If you’re anything like me, your dog isn’t just a pet — they’re family. One of my favorite ways to spend time with my dogs is exploring the many dog friendly trails, parks, and nature preserves around Saratoga Springs and Ballston Spa, New York. Whether you’re looking for an easy wooded walk, a quiet nature preserve, or a scenic hiking trail where your dog can explore beside you, the Saratoga area has so many beautiful places to enjoy together. These are some of my favorite dog friendly walks in and around Saratoga Springs NY. If you have any suggestions for other walks or locations, please let me know! I love exploring new trails and will be happy to check them out!

1. Sanders Preserve near Glenville NY

top dog friendly walks Saratoga — *Portrait taken inside Sanders Preserve, Loop 1, in Glenville NY. To learn more about Portrait Sessions, please* *click here*.

Google map to parking lot

At the parking lot you will find the trail register, map and list of all the rules. There is also other informational posts about local vegitation and hiking best practice. There is a trash can available but no bathroom.

One reason why I love this walk is the number of options you have. This preserve has 3 zones. Zone 1 and 2 are accessible from the parking lot. From Zone 1 and/or 2 you can make your way into Zone 3. Or if you prefer you could walk down Sanders road and enter Zone 3 there. Each zone has at least two trails so you can make your walk as long or as short as you like. I wanted to experience as much of the preserve as I could, so I began my walk with zone 1. I signed in at the register, took a photo of the trail map with my phone then Riley and I picked up the trail across the street from the parking lot and headed on our way. One thing of note is that hunting is allowed inside the preserve. At the register there is a map of hunting zones and the dates of what hunting season is open. I went in March so the main hunting seasons were over but on a return visit I will at least be making sure Riley has on her orange vest. The rules state all dogs must be on leash and it’s understandable with the hunting allowed. The feel of this walk is one of being deep in the wood with the real world far, far away. The woods are dense and quiet. Even though at points the trail comes alongside private property and roads there is very little noise. You are completely surrounded by nature. The trails are well maintained and well marked. I visited in March after a particularly sad winter of no snow and I went right after a massive rainfall. It was MUDDY! The mud was the biggest downside to the walk. Now, I’m a nature lover through and through and a little mud is no big deal but 5 miles of boot sinking mud does get a bit old. I imagine that as spring turns to summer the trail dries out a bit. I’ll post an update but if anyone visits please let me know how the mud situation is! Not long after starting Zone 1, we came to a beautiful stream. A bridge carried you to the other side where the trail continued. I was glad I had taken a picture of the trail map because not all intersections had a map. I found that a little frustrating as it was not always obvious which way to go. As an experienced person in the woods I was comfortable with what direction I needed to go but did still refer to the photo I had taken at times. A less experienced person may have great difficulty navigating the trail intersections especially if it is their first visit. As you continue, the stream criss crosses its way along the trail. To enter Zone 2 and 3 (from 1) you do end up crossing the road. However, they are quiet country roads and I never even saw a car as I crossed. This is a great walk for those looking to escape to nature. Aside from the mud, it is a beautiful walk through the forest. There are a few benches scattered throughout the preserve to sit and enjoy. I was there for about 2 hours, walked in all zones and I did not run into another person. Bring some water and a snack for you and your furry friend and come enjoy this little gem of a preserve.

2. Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga NY

Google map to the Saratoga Spa State Park

The Saratoga Spa State Park really has something for everyone. There is ample parking, no matter what trail you are looking to walk. As well as doggie poop trash cans scattered throughout. There are a number of bathrooms available throughout the park during the summer. During the winter you can find a porta potty by the creek side classroom.

If you are looking for a shorter, paved walk then the loop next to the Avenue of the Pines is the place for you. There is free parking and access to this loop year round. During the winter it is plowed, however it can get a bit icy sometimes. This 1.8 mile look takes you along the Avenue of the Pines to Rt. 9 and past the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa. I usually park in the parking lot next to the Gideon Putnam, grab a poop bag and jump onto the path from there. Depending on the season there is usually a beautiful display of flowers or seasonal decorations at the intersection of the Avenue of the Pines and Rt 9.

If you’re looking for a more woodsy type walk there is the 5-mile trail. It’s actually a combination of a few trails to get you to 5 miles. I Personally enjoy this path. If i’m not feeling up to the whole 5 miles I can jump out early and take one of the main roads back to my car. You can really pick up this path anywhere in the park. I tend to park either by the tennis courts or outside the park at the entrance off of rt 50. This is not the main entrance, depending on the direction of travel it is at the stoplight either before or after SPAC. This way, if you’re just out for a walk, you don’t have to pay during the summer months to enter the park. This trail takes you into the park and allows you to do a bit more exploring. If you are interested in the mineral springs scattered around the park, this trail will take you to many. Make sure you try the water as it’s reported to have special healing powers. You can follow this trail down around the creek and the creekside classroom. Depending on the day, you might be able to sit by a fire next to the creek and enjoy nature for a bit. Make sure to wear your bug spray and check you and your furry friend for ticks. Depending on the year they can be particularly bad here.

