Looking for some easy dog-friendly hikes to do with your favorite pup? Or maybe you want an off-leash dog park where your crazy canine can run around freely. Check out our list of the best dog-friendly places to go in Salt Lake City, UT.
The sun is shining, and the birds are chirping! You know what that means… Spring is finally here! Maybe you've been hibernating all winter long—trying to avoid that painful chill. But now it's time to get back outdoors with your furry best friend and hit the trails.
Dogs absolutely love their outdoor time. They need it. They crave it. And they depend on you for it. But let's be real, you're probably ready to get outside for some fresh air and exercise too. The big question here is… "Where can I take my dog in Salt Lake City?"
But no worries—there are actually tons of dog-friendly places to go and things to do with your dog in SLC. We'll tell you our top favorite dog parks, off-leash areas, and dog-friendly hikes you can check out in the Salt Lake City area. Plus a little tidbit about the delightful features of each one.
And if you're looking for an activity to do with your dog that is a little more chill… you can take your pup to a dog-friendly restaurant! Yes, you heard right. More and more restaurants are adding outdoor pet-friendly patios. So your well-behaved pup can join you for a doggy lunch date, or a night out on the town. Click here to find a list of the best dog-friendly restaurants in Salt Lake City, UT.
While you're thinking about things your dog will love, check out some of the best local pet care in town! Click here to enter in your zip code, and we'll help you find the best dog walkers and pet sitters in Salt Lake City. We have an entire list of amazing local pet care professionals that are ready to treat your pet like their own.
Now if you're ready to get outside and experience the great outdoors with your crazy canine… let's check out the lists below.
The 9 Best Dog Parks and Off-Leash Areas in Salt Lake City, UT:
- Cottonwood Park Off-Leash Area
- Herman Franks Park Off-Leash Dog Area
- Jordan Park Off-Leash Area
- Lindsey Gardens Dog Park
- Memory Grove Park
- Millcreek Canyon
- Parley's Nature Reserve
- Pioneer Park
- Rotary Glen Dog Park
Cottonwood Park Off-Leash Area — 1580 W North Star Dr 300 North, Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Cottonwood Park Off-Leash Area is a dog park located within Cottonwood Park. This park has lush green grass for your dog to run around on, and plenty of trees to keep you both cool in the shade on those hot summer days. This off-leash dog park is clean, well-maintained, and even has a doggie water fountain. And the rest of the park provides a paved walking/jogging path, volleyball courts, a playground, basketball courts, restrooms, picnic tables, and picnic pavilions that you can reserve.
Herman Franks Park Off-Leash Dog Area — 1371 S 700th E., Salt Lake City, UT 84105
Herman Franks Park is another great Salt Lake City park with an off-leash dog area. This park has a playground, restrooms, baseball fields, and concession stands. Herman Franks Park Off-Leash Dog Area is fully fenced-in with grass, mulch, and gravel for the ground covering. You'll also find shade trees and benches for the humans to sit and relax on. Plus water stations, waste stations, and poop bags are all provided.
Jordan Park Off-Leash Area — 1060 S 900 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84104
Jordan Park Off Leash Area is an off-leash dog park within Jordan Park that has plenty of gorgeous green grass that is clean and well-maintained. And tons of large shade trees throughout, plus ample parking. This dog park is fully fenced-in for dogs to run and roam freely.
Jordan Park is 16 acres in size, and also offers the following: four horseshoe courts, a large skate park, a glass recycling station, multiple picnic pavilions that you can reserve, two volleyball courts, two drinking fountains, two softball fields, two restrooms, and three playgrounds. There is more than enough for the whole family to enjoy here!
Lindsey Gardens Dog Park — 26 M St, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Lindsey Gardens Dog Park is a designated off-leash area for dogs to run and play, but it is not fenced-in. There is a doggy drinking fountain, and trash cans for waste throughout the park. This off-leash dog park is located at the south end of Lindsey Gardens. At this park, you'll also find a playground, restrooms, baseball fields, human drinking fountains, and picnic pavilions that can be reserved.
Memory Grove Park — 300 Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Memory Grove Park has an off-leash dog park area where pups can run freely. But keep in mind, this off-leash is not fenced-in. Or you can walk your dog on-leash throughout the rest of the park. You'll find large wooded areas as well as open green spaces at this park. Plus a walking/jogging path, restrooms, drinking fountains, and picnic tables. And the lake is off-limits to dogs, but they can splash around in the creek instead. This park also has one of the dog-friendly trails that's listed below.
