Stretching Legs & Paws in Salt Lake City, Utah
- Luie Boone
- Sep 15
- 8 min read
This travel spot is featured in our fourth blog series, Hounds Honored.
Salt. Luie Boone knows a thing or two about salt. He's been booted from the kitchen multiple times for chip-related theft. He's pulled out the puppy eyes for a fry from McDonalds, even though he just got his own vanilla ice cream. Luie Boone chases flavor. You think you are snack-savvy? Well, he's got a sixth sense for when the chip bag rustles. He could be in a dead-sleep, two rooms away, and he'd be on the way. So, when he heard his hoomans talk about a vacation to Salt Lake City, Utah, he got really excited. Salt and lakes? That sounds like paradise to Luie Boone. He pictured sprawling snack buffets beside shimmering waters, where the air itself might taste like kettle chips.
Luie Boone's dreams were quickly dashed like a dropped Dorito, when his hoomans informed him that Salt Lake City, Utah, is not a giant snack-themed amusement park. No chip fountains. No fry forests. No bacon-scented breezes. Just a regular city with majestic mountains and a massive lake that's perfect for cannonballs! Wait a second... that doesn't sound too bad to Luie Boone. In fact, it sounds a little bit amazing!
Taking a vacation with your dog to Salt Lake City, Utah, can be a memorable and exciting adventure. The city is a fantastic destination that combines outdoor activities, pet-friendly accommodations, and plenty of welcoming spaces for dogs. Whether you’re looking to explore scenic mountain trails or relax downtown with your pup by your side, Salt Lake City offers the best of both worlds.
The city is surrounded by natural beauty, and many outdoor spaces are perfect for dogs. Mill Creek Canyon is a local favorite for hiking. Please note that dogs are allowed off-leashed on odd-numbered days and then must be on-leash on even-numbered days. Another local gem is the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the valley and a dog-friendly hiking experience. For off-leash play, Tanner Park and Herman Franks Dog Park are excellent choices where your pup can run and socialize.
No trip to Salt Lake City would be complete without visiting the Great Salt Lake! This is one of Utah’s most iconic natural landmarks. While dogs aren’t allowed to swim in all areas, there are beaches and trails along the lake where your pup can explore and take in the unique landscape! Antelope Island State Park, which is located within the lake, is a dog-friendly destination. There, you can hike, watch wildlife, and enjoy stunning sunsets over the water with your pup. It’s a striking contrast to the nearby mountains. Luie Boone reckons it's a must-see for adventurous pups and their owners.
When you’re not out in the mountains or by the lake, Salt Lake City itself offers plenty of fun for dog owners. Many restaurants and breweries have dog-friendly patios, including favorites like Fisher Brewing Company and Proper Burger Company. Luie Boone also recommends taking a stroll through downtown or Liberty Park. These strolls are a great way to enjoy the city with your pup, as it offers shaded paths and open grassy areas.
Salt Lake City has a wide range of pet-friendly hotels and vacation rentals. Many boutique hotels downtown welcome dogs with open arms, often providing perks like dog beds, treats, and water bowls. If you’d rather stay closer to nature, you can find cozy cabins and vacation rentals near the Wasatch Mountains, where you and your dog can head right outside and enjoy the trails. Luie Boone is going to bark more about his hoomans' pick—the Canyon Oasis—below. It's a real treat!
Depending on the season that you vacation to Salt Lake City, there are a variety of opportunities to explore with your dog. In the winter, snow falls over the city. Although dogs aren't allowed on the ski slopes, you can still enjoy snowshoeing or cross-country skiing on nearby dog-friendly trails. In the summertime, cooling off at a mountain lake or reservoir—such as Silver Lake or Dog Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon—is an amazing experience... and paw-some for cannonballs!
Luie Boone wants to give you a few tips, which can help make your trip just a bit smoother. Please always check local leash laws before heading out. Be sure to carry food, water, and waste bags to keep your pup comfortable and the trails clean. Importantly, please be mindful of the elevation differences, especially if you’re visiting from a lower altitude. It's crucial to give your dog time to adjust.
Salt Lake City is truly a pet lover’s paradise. It offers a blend of urban convenience, lake adventures, and mountain exploration. If you’re dreaming of a getaway where your dog can hike beside you, sniff along the shores of the Great Salt Lake, nap at your feet on a sunny patio, and share in every part of the journey, then Salt Lake City is the perfect place for you!
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay in Salt Lake City, Utah. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Canyon Oasis
This rental has 4 bedrooms with 5 beds and 2.5 bathrooms.
