hike or exploring hiking trails near the foothills and canyons. The best part is that you can bring your dog along on your adventures.
There are numerous dog-friendly hikes in Salt Lake City, great for both locals and tourists alike. In this Sploot Vets guide, we talk about some of the best dog-friendly trails, what they have to offer, and how you can have a safe hike with your furry best friend!
A Quick Note About Dog-Friendly Hikes in Salt Lake City
Start with beginner-friendly urban hikes near you to help your dog build confidence and stamina, progressing to longer or more challenging hikes. Additionally, keep your dog’s vaccinations and heartworm preventatives up to date.
It’s also recommended to schedule a vet visit, especially if you’re planning more strenuous adventures, to make sure your dog is healthy and hike-ready.
Note: Some trails, especially ones near bodies of water, canyons, or foothills, may have seasonal or year-round risks. Always check the latest advisories and reviews from recent hikers. We also recommend downloading the map before visiting any SLC dog-friendly hikes, especially for trails that are farther away from the city.
1. Big Cottonwood Regional Park Outer Loop
- Location: Big Cottonwood Regional Park - Holladay Lions Area
- Trailhead: 4300 S 1300 E, Millcreek, UT
- Highlights: Dog-friendly hike in Salt Lake City; dogs must be leashed; partially shaded and mostly paved; offers stunning mountain views; easy, 1.2-mile loop trail
If you’re looking for an urban hike that is beginner-friendly, fulfilling, and easily accessible, the Big Cottonwood Regional Park Outer Loop is an awesome trail to start with.
Less than 10 minutes from Holladay Hills and Sugar House, this dog-friendly urban trail takes you around the park’s Holladay Lions Area. As you hike with your furry friend, you will go through tree-lined areas and wide open grassy spaces. You can also catch views of the Wasatch Mountains in the distance, towards the east of the park.
2. Parley’s Historic Nature Park Trail Loop
- Location: Parley’s Historic Nature Park
- Trailhead: 2560 E Heritage Wy, Salt Lake City, UT
- Highlights: Dog-friendly hike in Salt Lake City; dogs must be leashed; partially shaded and mostly paved; offers stunning mountain views; easy, 1.9-mile loop trail
Around 10 minutes from Holladay Hills and Sugar House, Parley’s Historic Nature Park Trail Loop is a beginner-friendly, dog-friendly hiking trail in Salt Lake City. This urban hike takes you through tree-lined paths and bridges across Parley’s Creek. You will also see stunning views of the Wasatch Mountains and historical landmarks like The Railroad Monument and Dudler’s Inn.
3. Jordan River Parkway Trail: Murray Section
- Location: The entire trail runs from Saratoga Springs to North Salt Lake
- Trailhead for the Murray Section: There are many access points all over Salt Lake City; some are conveniently located inside parks (listed below)
- Highlights: Dog-friendly hike in Salt Lake City; dogs must be leashed; partially shaded and mostly paved; a hiking trail that is always beside the Jordan River in SLC; easy and customizable, out-and-back trail
The Jordan River Parkway Trail is a beginner-friendly, dog-friendly trail that lets you hike alongside the Jordan River in Salt Lake City. While being treated to the soothing sounds and views of the Jordan River, you may catch glimpses of nearby mountain ranges, cross under multiple highways, see various parks, and walk through tree-lined areas, depending on where you start and end your hike.
As far as dog-friendly urban hikes in SLC go, the Jordan River Parkway Trail is the closest you’ll get to a choose-your-adventure experience. One of the easiest ways to access this dog-friendly trail is to start in one of the parks that are directly connected to the trail. Here are some example in-park access points within the Murray Section of the trail:
- Confluence Park – 580 Murray Taylorsville Rd, Murray, UT
- Arrowhead Park – 593 W 4800 S, Murray, UT 84123
- Germania Park – 5243 Murray Pkwy Ave, Murray, UT
- Millrace Park / Dog Park – 1150 W 5400 S, Taylorsville, UT
After choosing the trailhead or access point of your urban hike, make sure to take note of the landmarks and keep a timer to know how long you and your pup have been on this trail. For beginners, we recommend turning around after 15 to 30 minutes, so that your entire out-and-back hike would span half an hour to an hour.
4. Little Confluence Nature Trail
- Location: Near Arrowhead Park
- Trailhead: 677 W 4800 S, Murray, UT
- Highlights: Dog-friendly hike in Salt Lake City; dogs must be leashed; near the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains; partially shaded and has dirt trails; easy, 2.6-mile out-and-back trail
If you would like to hike along the Jordan River and are having trouble picking the best access point to the Jordan River Parkway Trail, you can try following the Little Confluence Nature Trail. The trailhead of this dog-friendly hike near Salt Lake City is located across Arrowhead Park, which is only 15 minutes from Holladay Hills and Trolley Square.
This dog-friendly trail is lined with trees and grassy areas. The view of the Jordan River in SLC is never far away. You might also see ducks, wildflowers, and views of the distant mountains along the way.
While the Little Confluence Nature Trail does NOT start on the Jordan River Parkway, the trail takes you across a wooden bridge before Germania Park, leading you to a portion of the Jordan River Parkway Trail on the eastern side of the river. The turning point of this out-and-back trail is at Millrace Park, promising plenty of greenery for the majority of this urban nature hike.
5. Rotary Glen Nature Trail
- Location: Rotary Glenn Park
- Trailhead: 2850 Emigration Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT
- Highlights: Dog-friendly hike in Salt Lake City; dogs must be leashed; near the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains; mostly shaded and has dirt trails; offers stunning mountain views; easy, 1.9-mile loop trail
Looking for a nature trail that is still very close to the city? The Rotary Glen Nature Trail may be the best option for you. This dog-friendly hike in Salt Lake City has its trailhead located near Emigration Canyon, just under 15 minutes away from Holladay Hills and Trolley Square. The hike starts at the Rotary Glenn Park, takes you and your pup to Donner Park, and back.