Millcreek Canyon — 3800 Mill Creek Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84124
Millcreek Canyon is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and their canine companions. What sets this location apart is the variety of trails ranging from easy to challenging, many of which allow off-leash dogs on odd-numbered days. The canyon offers a true nature escape with its lush forests, streams, and wildlife. After a hike, dogs can cool off in the creek, and there are plenty of picnic spots for a well-deserved break. Note that there's a small fee for vehicle entry, but it's worth it for the well-maintained facilities and breathtaking scenery.
Parley's Nature Reserve — 2740 S 2700th E., Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Parley's Nature Reserve is a beautiful historic nature reserve with an off-leash area for dogs, as well as a jogging/walking path, historical sites, Parley's Creek, and a wildlife refuge area. Plus, you and your pup can get some great views together on top of Parley's Canyon. This park is considered to have one of the best off-leash dog parks in the area, a river for your pup to splash and cool off in, and plenty of other natural spaces where your dog can walk with you on-leash.
Pioneer Park — 350 S 300 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Pioneer Park is a multipurpose space in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. While it's not exclusively a dog park, it's known for being dog-friendly, with plenty of space for on-leash walks. The park hosts a farmers market where you can shop with your dog by your side. Its urban setting makes it a convenient green space for city dwellers looking for a quick escape with their pets. The park is currently undergoing renovations to include a designated off-leash area, making it even more appealing to dog owners.
Rotary Glen Dog Park — 2903 Kennedy Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Rotary Glen Dog Park is an off-leash dog park within Rotary Glen Park. This park has a large area for dogs to run freely, as well as a creek where they can splash and cool off in, and tons of large shade trees. In addition to that, Rotary Glen Park offers restrooms, drinking fountains, picnic tables, and picnic pavilions.
The 10 Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in Salt Lake City, UT:
BONUS! There are tons of great hiking trails in the Salt Lake City area, and these are the best dog-friendly trails for you and your pup to try out. We've added some quick info about each one, so you'll know what you're getting into before you arrive.
- Bonneville Shoreline Trail: Emigration Canyon Road to City Creek
- Ensign Ridge Trail
- Ferguson Canyon Trail to Upper Meadow
- Grandeur Peak East Trail from Church Fork
- Memory Grove Trail
- Mill Creek Pipeline Trail
- Mount Olympus Pipeline Trail
- Mount Van Cott via Red Butte Canyon Trail Loop
- Pipeline Trail to Elbow Fork
- Terraces: Elbow Fork Trail
Bonneville Shoreline Trail: Emigration Canyon Road to City Creek
- Length: 9.1 miles point-to-point
- Level of difficulty: easy
- Star rating: 4.2
- Elevation gain: 1,466 ft.
Ensign Ridge Trail
- Length: 2.8 miles out-and-back
- Level of difficulty: moderate
- Star rating: 4.3
- Elevation gain: 1,020 ft.
Ferguson Canyon Trail to Upper Meadow
- Length: 4.3 miles out-and-back
- Level of difficulty: hard
- Star rating: 4.2
- Elevation gain: 2,303 ft.
Grandeur Peak East Trail from Church Fork
- Length: 5.9 miles out-and-back
- Level of difficulty: hard
- Star rating: 4.6
- Elevation gain: 2,365 ft.
Memory Grove Trail
- Length: 1.7-mile loop trail
- Level of difficulty: easy
- Star rating: 4.4
- Elevation gain: 167 ft.
Mill Creek Pipeline Trail
- Length: 13.3 miles out-and-back
- Level of difficulty: moderate
- Star rating: 4.3
- Elevation gain: 2,500 ft.
Mount Olympus Pipeline Trail
- Length: 3.0 miles out-and-back
- Level of difficulty: easy
- Star rating: 4.4
- Elevation gain: 446 ft.
Mount Van Cott via Red Butte Canyon Trail Loop
- Length: 4.3-mile loop trail
- Level of difficulty: hard
- Star rating: 4.2
- Elevation gain: 1,666 ft.
Pipeline Trail to Elbow Fork
- Length: 6.0 miles out-and-back
- Level of difficulty: moderate
- Star rating: 4.4
- Elevation gain: 958 ft.
Terraces: Elbow Fork Trail
- Length: 4.8 miles out-and-back
- Level of difficulty: moderate
- Star rating: 4.1
- Elevation gain: 1,860 ft.
How Dog-Friendly is Salt Lake City?
Now that you've checked out our list above, I think it's easy to see just how dog-friendly Salt Lake City, UT, really is. Whether you're a hiker, a foodie, or a social butterfly, there are numerous dog-friendly places to go and things to do with your furry best friend. Your dog is ready to get outside for some fun in the sun… how about you?
For more great articles about dog-friendly activities and pet-parenting advice, check out the Blog at LocalPetCare.com.