5 Best Hikes With Dogs in Los Angeles
LA is a dog hiker's paradise, with tons of great trails open for four-legged hikers. Here are my top 5 best hikes with dogs in Los Angeles, complete with why they are so great. I also have a big list of dozens of dog friendly hikes on my LA hikes page here. As a general rule in LA, federal parks and lands allow dogs, local and county parks allow dogs, but state parks do not.
LA is a dog hiker's paradise, with tons of great trails open for four-legged hikers. Here are my top 5 best hikes with dogs in Los Angeles, complete with why they are so great. I also have a big list of dozens of dog friendly hikes on my LA hikes page here. As a general rule in LA, federal parks and lands allow dogs, local and county parks allow dogs, but state parks do not.
And if you're new to hiking with a dog in LA, here are two quick tips.
- LA hikes often lack shade and water, so make sure you bring a water bowl for your dog.
- Even if an area permits off-leash dogs, I recommend keeping them Leashed Dogs Allowed because of the risk from rattlesnakes and other potential dangers.
Runyon Canyon
Distance: 1.6 miles or 3.5 miles
Runyon Canyon is the Mecca for hiking with a dog. There are off-leash areas and a robust trail system, all right in the middle of Hollywood. If you hike with your dog here, expect lots of friends and fellow dog-lovers. You can get water in the park and there are trash cans.
Wisdom Tree
Distance: 1.8 miles
This short uphill hike to the famous Wisdom Tree is a dog favorite because it's tough enough to give dogs a good workout without being so long that they get exhausted or bored. The trail is wide and it's easy to pass others. And at the top, the human involved can enjoy some incredible views.
Millard Canyon Falls
Distance: 2.8 miles
If your dog loves the water and likes to explore, Millard Canyon Falls is the move. This short and shady hike to a hidden waterfall has a ton of nooks and crannies where your dog can sniff around and explore. And when the falls are flowing well there's a small pool where they can swim.
Potato Mountain
Distance: 4.5 miles
If you have a dog that loves to run and has tons of energy, check out the Potato Mountain hike. The trails are very wide, the beginning is shady, and the climb to the summit is gradual. It's long enough to be a decent workout but not too long.
Marshall Canyon
Distance: 1 to 10.5 miles
The shady oasis of Marshall Canyon is a great place for dogs. There's a little bit of everything. There's shade, nooks and crannies to explore, some water to splash around in, and if you do the full hike, a nice bit of climbing to tire them out. The trail is generally wide and very dog-friendly.
Want more LA hikes with dogs? Check out my big list here!
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Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.