Susan Davis, left, walks her dog Rizzo, a blue healer mix, along the Sutherland Trail in Catalina State Park, 11570 N. Oracle Rd., in Oro Valley, Ariz., on March 15, 2020. 

 Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star

Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2022 and updated on April 8, 2024.

Spring weather in Tucson means it’s the perfect time to have your furry friend tag along for all of your outdoor (and a few indoor) adventures. Here are a few pet-friendly places in Tucson to explore with your doggos.

*Remember to follow these locations' policies to help ensure the safety of your dog, yourself and those around you. At most places, dogs must remain leashed. And, of course, make sure you bring a water bowl, food and some baggies while out and about, just in case!*

Freelance photographer Debbie Angel photographs fall colors in Bear Wallow in the Santa Catalina Mountains with her dog, Sophie.

Outdoor spots and hiking trails ⛰️

  • Agua Caliente Park and Loop Trail, 12325 E. Roger Road. If you want something a little more hiking-intensive for you and your pup, check out the Agua Caliente Loop Trail that’s not too far from the park.
  • Catalina State Park, 11570 N. Oracle Road. Leashed dogs are welcome on all of the trails in Catalina State Park, according to their website. There are eight trails to choose from, ranging from three-fourths of a mile to nine miles.
  • La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Dr. Leashed dogs are welcome to walk around the La Encantada outdoor shopping mall. 
  • The Loop, check out a map here. The Chuck Huckelberry Loop allows leashed pets on the route, but they must remain under control and are not permitted to cross the center line, according to The Loop’s guidelines.
  • Madera Canyon. Take a trip south of Tucson to Madera Canyon. They have picnic areas for you and your pup to enjoy a quick snack and take a breather from exploring.
  • Mount Lemmon. Don’t forget to stop by the Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin and grab a treat for yourself.

John and Kathy Mulligan from Tucson sit with their dogs Max, left, and Wiley in the Canyon del Oro Wash at Catalina State Park on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 in Tucson, AZ. They were having lunch prior to taking a hike on the Canyon Loop Trail.

Here are a few pet-friendly hiking trails in Tucson, according to Alltrails.com, a popular website that helps hiking enthusiasts find new (and old) favorite trails. Just like other outdoor locations, your dog must be leashed while hiking too!

Note: Leashed dogs are only permitted on Saguaro National Park’s paved trails! Here are a couple:

For further directions to Saguaro National Park, check out the National Park Service's website.

Rosie's Barket offers DIY dog-washing stations as well as dog treats, toys and other dog-related items.

Indoor spots 🛁

  • Bookmans, 6230 E. Speedway and 4841 N. Stone Ave. Bookmans is another dog-friendly place in Tucson. Make sure to keep your furry friend leashed while visiting the used goods store. 
  • Rosie’s Barket, 7960 N. Oracle Road. Rosie’s Barket, now located in Oro Valley, offers DIY baths for your dogs (and other pets!). They have a variety of shampoos and conditioners to choose from so your pet can leave looking and feeling their best. They also have a shop with super-cute dog charms!
  • Dogs-N-Donuts, 7743 E. Broadway. Find homemade doggie doughnuts, cookies and other treats at this local dog bakery. You can even pick up a few desert-themed toys and accessories for your dog while you’re there.
  • Cones For Bones, 6121 E. Broadway. This ice cream shop for dogs serves dog-safe frozen treats in a variety of flavors. You can also host a doggy birthday party here.
  • Dogs of Tucson, 3805 W. River Road. This membership-based indoor dog park has tons of room for your pup to run around, plus TVs and other events and activities for humans.
  • Spike & Chester's DIY Pet Wash, 9725 N. Thornydale Road. This self-serve pet wash started in 2005. Full-service grooming services are also available!
  • Dirty Dawgs Pet Care, 3055 N. Campbell Ave. This DIY dog wash has shampoo, conditioner, towels, brushes and everything else you may need to wash your pup. 

Wendy Wiener walks in the Cactus Garden at the Tucson Botanical Gardens with her foster dog, one-year-old Oakley.

Activities 🌼

  • DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, 6300 N. Swan Road. The DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is a “10-acre National Historic District designed and built by acclaimed Arizona artist Ettore ‘Ted’ DeGrazia,” according to the gallery’s website. Leashed dogs are welcome at the gallery.
  • Pima Air & Space Museum, 6000 E. Valencia Road. “Leashed pets are permitted to walk both inside the buildings and on the museum’s outside grounds,” according to the Pima Air & Space’s website. However, only service animals are permitted in the restaurant and on the tram tour.
  • Tucson Botanical Gardens (seasonally), 2150 N. Alvernon Way. The Tucson Botanical Gardens allows all leashed dogs from June through September. Only service dogs are allowed to visit from October to May. Service dogs are able to get into the museum for free, while the leashed dog admission from June to September is $5 per day or you can purchase a seasonal dog membership membership, according to the gardens' website.

Eric Hoffman, right, plays fetch with his 9-month-old Doodle Norman Hoffman inside the dog park at Naranja Park, 810 W. Naranja Drive, in Oro Valley.

Dog parks 🐕

Tucson has many outdoor, off-leash dog parks where your dogs can run free in a fenced area to play fetch, sniff around and meet other dogs. Some local dog parks have separate areas for large and small dogs.

For a list of city-owned dog parks, check out the Tucson Parks and Recreation website. For a list of Pima County dog parks, check out the county's website.

Oro Valley also has a couple of dog parks, including Naranja Park (pictured above). For a list of Oro Valley dog parks, check out their parks and recreation website.

Pima County currently has a leash law, meaning that all dogs must be leashed in public parks and public areas.

Garrett, bottom left, a 14-year-old standard poodle, greets 10-month-old Newfoundland Marnie as their owners enjoy breakfast at the Bisbee Breakfast Club, 410 N. Wilmot Road.

Patios at restaurants and bars 🌭

Pima County requires “pet-friendly” food establishments to obtain a pet-friendly patio permit. Here are a few restaurants and bars that allow pets, according to their websites and social media, or were said to be pet-friendly in previous Arizona Daily Star coverage.

If you’re unsure if your favorite restaurant or bar allows pets on their patio, call and ask before heading out! 🙂

Have a favorite pet-friendly spot, activity or hiking trail that you'd like to see on the list? Let me know at everdugo@tucson.com.

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