Summer’s heat has come to an end and fall has made its arrival, bringing with it color-changing leaves and cooler temperatures that make it perfect weather to head outside with your furry friend and enjoy nature. If you’re lucky enough to live in the Greater Philly region, you have an extensive list of accessible dog-friendly parks and trails to choose from just moments from your neighborhood. 

Philadelphia is home to Wissahickon State Park and Fairmount Park, two beautiful, natural wonders full of recreational activities right in the heart of the city, as well as various other parks with outdoor amenities sure to impress humans and canines alike. There, you and your dog will find shaded, wooded hiking trails, lush hilltop landscapes, gentle walking paths, and picnic-perfect riverfront areas. From enormous urban parks to picturesque walking paths, you and your pup will be sure to have a great time.

1.  Forbidden Drive

Tucked inside the lush forests of Wissahickon Valley Park, the Forbidden Drive is a flat, ten-mile out and back trail with a gravel surface and easy grades that run alongside a beautiful, bubbling creek. Open from dawn to dusk, this trail is perfect for hikers of all ages and older dogs that love being active but need a path without steep hills or rugged terrain. Because of its easier nature, it’s also great for plopping your pet into a bike carrier and riding to your heart’s content. If you and your dog enjoy getting wet, trout are stocked every spring in the creek, making it a great place for spin and fly fishing. As you walk, run, or bike, you’ll come across several bridges and beautiful flora, making lovely backgrounds for pictures. After a full day of hiking and an empty stomach, you and your pup can enjoy a to-go snack at Valley Green Inn, a restaurant right off the trail, before heading back to your Wissahickon single-family home just minutes away. 

2.  Kelly Drive

Cutting through the hustle and bustle of the city to create a fun, nature-filled experience within close reach of its residents, Kelly Drive inside Fairmount Park is one of Philadelphia’s most-trekked running and biking destinations. At a nearly nine-mile loop, its location to the Schuylkill River and many prime neighborhoods and communities keep owners and their pets coming back time and time again. Your furry companion will enjoy watching mother geese gather their baby chicks as they trek across the river, and you’ll be enthralled with the modern and robust views of the city. In the spring, the paved trail’s pink cherry trees blossom, making for incredible photo opportunities. At Kelly Drive, dogs must be on a leash to partake in the fun. 

3.  Pennypack Park

Credit: Wikipedia

If you’re a history buff with a penchant for nature, you should plan on taking a trip to Pennypack Park, a 1,600-acre recreational park with various historical buildings, including a working farm, remnants of early mills, and the Frankford Avenue Bridge — the oldest stone bridge still used in the United States. Even if you’re not much for history, Pennypack Park features wide, open meadows, rolling hills, and both paved and unpaved paths perfect for outdoor amenities like hiking, biking, and horseback riding. For animal lovers, this park is home to both migratory and nesting birds, mammals, and various reptiles. Open from dawn to dusk, you’ll have plenty of time to connect with Mother Nature, have a picnic, and throw a frisbee (or stick) with your pet in one of the park’s numerous fields. 

4.  Schuylkill River Park

Located in the popular Southwest Center City of the Greater Philly area, the Schuylkill River Park provides multiple recreational activities, including small and large-scale green areas for picnics, tennis/basketball courts, soccer/baseball fields, and paved paths for bicyclists. But one of the reasons dog lovers continue to flock to Schuylkill River Park is for its dog park. Separated into two dog runs for your smaller and larger furry friends, the run is equipped with flat, all-terrain grass that’s perfect for easy cleaning. There are many amenities inside, including small pools in warmer months, obstacles to jump or crawl through, water fountains, and, of course, biodegradable waste bags. While your canine companion is gallivanting in the run, have a seat on one of the many shaded park benches or strike up a conversation with other visiting dog owners. 

