Best Hikes with Dogs in Northern
Virginia
Even the most refined of Washington, D.C.’s urban dwelling dogs crave a trip to the outdoors replete with varmint tracking, rolling in smelly dead things, and splashing around in a good old-fashioned swimming hole.
Shenandoah River State Park
This park is a treasure—with a varied network of trails and access to the lazy Shenandoah River. The park’s Bluebell trail follows the river and provides plenty of access for impromptu swims or waterside picnics. If you visit the park without the dog, consider stuffing a reliable inflatable tube in your pack and floating downstream back to your car after your hike. Park at the Hemlock Hollow Trailhead, but jump on the Bluebell trail until it merges with the River Trail and continue along the river until you are ready inflate your trusty tube and float back to your car (get off the river at the park’s boat launch, right next to the parking lot for the Hemlock Hollow Trailhead).
350 Daughter
of Stars Drive, Bentonville, VA 22610
www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/shenandoah-river.html
 |
| Not everyone is a swimmer, even at the Shenandoah River State Park |
Riverbend
Park
Riverbend Park, just above Great Falls, offers unobstructed views of the Potomac River and an eclectic assortment of trails. You can make the easy two-mile hike to watch the churning falls tumble through Mather Gorge, or, take the the trail less-trodden, and explore Riverbend's ecological offerings with a wooded loop -- park at the Visitor Center and jump on Madison's Escape Trail (heading away from the river), at the trail junction with the Hollows Trail, hang a left and follow Hollow Run back toward the Potomac, at the river, take a right on the Potomac Heritage Trail and continue to Great Falls. Turn around at Great Falls and take the Potomac Heritage Trail along the river back to the Visitor Center at Riverbend Park-- and your car.
8700 Potomac
Hills Street, Great Falls, Virginia
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend-park/
www.fairfaxcouty.gov/parks/cct/downloads/riverbendtrailmap2.pdf
 |
| Hiking along Holmes Run at Roundtree Park |
Roundtree
Park
Roundtree Park is deceptive; from the road it appears to be the standard, suburban neighborhood park. But hidden behind the baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and picnic pavilions is a secluded stream valley sheltered by a tract of urban forest and access to the well-maintained Holmes Run Trail (a Fairfax County bike trail).
3311
Annandale Road, Falls Church Virginia 22042
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/maps/roundtreeparkmap.htm
 |
| Hiking along the Potomac River above Great Falls |
Turkey
Run (Potomac Heritage Trail)
Directly off the scenic George Washington Parkway, just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, Turkey Run provides sweeping river vistas, craggy cliff scrambles, and plenty of opportunities to see charismatic local fauna-- including bald eagles and blue heron. The Potomac Heritage Trail winds through the park giving hikers the option to go all the way to Roosevelt Island (about 7 miles)/ The route along the river includes some rocky sections that can become slippery and tricky to navigate in wet weather.
700 George
Washington Memorial Parkway, McLean, Virginia
www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=190609
 |
| Taking a break in the Prince William Forest |
Bluemont/Glencaryln
Loop
Bluemont Park in urban Arlington provides access to two extended trails -- Arlington County’s Four-Mile Run Trail and the 45-mile W & OD trail stretching from Alexandria to Purcellville. For a good dog friendly hike ending at the off-leash Glencarlyn dog park, begin at Bluemont Park (park in the lot adjacent to the ball fields and head toward the bathrooms and basketball court) and hike through the leafy, dog-friendly Bluemont disc golf course until merging with the Four Mile Run Trail. Head east on Four Mile Run toward Long Branch Nature Center and Glencarlyn Park -- the dog park is on the right, accessible by a small footbridge, just after a well-maintained playground and picnic area. Glencarlyn can be prone to water quality issues to be sure to check steam conditions if you have a water dog (http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/parksrecreation/documents/file87106.pdf)
601 N. Manchester Street, Arlington, Virginia, 22203
http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/parks/GlencarlynPark.aspx
 |
| Hiking with a handful in the Shenandoah National Park |
Battery
Kemble Park (Battery Kemble Trail)
The rolling hills of Battery Kemble Park were once part of Washington, DC’s Civil War defense, supporting two cannons trained on modern day Chain Bridge. Today, the park's open expanse is a popular destination for area dog owners, but beware, as soon as you drive into the parking lot your car will be swarmed by a pack of enthusiastic canines, so be certain your dog is confident enough to handle a nosy crowd. Aside from more-than-ample ball and/or frisbee tossing space, the park also provides access to the stream-side Battery Kemble Trail.
49th St NW and Garfield St NW (from MacArthur
Blvd turn onto West street, then left on 49th, and park entrance id
down a steep hill to your right)`
Seneca
Creek State Park
Seneca Creek is an expansive park, with hiking trails, a disc golf course, kayaking rentals, and Clopper Lake. For a foolproof hike, park the in the Pines Picnic Area and follow the Lake Shore Trail, hugging the water and making a perfect loop replete with bathrooms and shady picnic spots.
11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878
www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/pds/seneca_map.pdf
 |
| Summer in Clopper Lake at Seneca Creek State Park in Maryland |
 |
| On alert for deer at Riverbend Park in McLean |
No comments:
Post a Comment