Best Doggy Destinations: Salt Lake City

Welcome to Best Doggy Destinations! Every week we feature a city with dog-friendly places worth checking out.

This week we’re featuring dog-friendly places in Salt Lake City, UT! If you’re looking for some beautiful hiking areas for you and your dog, special doggie treats, or even indoor fun for both of you, here are five perfect places to visit.

1) Dirty Johnson’s – Named after the owner’s rescued Maltese, Johnson, this is a self-service dog wash. This business is also a big supporter of animal adoption, and offers a free wash for all recently rescued dogs within one month of adoption. My favorite part of this place is that when you are done giving your pup a bath in their tubs, the employees take care of the entire cleanup! Dirty Johnson’s is also just down the street from Parley’s Historic Nature Park, so when you’re done with your hike and your dog is wet or muddy you can take him or her straight to Dirty Johnson’s to get squeaky clean and fluffy!

2) Dog Lake – Nestled inside Millcreek Canyon in Salt Lake is one of my personal favorite hiking trails, not only because the scenery is beautiful, but because you can bring your pooch with you! This moderately difficult hike is about a five-mile trip up and back through a forested area and some streams, with a tiny lake resting at the top. You can throw sticks or balls in the lake for your dog to fetch or relax and enjoy the stunning landscape before you make your way back down. To get the most out of your hike, I recommend that you go on an odd-numbered day so your buddy can be off-leash, as even-numbered days require you to leash him or her. You should also make sure to bring waste bags and plenty of water for you and your dog!

3) Ma and Paws Bakery – Aptly described as “The Store for Dogs,” this business has everything your dog needs to stay happy and healthy. The store features a bakery just for dogs where you can order a birthday pizza for your pooch, biscuits in 20 different flavors, and other baked goods. Ma and Paws Bakery also provides natural food specialized for any physical issues your dog may have, collars, leashes, toys, vitamins and supplements, and even raw foods. It’s pretty safe to say that your dog will be very pleased with any purchases you make here!

4) Parley’s Historic Nature Park – Right at the mouth of Parley’s canyon, this 68-acre open area is known as the place many Mormon pioneers passed through on their way to Salt Lake Valley. The area includes a few monuments to commemorate this history and is intersected by Parley’s Trail, a bike and pedestrian trail running through Salt Lake City. The park also offers about a two-mile round trip off-leash area for dogs, known colloquially to Salt Lake dog lovers as “Dog Park.” Dogs can explore the vast amount of space open to them here, meet and play with other dogs, and even swim in a few designated creek areas. The hike is fairly easy and the view of the trees and mountains in the distance is gorgeous. This is my favorite spot to take my dogs, Luke and Max. It’s their favorite place too; when they hear the phrase “Dog Park” they excitedly whine and poke furiously at their leashes! You don’t need to bring your own waste bags, as the park offers them, but you do need to bring a leash with you because the surrounding areas require your dog to be leashed before you enter the park.

5) Barley’s Canine Recreation Center – Inspired by the owner’s late dog, Barley, this place was created for dogs of any age to play, get exercise, and even help arthritic pain. It features Utah’s first indoor dog swimming pool and provides a senior-friendly recreation center where it’s impossible for any dog to be bored. This center has a ton of indoor fun for your dog!

Do you live in Salt Lake City and have any doggy destinations you would add to this list? Leave a comment and let us know!