6 Places for You to Hike with Your Dog in Canton, GA

Hiking with your dog can be a ton of fun. Many dogs adore being included in activities like hiking and enjoy getting to smell all the new scents and play in new places. There are many great areas where you can enjoy this kind of experience with your pet in and around Canton, GA. If you have been looking for the perfect place to hike with your dog, these locations might be just what you have been looking for!

Hiking trails do not always have amenities for dogs, like watering stations or poop-disposal bins. Make sure that you are prepared to pick up after your dog and to give them water as you walk the trails. Also, be sure that you consider the weather and leave your dog home if the ambient temperature is over 80 degrees on the day that you want to hike.

If you love hiking with your dog, these are the locations that you must visit in Canton, GA. You will find lots of great choices in this guide to help you plan a day of exercise and fun with your pet.

1. Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area

The Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area park is 10,000 acres, and all of it is pet friendly. The 48-mile stretch along the river is the most popular place to bring your pet to play in the water and to run along the banks of the river. This area requires that dogs remain on a leash in all the park areas, so be sure that you take this into consideration before you visit. Dogs are allowed to swim in the river off-leash.

You will be able to bike, hike, raft, and fish here, and your dog can come with you! There is so much to do during your visit to this cool location, and you will be able to spend a whole day here with your dog if you wish.

2. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a battlefield area that has been turned into a park. This was the site of a three-week-long conflict during the civil war, and today it is a 2,956-acre park that is open to you and your dog. Pets must be on a leash here in all areas of the park. You also cannot use leashes longer than 6 feet for your pet while you are visiting.

You will be able to hike here on trails of varying difficulty and take in the beauty and the serenity of this place that was once the site of a major conflict in US history. There are restrooms and water fountains here, but no dog-watering or dog clean-up bins.

3. Big Trees Forest Preserve

Big Trees Forest Preserve is an old-growth forest area that is beautiful. You will be close to Sandy Springs here, and you and your dog are welcome all throughout the preserve. Wander along trails of varying difficulty and take in the sights and sounds of nature being allowed to work on its own. There are various small creeks that are within the preserve, but your pet cannot swim in the waters here.

There are waste bins and poop-bag stations throughout the park as well. You are asked to stay on the trails and to keep your dog on a leash. Dogs are also not to dig in any of the areas surrounding the trails.

4. Leita Thompson Memorial Park

Leita Thompson Memorial Park is a beautiful park with pleasant walking trails that leashed dogs can enjoy. The trails are in the woods and cross little streams, which are ideal for a gentle walk away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There is also an off-leash dog park area in the larger preserve which can be great for throwing a ball with your dog. While not as large as some of the other hiking locations on this list, this is an ideal place to take a dog to enjoy a shady walk and some pleasant bonding time.

5. Red Top Mountain State Park

Red Top Mountain State Park is a lovely park that is giant. There are 1,562 acres of land here to enjoy and a 12,000-acre lake called Allatoona. You can enjoy 15 miles of dog-friendly hiking trails here, and there are also areas to camp, fish, and swim with your dog. There are also bike trails in the area.

Your dog will need to be on a leash here, but you will have access to so many fun things to do with your pet. This is one of the nicest areas to head for a hike, and you could easily extend your visit by deciding to camp overnight.

6. Swift-Cantrell Park

Leashed pets can come to Swift-Cantrell Park and enjoy 42 acres of trails and shady walkways. There are shelters here, as well as open turf areas and restrooms, and drinking fountains. There is also a dog park inside the preserve here, called Frank Boone Dog Park. Your dog can enjoy time off-leash here and play with other canine friends.

You will want to bring your own dog water and dog bowl, but there are poop-bags and waste receptacles throughout the entire park for you to use during your visit.

Hiking With Your Dog Can be Really Enjoyable

If you have been looking for the right places to head for a hike with your dog in and around Canton, GA, this guide will be a big help. There are so many really great places to spend time outdoors with your canine friend, and all these locations were made with dogs in mind. While you might have to keep your dog on a leash at some of the locations, the trails are peaceful and well-cared-for, which means that you and your dog will have a great time as you wander in the shade or play near the water.

This is one of the best places in the state to enjoy time with a canine friend, and these hiking areas are perfect for all the adventures that your pet wants to come along to enjoy.