TEXAS
National Parks With Hiking
Amistad National Recreation Area
Dogs are allowed on the trails in this park
Big Bend National Park
Dogs are not allowed on the trails in this park
Big Thicket National Preserve
Fort Davis National Historic Site
Dogs are allowed anywhere but in the historic buildings
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Dogs are not allowed on the trails in this park
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
Padre Island National Seashore
Dogs are allowed on the trails in this park
San Antonio Missions National Historic Park
Dogs are allowed at all 4 mission sites and
within the compound walls
Links to National Forests With Hiking
Angelina National Forest
Caddo National Grassland
Davy Crockett National Forest
Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland
Rita Blanca National Grassland
Sabine National Forest
Sam Houston National Forest
State Parks With Hiking
parks.htm
Dogs are permitted on most Texas state park trails; check for specific park restrictions on pets on trails or in primitive areas. Dogs are not allowed on thr trails or in the campgrounds at Big Bend Ranch State Park.
Share A Favorite Hike With Your Dog In Texas
FavoriteHikesTexas@hikewithyourdog.com
Your Dog's Favorite Hikes In Texas
Submitted by Roger & Mia
Most parks in Texas that we've found require dogs to be on leash. However, if you're looking for a safe place where the dogs can run off leash and don't mind a 2+ hour drive from Houston, Matagorda Beach is simply awesome.
You'll need to purchase a beach pass for your vehicle (about $5). Once on the beach, head east away from the pier. You can drive on the beach for several miles. Suggest that you drive along the beach for 2-3 miles minimum in order to limit the number of vehicles driving along.
Once you find a spot, you'll have miles of beach and ocean for the dogs to run and play. Please remember to pack a picnic and bring plenty of fresh water, toys, and plastic bags to clean up after your pets!
Fall and winter months are best if you want to avoid crowds but the surf tends to be rough and the winds blow.
Have fun with this trip - our two "girls" love the place!
Submitted by Laura
While it is true that you can hike with your dog on all of National Park
missions, you may not allow your dog on the grounds of the Alamo (owned
by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas). I know this because a police
officer informed that I could not bring my golden retriever on to the
grounds. So I picked up my 50 pound dog and carried her through the
Alamo.
Our favorite site in Houston is the Millie Bush Bark Park in George Bush
Park, lease free. Two large swimming ponds for dogs and short hiking
loop around the park (bring plenty of towels). The smaller, more timid
dogs even have their own fenced area.
Thanks for providing this great service.
Submitted by CK
Dogs are welcome at state parks in Texas. I have found those in the Hill Country very good for hiking with a dog. In west Texas I've found boots for the dogs very useful to protect from rock and cactus. State parks require the dog be on a leash but this is loosely controlled. At Lake Houston State Park a ranger told me he needed to go tie up his dog when he saw me arrive with a dog. For the most part, once well onto the trail I find the dogs can run lose without a problem. I'll leash them if other people are around.
Submitted by Mark
There are many miles of open beach for dog owners to hike with their
precious friends along Bolivar Peninsula near Galveston Island. I raise
and show American Staffordshire Terriers and we often take one of two of
our 'kids' for long walks in the sand and surf in this area. With males
that get up to 80 pounds, we need lots of room for them to romp and this
area is perfect for us.Check out such places as the town of Crystal Beach
in Texas on the internet for images and more information of the area.
Links to Hiking in Texas
Texas Hiking
Texas Outside
Lone Star Hiking Trail Club
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