Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

10 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Georgia to Visit in 2025

dog and owner walking

Georgia is known for its southern hospitality, gorgeous scenery, and delicious food. However, did you know that the hiking trails in Georgia offer everything from waterfalls to wildflowers?

If you love hiking, you probably want to take your dog with you, but you must take them to a dog-friendly hiking spot.

In this guide, we’ll give you our picks for Georgia’s top 10 dog-friendly hiking trails. Join us and see if you agree.

divider dog paws 4 oct 2024

The 10 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Georgia

1. Raven Cliff Falls Trail

Address 3000 Richard B Russell Scenic Hwy, Helen, GA 30545
Open Times Year-round
Cost $5 parking fee
Off-leash allowed? No
  • Moderate difficulty may vary according to the weather
  • 9-mile round trip
  • One of the most popular hiking trails in Georgia
  • Features cascading waterfalls and plenty of flowers
  • Follows a gorgeous, rushing trout stream

2. Bear Creek Trail

️ Address 241 Bear Creek Camp Rd. Ellijay, GA 30540
Open Times Year-round
Cost Free
Off-leash allowed? No
  • 6.5-mile trail
  • Moderate difficulty, depending on the weather
  • This is a popular mountain biking and hiking trail
  • Free parking is available at the trailhead
  • Has no water, and RVs and pop-ups are prohibited

3. Emery Creek Falls Trail

Address Emery Creek Trail, Chatsworth, GA 30705
Open Times Year-round
Cost Free
Off-leash allowed? No
  • 2-mile round trip
  • Difficult trail to hike; not for first-time hikers
  • Features double waterfalls
  • Parking is limited; this trail gets extremely busy when the weather is nice
  • Expect to get your feet wet on the way to the rapids

4. Hemlock Falls Trail

Address Clarksville, GA 30523
Open Times Year-round
Cost $5 parking fee, can purchase a $50 annual pass for all Georgia State Parks
Off-leash allowed? In some areas
  • 9-mile trail
  • Ideal for beginners
  • The conditions for this trail are often muddy due to the water coming from the springs
  • Features several rapids and small waterfalls
  • Gorgeous walk with lush vegetation

5. Rabun Bald Half Marathon Hike

️ Address Kelsey Mountain Rd. Dillard, GA 30537
Open Times Year-round
Cost Free
Off-leash allowed? No
  • 8 miles
  • Easy to difficult trails, depending on how far you go
  • Features a fire tower you can climb at the summit
  • Contains the 120-foot Holcomb Creek Falls and the 100-foot Amon Creek Falls
  • Lightly traveled but has very little water access until you get to the falls

6. Upper Falls Via Panther Creek Trail

Address Panther Creek Trail, Georgia 30523
Open Times Year-round
Cost Free
Off-leash allowed? In some areas
  • 3-mile trail
  • Moderate difficulty
  • Very popular for hiking, so there will be quite a few people
  • Be careful crossing the river, or you could get wet
  • The falls at the end of the trail are breathtaking

7. Panther Creek Trail

️ Address 4061 Old Historic U.S 441, Clarksville, GA 30523
Open Times Year-round
Cost Free
Off-leash allowed? In some areas
  • 5-mile trail
  • Difficult trail to hike
  • Bridges may be washed out
  • A popular spot for hiking, camping, and riding
  • May be crowded, especially in the warmer seasons

8. High Shoals Falls Trail

️ Address 1333 Indian Grave Gap Rd, Hiawassee, GA 30546
Open Times Year-round
Cost Free
Off-leash allowed? In some areas
  • 6-mile trail
  • Moderate difficulty
  • Gorgeous views
  • Waterfalls are truly hidden gems
  • Some areas are wet, so wear good hiking shoes

9. Blood Mountain-Byron Reece Trail

️ Address Blood Mountain, Georgia, 30512
Open Times Year-round
Cost Free
Off-leash allowed? In some areas
  • 4-mile trail
  • Difficult trail with rough terrain
  • Uphill the entire trail, but well worth it
  • Lots of mud, so be prepared
  • Stunning views

10. Tennessee Rock Trail

Address Black Rock Mountain Pkwy, Clayton, GA 30525
Open Times Year-round
Cost Free
Off-leash allowed? No
  • 2-mile round trip
  • Moderate difficulty
  • State park with the highest elevation in Georgia
  • Gorgeous wildflowers
  • Scenic views

divider dog paws 4 oct 2024

Closing Thoughts

While hiking with your furry friend is fun and certainly gives you much-needed bonding time, it’s also important to make sure you clean up after your dog when you’re on these hiking trails. While some trails do not prohibit off-leash pets, take a leash with you, just to be on the safe side.

