Welcome to Dog City USA, where you and your doggo can sniff out adventures from the city to the mountains.
Start your paw-fect visit at Asheville’s very own Dog Welcome Center, the first of its kind in the U.S., located downtown across from the Grove Arcade. This one-stop spot has everything you need for a fun-filled stay, including indoor and outdoor seating, water fountains, a doggy potty area, and free goody bags. While your pup enjoys doggie ice cream, you can gather tips on the Top 100 dog-friendly attractions, restaurants, and activities around town. Inside The Dog Door Behavior Center and Outfitter, you’ll also find toys, treats, and all the pet essentials to ensure you’re fully prepared for your adventures.
With your paws ready, let’s hit the trails and explore the best of Asheville, from scenic hikes to parks, pet-friendly dining, and shopping!
Pet-Friendly Trails
- The Blue Ridge Parkway has trails for every experience level, and pets are welcome as long as they are leashed and owners clean up after them. So plan accordingly, and don’t forget to bring water for you and your pet.
- Check out the Craggy Pinnacle trail at Craggy Gardens (milepost 364.4 on the Parkway), which ends at a 180-degree breathtaking view. Or take your pet to Graveyard Fields Loop, where they can enjoy splashing around in the cool creek or swimming below one of the two waterfalls.
- Check out our Asheville Hike Finder, and sort by “Pet-Friendly” to see the full list!
Parks & Attractions Your Dog Can Visit
- Biltmore allows leashed dogs on its grounds, and owners can also enjoy the trails at the North Carolina Arboretum, though only service animals are allowed in the buildings or garden areas of both attractions. Please respect each area's pet policy; pick up after your pet, and never ever leave your furry friend in the car.
- Nearby Chimney Rock State Park is a pet favorite, with miles of trails suitable for all levels. The Park borders the Rocky Broad River and is an excellent place to let your dog cool off from the summer heat. As long as they are leashed and accompanied at all times, pets are allowed on all of the trails. They are not permitted in the elevator, restaurants or gift shops (service animals are allowed on the elevator). Do not leave pets in vehicles.
- Bring your leashed pet to any of the Asheville parks for some outdoor fun and frolicking. The French Broad River Park and Azalea Road Park include Asheville's dog parks, which have a fenced-in areas so that you can let your pooch off the leash to play with other dogs. Water and baggies are available on site.
- Explore the city with your four-legged companion on the Urban Trail. The fully interactive trail is marked by 30 stations decorated with plaques and sculptures, each describing an interesting fact about the city. Visitors may choose to walk the trail with a guide or rent an audio narration of the tour.
Places to Eat
Most area restaurants allow pets to tag along with their humans if they stay on their patios or decks. There are even Asheville eateries, such as Twisted Laurel, that have a menu just for dogs!
Check out the Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company, which serves award-winning craft beers, or the gourmet vegetarian Laughing Seed Café, where Fido can lounge on an outside patio. Peruse used books while sipping fine wine or champagne at the Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar.
A few of the other area restaurants that allow pets on their outside decks or patios include:
- The Jerusalem Garden Café
- Mayfel's
- Sunny Point Cafe
- Posana
- Rhubarb
- Wicked Weed Brewing
- Carmel's Restaurant and Bar
- West End Bakery
- Westville Pub
Check out a full list of restaurants in the Asheville area.
Watering Bowls (and Bars) for You and Fido
Many bars and breweries in Asheville allow dogs inside including Urban Orchard, Burial Beer, Green Man Brewery, Hillman Beer, French Broad River Brewery and Fleetwood's.
For a unique experience, check out Wagbar, which seamlessly blends the concepts of an off-leash dog park and a bar, offering a social space for dogs, their owners, and anyone seeking a canine-friendly atmosphere.
Paw-fect Shopping for Furry Friends
Reward good behavior or show your devotion with a special treat from Asheville’s assortment of pet boutiques and stores.
- The Bone-A-Fide Pet Boutique in nearby Black Mountain offers a wife variety of homemade treats, toys and other goodies for dogs and cats, and even pet birthday cakes.
- Patton Avenue Pet Company is a full-service pet supply store packed with food, gear, treats, and toys across three Asheville locations.
- And when it's time to kick back, stop by Woof Gang Bakery for snacks or The Hop Ice Cream Cafe in North or West Asheville for a special puppy ice cream.
