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How this list was built: trail details come from park authorities and official trail pages, verified as of October 2026. Trail conditions, closures, and leash rules can change, so check the official park page before you go.
The baseline everywhere below: leashed dogs, six feet or shorter, and you clean up immediately. That's the rule in Fairfax County parks and the norm on most NoVA trails, with one exception flagged below, the Wildlife Management Area, which asks visitors 17+ for an access permit.
Fairfax County
Burke Lake Park
The classic. A 4.5-mile loop around the lake, flat, scenic, and endlessly walkable with a dog. Go early on weekends; the parking lot fills up.
Leashed dogs welcomeLake Accotink Park & Trail
A roughly 4-mile loop around a 55-acre lake, mixing paved Cross County Trail segments with natural-surface singletrack. Heads-up from the county: the trail by the dam spans Accotink Creek and frequently floods during and after heavy rain, with no bypass, so skip it after storms.
Leashed dogs welcomeFountainhead Regional Park
Leashed dogs on the shared-use hiking and equestrian trails. This is also the trailhead for the 19.7-mile Bull Run Occoquan Trail if you want a serious day out.
Leashed dogs welcomeScott's Run Nature Preserve
Rugged and beautiful, but best for confident hikers and sure-footed dogs. The terrain is rocky in places. Not a first-hike spot, but a great one once you know your dog can handle it.
Leashed dogs welcomeBull Run Regional Park
1,500 acres with the Bluebell Trail as a highlight. Leashed dogs welcome. Lots of room to spread out even on busy weekends.
Leashed dogs welcomeEllanor C. Lawrence Park Trails
640+ acres with about 4 miles of trails through upland and bottomland forest and meadows, including a loop around Walney Pond. One of Fairfax County's prettiest wild pockets. Dogs on leash on trails; keep them out of streams and buildings.
Leashed dogs welcomeLake Fairfax Park Trails
The 9.5-mile Lake Fairfax Park Loop mixes wooded singletrack, lakeside stretches, and connections to the Cross County Trail and W&OD. It's the most serious big-trail workout in Reston with a dog, can be muddy after rain, so wear real shoes. Leashed dogs welcome on trails.
Leashed dogs welcomeMason Neck State Park
1,814 acres of forest, wetlands, and waterfront on the Mason Neck peninsula, with miles of paved and natural trails, a picnic area, and a canoe launch. Dogs are welcome on park trails on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and pets are prohibited at designated swim areas.
Leashed dogs welcome Walking trailsRiverbend Park
Riverside park in Great Falls with nature trails, a visitor center, and Potomac river access, near the Difficult Run trail toward Great Falls. The Fairfax County Park Authority welcomes leashed dogs in all of its parks.
Leashed dogs welcome Walking trailsGreat Falls Park
NoVA's signature hike, 800 acres, 15 miles of trails, Mather Gorge overlooks. Dogs leashed on all trails. $20/vehicle; crowded on weekends, go early.
15 miles of trails NPS siteTurkey Run Park
NPS park along the Potomac with wooded trails, free, less crowded than Great Falls, and very dog-friendly on leash.
Free Potomac viewsGerry Connolly Cross County Trail
40+ miles of continuous trail across Fairfax County, pick any segment for a long leashed walk with your dog.
40+ miles Multiple access pointsArlington
Theodore Roosevelt Island Trails
About 2 miles of boardwalk and gravel trail through swamp, woods, and a memorial plaza on an island in the Potomac. It feels surprisingly wild for somewhere ten minutes from downtown, great for a quick, shady dog walk. Free, sunrise to sunset; leashed dogs welcome (6-ft max).
Leashed dogs welcomePotomac Overlook Regional Park
A 67-acre wooded park with winding trails that connect to the Potomac Heritage Scenic Trail, the easiest real-woods hike inside Arlington. Leashed dogs welcome on trails; there's also a nature center with live animals (free admission, closed Mondays).
Leashed dogs welcomeDonaldson Run Stream Valley
30-acre wooded stream valley in north Arlington with a forested trail that follows Donaldson Run down to the Potomac River and connects to Potomac Overlook Park. Arlington County requires dogs to be leashed and under the owner's control whenever off the owner's property, with no exception outside county-sanctioned off-leash dog parks.
Leashed dogs welcomeGulf Branch Nature Center & Park
Wooded nature preserve in Arlington with shaded trails, a historic 1800s log cabin, an active blacksmith forge, and a vernal pond. Arlington County requires dogs to be leashed and under the owner's control whenever off the owner's property, with no exception outside county-sanctioned off-leash dog parks.
