Activities For Dogs In Utah On Hot Days
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
While Utah may be better known for its top-notch skiing, it's certainly not a place to be ignored in summer either. It does happen to have pretty temperate weather year round, but in June through August, can average highs in the 90s, meaning the days can still get hot, hot, hot. Luckily, Utah is also well known for its industrious and thrifty nature, meaning that no matter how hot it gets, residents and visitors alike can take to the symbolic nature of The Beehive State and find some creative ways to keep cool. Here's a list of some of our favorite spots to stay hip and take a dip with your pup.
Cool Off In The BARKery
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Hot Day
Cheap
Easy
10 - 60 min
Items needed
Money
Leash
Dog Bags
Activity description
While there are certainly a lot of different ways to keep cool, one of the best can be staying out of the heat entirely. Even though accessibility is a bit more limited to dogs as far as where they can go, we've got the perfect place to check out: the Moab BARKery. Not only will it provide a nice escape from the heat with a cool interior, but also has tons of great toys, foods, treats, and other stuff geared towards you and your dog. Plus, they even have a self-service dog washing station should you need to get them cleaned up in the process.
Step
1
Go!
The first step is not hard to do. Just go. Their hours are pretty extensive (10-6 for most weekdays) which means you'll be able to escape the sun no matter what time of day. Our best suggestion is to introduce yourself and your dog to the staff so they can assist you in finding the most appropriate toys, food, or treats for your dog while you enjoy their cool air.
Step
2
Wash!
Outside of just getting some cool air, Moab BARKery also offers a washing station you can use yourself, which functions twofold on a hot day: cleaning AND cooling. For a small fee, you can brush your dog which will likely reduce the thickness of their coat and help keep them cool, as well as wash them, which should help to keep them from overheating once they've been sprayed down with water, especially if they walk around in the store afterward.
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Memory Grove
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Hot Day
Free
Easy
30 - 180 min
Items needed
Leash
Dog Bags
Sunscreen
Activity description
There are several great dog parks spread across the state, but they don't all have water features, which is a pretty important aspect when the temperature starts to rise to uncomfortable levels. Memory Grove Off-Leash Area at Freedom Park does happen to have one, and a good one at that - it's a natural running creek with several areas of different depths and even a little waterfall, perfect for dogs of all sizes. It's not fenced so you may still need a leash if your dog isn't always good at coming on command, but it offers a perfectly cool and free refuge from the summer heat.
Step
1
Splish and splash
Unlike some other hidden gems, this one isn't really hidden at all. It's super easy to navigate to and there's plenty of parking on both sides of the park (both E Capitol Blvd and Canyon Rd). All you really need to do is find a parking spot and head in through one of the many entry and exit points. It shouldn't take you long to find a nice shady place to walk or the creek that runs through the park, where you can let your dog loose to splash about and cool off.
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Canoe With Blue
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0 Votes
Hot Day
Moderate
Normal
1 - 6 hrs
Items needed
Leash
Dog Bags
Swimsuit or Quick-Drying Clothes
Water
Sunscreen
Doggy Life Vest
Activity description
Just because it's hot outside doesn't mean you can't stay cool while still finding adventure. Moab Rafting & Canoe Company is the perfect solution, as they offer dog-friendly raft and canoe rentals that will provide tons of entertainment all while keeping you cool with the water around you. It's moderately expensive depending on the type of craft, the type and length of trip, and how many members you have joining you, but for a full day of adventure with your pooch, around a hundred bucks isn't bad. The level of difficulty depends on what type of trip you take and how well your dog does, but there are plenty of options to keep things as comfortable as possible for dogs and owners of all types.
Step
1
Test the waters
Before you even start looking at trips, you'll likely want to test your dog's comfort level. While many dogs may be good with different forms of transportation, floating vessels are less stable and may cause your dog to behave in ways you haven't prepared for or experienced previously. If they're comfortable with water, that's a great start. If they're good in the car, even better. Regardless, it's best to try to find a good way to test their comfort beforehand, even if it means filling a kiddie pool with water and finding something that will support them to have them float on. Once you know they're ok with being on the water, it's time to start planning your trip.
Step
2
Plan and schedule
Once you know you and your dog are ready, you'll first need to figure out what kind of trip you want to take (either single-day or multi-day), what river and course will be most suitable for you and your dog and whether or not you'd like it to be guided. Your best bet is to call ahead to see which are most dog-friendly and decide from there. Once you've decided, feel free to book it either over the phone or online. Make sure to check the website's suggested packing list depending on your trip, which, depending on the length, could include additional clothes, food, and more. Regardless, you'll certainly need water, a leash, sunscreen and good quick-drying clothes so you can cool off in the water.
Step
3
Go and row!
When the day arrives, gather your supplies and hit the road. Check in with the proper person and make sure that nothing has changed (sometimes the weather can move quick!). Lather up with sunscreen and grab a map if there's one available so you can track your progress. Get yourself and your dog strapped into the proper life vest if need be and do your best to get them acclimated to the raft for at least a few minutes before taking off. If available, ask your guide or someone knowledgeable if there are good areas to stop off to you can stretch your legs, take a dip, grab some food or seek some shade. Once you've got everything in order, start paddling! Make sure to drink (and provide) lots of water, take rests when you get tired, and find some shade when you've baked in the sun too long. And beyond all else, have fun! It's not every day that you get to take such an awesome adventure with your dog.
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More Fun Ideas...
Catch an Umbrella
While not all restaurants have patios, those that do have a decent chance of being dog-friendly, meaning you can pull up a chair and camp out under an umbrella with an iced drink for both you and your pup. We found quite a few in Kanab, such as Jakey Leighs and Nedras Too, the latter of which even has dog bowls for ice water and dog treats to go with it!
The Dog Dive
Sure, there are tons of groomers and dog spas around, but The Dog Dive offers something few others do: a chlorine free pool made just for dogs. It's used for everything from physical rehab to doggy swimming lessons to just plain fun. Get them a trim and have them take a dip in the pool to cool off!
Willow Creek Dog Pond
While there is quite a bit less shade and no running water like the creek at Memory Grove, Willow Creek is still a good fix for hot days because it has enough water depth for your dog to fully immerse themselves. Plus, there's some plenty of space to run around afterward.
Conclusion
Hot days can be tough to escape, but they shouldn't be avoided in The Beehive State. They only come but for a short stretch every year, so instead of hiding from them, embrace them! Whether they've got you panting or baking like a treat, there are plenty of ways for you and your dog to beat the heat at places both cool and neat (as long as you know where to look).