Hot Springs is the most pet friendly town in the Black Hills, if not all South Dakota! Check out these 6 great places to walk or swim your dog no entrance fee. Now that's what I call dog firendly.
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There's no shortage of places to walk your dog in Hot Springs.
The closest walks from Anise's BnB4Pets is the Freedom Trail
River Walk just a few blocks away.
Reptile Gardens welcomes pets on leash.
You can tour Bear Country USA with pets in your car.
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Cascade Falls
Before Wild Horse Sanctuary south of Hot Springs
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Like to swim with your dog? Our awesome local swimming hole now welcomes dogs. My favorite place to be on a hot summer day. You can swim, let the falling water massage your shoulders or just sit & soak in water that comes up to your neck. The park also has barbeque pits & bathrooms.
From the Stay USA in Hot Springs take Hwy 71 south about 10 miles, on the right before the Cheyenne River.
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Chautauqua Park
At Fall River in Hot Springs
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This lovely park spans both sides of the road with gorgeous
views of the red cliffs. And it's a wonderful place to meander
with your canine companions along the Fall River. Dogs love
to swim in the river and some folks like to dangle their
bare feet in the water. The park also has a picnic shelter,
barbecue pits, playground equipment and bathrooms.
In Hot Springs follow 385 (river road) to Evans Plunge.
Keep straight between plunge and parking lot. The park is
on the river on both sides of Fall River.
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Coldbrook Reservoir
Just north of Hot Springs
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The trail connects Coldbrook Reservoir with Argyle Road
for a leisurely roundtrip walk of about 30 minutes with
your K-9 friends. The broad open space has lovely views
of the countryside. Of course, dogs like to swim in the
reservoir, too!
Follow 385 north from Hot Springs and watch for signs
(Coldbrook and/or Larive) after the Dew Drop Inn. Once
you're there, the beach is on the left and the hiking
trail is on the right past the camping area. There is
playground equipment in the campground area.
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Cottonwood Springs
5 miles south of Hot Springs
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Cottonwood is a large open landscape where you can roam
with your canine sidekick.
Take Hwy 18 West from Hot Springs. Look for the Cottonwood
Preserve turnoff on the right about 5 miles south of town.
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Elk Mountain Campground
Wind Cave National Park
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One of my favorite things to do is take my dogs for a
short easy hike of 25 minutes or so and then attend the
evening campfire program with my dogs, of course. The
programs are very professional and informative. I
particularly like this trail because the campground is
protected from bison. For your safety dogs are not allowed
anywhere else in Wind Cave National Park. Hiking with dogs
on leash in Custer State Park is allowed, but the bison
are at large.
Follow 385 north from Hot Springs and into Wind Cave National
Park (no entrance fee). Take the Elk Mountain Campground
turnoff and follow the road all the way to the end. The
trail begins there.
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Freedom Trail River Walk
Historic Downtown Hot Springs
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The Freedom Trail River Walk is a big favorite with improved
trail on both sides of Fall River. You and your K-9 pal
can walk from the Kidney Springs to the Dairy Queen bridge.
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Dog whisperer Cesar Millan has great quick tips for travel to make the trip a happy one for you and your dog.
Cesar says, "Claim your new space.
Now you are ready to go to your hotel room.
~ Enter first.
Get the dog to stay where he is.
Don't let him wander around or he'll assume control
of the situation.
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~ Walk your dog before getting in the car
~ Walk your dog before checking in
~ While you are unpacking, showering, or
making phone calls, he is waiting.
~ The only one who should
move in the environment is you -- until you are ready, then
you initiate activity.
~ It's important that your scent is
everywhere before the dog settles in."
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