Asheville NC has become the destination of your four-legged friend’s dreams. With so many travelers looking for experiences they can share with their dogs, Asheville has made every effort to not only welcome you but also your dog. Beer City U.S.A. has now officially taken on the title of Dog City U.S.A., and with good reason.
Asheville was home to the first official Dog Welcome Center in the United States. Previously open near the historic Grove Arcade, The Dog City, USA Official Dog Welcome Center in Downtown Asheville had doggie drinking fountains and goodie bags, a dog potty area, dog-friendly public restrooms, and a pet store, where you could purchase locally made toys and treats. While the center is sadly no longer open, the owners have expanded to Canine Cohesion Behavior & Enrichment Center—going beyond traditional dog training and creating true connection!
Keep reading below for our complete Pet-Friendly Asheville Guide to create the most memorable mountain getaway for you and your dog!
Dog-Friendly Asheville Tours
Hoping to explore Asheville with a few laughs along the way? LaZoom Comedy Bus welcomes pets on its city-wide tours. If you want to move at your own pace, the Asheville Urban Trail is a 1.7-mile walking tour through downtown. Pass by public sculptures marking the city's history with your furry friend in tow.
While the Dog Tour is an excellent way to get introduced to Asheville’s pet-friendly scene, you can absolutely trek out on your own and discover for yourself just how pet-friendly Asheville is. Explore the eclectic studios of the River Arts District (many of which allow dogs inside), walk the grounds of the Biltmore Estate, or spend a day at the North Carolina Arboretum.
Asheville Pet-Friendly Hikes
There are hundreds of miles of pet-friendly trails, waterfalls, and scenic balds to explore around Asheville. Most notably along the Blue Ridge Parkway, a breathtaking ride of a lifetime for you and your furry friend. They’ll love hanging their head out the window and feel that incredible mountain air blow through their fur. Here are some of our favorite pet-friendly hikes along the parkway and others within 50 miles of Asheville.
Craggy Gardens
Drive 20 miles north on the Blue Ridge Parkway from downtown Asheville to reach this beloved trail. The drive alone is almost as beautiful as the destination, with many overlooks along the way. The trail is approximately 2 miles round-trip amidst the rhododendron and features stunning views. This is your stop for those picture-perfect selfies with you and your pup. Bonus: temperatures are anywhere from 10-20 degrees cooler than Asheville, making this an ideal summer hike.
Mt Pisgah
Situated 26 miles from Asheville, another beautiful drive along the parkway, this popular 3-mile round-trip hike is worth the challenge. The view from the summit is killer, and on a clear day, you have long-range views of the Great Smoky Mountains, Asheville, and Mount Mitchell. At an elevation of 5,721 feet, the hike up is strenuous and rocky, so you’ll need your best walking shoes.
Catawba Falls
If dogs had a vote, this hike might be the winner. Located 26 miles east of Asheville and only about 3 miles from I-40, it is one of the easiest trails to reach. While a steady, uphill 1.5-mile hike up to the falls, this trail isn’t all that difficult and follows the Catawba River up to the 100-ft Lower Falls. The trail is mostly shaded and features several wading pools along the way, so it’s easy for your dog to stay cool and hydrated.
Dupont State Forest
Located 40 miles from Asheville and wedged between Hendersonville and Brevard, these trails offer the most bang for your buck (although admission is free). Here you have a “choose your own adventure” type of decision to make: take the 3-mile round-trip hike to three distinct waterfalls, Hooker, Triple, and High Falls, or embark on the more lengthy 8.5-mile round-trip hike to also add in the incredible Bridal Veil Falls.
Honorable Mentions: Black Balsam Knob, Chimney Rock State Park, Graveyard Fields, and South Mountains State Park. Quick note: Dogs are not allowed in most of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, except for a couple of trails: Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail.
Asheville Dog-Friendly Restaurants
One of the most unique aspects of Asheville’s pet-friendly culture is that many of the restaurants and breweries in the area also welcome dogs. So after a day of exploring the great outdoors together, you can also explore Asheville’s incredible food and craft beer scene. Asheville Pizza & Brewing, Pack’s Tavern, and The Funkatorium are a few of the restaurants and breweries that have covered patios or outdoor sitting areas that are pet-friendly. Here are some restaurants that even offer a not-so-secret doggie menu:
Twisted Laurel
Offering a fresh, Mediterranean, Italian, and American-inspired menu, Twisted Laurel is a great spot for brunch, lunch, and dinner. They even provide a special menu of delicious doggie meals. Twisted Laurel has locations in downtown Asheville, West Asheville, and Weaverville.
Posana
Offering a 100% gluten-free kitchen and farm-to-table menu featuring seasonal and sustainable cuisine of locally sourced ingredients, Posana is located in the historic Pack Square area of downtown and has a second location in Biltmore Park. Their menu, while constantly changing, consistently includes vegan and vegetarian options, along with a special doggie menu.
The Hop Ice Cream Cafe
No trip to Asheville is complete without a stop here. Serving a variety of homemade dairy and vegan ice cream, along with sorbet, milkshakes, and sundaes, there’s something for everyone—including "doggie ice cream" with all-natural peanut butter & banana frozen yogurt that we affectionately call a pup cup!
Asheville Dog-Friendly Bars + Breweries
Wedge Brewing Company
This neighborhood brewery has 2 locations in the River Arts District, each with distinctive environments. Wedge at Wedge Studios has an excellent outdoor gathering area with a covered patio and outdoor picnic tables. Great news for those suffering from parking anxiety: This location offers a large gravel parking lot with ample parking spaces. It's also conveniently located near the heart of RAD, so you can explore nearby art studios with ease.
Wedge at Foundation has shady outdoor spaces and a large indoor space, perfect for those less-than-ideal weather days, and is recognizable for its large graffiti murals. Wedge Brewing beers are crafted and served at Wedge locations only. and their menus feature high-quality, small-batch crafts. Both locations are pet-friendly, inside and out, with green spaces. Plus, they both have a rotating food truck schedule, so you don't have to stray for grub.
Hillman Beer
This local, family-owned brewery prides itself on its pub-style environment. It’s laid-back, pet-friendly, and craft-beer focused. Hillman’s beers are a blend of Belgian, English, and American-style ales. Offering two locations (one in Asheville and one in Old Fort), they usually have anywhere from 18 to 30 beers on tap. We recommend starting with a flight to nail down your favorite flavors and styles, and do not skip the soft pretzels with beer cheese (or forget to share with Fido).
Wagbar
Ranked #1 in Best of WNC's outdoor places to take your pet and pet-friendly bar, this local joint in Weaverville combines a beautiful off-leash dog park with a modern walk-up bar. Bring your pup along as you enjoy their selection of gourmet food and beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. They frequently host community events, entertainment, fun bar games, and plenty of adorable dogs that will have you never wanting to leave. They also maintain strict medical, age, and behavioral requirements for dogs to ensure everyone’s peace of mind.
Urban Orchard Cider Company
Named the #1 Best Place to Drink Cider in America, this South Slope craft cidery should be on everyone’s list to visit while in Asheville. They produce unique, Gluten-free ciders, many of which are seasonal and all made from apples grown in Hendersonville.
They love furry sidekicks and welcome them in the taproom, just not on the furniture! If cider isn’t your thing, they also serve wine and local beers (but really, you should at least give their cider a chance to change your mind, especially their Sweet English, Ginger Campaign, and Dry Ridge Flagships).
Dog-Centric Asheville Shopping
Undoubtedly, there are plenty of places throughout Asheville to shop, and many of those shops also welcome your pets. Mast General Store and Battery Park Book Exchange are popular shops downtown that welcome four-legged visitors. They even keep treats on hand for pets that stop in. There are also several places to stop in that are solely for your pooch to enjoy:
- Patton Avenue Pet Company- Three locations, including one downtown, stop by and pick up anything you and your pup may need or may have forgotten to pack. The West Asheville location also has a small dog park for your pup to enjoy and play around.
- Bone-A-Fide Pet Boutique- Serving fresh-baked, human-quality treats, this Black Mountain pet shop also carries organic treats, pet food, and a large variety of pet products manufactured in the USA. For those special doggie birthdays, you can even pick up a birthday cake. As a bonus for us humans, they also stock artwork and gifts from local artists.
- Pet Pantry- Located in downtown Weaverville, you can shop here for healthy pet food, treats, toys, supplies, and more. They sell many local pet products, and the staff is super knowledgeable and helpful.
- Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming- Located in Biltmore Town Square Park, this retailer offers exclusive gourmet treats, pet food, and accessories, along with pet-grooming services (their luxury bath experience includes a blowout and a bandana, ensuring every pup leaves looking and feeling pawsitively amazing.)
Asheville Off-Leash Dog Parks
Asheville and its surrounding towns do require dogs to be leashed at all times. This is for your safety, as well as your dog’s safety, while you’re visiting. If your pup is used to a little more off-leash excitement, there are a few dog parks nearby for them to let loose:
- French Broad River Dog Park (temporarily closed)- Features a large fenced-in area right along the edge of the French Broad River with open green spaces. Fresh water and clean-up bags are available.
- Azalea Dog Park (temporarily closed)- Located in East Asheville, this dog park has two separate fenced areas, one for small dogs and one for large dogs. Fresh water is also available here.
- Mills River Dog Park- Features a smaller area for 25 lb dogs and a larger area for dogs 25 lbs and over. There are benches, water access, and trash receptacles.
- Dog Park at Buncombe Sports Park- Features an off-leash area with two designated sections for small and large dogs, along with shaded seating areas.
