For me, there isn’t much more I enjoy doing with my dogs than hitting up a trail together. Being out in the woods, both human and canines being free to take in all the glory that Mother Nature has to give, brings my soul a whole bunch of happiness. I love using the AllTrails app to help me find local spots that are lower in traffic and fit the boxes I look for in a hike - shaded, some water access, views are always a bonus and 2 - 5 miles in length.

So I want to share with all you Charlotte dog owners my top 10 favorite dog friendly trails in the Charlotte area. Of course it is important to be respectful of others on the trail. If you are going to have your dog off leash your recall needs to be solid, always calling your dog back when you see others and leashing them up to pass or having them hold a sit/stay a few feet off the trail to allow others to pass by safely and without incident. I never allow my dogs to meet others on a hike as you do not know the other dogs and this is our special time to bond. If you do not have off leash reliability, a retractable leash provides your dog more opportunity to explore the trail than a 6 foot leash will.

My Top 10 Favorite Dog Friendly Charlotte Area Hikes (in no particular order):

1. South Fork Catawba Trail (McAdenville, North Carolina): this 4 mile trail (2 miles out, 2 miles back) runs along the Catawba river so provides a few water access points to allow your dog to cool down throughout and is shaded for the majority of it. Pretty flat trail that would make for a good run if that’s more your style and low traffic. You will drive through a community to access the trail head.
2. Anne Springs Close Greenway (Fort Mill, South Carolina): there are many trail options here, with 36 miles of trail systems in total. Some trails are bike friendly, but go in opposite direction of hikers so you are aware from a distance of oncoming traffic, and since all hikers walk in same direction you will not come head to head on with other hikers/dogs. There is a small fee to use the trail if you are not a yearly member, but if you aren’t you should be! An individual yearly membership is $60/year, a family membership is $120/year - a great way to support environmental conservation in the area. They also have a lovely restaurant at one of the entrances where you can grab a meal and drinks to hang with friends and your dog, a large open area outside provides a relaxing atmosphere to unwind and on Thursdays in the Summer they host live music.
3. Forty Acre Rock and Beaver Pond Loop (Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve, Kershaw, South Carolina): this 4 mile loop is a unique hike that begins with a short walk along a wide path amongst the trees and then opens up to a large open rock face and then into the woods again with a stream that runs along for most of the hike and offers water access points to let the dogs go swimming. Some of the water is more swampy so I personally do not allow my dogs in those sections. I’ve gone several times and only come across a person or two, typically on the expansive rock area at the top. There are some nice diverse flowers throughout the trail which make it a pretty walk. Most of the hike is shaded except for when you are on the large rock area.
4. Vineyard Trail, Mountains to Sea Trail and Carter Falls (Elkin, North Carolina): this 4 mile out and back trail is a pretty unique one as you begin in the parking lot of a winery (a good reward for after you finish your hike). The trail goes through the forest, to open properties, to the road, through a campground, and back into the woods, and to a waterfall. It is an out and back hike, so you will get to experience the diversity of this one in both directions!
5. South Mountain State Park (Connelly Springs, North Carolina): we have visited this area a plethora of times! It has over 20 trails to choose from, and offers both waterfall trails and stunning views. Plus it’s only about 1 1/2 hours from Charlotte, so it's an easy day trip. High Shoals Fall is a must! Be prepared for a lot of wooden steps, and it can get crowded on the weekends, but it’s worth the journey!
6. Stone Mountain State Park (Roaring Gap, North Carolina): about 1 1/2 hours north of Charlotte, this is another must visit hiking area. This was actually my first big hike when I moved to the area back in 2011. When you pull into the parking lot you will be greeted by the large stone mountain (thus the name) right in front of you. The views of the rolling mountains at the top are absolutely breathtaking, and it's another chance to see some waterfalls. In my opinion, a hike that includes summits and waterfalls always makes for the best hikes!
7. Jesse Helms Red Trail Loop (Monroe, North Carolina): if want an easier hike in the woods without much elevation change and don't want to drive too far, than this could be the spot for you! This is my typical weekly go-to when I have only a few hours to get a hike in. This 2.5 mile loop is never crowded and combines trail walking with open fields, perfect for your dog to frolic freely in. You will cross water twice throughout the hike and the water level varies depending on rainfall and season. Be prepared with the proper shoes and attire (one crossing has a bridge, the second does not).
8. Crowders Mountain State Park (Kings Mountain, North Carolina): when it comes to easy access with rewarding views, Crowders is definitely the go-to spot. For anyone in Charlotte, it’s only a 45 min drive to the west. I do NOT recommend going on the weekends or in the summertime, because it gets very crowded (I think they named it quite well). If you go during work hours on a weekday, the crowds aren’t an issue and there are various hikes that will get your heart pumping and offer expansive views at the top. This is not the best option if you are wanting to do off leash work with your dog, the rangers are pretty strict here (and rightfully so since it is a busy place) and will ticket you if your dog isn’t on a leash.
9. Andrew Jackson State Park (Lancaster, South Carolina): another easily accessible gem just south of Charlotte! I frequently hike here as it’s only a 20 minute drive for me and offers a few different trails (as well as a playground for anyone hiking with a child who wants to balance it out for everyone in the family). Now there are no summits here, but a solid walk in the woods without running into others is a win. There is a loop that circles around a lake and goes through the campground, so if you have a dog who likes to swim this is a great option.
10. Latta Nature Preserve (Huntersville, North Carolina): if you’re looking for a great option to take your dog swimming, or to share a float with you on a paddle board or kayak after hitting the trails then this one fits the bill! Located just north of Charlotte, this preserve offers 18 miles of trails and lake access to Mountain Island Lake.

There are so many great hiking trails located within a 30 minute to 2 hour drive of Charlotte; this list really just scratches the surface. Make sure when you hit the trails with your dog, that you bring the proper tools and have good trail manners!