Dog walking in San Marcos

Downtown San Marcos

Downtown San Marcos has a few delicious restaurants that offer dog-friendly outdoor seating, including Root Cellar Café, Stellar Café and Sean Patrick’s Bar and Grill. The real treat in this area, though, is Rio Vista Park. Located along the San Marcos River, this park is a great place to take your dog for a dip. There are also hiking and biking trails to explore, and picnic tables and benches where you can relax. Well-behaved dogs are welcome as long as they are kept leashed when out of the water. Need a place to stay? Check out the dog friendly accomodations at The Crystal River Inn.

Forest Hills

Located near Texas State University, the Forest Hills neighborhood is a great place to take your canine companion. If you need to cool down on a hot summer day, head to Lions Tube Rental, and spend a day on the Guadelupe River with your four-legged best friend. Lions is very dog friendly, but if your dog pops a tube, you will lose your deposit. Just remember to bring along doggy shoes to avoid this problem. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, stop by Bobcat Nation. This dog-friendly restaurant serves up hearty favorites like ribeye cheesesteaks and loaded potato soup, and it’s the perfect place for lunch or dinner with your pup in tow.

Millview West

On the western edge of San Marcos’s Millview West neighborhood, you will find the ever pup-ular San Marcos Dog Park. Located within the larger Memorial Park, San Marcos Dog Park is full fenced and has plenty of space for hours of off-leash fun. Whether you have a large dog or a smaller breed, he can make new friends with pups that are his own size thanks to separate areas. Cleanup bags are provided, and trash cans are located throughout the park. Running water is also available to keep your hound hydrated on those hot summer days. There isn’t much shade, though, so remember your sunblock!

West San Marcos

When your dog needs lots of room to run, head to the west side of town. There you will discover the Purgatory Creek Natural Area. This natural green space spans 463 acres and boasts an impressive, well-maintained trail systemthat spans over several miles. These remote trails are the perfect place to hike or bike with your canine companion, but make note that all dogs do need to remain leashed at all times. Lower Purgatory is the most popular trailhead, and it’s a great path when you’re in the mood for a relaxing, enjoyable walk.

Landa Park Highlands

If you feel like getting out of town for a few hours, head about 18 miles southwest to New Braunfels' Landa Park Highlands neighborhood to check out New Braunfels Dog Park. This large, open park features separate large and small dog areas and is open daily from dawn to dusk. There is an agility course, and tennis balls are provided for exciting games of fetch. Pet parents are required to pick up after their furbabies, but the park provides plenty of cleanup bags and trash cans for easy disposal. Keeping your dog hydrated while in the park is easy thanks to water fountains. When you visit, make sure your dog is wearing his collar with current vaccination and license tags.