Take Fido for a walk in the park at these five pet-friendly North Alabama locations

GUNTERSVILLE — Bringing a four-legged family member along for a fun adventure is always a good idea.

And, there are plenty of places in North Alabama that offer dog-friendly areas to walk, run, and explore.

Show Fido some love and and visit one (or all!) of the puppy-approved places listed below.

Bark Park

Bark Park at James D. Martin Wildlife Park in Gadsden is a large, open area, perfect for man’s (or woman’s) best friend to run and play off-leash. The park is divided for large and small dogs (under 40 pounds), with plenty of water for the canines and seating for their humans. The park is behind the Gadsden Mall.

Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve

For the explorer set, visit this 713-acre privately owned nature preserve with man’s best friend. The park in Tuscumbia is free to visit, and leashed pets are welcome among gorgeous waterfalls, scenic overlooks, creeks, meadows and more than 15 miles of hiking trails. Be sure to visit Turquoise Pool in the Blue Hole area, a small but deep swimming hole that is a favorite for dogs and people.

Chief Ladiga Trail

The Chief Ladiga Trail is one of 1,600 rail-trails supported by the nonprofit Rails-to-Trails, which is creating a network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. This trail in Jacksonville is an unused railroad corridor-turned-walking trail that is a perfect place for furry four-legged friends to stretch their legs.

Buck’s Pocket State Park

A dog-friendly park in Grove Oak, Buck’s Pocket is full of sweeping scenic views of virtually untouched landscape in a natural pocket that spans three counties in North Alabama. The state park offers canine-friendly hiking trails, as long as dogs stay leashed and are cleaned up after. 

Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater Dog Park

A pet-friendly, 103,000 square-foot recreation center in Albertville, Sand Mountain Park has a fenced dog park, separated into sections for large dogs and small dogs. The facility also hosts special events for canines, such as Bark in the Park, a benefit for a local animal shelter where owners can bring their dogs to the water park to celebrate the end of swim season.