The best dog-friendly hikes + patio combos right now in Huntsville + beyond

Two dogs walk ahead on leashes in a forested area with fall leaves on the ground in Decatur Alabama at Point Mallard Park. — Dogs and their people love the wooded trails at Point Mallard Park in Decatur. (Lisa Battles / Hville Blast)

Near-perfect weather and colorful leaves make fall the best time to explore local trails around North Alabama. That goes for pups, too. Moderate temps mean the ground is typically cool on their feet and they aren’t heating up as much in their fur coats.

To help you and your canine companions take full advantage of the season, we’ve assembled tips for the best dog-friendly hikes + patios right now in Huntsville and surrounding areas. Choose any of these combos for a full day of fun.

1. East/Central Huntsville: Monte Sano State Park + Lowe Mill + Campus No. 805

Huntsville residents Chuck and Sara Petty enjoy a hike with their dog at Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville, Alabama. — Fall is the peak time to visit Monte Sano State Park, says resident Chuck Petty, who visits often with his wife, Sara, their kids, and pup. (Photo courtesy of Chuck Petty)

A child walks the family pup on the trails at Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville, Alabama, one of the best places for dog-friendly hikes in the area. — Fall is the peak time to visit Monte Sano State Park, says resident Chuck Petty, who visits often with his wife, Sara, their kids, and pup. (Photo courtesy of Chuck Petty)

Choose among over 22 miles of hiking trails at the gorgeous Monte Sano State Park, which has great options for all skill levels. The easiest and most popular trail? The 2-mile North Plateau Loop. It also connects to several other trails if you want to mix it up.

Some awesome dog-friendly activity add-ons include shopping for local art at Lowe Mill and ending the afternoon with craft beer at Campus No. 805, where you can take your pick of Straight to Ale or Yellowhammer Brewing.

Monte Sano State Park

Where: SE Nolen Ave, Huntsville, AL 35801
When: Daily, 6AM-6PM
Info: Website | Facebook

Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment

Where: 2211 Seminole Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
When: Wednesday-Saturday, 11AM-7PM
Info: Website | Facebook

Campus No. 805

Where: 2620 Clinton Ave W, Huntsville, AL 35805
When: Hours vary depending on the business. Straight to Ale is open Monday-Thursday, 11AM-10PM; Friday-Saturday, 11AM-11PM; Sunday, 11AM-8PM. Yellowhammer Brewing is open Monday-Thursday, 11AM-9PM; Friday-Saturday, 11AM-11PM; Sunday, 11 AM-8PM
Info: Website | Facebook

2. Madison: Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve + Old Black Bear Brewing Co.

Dog on patio at Old Black Bear — Check out the fire pits at Old Black Bear Brewing Co. in Madison. (Lacey Spear / Hville Blast)

You’ll wind through a wooded residential area off Hughes Road in Madison to reach the Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve, which has about three miles of trails to explore. Leashed dogs are welcome, and wear sturdy shoes to tackle these rocky, sometimes challenging trails.

Afterward, drive five miles south to Madison’s charming downtown area, where you and your pup can relax on the spacious back patio of Old Black Bear Brewing Company. Water your dog while you enjoy a local brew and decide which one of the dozen+ hand-crafted, house-cut burgers you’ll have.

Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve

Where: 190 Stoneway Trail, Madison, AL 35758
When: Daily, 6AM-8PM
Info: Website | Facebook

Old Black Bear Brewing Company – Madison

Where: 212 Main St, Madison, AL 35758
When: Monday-Thursday, 4PM-10PM, Friday-Saturday, 11AM-11PM, Sunday, 10AM-4PM
Info: Website | Facebook

3. South Huntsville: Alum Hollow Trail + Hound and Harvest

Hound and Harvest bowls — Green Mountain Nature Preserve now has multiple trails to hike. (Land Trust of North Alabama); Dive into delicious bowls at Hound and Harvest while enjoying its huge backyard space. (Sarah Gronberg / Hville Blast)

Another Land Trust of North Alabama site, Green Mountain Nature Preserve has about eight miles of trails total, and we love the Alum Hollow Trail in the preserves’s south trail system. You and your pups will enjoy the water features and rock formations.