Asheville Doggie Daycare + Pet Boarding
Despite being exceptionally pet-friendly, there are places in Asheville you’ll likely want to explore that do not allow pets. Don’t fret. There are several doggie daycares where your pup can go for the day to play. Camp Bow Wow, a doggie daycare in South Asheville, offers dog boarding, training, grooming add-ons, and more. They even have a live webcam and will send you a report card via text to keep you updated on how your fur baby is doing.
Other doggie daycares in the area include The Woof Lodge, You Work, I'll Play, The Pet Vet on Patton, Happy Tails Country Club, Mills River Dog Camp, At Play With Sparky, and Bed & Biscuit Pet Spa. Your dog must be up-to-date on vaccinations (always a good idea to pack your dog’s vaccination records), and you’ll likely need to make a reservation in advance.
Just like emergencies sometimes spring up when humans travel, there are times when emergencies occur with our beloved pets. While we hope we don’t ever have to worry about these moments, it is best to be prepared. MedVet Asheville (formerly R.E.A.C.H) is just 10 minutes from downtown Asheville and offers 24/7 emergency veterinary services, even on holidays.
Annual Asheville Dog-Themed Events
While most Asheville events welcome pets (what can we say, we're a dog-loving city!), there are also a handful of annual events dedicated to your canine companion:
Dog Eggstravaganza
Egg hunts have gone to the dogs! The annual Dog Eggstravaganza is hosted the weekend before Easter at the Buncombe County Sports Park's dog park. There are typically small dog and large dog divisions with separate egg hunts for each division. Is there anything cuter than watching your fur baby hunt for treat-filled eggs?!
Doggies at the Diamond
This bi-annual dog-friendly event, presented by Patton Avenue Pet Company at the Asheville Tourists' McCormick Field, typically happens in June and August. Combine your love of baseball and dogs (including hot dogs) for these special edition games during the height of summer. All friendly, leashed dogs are welcome, so grab a hot dog for you and your best pal. Mountain Pet Rescue is usually in attendance with adoptable dogs as well, in case you want to bring them an adorable sibling home!
Bark & Bolt Race + Bark in the Park Dog Fair
Ready, set… WOOF! This family and dog-friendly morning celebration in Hendersonville's Patton Park features something for everyone, all while supporting the efforts of the Blue Ridge Humane Society. Choose from the Bark & Bolt 5K or One Mile, and have the option to join in the crowd-favorite 100-Meter Paw Pursuit. New in 2026, all registered participants will earn a Bark & Bolt finisher medal! The fun continues after the race with the Top Dog Contest and Bark in the Park Dog Fair, featuring local, pet-friendly vendors and community partners.
Asheville Barktoberfest
This beloved dog-friendly fall festival is hosted by the Asheville Humane Society at Riverbend Park, and its activities include costume and best tricks contests, and local vendors offering treats, gear, and caricatures of your pup. Like the human-centered Oktoberfest, there are usually several versions of Barktoberfest hosted by pet rescues and humane societies across the city.
Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade + Costume Contest
Hosted by Bone-A-Fide Pet Boutique mentioned above, Black Mountain's annual Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade and Costume Contest takes place on the Saturday closest to Halloween. Frightfully adorable, the family-friendly parade routes through downtown Black Mountain so your pups can strut their stuff and show off their adorable costumes. Some of our favorites: Sherlock Bones, Barkula, Bark Vader, Hairy Pawter, Muttster Mash, Notorious D.O.G, Jurassic Bark, Pawcasso, and the list goes on.
Paws + Claus Holiday Portraits
Is your pup ready for their close-up? The holiday season offers a couple of crowd-favorite opportunities to have your pup pose with Santa! Patton Ave Pet Company hosts Paws & Claus, and Highland Brewing hosts Santa Paws (where dogs can get a picture with both Santa Claus and The Grinch). Holiday attire is highly encouraged!
Asheville Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
Brindle Barn offers amazing views, happily welcomes your four-legged family members, and sleeps up to 4 humans comfortably.
Browse our selection of 110+ pet friendly rentals asheville nc. From secluded cabins to downtown cottages, our pet-friendly vacation homes are where you’ll create unforgettable memories. For the privilege of bringing your dog, there is a non-refundable $100 fee per pet, with a maximum of two dogs allowed unless otherwise approved.
View all of our Asheville pet-friendly vacation rentals. From there, narrow your search through our amenity filters to find pet-friendly rentals with fenced yards/dog runs, lake access, mountain views, and hot tubs.
Our Greybeard vacation planners are also eager to help you find the perfect home away from home in Asheville, so give them a call at 855-688-9574 to talk through options. If you’re looking to relocate to Asheville, we also have several monthly furnished rentals and long-term rentals that are pet-friendly or will consider pets!