Cleaning up after and monitoring your dog closely will ensure that these trails remain dog-friendly for many years to come, so don’t forget, and above all else, have fun!

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Blazej Lyjak, Shutterstock

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Can Dogs Eat McDonald’s? Vet-Approved Health Risks & FAQ

Can dogs eat Mcdonald’s? In general, McDonald’s is not a healthy option for dogs. Most foods at McDonald’s are higher in fat, carbs,...

Male vs Female Australian Shepherds: The Differences (With Pictures)

Australian Shepherds are adventurous dogs that love the companionship of humans. They get along well with kids and other animals, and their intelligence...

Can I Put Antibiotic Ointment on a Dog? Vet-Approved Facts & Guidelines

Dogs can scrape their legs and feet, get minor cuts on their bodies, and even develop rashes from rolling around on the carpet...

8 Best Dog Foods for Maltese in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Maltese are affectionate, curious, and fearful companions. As one of the oldest breeds in the world, this toy dog is relatively easy to...

More related

Are Beagles Smart? Facts & Training Tips

The beagle dog breed originated in England around 1830, and since then it has become one of the most popular dog breeds in...

Why Does My Dog Smell Like Fish? 4 Vet-Verified Causes

Dogs are notorious for sometimes emitting pretty bad odors. They love to roll in the strangest of things, resulting in “interesting” smells for...

Bullmatian (Bulldog & Dalmatian Mix): Info, Pictures, Care & More

As you might have guessed, the Bullmatian is a crossbreed that you can create by mixing a Dalmatian with a Bulldog. While the...

10 Best Border Collie Toys in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Border Collies are considered the most intelligent dog breed on the planet. However, they need a job, and if you do not use...

Keep reading

Can Dogs Eat Marshmallows? Vet-Verified Risks & FAQ

Most pet parents love to spoil their furry friends with all kinds of treats, so if you and your family are eating tasty marshmallows, you’ll likely be tempted to give one to your dog. But would that be a good...

Can Dogs Eat Marshmallows

8 Best Organic Puppy Foods in 2025: Reviews & Top Picks

Puppies require healthy, high-quality foods as they grow through this developmental stage. One of the best ways to ensure your puppy gets nutritious food is to look for dog food with the USDA Organic Label. In truth, it’s pretty challenging...

Cocker Spaniel puppy eating

Is Dry Dog Food Bad for Dogs? Vet-Reviewed Pros & Cons

There has been controversy surrounding dry food in the dog food world for years now. Proponents of raw food and fresh food diets argue that dry dog food is unhealthy due to being highly processed, but others have a more...

pouring dog food

9 Best Dog Foods at Tractor Supply in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Tractor Supply is a fantastic resource for pet care supplies, including food. They offer a wide variety of dog foods, making it difficult to pick the perfect food for your dog. We’ve reviewed the foods that Tractor Supply sells and...

Black Dachshund dog guarding and eating food

Pawstruck Dog Chews & Treats Review 2025: An Expert’s Breakdown

* Use code PETKEEN15 and save 15%. Based in Long Beach, California, Pawstruck, is a small business specializing in wholesome products for dogs—including dog chews and treats, supplements, and grooming supplies. Since 2014, Pawstruck has been run by fellow dog...

DOG_SAPR_Pawstruck Dog Treats

Cesar Dog Food Review 2025: Pros, Cons, Recalls and Guide

Review Summary Cesar has been a staple in the pet food section of grocery and big box stores for decades. This food is especially popular with small dog owners because of its small package sizes and Westie mascot. They offer...

Dogster_Cesar Dog Food Review

Vitamin K for Dogs: 5 Vet-Approved Food Sources

Vitamin K is a necessary nutrient for all humans and animals. In addition to making this vitamin within our bodies, we can get the vitamin from the foods that we eat, and so can your dog! Here are five great...

white samoyed dog looks at a plate of vegetable salad

Can Dogs Eat Ribs? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Precautions

Ribs—whether we’re talking beef or pork ribs—are a tasty main dish that is just as good on the grill as in the oven. However, if you’re whipping up some ribs for dinner tonight, you might wonder if this is something...

person cutting pork ribs