Best Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Manassas & Manassas Park, VA
Manassas and Manassas Park may be best known for Civil War history and a charming historic downtown, but this corner of Prince William County is also a launching pad for some of the best leashed hiking in Northern Virginia. Within a few miles of downtown you can walk a national battlefield with more than 40 miles of trails, step onto the longest natural-surface trail in the NOVA Parks system, circle a paved loop through a Manassas Park woodland, and (with a short drive) explore a 37-mile national forest trail network. Here are the best dog-friendly trails to explore on leash, with the leash rules, parking, and pro tips you will want before you head out.
Manassas National Battlefield Park: 40 Miles of History on a Leash
Location: 6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, VA 20109
Trails: More than 40 miles of loop trails across nearly 5,100 acres
Entry: Free (no entrance fee) · open sunrise to sunset
The crown jewel of hiking around Manassas is a national park, and it is wonderfully dog-friendly. At Manassas National Battlefield Park, leashed dogs are welcome on all the trails and outdoor areas, from the parking lots and picnic spots to the open battlefield roads. Admission is completely free, which makes it an easy, everyday destination for dog owners. The park's trails are laid out as a series of loops that tell the story of the First and Second Battles of Manassas.
The signature route is the First Battle of Manassas Trail Loop, roughly 5.2 miles, which starts at the Matthews Hill parking lot and passes Henry Hill and the Stone Bridge over Bull Run. For a quicker outing, the Unfinished Railroad Loop is a gentle 1.2-mile section at the Deep Cut where the Second Battle began, and the Chinn Ridge and Second Manassas Loop adds about 1.9 miles for a mid-length wander. Blue blazes mark the hiking trails and yellow blazes mark horse trails, so it is easy to follow your route.
Leash & Visitor Notes
- Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times, even on the trails, and must wear a collar with current tags.
- Pets are not allowed inside the buildings (only service animals), and must never be left unattended.
- Pack out what your pup packs in: pick up and dispose of pet waste at the receptacles near the lots.
- The battlefield has limited shade, go early on warm days, and bring water for both of you plus tick protection for the grassy sections.
Bull Run-Occoquan Trail: The Longest Natural-Surface Trail in NOVA Parks
Trail length: About 19.5 miles of natural surface, dawn to dusk
Nearest access from Manassas: The dedicated Route 28 access lot (off US 28)
Also try: Bull Run Regional Park trailhead, 7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville
If your dog is built for a long, satisfying walk, the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail is the one to chase. It is the longest natural-surface trail in the NOVA Parks system, winding along Bull Run creek and the Occoquan Reservoir for roughly 19.5 miles, and leashed dogs are welcome the whole way. The closest quick access from the Manassas side is the dedicated Route 28 parking area, a short hop off US 28, which puts you right onto the trail. From there you can head north toward Bull Run Regional Park or simply walk as far as your pup's legs allow and turn around.
Prefer a longer, river-walk feel? Start at the Bull Run Regional Park trailhead, just down the road from the Atlantis Waterpark, and cross the little red bridge to join the trail. One quick note for locals: the nearby Cannon Branch Fort (10611 Gateway Blvd, Manassas) is a separate small City of Manassas park with its own short paved path to a Civil War earthwork, not a trailhead for the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail, so use the Route 28 lot or Bull Run Regional Park to get on the big trail.
Leash & Trail Notes
- Leashes are required on the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail per NOVA Parks rules; keep your dog on a 6-foot leash.
- The Route 28 lot is your quickest access from Manassas; the Hemlock Overlook lot (13220 Yates Ford Rd, Clifton) is small and fills early on weekends.
- Natural surface with some roots and mud, sturdy shoes are a must and a towel for the car is smart after wet stretches.
- The park and trail are open dawn to dusk; bring water and waste bags, there are no fountains out on the trail.
Signal Hill Park: A Paved Loop in the Heart of Manassas Park
Location: 9300 Signal View Dr, Manassas Park, VA 20111
Trail length: 2.6-mile paved Signal Hill Loop, about 164 feet of elevation gain
Hours: Daily 7:30 AM to dusk · free parking
For dogs who would rather cruise a smooth path than scramble over roots, Signal Hill Park in Manassas Park is a gem. The park's Signal Hill Loop is a well-maintained, paved 2.6-mile loop that winds through the woods and rolling hills of the park, with enough gentle elevation to give a high-energy pup a real workout. It is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly, open to leashed dogs, and an easy, quiet option for a weekday walk or a Sunday morning loop. The park itself is spacious and tree-lined, with plenty of open lawn for a breather or a game of fetch (on leash, remember) after your walk.
Pro Tips for Signal Hill
- Dogs must stay on leash here (there is no off-leash area at Signal Hill); the Manassas Park Dog Park at Costello Park is the off-leash option nearby.
- The paved loop is great for warm days, softer on paws than asphalt heat if you go in the morning or evening.
- Free parking is plentiful, and the park is handicap accessible with a playground and picnic pavilions nearby.
- Renovations to the pavilion and tennis courts began in 2025, so some restrooms may be temporarily closed during construction, plan accordingly.
Prince William Forest Park: A Big Forest Worth the Short Drive
Location: 18100 Park Entrance Rd, Triangle, VA 22172 (about 25 minutes from Manassas)
Trails: About 37 miles of hiking trails, leashed dogs welcome
Entry: $20 per private vehicle, valid 7 days
If you and your dog are up for a proper forest adventure, Prince William Forest Park is the region's big-ticket hiking destination, and it is only about 25 minutes south of Manassas. This is the largest National Park Service site in the greater DC area, with roughly 37 miles of hiking trails threading through mature hardwood forest along Quantico Creek. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails, and the park even runs a B.A.R.K. Ranger program that rewards responsible pet owners who follow the rules.
Trails range from easy, family-friendly loops along the creek to longer ridge routes for dogs with real stamina. Just know the pet boundaries before you go: dogs are not permitted in the Chopawamsic Backcountry Area, the Cabin Camps, or the Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground, and they are never allowed inside buildings. Waste receptacles are placed at trailheads and picnic areas, so packing out is easy.
Leash & Visitor Notes
- Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times and must wear a collar with current tags.
- Avoid the backcountry, cabin camps, and group campground; stick to the main hiking trails and picnic areas.
- There is a vehicle entrance fee of $20 (valid 7 days); fee-free days happen throughout the year, so check ahead.
- Bring plenty of water, tick protection, and a towel, and check your dog's paws after the rocky stretches.
Practical Tips for Hiking Around Manassas with Your Dog
"Manassas might be a small city, but it sits at the doorstep of some of the best leashed hiking in Northern Virginia, a free national battlefield, a 19-mile creek trail, a smooth paved loop, and a 37-mile forest, all within half an hour of downtown."
Manassas Dog-Friendly Trails, At a Glance
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, and she loves nothing more than a long hike around the battlefield with them.