Discover Dog-Friendly Northern Virginia

Fairfax County alone runs eleven fenced, off-leash dog parks, including Baron Cameron in Reston and South Run in Springfield. Prince William County has the K-9 Gunner Memorial Dog Park in Woodbridge, Arlington has Shirlington and the unfenced Glencarlyn, and Washington, DC has S Street, Shaw, and Walter Pierce. Head to the area pages for the full list near you.

Plenty. Old Town Manassas has sidewalk spots like Zandra's Taqueria, Leesburg's Fire Works Pizza serves a Fido menu, Arlington's Shirlington Village is built around dog-friendly patios like Copperwood Tavern, and DC's Dacha Beer Garden is famous for welcoming pups. Policies change, so call ahead or check the restaurant's site before you go.

Nearly all trails in the region, from the W&OD to the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail, require dogs on a leash. Off-leash time is reserved for fenced dog parks and a few special spots like Arlington's unfenced Glencarlyn Dog Park, where the off-leash boundaries are marked by signs and good recall is a must.

Ask about the deposit and any monthly pet rent, breed and weight limits, and whether the building or HOA has its own rules. Check for a fenced yard or a dog park nearby, and get every policy in writing before you sign. Our renting guide walks through the full question list.

Yes, genuinely one of the best. You get a 45-mile rail trail, dozens of fenced dog parks, riverside and woodland hikes, breweries and patios that hand out water bowls, and pet stores, vets, and groomers in nearly every town. There is always somewhere new to sniff.