A wooded stream-valley hiking trail in Arlington, Virginia with a dirt path, wooden footbridge over a shallow creek, and golden autumn light through the trees
Trails

Best Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Arlington, VA

Arlington may be the smallest county in Virginia at just 26 square miles, but it hides an outsized network of beautiful, dog-friendly trails in its stream valleys and woodlands. From the Potomac Ridge loop at Potomac Overlook Regional Park to the stream-crisscrossing Donaldson Run and the long, flat W&OD rail trail, there's a perfect afternoon hike for every kind of pup in the heart of the DC metro. Here are the best trails to explore on leash, with the parking, surface, and leash details you'll want before you head out.

Potomac Overlook Regional Park: Wooded Loops with a River Vibe

Location: 2845 N Marcey Rd, Arlington, VA 22207
Trail length: ~1.5-mile Potomac Overlook Trail loop
Parking: Free, on-site lot

Tucked into the leafy northeast corner of Arlington, Potomac Overlook Regional Park is a hidden gem for dog owners who want a real woodsy hike without leaving the county. The ~1.5-mile Potomac Overlook Trail loops through mature hardwood forest on a natural, wooded surface, with a few gentle uphills that open to views over the Potomac River valley. The park's nature center adds to the fun, with live animal exhibits that kids love, and the whole trail is easy enough for puppies and senior dogs alike.

Leash & Visitor Notes

  • Dogs must be on a leash at all times, Arlington County requires leashes everywhere outside its designated off-leash areas.
  • Park grounds and trails are open from sunrise to sunset. The onsite nature center runs Tues–Sat 10 AM–5 PM and Sun 1–5 PM (closed Monday).
  • Parking is free in a medium-sized lot that fills on weekend mornings, go before 10 AM for the easiest spot.
  • Bring water and waste bags; there are no fountains on the trail itself.
A dirt singletrack path winding through golden hardwoods with a small wooden footbridge over a creek in a Virginia stream valley
Arlington's stream-valley trails thread through mature woods and shallow creeks, giving your pup plenty of new scents and splashes to discover.

Gulf Branch Nature Center & Park: A Quiet Singletrack Escape

Location: 3608 N Military Rd, Arlington, VA 22207
Trail length: ~1 mile of light nature trails
Parking: Free, very small limited lot

Gulf Branch Nature Center & Park is one of Arlington's most peaceful hiking spots, and it's wonderfully dog-friendly. The park's nature trails are mostly light single-track with wooden bridges crossing the stream, plus some paved, wheelchair-accessible sections that are easy on dog paws. The trailhead sits just across Military Road from the nature center building, and the walk north along Gulf Branch feels miles away from the city. It's the kind of short, shaded trail that makes a perfect weekday evening walk with your dog.

Pro Tips for Gulf Branch

  • The parking lot is tiny, arrive early in the morning or visit on a weekday to guarantee a spot.
  • Leashes are required on all trails (same county-wide rule as everywhere in Arlington).
  • The wooden bridges and paved stretches are great for dogs who prefer a gentler, softer walk.
  • Watch for ticks in the warmer months, this is a leafy, wooded park.

Donaldson Run Stream Valley: A Splashy, Adventurous Loop

Location: 4020 30th St N, Arlington, VA 22207
Trail length: ~1.5-mile loop
Parking: Free street parking along 30th St N

If your dog loves water crossings and a little trail adventure, Donaldson Run is the spot. From the 30th Street trailhead, a set of stairs drops you into a lush stream valley where the trail crosses Donaldson Run again and again, reviewers count roughly a dozen shallow creek crossings, with a couple more and a short staircase on the climb back. The stream is shallow and the rocks can be slippery, and exposed tree roots keep things interesting, so it's best for sure-footed dogs. This trail has an undeniable "I can't believe we're in Arlington" feeling.

Pro Tips for Donaldson Run

  • Keep your dog on a leash, the creek crossings and muddy banks make off-leash a bad idea here anyway.
  • Pack a towel for the car; after all those stream crossings, your pup will be soaked and happy.
  • The rocks get slick after rain, go steady, and check your dog's paws for pebbles after the crossings.
  • There is no lot; use the free street parking on 30th St N near the trailhead.

Glencarlyn Park: Woodland Trails and a Big Trail Network

Location: 300 5th St S, Arlington, VA 22204
Trail length: Paved and unpaved paths across a 32-acre park
Parking: Free lot

Glencarlyn Park is one of Arlington's oldest parks and one of its best for dog owners. Its network of paved and unpaved trails winds through forest beside Four Mile Run, and the park connects directly to both the paved Four Mile Run Trail and the W&OD Trail via a bridge over the creek. That makes Glencarlyn a fantastic base for a longer, easy walk with your leashed pup. Bonus: the park is home to the unfenced Glencarlyn Dog Park, a designated Community Canine Area near the creek where dogs with reliable recall can play off-leash.

