Family walking dog at Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah, Georgia

Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah, Georgia

7 Georgia State Parks to Explore with Your Pup

Woof! Head out on a tail-wagging adventure on these dog-friendly hikes around the state.

Georgia's Tails on Trails Club challenges hikers and their four-legged companions to explore Georgia State Parks. Members get a t-shirt and a bandana, and they can earn a certificate when they hike at 12 state parks. A digital checklist helps hikers track their adventures. There is no time limit to complete the quest, so pups can sniff out new adventures along the way!

Here are seven state parks pups are sure to love.

Dog-friendly camping at Georgia State Parks

Dog-friendly camping at Georgia State Parks. Photo by @mhenry1330

Don Carter State Park near Gainesville

Travel the paved Lakeview Loop at Don Carter State Park for views of sparkling Lake Lanier, then add on the shaded Woodland Loop for a total of 1.5 miles. Rent a dog-friendly cabin to spend more time enjoying hiking, boating, geocaching and making s'mores by the fire.

F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain

F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain, Georgia

F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain

The 3.2-mile Mountain Creek Nature Trail at F.D. Roosevelt State Park is one of the prettiest hikes in Georgia’s largest state park. Be sure to stop by Dowdell’s Knob to get a snapshot of your dog posing with FDR. (Did you know FDR owned a Scottish terrier named Fala? He was quite a hit at the White House.)

Two dogs in camp chairs at Georgia State Parks

Camping canines at Georgia State Parks. Photo by @chihikers

Fort Mountain State Park near Chatsworth

An easy 1-mile loop follows the edge of Fort Mountain State Park’s pretty green lake. While this short jaunt is all that’s required for the Tails on Trails Club, energetic explorers may want to add on the 8.8-mile Gahuti Trail, highlighting spectacular mountain scenery.

Dog taking a post-hike snooze by the campfire at Red Top Mountain State Park in Acworth, Georgia. Photo by @kayakjeff7

Post-hike snooze by the campfire at Red Top Mountain State Park in Acworth, Georgia. Photo by @kayakjeff7

Red Top Mountain State Park near Acworth

Enjoy beautiful views of Lake Allatoona on the easy 1-mile White Tail Trail at Red Top Mountain State Park. Lucky hikers might spot whitetail deer and other wildlife along the way. Stay overnight in a campsite or cabin for more time to enjoy this popular state park.

Family on trail at Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah, Georgia

Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah, Georgia

Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah

Explore miles of trails through lush maritime forest and past pristine salt marshes at Skidaway Island State Park, which borders Skidaway Narrows, part of Georgia's intracoastal waterway near Savannah. Stay in the scenic campground with your pup for a multi-day adventure on the coast, including excursions to Wormsloe State Historic Site and Fort McAllister State Park so you can check off three Tails on Trails Club parks in one trip.

Dog at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Lithia Springs, Georgia

Sweetwater Creek State Park in Lithia Springs, Georgia

Sweetwater Creek State Park in Lithia Springs

Sweetwater Creek State Park, just west of Atlanta, lets you choose between two paths: either the 2-mile Red Trail or 5-mile White Trail. Both lead to Civil War-era mill ruins set on the banks of this wide, shoal-filled stream. Check GaStateParks.org for occasional ranger-led dog hikes.

Woman and dog at Watson Mill State Park in Comer, Georgia

Watson Mill State Park in Comer, Georgia. Photo by @suzy.delong

Watson Mill Bridge State Park in Comer

Enjoy a picnic beside the longest covered bridge in Georgia, then explore two miles of nature trails at Watson Mill Bridge State Park in Comer. You’ll follow an old powerhouse sluiceway along the river, then travel through wooded forest and wildflowers. Stay the night in RV or tent campsites.

Discover more clubs for hiking, paddling and biking at GaStateParks.org/ParkClubs. Share your photos with us and Georgia State Parks by using #exploregeorgiapup and #GAStateParks!

Published: February 2024
Written by: Kim Hatcher
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