And, if the above two options aren’t to your liking you can always just walk on the roads. There are not sidewalks along every road so be aware of traffic. By following the main roads you’ll be able to visit some of the mineral springs, the creekside classroom, as well as many other attractions.

Grab your furry friend, a poop bag and your walking shoes and head to this beautiful park today. It’s a great combination of history and nature that is sure to be one of your favorite spots!

3. Woods Hollow Nature Preserve in Ballston Spa

Google Map to parking lot

The Woods Hollow Nature Preserve is a wonderful place for a dog walk. You’ll find the parking lot located on Northline Rd in Ballston Spa and also many pull-off parking areas along Rowland street. There are no bathrooms here or other amenities but there is a Stewert’s shop just down the road if nature calls.

The main trail is just about 2 miles in length and I would consider this an easy route. Most of the trails are wide, marked well and well traveled. There are some short inclines but nothing that I would consider overly exerting. Off of the main trail you’ll find may paths that you can explore. I think most of them are well marked, but I have come across some that I wonder are true trails or if people have just followed deer paths or bushwhacked their way to nowhere. Regardless, most paths lead back to the main trail so finding your way is not too difficult. One of my favorite places to visit is the small pond that sits back away from the road. I love to go in the morning and can usually catch sight of some wildlife. My Labrador Retriever was born to swim so this is the perfect place for a quick dip. There are many logs to stop and sit while you enjoy the view. If you continue walking around the pond you’ll come to a picnic table where you can sit and enjoy yet another beautiful view of the pond. One thing to note, fishing is allowed so I always check for any hooks prior to letting my dog play around the water. There is a lot of signage posted that dogs need to be on leash but every time I visit a majority of them are off leash. The trail is used by a wide range of visitors. I’ve come across joggers, bikers and people on horseback. If you intend to let your dog off leash, make sure they have a good recall as spooking a horse would be dangerous for all involved. As you take the trail further into the preserve the traffic noise decreases significantly and you almost forget you’re in a quite populated area. Aside from mud season (early spring), which plagues most trails, this preserve is usually quite dry and nice to walk on. Even during mud season this trail is usually one of the drier ones when compared to many trails in the area.

This trail is perfect for those who want to walk through nature without traveling “to the middle of nowhere.” The beautiful pond adds to the charm of this little preserve. Whether you’re looking for a quick walk, prefer to linger, enjoy nature, or explore you can do all of that here.

4. Anchor Diamond Park in Ballston Spa

Taken at Anchor-Diamond Park, Ballston Spa NY. To learn more about Portrait Sessions, please *click here.*

Google Map to the parking lot

The Anchor-Diamond Park is a hidden gem. The park is located on Middleline Rd, near the intersection of Rt. 50 in Ballston Spa NY. There is a large parking lot you can’t miss. One nice feature at this park is the availability of a porta potty should you find yourself in need.

Anchor Diamond Park in Ballston Spa is one of those places that is perfect when you want to get outside with your dog without committing to a long drive or difficult hike. The trails here are fairly easy and well suited for a casual walk. Most of the paths are wide, easy to follow, and mostly flat with only a few small inclines throughout the park. It’s the kind of trail system that works well for just about everyone — whether you have an energetic young dog who wants to explore every inch of the woods or an older dog who prefers a slower paced stroll.

One thing I really enjoy about this park is that while there is a main trail to follow, there are also several smaller side paths that branch off along the way. Some are clearly marked while others feel more like little nature paths that people or wildlife have slowly created over time. Exploring those smaller trails is part of the fun, and thankfully it’s usually pretty easy to find your way back to the main path without much trouble.

As you walk further into the park, it starts to feel quieter and more peaceful despite being located so close to town. The wooded areas, small bridges, and open spaces make it feel like a hidden little nature escape tucked into Ballston Spa. During the warmer months there is plenty of shade from the trees, which makes it a nice option on hot summer days when your dog still needs some exercise but you don’t want to overdo it. In the fall, the colors throughout the park make the entire trail especially beautiful.

The park is used by a variety of visitors including walkers, joggers, and families, so it’s always a good idea to keep your dog under control and be mindful of others sharing the trails. There is signage posted reminding visitors that dogs should remain on leash. The trails are generally well traveled but still peaceful enough that you can slow down, take in nature, and enjoy spending uninterrupted time with your dog.

Anchor Diamond Park is one of those places that works for almost any kind of outing. Whether you’re looking for a quick evening walk, a quiet place to explore with your dog, or somewhere peaceful to enjoy nature without heading far from home, this little park is definitely worth visiting.