Have a dog-friendly day out in beautiful Texas Hill Country! The Austin area and surrounding Hill Country towns are full of dog-loving businesses, parks, and wineries. Read on for ten ways to enjoy a day with man’s best friend!
Elona Schreiner
Things to Do
10 Dog-Friendly Destinations in the Texas Hill Country
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1. Safety Always Comes First, for People and Pets
Photo: Freeimages/Nedine Wegner
The first aspect in bringing your dog along on a Hill Country adventure is safety. A well-behaved, friendly dog with an attentive and responsible owner is an advocate for dog-friendly businesses. This also keeps everyone safe and able to fully enjoy a fun day!
In addition to behavior, consider your dog’s physical needs. Plenty of water and potty bags are first on the list to bring on a furry field trip. It’s no secret that Texas is a bit warm most of the year, and a wee bit sweltering in the summer. Our pups wear a fur coat, so scout out locations with plenty of shade and access to water. Dogs in peak physical condition still need to be watched for signs of dehydration and overexertion in our Hill Country summers.
Once you have packed for fun and safety, just choose a destination and have a day out with your dog!
2. Room to Roam
Check out some of Texas Hill Country’s parks for a well-rounded adventure with your furry friend!
Zilker Park is a beautiful 351-acre park located in South Austin, at the junction of Barton Creek and the Colorado River. It is situated just across Lady Bird Lake from downtown Austin. It is an ideal destination to take a break with your pooch during the work day, attend an event like the Zilker Kite Festival, or spend the day hiking, biking and swimming with your dog.
Building a day of fun with your dog is easy in the city of Austin. Not only are there multitudes of dog-friendly restaurants and bars, there is the wonderful Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake) right in the middle of the city with an off-leash dog park at Red Bud Isle located on the lake. There are trails for hiking, biking, running and walking all around the lake as well as non-motorized water sporting options on the lake.