The middle of this loop trail takes you through winding paths that are shaded by trees, while the latter half of the hike features the open grassy spaces of Donner Park. Along this dog-friendly hike, you and your pup will see wild flowers (depending on the season), glimpses of Emigration Creek, and the Eagle Monument.
Note: If your dog still has excess energy to burn after the hike, there is an SLC off-leash dog park in Rotary Glenn Park.
→ Planning to go hiking soon? Schedule a vet visit to make sure your dog is trail-ready and get personalized expert tips on proper conditioning and trail selection. Plus, you can ensure that all your pup's preventatives (e.g., canine vaccines, heartworm) are up-to-date. Sploot Vets, an all-in-one, Fear Free vet clinic, is opening soon in Holladay Hills! Sign up to get notified here.
6. West Popperton Hiking Loop
- Location: Popperton Park
- Trailhead: 360 Popperton Park Way, Salt Lake City, UT
- Highlights: Dog-friendly hike in Salt Lake City; dogs must be leashed; near the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains; mostly unshaded and has dirt trails; offers stunning mountain views below Ensign Peak; easy, 0.8-mile loop trail
If you’re looking for a short dog-friendly hike in Salt Lake City that is a step up in difficulty from urban hikes, but still fairly easy and accessible, the West Popperton Hiking Loop is definitely worth checking out. While this hike is less than a mile long, it has some uphill sections; it is also situated below Ensign Peak, offering closer views of the mountains.
With barely any trees on either side of this dog-friendly trail, you and your pup will be going through an unshaded hike—but the main advantage of this is it offers panoramic view of the Salt Lake Valley. You will also see wildflowers and open skies; plus, on your way back to the trailhead, you will pass by the Popperton Plots Community Garden. While dogs may not be allowed inside, you can still see the vibrant flower beds from outside.
Note: Experienced hikers can try the moderately difficult U-Block Trail, a shorter but more uphill hike with rewarding views over Salt Lake City at the iconic “U” overlook. This trail is just a short walk from the West Popperton Hiking Loop. While the U-Block Trail is somewhat popular among pet parents, it's more difficult and steep—best for properly conditioned canines.
7. Neff’s Canyon Loop
- Location: Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
- Trailhead: 4700 East Millcreek, Millcreek, UT
- Highlights: Dog-friendly hike near Salt Lake City; dogs must be leashed; near Mt. Olympus; wilderness hike; moderate-difficulty, 1.3-mile loop trail
Ready for a more challenging dog-friendly hike? If you and your dog have been hiking for a while and your dog is cleared by a veterinarian to go on a moderate difficulty trail, the Neff’s Canyon Loop might be worth checking out (not to be confused with the more difficult out-and-back trail).
Neff’s Canyon Loop is a muddy dirt trail that goes through the wilderness of Mount Olympus, with an uphill hike going in and a more downhill journey heading back to the trailhead. Along the way, you will get a glimpse of Neff’s Creek, vibrant wildflowers, and panoramic views of Mount Olympus and surrounding peaks. Towards the end of the loop trail, you will also come across a natural flat boulder commonly known as the ‘Flat Meditation RocK’ and a small cave.
Note: For moderate-difficulty hikes farther from the city, it is even more crucial to be prepared. Download the map ahead of time and make sure to have the right gear, complete with sturdy hiking shoes and trekking poles—these are especially helpful for sections that are slippery or have loose rocks.
Final Reminders About Dog-Friendly Trails in SLC
Ready to explore fenced, off-leash dog parks in Salt Lake City with your furry friend? Here are a few reminders about hiking with your dog before you go:
- Schedule a vet visit before hiking – Make sure that your canine companion is trail-ready with a quick veterinary check-up. Additionally, preventatives help protect your dog from transmissible diseases, parasites, and risks they may encounter from other animals, insects, or contaminated water.
- Check the dog trail’s condition before leaving and before you start your hike – Trail conditions can change quickly due to weather or closures, and knowing what to expect helps you and your pup stay safe!
- Keep your dog on a leash – A leash keeps your dog safe from wildlife, steep terrain, or getting lost, while also respecting other hikers and local regulations. Nearly all dog-friendly hiking trails in Salt Lake City require your dog to stay on their leash.
- Always bring water, snacks for your pup, & poop bags – Stock up on supplies to keep your canine companion energized and hydrated. Additionally, bring enough poop bags so you can pick up after your pup.
Looking for more awesome dog-friendly destinations in Salt Lake City? Here are some places you can check out with your furry friend!
- 15+ Dog-Friendly Activities Near Salt Lake City, UT
- 7 Best Fenced Dog Parks in Salt Lake City
- 7 Dog-Friendly Restaurants Near Salt Lake City, UT
Exciting News for Pet Parents in Salt Lake City!
Sploot Vets, a trusted veterinary care provider, is expanding to Salt Lake City! Whether your pet needs routine care, urgent care, or emergency services, you can count on Sploot Vets to provide top-tier, all-in-one vet care, 365 days a year.
With an experienced veterinary team and state-of-the-art facilities, Sploot Vets will deliver next-level vet care designed to support your pet’s overall health and give you peace of mind. Our Fear Free veterinary approach will prioritize your pet’s comfort at every visit, creating a calmer, more positive experience.
→ Get notified about the opening of Sploot Vets - Holladay Hills in Salt Lake City!
