Dog-Friendly Loudoun
Waggertail Dog Park in Ashburn, the W&OD Trail running the length of the county, Civil War bluffs in Leesburg, and patios with dedicated Fido menus. Loudoun is where NOVA dogs get room to roam.
The Vibe
Loudoun County is Northern Virginia's wide-open west: planned communities with big yards in Ashburn, horse country and vineyards around Leesburg, and a rail trail that ties it all together. Dog owners here measure weekends in trail miles, and the county's dog parks, from the beloved Waggertail to the hidden Lansdowne Town Center spot, are packed on Saturday mornings. It is a county built for the outdoors, and your dog will notice.
Off-Leash Dog Parks
Fenced Parks Across the County
From Ashburn's big-name parks to Leesburg's hidden gems, Loudoun has an off-leash spot for every side of the county.
Waggertail Dog Park
21500 Windsor Drive, Ashburn
The county's most popular off-leash park: separate large- and small-dog areas, water stations, and agility equipment.
South Riding Dog Park
25152 Elk Lick Road, Chantilly
A huge fenced area with an agility course. No water on site, so bring your own bottle.
Hal & Berni Hanson Regional Park
Aldie
A highly rated dog park inside a regional park with trails, so you can pair off-leash time with a leashed hike.
Olde Izaak Walton Park
850 Davis Court SE, Leesburg
A large mulch off-leash area in Leesburg that the locals swear by for all-weather play.
Lansdowne Town Center Dog Park
19350 Winmeade Drive, Leesburg
A small pea-gravel community park and a genuine hidden gem. No water on site.
Evermoore & Dulles Gateway
Ashburn area
Evermoore Dog Park is a small community park in Westmoore, and Dulles Gateway offers a gated, tucked-away spot off the beaten path.
Trails for Every Pace
The W&OD Trail is the county's walking spine, but the real gems are the woodland loops: Ball's Bluff's bluff-top trails along the Potomac, the roughly 8-mile loop around Beaverdam Reservoir in Ashburn, the 15 miles of trails at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, and the river access at Algonkian Regional Park.
Leashes are required on Loudoun trails and in parks. Check each park's rules before you go.
Trails & Outdoor Adventure
Rail Trails, Bluffs & Reservoirs
- W&OD Trail: 45 paved miles from Shirlington to Purcellville through Ashburn
- Ball's Bluff Battlefield: woodland trails along the Potomac bluffs in Leesburg
- Beaverdam Reservoir: an 8-mile wooded loop in Ashburn with shorter options
- Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve: 15 miles of trails across 699 acres
- Algonkian Regional Park: Potomac river access for wading on hot days
Dog-Friendly Dining
Fido Menus & Secret Gardens
Leesburg and Ashburn have some of the most dog-forward restaurants in Virginia. Fire Works Pizza in Leesburg serves a dedicated Fido menu with homemade biscuits and a free dog bowl. Shoe's Cup and Cork keeps a jar of dog biscuits for patio guests in its secret garden. In One Loudoun, Copperwood Tavern welcomes dogs on the patio and Ted's Bulletin lets leashed pups join the outdoor tables.
- Fire Works Pizza, Leesburg: Fido menu and dog bowls
- Shoe's Cup and Cork, Leesburg: garden patio with biscuits
- Copperwood Tavern & Ted's Bulletin, One Loudoun
- Matchbox One Loudoun, leashed dogs on the covered patio
Call Ahead, Then Sit Down
Loudoun patio policies vary restaurant by restaurant, and the outdoor season here is glorious. A quick call to confirm the patio is open to pups saves everyone a walk of shame.
Pet Services
Suburban Scale, Premium Care
Loudoun's planned communities came with a full pet economy: every town center has a vet, a groomer, and a daycare within a five-minute drive.
Pet Stores & Boutiques
Town-center pet boutiques in Ashburn, Leesburg, and One Loudoun, plus the big-box stores along the main corridors.
Veterinarians
Veterinary hospitals in every community, with 24-hour emergency care available in Leesburg and on the eastern corridor.
Groomers
Boutique salons and mobile groomers serving Ashburn and Leesburg, with spa packages that book out weeks in advance.
Daycare & Boarding
Daycare centers with webcams and large play yards, plus boarding farms on the county's rural edges for longer trips.
Good to Know
Loudoun Dog Questions
What is the best dog park in Loudoun County?
Waggertail Dog Park on Windsor Drive in Ashburn is the county's most popular off-leash park, with separate areas for large and small dogs, water stations, and agility equipment. Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park in Aldie and the Olde Izaak Walton Park in Leesburg are also top rated.
Is the W&OD Trail dog friendly?
Yes, and it is the backbone of Loudoun dog life. The 45-mile paved rail trail runs from Shirlington to Purcellville, straight through Ashburn, and dogs are welcome on a leash. It is flat, safe, and perfect for long walks or a jog with your pup.
Can dogs go off leash at Ball's Bluff?
No. Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park in Leesburg requires dogs to be leashed on its woodland trails. The unfenced off-leash areas are at the designated dog parks like Waggertail, South Riding, and Olde Izaak Walton.
Let's Talk
Ready for Loudoun's Wide-Open Life?
Yards, trails, and Waggertail on the weekends: GG Sfreddo, Associate Broker with eXp Realty LLC, knows the Ashburn and Leesburg neighborhoods that fit how you and your dog actually live.
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GG Sfreddo
Associate Broker · eXp Realty LLC · VA & DC
571-377-8777 · GG@MoveMeInVa.com
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