Leashed dogs welcomeBon Air Park
24-acre park in north Arlington with a memorial rose garden of 120-plus varieties, picnic areas, tennis courts, and paved paths connecting to the 45-mile W&OD Trail. Dogs are welcome on a leash, and the county asks owners to keep dogs out of the rose beds.
Leashed dogs welcome Walking trailsUpton Hill Regional Park
Regional park with trails and open space, a solid Arlington option for leashed hikes.
NOVA ParksAlexandria
Mount Vernon Trail (Alexandria)
The 18-mile paved riverside trail runs right through Old Town, start at Jones Point or Oronoco Bay and walk as much as the dog wants. Flat, busy with bikes on weekends, and great for people-watching. NPS rule: pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and bag the waste.
Leashed dogs welcomeFort Ward Park
45 acres of historic grounds and trails around the best-preserved Civil War fort in the Defenses of Washington, wide-open lawns plus shaded walking loops. Dogs must be leashed and owners must clean up (not allowed in the museum).
Leashed dogs welcomeHolmes Run Trail
Alexandria's main dog-walking corridor, an 8.4-mile stream-valley trail through the city. Note: partial closures from past storm damage, check the city site for current trail status before you go.
8.4 miles In-city trailDora Kelley Nature Park
Nature park along Holmes Run with wooded trails, a quieter Alexandria escape for leashed walks.
Wooded trails
Worth the drive: Loudoun & Prince William
Leesylvania State Park
556 acres on the Potomac with 6 trails including the 1.6-mile Lee's Woods Trail. Dogs on a 6-ft leash; per-vehicle entry fee.
Leashed dogs welcomePrince William Forest Park
15,000 acres of Piedmont forest, and leashed dogs (6-ft max) are welcome on most hiking trails, but not in the Chopawamsic Backcountry Area or cabin camps. Per-vehicle entry fee; the biggest dog-friendly trail system in the region.
Leashed dogs welcomeJulie J. Metz Neabsco Creek Wetlands Preserve
227 acres of wetlands boardwalk and trail. Leashed dogs welcome; great for an easy nature walk.
Leashed dogs welcomeBeaverdam Reservoir Trails
7.2-mile loop around the reservoir. Pets leashed at all times; the park closes at sunset.
Leashed dogs welcomeRaven Rocks Trail
5.7 miles and genuinely challenging, with a payoff view. Leashed dogs welcome.
Leashed dogs welcomeClaude Moore Park Trails
11 miles of shaded, well-marked trails past ponds, meadows, and 1700s farm buildings. Easy loops for all levels, a reliable, low-stress pick when you just want a pleasant hour in the woods with the dog. Open daily 7am to sunset; dogs on a physical leash, under control.
Leashed dogs welcomeBanshee Reeks Nature Preserve
700 acres of meadows, wetlands, and oak-hickory forest along Goose Creek, with 15–20 miles of natural-surface trails and a famous wildflower and bird show. Quiet even on weekends, Loudoun's best-kept-secret hike. Leashed dogs welcome; open daily with seasonal hours (8am–8pm Apr–Sep, 8am–5pm Oct–Mar). Note: the preserve closes every Friday in October, December, and February for natural-resource management, check current notices before you go.
Leashed dogs welcomeSilver Lake Regional Park Trails
About 4 miles of flat, easy lakeside trails around a 23-acre lake. Free, uncrowded, and low-key, ideal for an easy family-and-dog outing. Open daily 7am–6pm; dogs on leash. Heads-up: lots of geese, so keep the leash short near the water.
Leashed dogs welcomeManassas National Battlefield Park
Dogs on leash on the historic grounds. The Stone Bridge trail loop has open fields, long sightlines, and a different vibe from the wooded county parks. A nice change of pace.
Leashed dogs welcomeBall's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park
Civil War battlefield park in Leesburg with trails to a Potomac River overlook, weekend guided tours April through November, and a small national cemetery. NOVA Parks requires all pets to be on leash and under the control of their owner at all times.
Leashed dogs welcome Walking trailsAlgonkian Regional Park
838-acre Potomac riverfront park in Sterling with paved and natural-surface hiking trails, plus a golf course, waterpark, and boat launch. All pets are required to be on leash and under the control of their owner.