Park Combo Strategy

  • Leashes are required on the park and connector trails; the Glencarlyn Dog Park is the only off-leash exception.
  • Great plan: a leashed loop along Four Mile Run first, then supervised off-leash time for dogs with solid recall.
  • Follow the paved connector to reach the W&OD rail trail heading toward Ballston, Falls Church, and beyond.
A flat paved multi-use recreation trail lined with mature trees and open parkland on a bright afternoon in Arlington, Virginia
Arlington's paved multi-use trails, including the W&OD and Four Mile Run, offer long, flat, leash-friendly walks that connect the county's stream-valley parks.

Bon Air Park and the W&OD Trail: Flat Miles with a Big Pavement Connection

Location: 850 N Lexington St, Arlington, VA 22205 (Bon Air Park)
Trail length: 45-mile W&OD rail trail (paved, runs through Arlington)
Parking: Free, spacious lot at Bon Air Park

For dogs who would rather cruise flat pavement than tiptoe over rocks, Bon Air Park and the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail are unbeatable. The 24-acre Bon Air Park has spacious parking and connects straight onto the W&OD, the 45-mile rail trail that runs from Arlington northwest through Falls Church, Vienna, Reston, and Leesburg. Dogs are welcome on a 6-foot leash, kept on the right shoulder and under control. It's the perfect choice for a long walk with a high-energy pup, and you can turn around whenever your dog's legs give out.

Leash & Trail Rules

  • Dogs must be on a 6-foot leash, kept to the right shoulder and under control for the safety of cyclists and walkers.
  • At Bon Air Park, dogs on leash are welcome but give the formal rose gardens a little extra respect (and keep pups out of the beds).
  • The asphalt heats up on hot days, stick to morning or evening walks when it's warm out.

Practical Tips for Hiking in Arlington with Your Dog

Leash law: Arlington County requires all dogs to be leashed and under their owner's control everywhere in the county except in designated off-leash Community Canine Areas (dog parks). Violations can carry fines up to $100, so keep that leash clipped on every one of these trails.
Licensing & vaccines: Arlington requires all dogs over four months to be licensed, and current rabies vaccination is required to get into any county dog park or federal park. Keep a photo of your pup's vaccine record on your phone just in case.
What to pack: At least a liter of water plus a collapsible bowl, waste bags, tick prevention (Virginia tick season runs roughly March through November), and a towel for the car, the stream trails like Donaldson Run will leave your dog soaked.
Best times to visit: Early weekday mornings are the quietest across all these parks. Potomac Overlook and Gulf Branch fill up on weekend mornings; go before 10 AM for the easiest parking. Spring and fall offer the best hiking weather in Arlington.
Getting there: All five spots are inside Arlington and reachable by car (or Metro plus a walk for the W&OD). Parking is free everywhere, but lot sizes vary widely, Gulf Branch's is tiny while Bon Air's is spacious. See each section above for the specific parking notes.
Summer heat: Paved trails like the W&OD get hot to the touch by midday. A handy rule: if the pavement is too hot for the back of your hand, it's too hot for your dog's paws, hit the trails early or late on hot days.
"Arlington squeezes a surprising amount of wilderness into a tiny county, and almost all of it is open to leashed dogs, quiet stream valleys, woodland loops, and miles of paved path all minutes from the Metro."

Arlington Dog-Friendly Trails, At a Glance

Potomac Overlook ~1.5-mile wooded loop with river views, free on-site lot, leashed only, sunrise to sunset.
Gulf Branch ~1 mile of light singletrack with wooden bridges and paved sections, tiny free lot, leashed only.
Donaldson Run ~1.5-mile stream-valley loop with ~10 creek crossings and stairs, free street parking, leashed only.
Glencarlyn Paved and unpaved paths in a 32-acre park plus Four Mile Run and W&OD connections, free lot, unfenced off-leash dog area on site.
Bon Air / W&OD Flush paved rail trail, spacious free lot at Bon Air, dogs on 6-ft leash on the right shoulder.
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GG Sfreddo

GG Sfreddo

Associate Broker, eXp Realty · Creator of Dog-Friendly NOVA

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GG is a lifelong dog lover and Associate Broker with eXp Realty in Northern Virginia. She created Dog-Friendly NOVA to help fellow pet owners discover the best dog-friendly trails, parks, restaurants, and day trip destinations across the region, from Arlington and Fairfax to the Potomac and the Piedmont. She lives in Prince William County with her family and two rescue dogs.

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