Planning a trip to Utah’s Canyon Country with your dog? This guide covers dog-friendly parks and hikes, pet-friendly lodging, restaurants with outdoor seating, local veterinarians, and the places where dogs are not allowed.
Dogs must remain on a leash at all of the parks, hikes and restaurants listed here.
Parks to visit with your dog
Goosenecks State Park
Comprised of approximately 6 miles (9.65 km) of the winding San Juan River flowing 1,000 feet (304.8 m) below the canyon rim, the viewpoint at Goosenecks State Park is not to be missed. Explore, camp, picnic or simply relax and take in the views with your pup.
Hovenweep National Monument
All trails are dog-friendly, which is unique for a national monument. Hovenweep is home to six Ancestral Pueblo villages. The national monument is also one of the five designated International Dark Sky Places in San Juan County.
Monument Valley Tribal Park
Possibly one of the most iconic locations in San Juan County for its notable towering buttes, Monument Valley Tribal Park is a must-see location. With serene desert landscapes straight out of the Wild West, you and your dog will love recreating responsibly throughout the rugged beauty of the park.
Four Corners Monument
Be in four places at once where Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico converge. The monument is a unique place managed by the Navajo Nation, with authentic hand-crafted jewelry and crafts as well as traditional Native American foods. Four Corners Monument is a place where borders, cultures and history come together.
Pets are allowed on-leash in the Four Corners parking area and on the walking trail. Dogs are not allowed on the marker or within the vendor area.
Dog-friendly hikes
Butler Wash Cliff Dwellings, 1.6 miles roundtrip
A spectacular cliff dwelling located on the east side of Comb Ridge. It was built and occupied by the Ancestral Pueblo people around A.D. 1200. While parts of the site have been stabilized and reconstructed, the majority has remained how it was found in the 1800s. The site includes habitation, storage and ceremonial structures, including four kivas.
Cave Towers, up to 1.5 miles (2.41 km) roundtrip depending on where you park
With a total of seven towers along the rim of Mule Canyon, Cave Towers is the perfect family and pup-friendly hike. These impressive Ancestral Pueblo sites are fragile remains perfect for historical exploration as well as viewing various structures in alcoves and overhangs in the canyon walls. Leashed dogs allowed on the trail.
House on Fire, 3 miles (4.83 km) roundtrip
House on Fire is the first archaeological site located along the trail in the South Fork of Mule Canyon. To capture the picturesque flames rising above the house, it’s best to do this hike in the late morning when the light reflects off the opposite wall of the canyon. Continuing past House on Fire, several additional archaeological sites are viewable. Some are easily accessible and others are nestled high in the canyon walls. The trailhead for this hike is located on County Road 263 near mile marker 102. (Fee area, day-use permits available at recreation.gov or at trailhead)
Rim Trail Loop, 2 miles (3.22 km) roundtrip, at Hovenweep National Monument
Hikes from the Visitor Center range from a 300-yard (274.32 m) paved walk to the Stronghold House, to a 1.5-mile (2.41 km) loop trail that takes visitors past structures in and along Little Ruin Canyon such as Hovenweep Castle, Square Tower, Hovenweep House and Twin Towers. Leashed dogs allowed on all trails.
Arch Canyon, 12-mile (19.31 km) hike
Arch Canyon is a box canyon located north of Highway 95. The canyon has beautiful red-rock walls, and it is possible to see several arches. The creek that runs along the bottom of the canyon normally has water. Look along the canyon walls for hanging gardens. You are also likely to spot cliff dwellings. Please remember to treat these special places with respect. This trail has no visitor fee.
Windwhistle Nature Trail, 1 mile (1.61 km), at Windwhistle Campground
This trail has a brochure available at the trailhead that identifies numerous plants growing in the area. This informative and scenic walk skirts the base of Rone Bailey Mesa. The trail is located near the group site in the campground.
Comb Ridge, various hikes from less than a mile to 4 miles (6.44 km) roundtrip
This serrated sandstone ridge is a geologic monocline that begins in the Blue Mountains to the north and ends near Kayenta, Arizona, 80 miles (128.75 km) to the south. Unpaved roads lead to scenic areas, archaeological sites and primitive camping areas.
Important notes
- Pets are not allowed in or at any alcoves or cultural sites.
- Pets are not allowed to swim or play in springs, potholes or other natural water sources.
- Pet waste should be packed out or disposed of in the same way as human waste, depending on the area you’re in. Be sure to check ahead of time and have proper disposal equipment on hand (pet waste bags, shovels, etc.).
Outdoor restaurant seating
Dogs must remain on a leash.
Monticello
- Granary Bar & Grill
- High Desert Bistro
- Ja-Roen Thai Sushi
- Thatzza Pizza
Blanding
Bluff
- Cedar Shack, located at Bluff Dwellings Resort
- Comb Ridge Eat & Drink
- Canyon Smokehouse
- Twin Rocks Cafe
Mexican Hat
Pet-friendly lodging
North Country
- 3 Step Hideaway
- St Danes Cabins
- Moab Guest Ranch
- Pack Creek Ranch
- Wolf Springs Ranch
Monticello
Blanding
- Arch Canyon Inn
- Blue Sage Inn
- Stone Lizard Lodge
- Super 8
- Blanding Bunkhouse
- Four Corners Inn
- Ranch Cabin
- Camp Jackson
Bluff
- Cottonwood Cabins
- Kokopelli Inn
- Recapture Lodge
- Basecamp Bluff
- Willow Street Cottages
- Bluff Dwellings Resort (pet-sitting and dog-walking services are available if scheduled in advance)
Mexican Hat
Monument Valley
- Goulding’s Lodge
Veterinarian services
Bluff
Dusty Paws Small Animal Clinic
583 West Sagebrush, (435) 485-0646
Monticello
Moab Veterinary Clinic
Mobile clinic located at the San Juan County Fairgrounds every Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., (435) 259-8710
No dogs allowed
While there are multiple great locations to take your furry friend with you, there are some places you will need to leave your dog behind if you want to visit.
Pets are prohibited in the following canyons and their tributaries:
- Grand Gulch, including but not limited to Bullet, Sheik’s, Collins, Government, Kane, Step and Pine canyons
- Point Lookout Canyon
- Slickhorn Canyon
- Upper Fish Canyon
- McLoyd Canyon, including the hiking trail to Moon House
Parks with restrictions:
- Canyonlands National Park: pets are not allowed in the national park, with the exception of paved trails, parking lots, picnic areas and campgrounds.
- Natural Bridges National Monument: pets are not allowed, with the exception of paved trails, parking lots, picnic areas and campgrounds.
#RecreateResponsibly in Utah’s Canyon Country
Utah’s Canyon Country is home to many wonderful destinations and experiences. From wide-open spaces to historic neighborhoods, please remember to #RecreateResponsibly. When you visit, follow Leave No Trace and Visit With Respect principles so everyone can have the opportunity for years to come to visit these amazing sights.
- Plan ahead and prepare for your adventures
- Stay on designated trails
- Leave artifacts where you spot them
- Do not enter any archaeological structures
- Do not eat near sites and pack out what you pack in
- Properly dispose of human and pet waste
- Leave historic sites and rock art untouched
- Respect and be aware of wildlife
- Keep dogs on leashes at all times
Questions about visiting with your dog? Call 800-574-4386.