🥾 The Ultimate Guide to Fall Hiking With Your Dog
Fall hiking has a little bit of everything: crisp air, colorful trails, muddy paws—and weather or daylight that can change your plans fast. A little preparation helps you enjoy the adventure and get everyone home happy.
Before you go: check the plan
Check the forecast for the trail itself, then look up the route, trail conditions, closures, and local rules. Make sure dogs are allowed, and check sunset time so you can plan to finish before it gets dark. If rain, wind, or a quick temperature drop is likely, choose a shorter route or save the hike for another day.
Think about your dog’s age, fitness, coat, and comfort in cool weather. Some dogs may benefit from a well-fitted jacket or sweater; others are happiest without one. Bring a layer if your dog tends to get chilly, and take it off if they seem too warm.
Pack for a fall trail
A small day pack can make a big difference. Bring:
Water and a bowl
Leash, harness, ID tags, and waste bags
A charged phone and your dog’s GPS tracker, if they wear one
A flashlight or headlamp, even if you expect to be back before dusk
A towel and a simple first-aid kit, including a tick remover
An extra layer for your dog, if needed
Bright or reflective gear for you and your dog
If hunting season is underway, check local dates and trail guidance before heading out. Wear bright colors, and consider a highly visible orange vest, coat, or bandana for your dog. Forest Service guidance also recommends visible colors for dogs in hunting areas. (Forest Service)
On the trail: watch your footing and the light
Wet leaves can hide roots, rocks, and uneven ground. Mud, slick bridges, and wet logs can make familiar trails more challenging, so slow down and give your dog time to pick their way through. Keep them close on narrow or slippery sections.
Fall days get shorter, and it can be hard to judge how much daylight you have left under a forest canopy. Reflective jackets, light-up collars, and clip-on lights can help others spot your dog; carry a flashlight or headlamp for yourself, too. A GPS tracker, such as a Fi Tracking collar can help you locate your dog if you get separated, but it’s still best to keep them leashed and within reach.
Sandwich wearing a rechargeable led collar
Make sure that you keep rechargeable lights ready for the next walk or adventure
Bijoux wearing his Fi Series 3 GPS collar
Our Fi collar uses GPS to show us exactly where the pups are, as well as how may steps they are taking on every adventure.
Fall hazards: wildlife, ticks, and colder weather
Shorter Days, Colder Walks, and More Time Indoors
Ambassador @unique.doggie.duo shared a great reminder: “Shorter days means colder weather.” Depending on what your dog will put up with to stay warm, that might mean jackets, hoodies, sweaters, shirts, snoods, or boots. Choose what suits your dog and the conditions—and remember that cooler weather doesn’t mean the creepy crawlies are gone. Keep checking for ticks after your hike. The CDC recommends checking pets daily for ticks, especially after time outdoors, especially around the ears, under the collar, between the toes, and around the tail. Ask your veterinarian which preventive is right for your dog. (CDC)
Shorter days also mean it gets dark earlier. As our ambassador pointed out, new smells can make pets more alert and frisky, so keep your dog close as you hike. For walks in low light, pack a flashlight and consider glow collars, glow tag pendants, reflective jackets, or even jingle tags to help you keep track of each other. Before you head out, check the batteries in your flashlight and make sure rechargeable lights are fully charged—you don’t want to get stuck in the dark or struggle to see the trail. (home.nps.gov)
Ambassadors Bear and Dakota
Bear and Dakota are ready for their fall walk by staying warm and cozy!
Ambassador Bear enjoying enrichment
Stuck indoors due to bad weather? Enjoy some enrichment time with a snuffle ball filled with yummy treats.
When you get home: do a quick check
Give your dog a once-over before settling in: check their paws, coat, ears, and belly for mud, burrs, debris, or ticks. Dry them well, especially between the toes, and offer fresh water. If the hike was shorter than planned—or the early sunset sends you home sooner—indoor sniff games, a food puzzle, or a little training session can add some enrichment to the day.
One of our ambassadors shared a helpful fall reminder: shorter days can mean earlier-dark walks, colder outings, and more time indoors. Their suggestions included warm layers when your pet needs them, visible gear for dark walks, tick checks, and enrichment at home. Those are easy habits to add to your fall routine.
Fall hiking doesn’t have to mean skipping the trails. Check the forecast, pack for the conditions, and adjust the plan to the dog beside you. Adventure smarter, not less.
A quick pre-hike checklist
Forecast and sunset checked · Trail rules checked · Water packed · Leash and ID ready · Bright gear packed · Phone charged · Dog’s limits in mind
