VIRGINIA

Virginia is one tough state to evaluate as a canine hiking destination. For the Southern Appalachian National Park Committee created by Congress in the 1920s to create a national park east of the Mississippi River the choice was easy - the Shenandoah Valley. One hundred years later Skyline Drive is still a hiking Mecca. It’s not perfect for dogs - Old Rag Mountain, Dark Hollow Falls and a handful of others are out of play - but no other national park serves up hundreds of miles of tail-friendly trails like Shenandoah does. Your dog can also join in on bucket-list hikes in the national forests - the Devil’s Bathtub in Jefferson; Mount Rogers, Crabtree Falls and Blue Ridge Tunnel in Washington: and so much more. Ditto Sharp Top and the Humpback Rocks on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are also 550 dog-friendly miles of the Appalachian Trail in the Old Dominion, fully one-quarter of all the miles on America’s most iconic hiking journey. As good as all this is, it is mostly all there is for the entire state. Although we are partial to Prince William Forest Park, an underutilized gem that has somehow escaped the notice of 40 million people within a half-day drive of the nation’s capital, there is nothing special waiting for your dog outside the mountains. Even the shoreline stirs ambivalence. First Landing State Park and Hughlett Point Natural Area offer interesting hiking along the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia Beach is a canine hiker’s paradise, especially in the off-season but the Virginia section of Assateague Island National Seashore doesn’t even permit dogs in a car.

The Best Day Hike You Can Take With Your Dog In Virginia

Devil’s Fork Loop Trail
Jefferson National Forest • Fort Blackmore

Old-timers like to say that the hike to the Devil’s Bathtub really used to be beautiful in the days before social media. So many people have posted videos of the magical wanderings in Jefferson National Forest that the trail has become too crowded. Indeed, with only 14 or so parking spots and aggressive towing on surrounding private land, an early weekday start is practically mandatory now that the secret is out.

The main spine of the Devil’s Fork Loop Trail is actually an old rail trail, although it is hard to imagine how narrow gauge trains hauled coal and timber out of this hemlock forest. Sharp eyes may spot an old rail car by the side of the trail spouting vegetation.

The full loop covers seven miles but this is one canine hike that plays better as an out-and-back. The star attraction is the Devil’s Bathtub 1.6 miles from the trailhead. Getting there will take Seaman into the cold Devil’s Fork waters 12 times - and that won’t even be his favorite part of the hike.

Eventually you will reach one of the most gorgeous blue-green swimming holes your dog is likely to jump into. Many people mistakethis crystal pool for the “bathtub” but that phenomenon is actually 500 feet away, up and behind the rocks. You will recognize the distinctive Devil’s Bathtub; swimming is actually more problematic here as it is encased by steep sandstone sides. If that is not enough water time there are those dozen stream crossings on the way back.

HIKING TIME: 2-3 hours

(from the book 300 Day Hikes To Take With Your Dog Before He Tires You Out: Trails where you won’t be able to wipe the wag off your dog’s tail)