Hound and Harvest is the perfect pairing whether you go before your hike to power up or ease in to relax afterward. (You may only need to hear the name to know dog lovers will appreciate the logo and art.)

The large backyard is pet-friendly, and the menu is crafted to include many delicious options for those with special dietary preferences and restrictions.

Don’t have a dog? Need another? Sure you do! HH frequently hosts pet adoption days in partnership with local animal organizations.

Green Mountain Nature Preserve (Alum Hollow Trailhead)

Where: 13800 SE S Shawdee Rd, Huntsville, AL 35803
When: Sunrise to sunset
More Info: Website | Facebook

Hound and Harvest

Where: 2358 Whitesburg Dr, Huntsville, AL 35801
When: Monday, 10AM-2PM; Tuesday-Friday 10AM-7PM; Saturday, 9AM-PM, Sunday, 9AM-3PM
Info: Website | Facebook

4. Decatur: Point Mallard Trail + Cross-Eyed Owl Brewing Company

A large dog smells a feather picked up by the person he is hiking with at Point Mallard Trails in Decatur, Alabama. — The dog-friendly Point Mallard Trails in Decatur are beautiful in every season. (Lisa Battles / Hville Blast + top right image courtesy of Cross-Eyed Owl Brewing Co.)

The large XEO Taproom sign on the facade of Cross-Eyed Owl Brewing Co. in downtown Decatur, Alabama. — The dog-friendly Point Mallard Trails in Decatur are beautiful in every season. (Lisa Battles / Hville Blast + top right image courtesy of Cross-Eyed Owl Brewing Co.)

Decatur’s three-mile Point Mallard Trail segment of the Dr. Bill Sims Biking/Running/Walking Trail winds through easy, lushly wooded waterfront terrain between the golf course and the waterpark. There are easy-to-spot trailheads on both ends.

Keep your pup leashed and be mindful of sharing the trail with bikers.

When it comes to a dog-friendly patio pairing, you have a great option whether it’s early morning or late afternoon in Cross-Eyed Owl Brewing Company and its brand new coffee shop, The Owl Cafe & Roastery.

Dogs are allowed inside and on the patio while you either wake up with an espresso or nitro or wind down with German- and Belgian-style brews.

Point Mallard Trail

Where: 2901 Point Mallard Cir SE, Decatur, AL 35601
When: Sunrise to sunset
Info: Website

Cross-Eyed Owl Brewing Company + The Owl Cafe & Roastery

Where: 105 1st Ave NE, Decatur, AL 35601
When: The taproom is open Tuesday-Thursday, 4PM-9PM; Friday, 4PM-11PM; Saturday, 11AM-11PM; Sunday, 12PM-6PM. The new cafe opens at 8AM daily Tuesday-Friday with its closing time TBD.
Info: Website | Facebook

5. Falkville: Hurricane Creek Park + Dutch Oven Bakery

A dog overlooking the trail and winter sunset at Hurricane Creek Park in Falkville, Alabama. — Winter sunsets are beautiful at Hurricane Creek Park in Falkville, Alabama. (Lisa Battles / Hville Blast)

Of all these options for the best dog-friendly hikes + patios in Huntsville and nearby, this pair is probably the deepest cut—and so worth the trip. The park is located off Highway 31 in the 500-foot Hurricane Creek Gorge and has four miles of trails to explore.

While the trails aren’t especially difficult, stay cautious of rocky paths and some sections with steep drop-offs.

After your hike, head northeast about 15 miles to Falkville’s countryside Dutch Oven Bakery for lunch. While you’ll have to leave your pup in the car while you order a delicious deli sandwich at the counter, they can rejoin you at a picnic table under a shade tree.

It’s not at all fancy and yet hits the spot just right after a nice nature hike.

Hurricane Creek Park

Where: 22550 2nd Ave NW, Falkville, AL 35622
When: Monday-Friday, 5AM-7PM
Info: Website

Dutch Oven Bakery

Where: 1205 Evergreen Rd, Falkville, AL 35622
When: Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30AM-5PM

For more ideas on dog-friendly hikes and other adventures in the Huntsville area, follow Hville Blast on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter.