Dog walking in Silver City

Silver City Historic District

Silver City’s Historic District is a real mutts-visit for you and your furry friend. Unsurprisingly, the area is beautiful -- commercial buildings with cast iron store fronts, Gothic Revival Churches and New Empire styles all compete for your eyes’ attention, and the area’s proximity to the university gives the neighborhood a laid-back vibe. However, even the most cultured canine might be more interested in Silver City’s very own dog park! Cornali Field might be a bit no-frills, but there’s plenty of room in both the large and small dog areas to run around in, and bags and water are provided.

Western Hill

Western Hill is an interesting place -- here, downtown melts into suburbia, and historic adobe sits next to more modern developments. It’s also the home of the Pet Health Shoppe, a locally owned business committed to supplying the best possible food for your four-legged pal! They also stock healthy treats, as well as some accessories guaranteed to give your pooch a new "leash" on life! Of course, owners need to eat too -- don’t leave Western Hill without stopping in at Blake’s Lottaburger, home of the best green chile cheeseburger in the world according to National Geographic. Afterward, you two can burn it all off with a leashed walk in Penny Park.

Downtown Silver City

Silver City’s downtown is vibrant, quirky, and lovely to look at, and its citizens are committed to keeping it that way. You and your pooch won’t be able to enter any of the art galleries, of course, but there’s no need to get too "melan-collie"-- the neighborhood is also home to an entrance of the Big Ditch Trail! The shady riverside walk is a pawfect place for you and your leashed doggo to stretch your legs. You’ll find hidden sets of steps and walkways poking out of the greenery along the route, as well as some benches by the creek so that tired owners can rest.

Boston Hill

If you and your pooch are looking for a longer hike, consider heading down to the Boston Hill Open Space, just southwest of Silver City’s historic district. Boston Hill is a bit of a misnomer -- it’s actually a series of three hills sitting on top of a historic former silver mine. Fitter furry friends looking for a challenge should try the loop trail, which rewards the stamina of those who can complete it with fabulous views over the town. Careful though -- the area doesn’t get much shade, so you might want to go in the morning or evening. Remember to bring water, and bags to keep this pawesome preserve clean!

Gila National Forest

With a place like Gila National Forest right on your doorstep in Silver City, you’d be barking mad not to check it out! If you and your pooch are looking to get back to nature, this is the place to do it. The terrain varies from majestic mountainside to deep valleys to semi-desert landscapes, and you’ll find a trail here for every age and ability, from the most athletic animal to the most committed couch pup-tatoes! The main draw of Gila National Forest is the prehistoric cave dwellings -- you and your doggo won’t be able to enter the caves themselves, but you can still see a lot from outside.