Whether you're new to hiking or a seasoned trail veteran, day hiking is a great way to enjoy nature with you dog!


If you're anything like me, one of the best parts about hiking is getting to enjoy it with your pup. Day hiking can be as leisurely or as strenuous as you make it. Some day hikes could take a few hours, while others take a full day to complete. No matter what kind of hike you choose, it's important to be prepared and pack some essentials to ensure a happy and safe time on the trails. In this post, I share a few of my favorite tips and gear recs for how I approach day hiking with my dog. Keep in mind that I live in the Northeast, where the weather can be quite variable, so some of what I recommend may not be relevant to you depending on where you live and the types of hikes you enjoy!

Make a plan


The most important part of day hiking is making a plan. Where are you going to go? How far of a drive to the trailhead is it? What kind of terrain will you encounter? How is the weather looking?


My favorite way to plan a day hike is by browsing the AllTrails app. I have the free version and use it to check out the available hikes in the area I want to travel to. I love that you can filter by different criteria like level of difficulty, type of route, scenic features and whether it is dog friendly or not. The day of the hike I also check the weather forecast for the area I'm going to to help me decide what to wear and what additional layers to bring. In some cases, bad weather could mean you have to cancel your hike or pick something different.


Another thing to keep in mind is what you and your dog can do. If your dog is very young or new to hiking, it might not be the best idea to pick a 7 mile hike that goes straight up the mountain. Be realistic about your dog's endurance and ability level when considering what hike to choose.


The most important part of any plan is sharing it with others! This is good practice, but especially important if you are hiking alone. I do 90% of my hiking alone and I always make sure to tell my husband where I'm going and how long I expect the hike to take. Keep in mind that a lot of trails don't have cell service, so it's also a good idea to have some directions written down in case your GPS won't pick up a signal on your way home.



Day hiking gear for the humans


If you're doing any kind of hiking in the backcountry, it's a good idea to always carry the Ten Essentials with you. I generally hike pretty well-traveled trails, but I still tend to overpack because you never know when you might need something. The following is a list of the gear that I bring with me on a typical day hike. Not everything on this list is necessary, but it's just what works for me and makes me feel the safest as a solo hiker in the Northeast!


My essentials:

  • Muttruk Phoenix 14L day pack (this is made especially for hiking with dogs!) - if you are going on a very long day hike, you may want a larger capacity pack, like a 28L
  • Extra layers - I usually bring a rain shell or warmer outer layer, a buff, a hat and gloves, especially in the shoulder season. Merino wool is my favorite for layer because it keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
  • Extra socks - I hate having wet feet so I always bring an extra pair of socks - I love Darn Tough and Drymax brands
  • Water - if I'm hiking less than 4 hours, I usually just bring a water bottle. Anything more and I'll fill my hydration pack.
  • Trail snacks - I love dense, high calorie snacks like nut butter pouches, epic bars, trail mix and dried fruit
  • Multi-tool - I have one from REI that has a bunch of different tools for every situation
  • Kula cloth - this is a technical pee cloth made specifically for women that eliminates the need for toilet paper
  • Trail map and compass - if there is one, I bring a trail map of the area and a compass so I can navigate in the event that I ever get lost
  • GoGuarded self defense ring - this is a ring I wear on my hand with a serrated blade on it. I really hope I never have to use it, but it does give me a little peace of mind to have on me when I hike alone.
  • Headlamp - I always bring a light source in case I get stuck on the trail after dark. I have a Petal Reactik headlamp that adjusts with the level of darkness and I love it
  • Hand sanitizer or wipes
  • Cell phone charger - I use the Anker power brick from Amazon


Weather /terrain dependent gear:

  • Sunscreen - SuperGoop makes the best lightweight sunscreen called Unseen Sunscreen that I wear all the time in the warmer months or on bright days
  • Microspikes - I finally got a pair of these last year and they were a GAME CHANGER for winter hiking. I have the Katahoola brand ones from REI. I've never felt more confident hiking in the winter!
  • Snowshoes - some winter hikes require the use of snowshoes, especially at higher elevations. MSR makes some great, lightweight ones especially for hiking
  • Trekking Poles - I bring these if I know I'm going to be doing a lot of rocky climbs and scrambles. I always appreciate the extra stability these bring.
  • Bug net - this is one of the best purchases I've ever made. I have a very packable one from Sea to Summit that lives in my pack in case I need it, which is pretty much all the time in the spring and summer


Some of the other things on my list that I'd like to get but don't yet have include:

  • A GPS device like a Garmin InReach or Spot
  • Bear spray - it's essentially impossible to get this in NY, but I know I need some before a few of my backpacking adventures this summer!

Day hiking gear for the dog


In addition to human gear, there are a few things that are helpful to have for your dog on the trail. These are my favorite items to have for Willow when we are day hiking:

  • A comfortable harness - I love anything by Hurtta because the quality is great, they are each to take on and off, and they don't chafe Willow's sensitive underarms
  • A dog first aid kid - we have an adventure medical one that includes all the essentials, and we add Benadryl and activated charcoal to it
  • Rubber paw booties - we carry a couple of these in case of a paw emergency or cut
  • Stypic powder - this will stop bleeding and comes in really handy if your dog tears or rips a nail during a hike
  • FidoPro rescue harness - I carry this in the event of an emergency where I need to hike Willow down a mountain. I get a lot of peace of mind from knowing I can put her in the rescue sling and not have to carry her down in my arms!
  • A biothane leash - my favorite are from SloppyChopsCo - they are so durable and clean up well. The rolled biothane leashes are also super lightweight and strong, perfect for hiking.
  • A light up collar - just in case we get stuck on the trail after dark, I like having my HaloLights collar to be able to see Willow on the trail.
  • Dog water bowl - I have a collapsible one that rolls up and attaches to my backpack.
  • Dog treats - I usually bring dehydrated treats from Orijen or ZiwiPeaks and something high value, like a cheese stick or cooked chicken.
  • Poop bags - remember you should pick up and pack out any dog poop from the trail!

Most importantly....have fun!


Day hiking with your pup can be such an awesome experience. I love watching Willow on the trail -she's always so excited to be taking in all the smells and new sensations and I love getting out in nature. If for any reason you're not having fun out there, don't force it! There's always another day to try again if you're not feeling it. I like to stop periodically to check in with Willow and make sure she still has energy and seems up for continuing on. You know your dog and yourself better than anyone so those little check-ins can go a long way to making your experience on the trails a good one. Oh, and don't forget to snap some photos to document your time together!


I hope this post was helpful and that you enjoyed learning a little bit about what we bring on a day hike. Happy hiking! Hope to see you out on the trails sometime!