Dog-Friendly Trails in NOVA: The Region's Best Leashed Walks
Northern Virginia's trail system is the region's biggest shared amenity, and almost all of it is leashed-dog friendly. These are the must-walk trails, from lake loops to river boardwalks.
The Short List
Burke Lake's flat, shaded 4.5-mile loop is the classic NOVA dog walk, perfect for every pace and season. The W&OD Trail lays 45 paved miles from Shirlington to Purcellville for long, uninterrupted rail-trail walking. Government Island in Stafford offers its 1.7 miles of boardwalk over wetlands, one of the most scenic short loops in the region. Rock Creek Park gives DC dogs 2,000 acres of true woods, and the C&O Canal towpath runs 184 flat, shaded miles out of Georgetown. Round it out with the Four Mile Run Trail in Arlington, Widewater's quiet loops in Stafford, and Prince William Forest Park's 37 miles when you want an all-day hike. Any one of these makes a great habit; the full set makes NOVA the best dog-walking region in the country.
Places, hours, and pet policies can change with the seasons, so confirm details before you go. And if your dog has a favorite NOVA spot I haven't mentioned, I would love to hear about it.
All the best, GG