Dog-Friendly Spring Hikes, Waterfalls, and Breweries Near Barkwells

Spring has arrived in Western North Carolina and there is no better time to lace up your hiking boots, leash up your pup, and head out into the mountains. With Barkwells nestled between Asheville and Brevard, you are perfectly positioned to explore some of the most spectacular dog-friendly terrain in the Southeast. Here are our top picks for spring hikes, waterfall stops, and post-adventure breweries to enjoy with your four-legged travel companion.

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Photo from Asheville Trails

Spring Hikes Worth the Drive

DuPont State Recreational Forest is a perennial favorite for good reason. The forest offers well-marked, wide trails and three stunning waterfalls–Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls– all within a short distance of each other. Dogs are welcome on leash throughout the forest, and Hooker Falls has a large pool below where your pup can splash and cool off. For trail details, check out Asheville Trails' guide to DuPont.

Catawba Falls Trail in Old Fort is another spring standout. The shady, mossy trail follows the tumbling Catawba River and rewards you with a beautiful 100-foot waterfall at the end. It's a moderately easy hike with plenty of creek access along the way — a dream for water-loving dogs. You can find full trail info at AllTrails.

For wider views and high-elevation adventure, Black Balsam Knob off the Blue Ridge Parkway offers an open, breezy summit that dogs love to roam. It's one of the easiest access points in WNC for panoramic views and is particularly spectacular in late spring when the wildflowers are in bloom.

For something a little different from the mountain trails, the brand-new Ecusta Trail is one of the most exciting additions to the WNC outdoor scene. This visionary rails-to-trail greenway will eventually span 19.4 miles between Hendersonville and Brevard — and the first six miles, running from downtown Hendersonville through the Horseshoe community, are now open. The paved, mostly flat route is popular for walking, running, and biking, and dogs are welcome as long as they're kept on a leash. It's a wonderful option for dogs who aren't yet up for rugged terrain, older pups, or families with young kids in tow. looking glass falls 02

Photo from Asheville Trails

Waterfall Stops for the Whole Pack

If you prefer a shorter outing, Looking Glass Falls in Pisgah National Forest is right off US-276 with a brief staircase to the base of the falls. It's one of the easiest and most photogenic waterfall stops in the region, perfect for dogs of any age or energy level. (Note: dogs should remain leashed at all state and national forest sites.) For more on swimming rules and trail specifics, the BringFido Asheville trail guide is an excellent planning resource. After your hike, rinse those muddy paws and head back toward Barkwells!

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Photo by @cellarestbeerproject

Dog-Friendly Breweries to Wind Down

After a good hike, few things beat a cold pint on a sunny patio with your dog by your side. The good news: Asheville takes its reputation as "Dog City USA" seriously, and the brewery scene is no exception.

Just minutes from Barkwells in Mills River, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company has a sprawling outdoor space with mountain views, fire pits, and a patio bar — all welcoming to leashed pups. Down the road, Appalachian Mountain Brewery is another dog-friendly local favorite with a relaxed patio atmosphere.

Mills River Brewing Co. welcomes leashed dogs on their sprawling outdoor property, Burning Blush Brewery has a dog-friendly beer garden with rotating food trucks, and The Old Haywood Filling Station — a charming reimagining of a 1958 gas station — pours coffee, wine, and craft beer in a laid-back, community setting just minutes from Barkwells.

If you venture into Asheville, Highland Brewing Company offers a large outdoor beer garden with water bowls provided, and Wicked Weed Brewing has two dog-friendly patios in the heart of downtown. For a comprehensive list of options, check out our guide to Dog-Friendly Breweries in Asheville, NC!

spring at the barkwells pond

A Few Trail Tips Before You Go

Always keep your dog leashed. It's required on all Blue Ridge Parkway, state park, and national forest trails.
Pack extra water and a collapsible bowl. Mountain springs look tempting but may carry Giardia.
Check the Blue Ridge Parkway status before heading out–sections sometimes close in early spring due to weather or maintenance.
Towels and a dog-safe paw rinse go a long way after a waterfall adventure.

With Barkwells as your basecamp, all of these adventures are within easy reach. If you haven't visited us before, Barkwells is a dog-centric vacation retreat nestled in Mills River, NC–just a short drive from Asheville and Brevard. We offer private cabin vacation rentals designed with dogs as the priority, not an afterthought. Our property features over nine acres of fenced meadows for off-leash play, a swimming pond for water-loving pups, hot tubs for the humans to soak in after a long day on the trails, and a dedicated dog wash station so you can rinse off the adventure before settling in for the evening. It's the kind of place where your dog sets the itinerary, and everyone leaves happy. Book your stay at barkwells.com and start planning your spring mountain escape.