5.  Boxer’s Trail

Credit: Philly Day Hiker

If you’re a sports fan, Boxer’s Trail inside Fairmount Park is a great place to go. A Philadelphia legend, Boxer’s Trail was home to much of popular boxer Joe Frazier’s training, cementing a wave of young, training boxers that still run its winding paths today. The nearly four-mile trail weaves through dense woodland before climbing up a rocky face, giving it a picture-perfect view of the Schuylkill River. Its close location to the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood makes Boxer’s Trail the perfect Sunday-afternoon running or hiking destination with your furry friend. This trail has lots of great amenities for people with varying interests. If you’re curious about history, several historical buildings and mansions, including the Woodford Mansion, are accessible from Boxer’s Trail. For disc golf enthusiasts, the Sedgley Woods Disc Golf course is located at the start of the trail. Runners can participate in Boxer Trail’s annual 5k. Beyond that, your canine friend will have a tail-wagging time exploring the natural flora and fauna native to the Philadelphia area. Boxer’s Trail is open from sunrise to sunset. Like most trails in the Greater Philly area, your dog will need to be leashed. 

6.  Trolley Trail

If you’re searching for a trail that has tunnels and a splash of history, look no further than the Trolley Trail. Located inside Fairmount Park, you and your canine friend will experience immersive transportation history and vibrant landscapes. Trolleys ran through Fairmount Park up until the late 1940s and now those tracks on Trolley Trail are being transformed into paved trails for both owners and their furry friends to enjoy. 

Just minutes away from the city, you’ll be surprised at how secluded and quiet the trial is. Lush, wooded canopies hover above your head on this nearly four-mile trail, cutting back most noise from the freeway and making it the perfect spot to clear your mind and learn more about Philadelphia’s historical trolley system. 

7.  Yellow Trail

For those who might enjoy a moderate hike, Yellow Trail in Wissahickon Valley Park is a great option. With modest hills and slopes, you’ll work up a sweat as you take in the beautiful sights of the park. Featuring a river and small, waterbed creeks, taking a break to cool off won’t be a problem. At almost six miles in length and open from dawn to dusk, it’s ideal for weekend days consisting of running, walking, or mountain biking with Man’s Best Friend. 

8.  Grays Ferry Crescent Trail Park

Tucked between 34th street and Grays Ferry Avenue bridges, the easily-accessible Grays Ferry Crescent Trail Park is a wonderful addition to the Greater Philadelphia area. Sitting around the Schuylkill River, this modern park highlights a flat trail for dog-walking, an expansive skate park, and a pier that allows you to trek over the water and admire skyline views of the city. For those who like to fish, there’s an access point at the park, so don’t forget to bring your fishing rod. Grays Ferry Crescent Trail Park is  dog-friendly as long as your pet is on a leash. 

9.  Clark Park

Nestled into the heart of the city, Clark Park is just moments away from the buzzworthy neighborhood of Wissahickon, making it an excellent choice to get a bit of exercise after work. With over 300 trees, this nine-acre park will give your furry friend plenty of room to stretch their legs and exercise. Clark Park hosts fun events like the annual Bark in the Park, a canine-centered affair where dog owners can win pup-approved goodies, meet a veterinarian, and submit their furry friend into over 25 contests, including the curliest tail, the fastest runner, the best Halloween costume, and so much more!

10.  Seger Dog Park 

Located inside Seger Park is Seger Dog Park, your four-legged friend’s dream. While the grassy hills inside the park are perfect for recreational activities like picnics, the dog run inside Seger Dog Park is a safe, dedicated space for your canine to unleash and play. Inside the fully-fenced run are benches underneath shaded areas for you to relax and watch your pet have the time of their life. 

For dog owners, the modern Greater Philly area houses countless parks and trails for you and your canine friend to enjoy. Whether you’re just visiting or looking at homes for sale in the Wissahickon area, you’ll be sure to find beautiful, wooded landscapes with riverside sights, modern, skyline views, and dog-friendly activities right in the heart of the city.