Dog walking in Belton

City Center

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The Dog Park in Downtown Anderson might be the most pawpular meeting place for Belton’s canine population. With small- and large-dog fenced areas, water fountains, benches, and plenty of shade from the hot Southern summer, you can relax while your buddies make some new friends. Once they’re back on-leash, it’s easy to explore the historic downtown area on the comfortable sidewalks throughout. Head a few blocks over to Wren Park, where you might discover the splash pad or evening light show, the summer outdoor movie series, the winter ice skating (for humans only, unfortunately), or any number of festivals and special events. Then, camp out on the Main Street patio dining at Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers or one of the other dog-friendly restaurants and do some people-watching, or cross through downtown to reach Galloway Park and Abney Mills Park.

Anderson U/ Main St

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At seven acres, Cater Lake Park packs a lot into a small space. The pond is always full of ducks and geese, so there is plenty of aquatic entertainment for your pups to sniff and bark at. The paved walking path makes your adventure easy on tender paws, too. You can grill out at the picnic area and share some burgers and dogs, or head a few blocks east to the manicured campus of Anderson University to continue your walk in this pedestrian-safe part of town. On the other side of the university is the Rocky River Nature Preserve, where you'll find some rustic hiking paths through the river’s wetlands. If you’re looking for indulgence rather than more exercise, the Molly and Me Dog Bakery is located a few blocks northwest of Cater Lake.

Sadlers Creek State Park

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A perfect launch point to enjoy Lake Hartwell, Sadler’s Creek State Park is well worth the small daily parking fee. With two boat ramps and a 100-foot pier ready to take you out on the water, your dogs will be eager to start paddling. At almost 400 acres, Sadler’s Creek also has six miles of hiking trails for your on-leash exploration. The Pine Grove Trail is an easy 0.6 mile loop, while the longer biking trails take you deep into the park’s pine forest. The lakefront campground is dog friendly, too, so you can extend your stay and frolic a whole weekend away.

Downtown Greenville

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Although the 40-minute drive into Downtown Greenville might be saved for a special occasion, it’s impossible to live in Belton without enjoying the hip, vibrant beauty of this up-and-coming city. Start with the stunning Falls Park, on the southern end of the Main Street business district and near the Peace Center for Performing Arts. This affluent part of the city has lots of chic restaurants with dog-friendly patios, but you may want to grab something to-go and spend the entire afternoon enjoying the natural waterfall, scenic bridge, art installations, picnic spots, and community spirit of Falls Park. Greenville has plenty of other lush parks to explore, but your pack might prefer to catch the Swamp Rabbit Trailhead at Falls Park. The 22-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail is a mixed-use converted railway beloved by athletes of the furry and not-furry varieties.