Leashed dogs welcome Walking trailsRed Rock Wilderness Overlook & Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park
NOVA Parks preserve near Leesburg with short Potomac-overlook trails through woods and riverside terrain, plus nearby Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park (42405 Claudia Dr) with 3.5 miles of nature trails and a 5K cross-country course. NOVA Parks requires all pets to be on leash and under control; nearby Bolen Park follows Loudoun County's leash law for dogs off their owner's property.
Leashed dogs welcome Walking trailsBear's Den Overlook
Short Appalachian Trail hike from Snickers Gap to a rocky overlook with views of the Shenandoah Valley; the Bear's Den Trail Center sits nearby. Dogs are welcome on the trail but must be leashed and under control at all times, per Appalachian Trail Conservancy guidance.
Leashed dogs welcomeMorven Park
1,000-acre historic estate with miles of trails and open fields, dogs on leash welcome on the grounds.
1,000 acres Historic estateLeopold's Preserve
Nature preserve with maintained trails through meadows and woods, a PWC gem for leashed dog walks.
Nature preserveLong through-trails
Potomac Heritage Trail
Riverside trail with multiple sections, the Lansdowne stretch near Leesburg runs 10.9 miles. Dogs on leash throughout.
Leashed dogs welcomeW&OD Trail
A 45-mile paved rail-trail through NoVA's towns and suburbs, dead flat, with mile markers, benches, and water fountains. Not a wilderness hike, but the easiest possible miles with a leashed dog, and you can hop on near breweries and cafes. Open daily 5am–9pm; dogs on a short leash, under control at all times.
Leashed dogs welcomeManassas Gap (Appalachian Trail via G. Richard Thompson WMA)
Seven miles of the Appalachian Trail cross this DWR wildlife management area on the Blue Ridge, with steep climbs, spring wildflower displays, and a trout-stocked lake. Dogs must be leashed at all times outside of open hunting, chase, or training seasons; visitors 17 and older need a DWR access permit or hunting/fishing license.
Leashed dogs welcomeFarther afield
G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area
Rugged Blue Ridge foothill hiking famous for its spring trillium bloom, reputedly the largest stand in Virginia. The 5.4-mile loop is a solid moderate workout, and it's far emptier than the county parks. Best for experienced hikers with trail-savvy dogs; leashed dogs welcome. Note: visitors 17+ need a hunting/fishing license or WMA access permit, and it's popular during hunting season, wear blaze orange late Nov through Jan.
Leashed dogs welcomeSky Meadows State Park
1,860 acres of rolling meadows and woods draped over the Blue Ridge, with about 22 miles of trails, including a stretch of the Appalachian Trail and routes up to sweeping overlooks. DCR rule: dogs on a leash 6 feet or shorter at all times. Per-vehicle parking fee; easy NoVA day trip via US-17.
Leashed dogs welcomeCrow's Nest Natural Area Preserve
DCR preserve with more than 9 miles of hiking trails through mature hardwood forest and wetlands on the Crow's Nest peninsula. Unleashed pets are prohibited in all Virginia Natural Area Preserves, so dogs must stay leashed; the Raven Road access is open Thursday through Sunday and the Brooke Road access is open daily.
Leashed dogs welcome Walking trailsWidewater State Park
Riverside state park where Aquia Creek meets the Potomac, with the Long Pond and Holly Marsh trails, a visitor center, picnic shelters, and boat launches. Dogs are welcome on park trails on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and must be attended at all times.
Leashed dogs welcome Walking trailsWarrenton Branch Greenway
Rail-trail through Warrenton built on an old railroad bed, mostly paved, with historic railroad sites including a caboose at the Fourth Street trailhead. Dogs are welcome on the greenway but must be kept on a leash.
Leashed dogs welcome Walking trailsShenandoah National Park
One of the few US national parks allowing dogs on trails, leashed dogs welcome on ~480 of 500+ miles. Prohibited on about 10 trails (Old Rag, Dark Hollow Falls). Worth the drive.
Dogs on trails Day tripWhere dogs are NOT allowed
Save yourself the wasted trip, dogs are prohibited at:
- Huntley Meadows boardwalk, Restoration & Heron Trails (leashed dogs are fine on the park's other trails)
- Winkler Botanical Preserve (private preserve, no pets)
Trail tips with a dog
- 6-foot leash, non-retractable. It's the rule, and retractable leashes are a hazard on shared trails.
- Bring more water than you think. Especially at Burke Lake and Fountainhead where the loops are long.
- Check for ticks after. Northern Virginia woods mean ticks most of the year.