Taking Your Dog for a Walk

Our furry friends love the outdoors, too. So when you’re planning a day out in the Chesapeake region, pick a place where your pets are welcome to join in on the fun!

Your dog can enjoy the best of the Chesapeake at spots like Wye Island, Gunpowder Falls, and Windsor Castle Park, where pets can roam and play to their heart’s content. Whether your dog likes to walk, run, or swim, she’ll have a blast sniffing and splashing her way through the region’s best parks, beaches, and forests.

Remember to follow the posted rules for pets wherever you go. Most parks require your dog to stay on a leash at all times. Also, always pick up your pet’s poop, which can pollute our water when left on the ground.

Hit the trail with your dog at dozens of local parks, from Caledon State Park in Virginia to Gambrill State Park in Maryland. closer to Baltimore, try the Grist Mill Trail at Patapsco Valley State Park. For a full-day getaway, head to Shenandoah National Park, which is one of the few national parks that allows dogs.

On a warm day, take your dog to cool off at a pet-friendly swimming spot like First Landing State Park, Point Lookout State Park, or Terrapin Beach Park. At Pohick Bay Regional Park, you can even rent a kayak or paddleboard and paddle out onto the Potomac with your dog.

Exploring the Chesapeake is even more fun with your faithful companion by your side at the top places for taking your dog for a walk.