As Spring rolls in and we welcome the warmer weather,

it’s the perfect time to plan some new outdoor adventures with your dog.

Here are our favorite local spots to delve into nature with your pup:

Seneca Regional Park
101 Seneca Road
Great Falls, VA 22066

• Over 8 miles of trails allowing you to select the perfect distance
• Bluffs & hollows deliver a little elevation change and the bottom lands along the Potomac add an additional environmental factor
• Try the Potomac Heritage Trail or the Seneca Connector Trail

Scott’s Run Nature Preserve
7400 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22102

• Over 300 acres of trails leading to scenic spots like Scott’s Run Waterfall and overlooks of the Potomac River
• Variety of trail types, including shaded wooded areas and more intense rocky climbs
• Some trails cover rocky bluffs that are unsafe for dogs

Bull Run Occoquan Trail

10875 Hampton Road
Fairfax Station, VA 22039

• 3.4 mile out and back trail turns around at Centerville Road access
• Dogs can explore the forest and enjoy a dip along Cub Run and Bull Run
• Plenty of wildlife about so best to keep dogs on leash
• Best to avoid the easternmost 6 miles of the Occoquan Trail with dogs as it is open to mountain bikes

Theodore Roosevelt Island
Washington, D.C.

• Two and a half miles of low intensity trails
• Most of the trails are wooded, providing shade during the warmer months
• No fees
• If your dog is adventurous and water-loving, canoeing and kayaking are available

Washington And Old Dominion Trail
21293 Smiths Switch Road
Ashburn, VA 20147

• Sixty-five miles of trails
• Trails are mostly paved or gravel, making them easier for beginners
• This former railroad trail is open year-round

Great Falls
9200 Old Dominion Drive
McLean, VA 22102

• Fifteen miles of trails
• Variety of trails, from the Swamp Trail through lowland forest to the more challenging Billy Goat Trail perfect for high-energy dogs
• Most of the trails are wider, multi-use paths, so if your dog is uncomfortable around bikes and horses, consider a different trail

Rock Creek Park
5200 Glover Road N.W.
Washington, DC 20015

• Thirty-two miles of trails
• Both rustic and paved paths
• During the weekend, parts of Beach Drive are closed to cars so you can feel free to walk your dog down the road
• There is a horse center in the middle of the park, and deer are common, so the trails are best suited for dogs who are already familiar with these animals

Shenandoah National Park

3655 U.S. Highway 211 East
Luray, VA 22835

• Nearly 500 miles of dog-friendly trails
• One of the few national parks that allows dogs on their trails
• Keep dogs leashed, as bear sightings are common

After your hike, share your experience in the Comments below. We’d love to hear of your adventures!

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