Photos courtesy of Airdream and Airbnb
It features the following amenities:
Nestled in the foothills of Salt Lake City
Deck with BBQ grill
Patio with hot tub
Outdoor furniture
Nearby hiking trails
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
My hoomans keep talking about this placed called Canyon Oasis. From the sound of it, it’s going to be the rental that we stay at, while we go on the best vacation ever. The rental is tucked away in the Salt Lake City foothills with mountain views! The house has four bedrooms, so there will be plenty of space for everyone. I’ll bring my blanket, so I can stay comfy without breaking the “no pets on furniture” rule. Best of all, pets like me are welcome! My hoomans said that it’s just a $25 per night pet fee, which they don’t mind at all. I must be worth it. You want to know what I’m really excited about? It's all the adventures that are waiting for me just outside! There are hiking trails nearby, which means new scents, new sticks, and maybe even a squirrel or two to chase! Plus, downtown Salt Lake is close by too, so I’ll get to trot along the streets, wagging my tail and collecting compliments from strangers. I'm also going to see the Great Salt Lake, which sounds like a giant puddle to sniff and explore! When we’re back at the house, I’ll get to relax on the deck and patio, breathing in the mountain air while my humans soak in the hot tub under the stars. Between the views, the space, the adventures, and the fact that I get to join the fun, I just know Canyon Oasis is going to be a five-paw trip... or four-paw, because I don't have five-paws!
Paws Venture Here
Luie Boone sniffed out and dug up these local gems for you to check out while vacationing in Salt Lake City, Utah!
Millcreek Canyon
The Millcreek Canyon is a recreation area in Salt Lake City. Dogs are welcome year-round. They are allowed to be off-leash during odd-numbered days. That means on even-numbered days, all dogs must be leashed-up! The area features incredible views of the Wasatch Mountains and stunning canyon scenery.
Dog Lake
If you are visiting Salt Lake County with your furry friend and haven't taken them to Dog Lake, then you’re missing out! This is one of the most popular outings for hikers with dogs along the Wasatch Front! The lake—which is situated on the ridge between Big Cottonwood and Millcreek—is open to dogs, provided that you visit from the Millcreek side. Luie Boone is excited to find a stick, much like the pooch pictured, and trot around with it in Dog Lake!
Tanner Park
Tanner Park is not your typical fenced-in dog park. It's more like hiking in the wilderness! There are no bathrooms or watering areas, so be sure to plan ahead. Please be aware that the hike back up and out is not as easy. The park goes down into a gully. At the bottom, there's a bridge where many folks let their pups off-leash to play in the creek. The current is strong, so please use caution!
Parley’s Historic Nature Park
Parley’s Historic Nature Park is an expansive 87-acre property at the mouth of Parley’s Canyon. With hiking trails, historic sites, off-leash dog areas, and water access points for pups and humans alike, the Nature Park at Parley’s is one of the most visited parks in the areas. Luie Boone cannot wait to be cheesing in the water, just like the pretty pooch pictured!
Spiral Jetty
Spiral Jetty is a 15-foot-wide coil, which stretches more than 1,500 feet into the Great Salt Lake. It's made of black basalt rocks and earth gathered from the site. The dirt road to the Spiral Jetty ends at the art installation. There is a fair amount of space to park. Here, you will get your best view of the jetty. Dogs do not need to be on leash. They will get quite salty, though... and not the good french-fry kind!
Salt Lake City Foothills Natural Area
The Foothills Natural Area consists of approximately 6,000 acres of canyons, open sagebrush grasslands, and scrub-oak woodland! It borders the northern and eastern limits of Salt Lake City. While the wide-open space means you need to keep a close eye on your doggo, it’s a super stimulating environment! Luie Boone cannot wait to politely chase all the amazing smells with his big sniffer.
Neff’s Canyon
This well-loved canyon isn’t as vast as some of the better-known canyons, but it sure makes up for that with its dramatic scenery and dog friendliness. Luie Boone says you can keep your walk short and sweet here, play in the canyon stream near the mouth of Neff Canyon, or take your dog all the way to the meadow three miles up! Please be sure to keep an eye out for rattlers on sunny summer days! By just keeping your dog on-leash, you can really lower the risk of a snake altercation. And Luie Boone does not like snakes! Scary!
Rawbean Coffee
Rawbean Coffee is a cozy coffee shop, where your pup is welcome both inside and at outdoor tables! They offer a wide selection of hot and cold beverages, including locally roasted coffee and espresso, hot tea, smoothies, and chillers. There is a small-bites food menu, which features muffins, biscotti, yogurt, and granola. For your pup, there's biscuits!
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Salt Lake City, Utah
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
The Dog's Meow... my hoomans say this is a place that we’ll stop at during our vacation in Salt Lake City. Honestly, I’m excited and a little confused. The name throws me off, because dogs don’t meow. My kitty brother Tobi meows, and he's really good at it, even though he's got way too much attitude. Plus, he teases me way too much. Part of me wonders if the store will smell like cats. I surely hope not. I want it to smell like dog treats, toys, and maybe a little bit of tennis ball magic! My hoomans say that the store has healthy dog snacks, so I’ll wag my tail and give it a fair shot. The Dog’s Meow takes a lot of pride in being Salt Lake City’s go-to dog store stocked with only healthy pet food and fun stuff for canines and felines! Even if the name feels wrong, I’m betting that I will walk out with a new bag of goodies. I suppose that I can get some goodies for Tobi, too. He might be sassy sometimes, but he's still my little brother!
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