Hiking with Dogs

Do you love hiking? Do you love dogs? What about hiking and dogs? Join the Squam Lakes Association (SLA) on a hike through Whitten Woods on Thursday, March 6 from 10 am - 12 pm to learn about best practices when hiking with dogs! We will meet at the Whitten Woods trailhead around 12:45 and hike a total of 1.8 miles to the summit of South Peak and back. Lakes Region Conservation Corps (LRCC) AmeriCorps member, Emma Murray, will lead the hike and teach participants about the best ways to recreate with dogs individually and in a group setting. The hike will also be a dog friendly community and provide socialization for your dogs.

This program is aimed at creating a dog specific hiking group. While we hike we will discuss the impacts of recreating with our four legged friends and the best ways to keep you, your dogs, and the environment safe while hiking! Participants can expect to be in a small group with other dogs so all participants - human or otherwise - should be comfortable hiking in a group with other people and pups.

All skill levels are welcome. Children and dogs must be accompanied by an adult. Those without dogs are welcome to join as well!

Highland St, Ashland, NH 03217

This 500+ acre property is owned by the New England Forest Foundation (NEFF). The Squam Lakes Conservation Society holds a conservation and trail easement, and the trails are maintained by the Squam Lakes Association (SLA).

Please pack snacks, water, and a lunch! We will be taking breaks on the trail as needed.

Participants should be sure to have appropriate attire and layering for winter hiking. Extra layers, comfortable water resistant hiking shoes, and snowshoes and/or microspikes may be needed depending on conditions. The SLA can provide snowshoes & microspikes for up to six participants. Other snow hiking gear may be available upon request.

Not sure what to pack? Check out our Winter Day Hiking Checklist for some ideas. Feel free to reach out to the SLA with any questions!

Emma Murray is a LRCC americorps member. She loves to spend time outside and will talk your ear off about trees. She got her Bachelors in Environmental Biology with a minor in Forestry from SUNY ESF in Syracuse, New York. She spends her free time hiking, reading fantasy books and knitting a beautiful sweater that she's almost done with.