“Can I take my dog on this hike?”
That’s the critical question for many.
As an increasing number of trails disallow dogs overnight in the backcountry, it’s becomes a more important question.
One of the best hkes we know that allows dogs overnight is Paria Canyon in Utah. If you can recommend others, please leave a comment below this post.
Also leave a comment if you have a recommendation on a dog backpack. There’s some good buzz on the internet about the Kyjen models available from about US$20.
The Quick Releaseâ„¢ Dog BackPacks will give your dog maximum comfort and convenience when hiking with you. The backpack is designed with an adjustable harness and removable pack. Large storage pockets hold food, water and other gear. Made with extra-strong nylon for durability. Quick Release Dog BackPacks feature the “quick release” leash holder for use when approaching other hikers, dogs, or wildlife. Available in four sizes to fit most dogs.
Check also — HikeWithYourDog.com
besthike.com 
Sad that idiots across America choose to ban man’s best friend from the wilderness. Granted, there are hikers with trouble dogs… but we don’t lock up all humans because a few of us walking around are capable of things like, oh, molesting children, raping women, and cold-blooded murder. When’s the last time a dog was convicted of such heinous crimes? Okay, sometimes dogs kill but that’s because idiot humans sometimes raise dogs that’ll kill. Any-freakin-way… why do places like the Nazismoky Mountain N.P. and Nazibaxter State Park wanna so desperately protect the land from dogs when for centuries wolves roamed free and then explorers roamed free with their trusted K9’s?!? And here’s a truth about Mr. Baxter — when his incredibly beloved dogs passed away he had flags lowered to half staff in their honor. It’s immensely wonderful to protect even a few square meters of land but it’s nothing less than a horrendous shame the State Park bearing Baxter’s name is 1,000 times more extreme than he would have wished.
It’s also a shame my dog is past his hiking prime ’cause I wanted to take him from Springer to Katahdin, every meter of the way… we’d use a headlamp walking during darkness to get free and clear through the trouble areas. I don’t know if it’s actual law to not have a dog on their trails but to disallow dogs anywhere in the wilderness is just plain wrong and it would be fun to hoof it at night breaking their stoopid rules.
Some of the greatest hikes of my life have been with my dog. I left him home when I went to climb mountains but just good ol’ hiking meant he was right there on the trail with me. To have to leave him behind because of some assinine No Dogs regulation would be a crime against citizens with well behaved pups who love to hike too. Just a horrible form of discrimination.
Rant over.
I know what you mean.
My hiking buddy Kelly hiked with his dog for as many years as possible. They moved to the Yukon which happily had no rules against dogs.