The Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in Los Angeles, According to People Who Actually Go
Los Angeles has more dog-friendly hiking trails than any city in California, and most of them are good. The problem isn’t finding a trail — it’s finding one that matches what you actually want. Some mornings you want the scene. Other mornings you want to be alone with your dog and a canyon. Here’s the honest breakdown.
Runyon Canyon: The One Everyone Knows
Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, there’s a reason for that. Runyon Canyon sits in the middle of Hollywood and offers off-leash access on most of its trails, which is rare for a city park this central. The main loop runs about 3.3 miles with moderate elevation gain — enough to feel like a workout without requiring hiking boots.
Dogs can be off-leash on the fire roads and most of the interior trails. The Fuller Avenue entrance has the most parking (street spots fill by 9 a.m. on weekends). The Mulholland Drive entrance at the top is less crowded and gives you the downhill-first option.
Practical tip: Go before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m. to dodge the midday crowds and heat. There’s no shade on the upper ridgeline, and the exposed dirt gets hot fast in summer.
Eaton Canyon: The Pasadena Waterfall Hike
Eaton Canyon Natural Area in Pasadena has a 3.5-mile round trip trail to a 40-foot waterfall. It’s flat for the first mile, then moderately rocky as you enter the canyon. Dogs must be on leash the entire time, and the trail can be slippery near the falls during wet season…