Best dog-friendly waterfall hikes in Vermont
6 verified hikes from our directory of 59 Vermont waterfalls.
What we mean by dog friendly
Dog-friendly means the land manager allows leashed dogs on this specific trail. State parks and National Forests usually do; National Park trails almost never. We mark dog_friendly only when we've confirmed the policy applies to the trail, not just the parking lot.
One caveat: Leash rules are enforced. Bring a 6-foot leash, waste bags, and water for the dog. Hot rock and pavement burn paws — check temperature with your hand for 5 seconds before letting them walk on it.
Gear hint: Our dog Brook carries her own water in a fitted pack; we carry her booties for shale and hot pavement. Cold-water tail-tuck on small breeds is real — keep them out of glacial plunge pools.
The 6 picks
Each opens to a full page with trail distance, elevation gain, parking, fee, best months, and live conditions when available.
Abbey Pond Cascades (lower)
height unverified · Green Mountain National Forest
Abbey Pond Cascades (upper)
height unverified · Green Mountain National Forest
Hamilton Falls
height unverified · Jamaica State Park
Texas Falls
height unverified · Green Mountain National Forest
Thundering Brook Falls
height unverified · Green Mountain National Forest
Warren Falls
height unverified · Green Mountain National Forest
Before you go: 5 things we always check
- The official land manager's page for road and trail closures (linked on every individual waterfall page).
- The weather forecast for the area AND upstream — flash floods come from rain miles away.
- Recent ranger or hiker reports for slippery rock conditions.
- Whether the trail crosses a creek without a bridge — water levels change daily in snowmelt season.
- Cell coverage at the trailhead. Download offline maps in advance.
See our full safety disclaimer for the dangers we've flagged on individual waterfalls. Several have fatalities on record.