10 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails In New Hampshire (With Pictures)
What’s better than going on an outdoor adventure? Going on one with your favorite canine companion! And if you live in New Hampshire, you’ll be pleased to know that you and your pup can go on many outdoor adventures together. In fact, if you enjoy hiking, you’ll find there are tons of dog-friendly trails in the state!
While there are more than these out there, here are ten dog-friendly hiking trails in New Hampshire that people (and pups!) seem to enjoy the most. Whether you want a quick, breezy hike or something a bit more difficult, you’ll find it below. Take a look to find your new favorite outdoor spot!
The 10 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails In New Hampshire
1. Lake Massabesic Trail
| ️Address: | NH Audubon Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH 03032 |
| Open Times: | Open 11 AM–5 PM; closed Mondays and Saturdays |
| Cost: | Free (but donations welcome) |
| Off-Leash Allowed?: | No |
- Dogs must stay leashed
- No dogs allowed in water
- Best time to go is between April and October
- 4 miles total and appropriate for all hiking skill levels
- Parking available in the Audubon Society parking lot
2. Falling Waters Trail
| ️Address: | 71 White Mountain Dr, Campton, NH 03223 |
| Open Times: | Open 8 AM–4:30 PM; closed Saturdays and Sundays |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash Allowed?: | In certain areas |
- Dogs need to be leashed, except in certain areas
- Very advanced trail
- Good to hike year-round
- 6 miles total
- Trail involves lots of water crossings, so be prepared
3. Dover Community Trail
| ️Address: | 38 Fisher St, Dover, NH 03820 |
| Open Times: | Open 7 AM–9:30 PM |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash Allowed?: | No |
- Dogs are required to be leashed, but many people take their dogs off-leash anyway
- Easier trail that follows a railroad bed
- Parts of trail are rural; other parts go through town
- Can fish and birdwatch in rural parts
- 3 miles total
4. Franconia Falls
| ️Address: | Franconia Falls, Lincoln, NH 03251 |
| Open Times: | Open 8 AM–4:30 PM; closed Saturdays and Sundays |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash Allowed?: | No |
- A bit long at 6.4 miles, but also one of the easier trails
- Begins at Lincoln Woods Trailhead
- Lots of boulders and cascades to view
- Has a swimming hole
- Fairly busy trail
5. Mount Willard Trail
| ️Address: | Mount Willard Trail, Bretton Woods, NH 03575 |
| Open Times: | Open 8 AM–4:30 PM; closed Saturdays and Sundays |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash Allowed?: | In a few areas |
- Short at around 3 miles, but super steep
- Offers incredible views at the top of Crawford Notch
- Small waterfall and centennial pool on the trail
- Very few trail markers and spotty cell reception, so be careful
- Best time to hike is between May and October
6. Winnipesaukee River Trail
| ️Address: | 1 Riverside Dr, Tilton, NH 03276 |
| Open Times: | Open 24/7 |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash Allowed?: | No |
- Pups must remain leashed; this trail is relatively high-traffic
- Used to be an unused rail corridor
- Features an upside-down covered bridge and remains of a paper mill
- Lots of seasonal wildlife and greenery for you and your dog to enjoy
7. Champney Brook Trail
| ️Address: | Champney Falls Trailhead, Conway, NH 03818 |
| Open Times: | Open 8 AM–4:30 PM; closed Saturdays and Sundays |
| Cost: | Free, but must purchase a parking pass |
| Off-Leash Allowed?: | No |
- 8-mile trail but only considered intermediate
- Best to visit in spring or early summer months
- Leads to a large waterfall with lots of smaller pools to cool off in
- Pups must remain leashed
8. Mount Garfield Trail
| ️Address: | Mount Garfield, Franconia, NH 03251 |
| Open Times: | Open 8 AM–4:30 PM; closed Saturdays and Sundays |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash Allowed?: | No |
- Nearly 10 miles long
- Level trail for the most part, but the last quarter is steep
- Popular trail, so it’s reasonably busy
- Pups must remain on leash
- Some roads are closed seasonally, so check before going
9. Arethusa Falls
| ️Address: | Arethusa Falls Rd, Hart's Location, NH 03812 |
| Open Times: | Open 24/7 |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash Allowed?: | No |
- Trail leads to Arethusa Falls, the highest falls in New Hampshire
- Only 1.4 miles, but the first .6 miles is steep and a bit rocky
- Located in Crawford Notch State Park, so dogs only allowed on hiking trails and in dog walk areas
- Pups must remain leashed
- Trail loops to Frankenstein Cliffs, but there is the danger of falling ice there in winter
10. Basin Cascade Trail
| ️Address: | Pemi Trail, Lincoln, NH 03251 |
| Open Times: | Open 8 AM–4:30 PM; closed Saturdays and Sundays |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash Allowed?: | No |
- Moderate hike, but short at only about 2.5 miles
- Highly popular, so you may see lots of people
- Follows along a brook where you can see many waterfalls and cascades
- Pups must remain leashed
- Contains ample parking
Conclusion
Hiking in New Hampshire with your dog is relatively easy, as there are a plethora of dog-friendly trails in the state. Whether you want an easy or challenging hike, there's a trail for everyone. So, have fun adventuring with your pup in New Hampshire!
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Featured Image Credit: Jana, Pixabay
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Misty Layne lives out in the woods in small-town Alabama with her two Siamese - Serafina & Jasper. She also has an array of stray cats, raccoons, and opossums who like to call her front porch home. When she’s not writing about animals, you’ll find her writing poetry, stories, and film reviews (the animals are, by far, her favorite writing topic, though!). In her free time, Misty enjoys chilling with her cats, playing piano, watching indie and foreign films, photographing abandoned places, and catching up on her never-ending TBR list.
