Unleash Adventure: The Ultimate Dog-Friendly Road Trip Through West Virginia

If you’re planning a road trip through West Virginia, this is the best place to find all the information you need. West Virginia is dog-friendly, offering plenty of outdoor options for different activities. Our trip is divided into two parts: we started in Harpers Ferry and are traveling westward.

What to do in West Virginia with your dog depends on the season, your preferences, and the experiences you’re looking for. Each season offers unique attractions and activities, with many options to enjoy with your furry friend.

Our route is over 800 miles, but you can skip some places depending on the time of year and your preferences. Regardless of your decision, West Virginia, with its natural beauty and scenic landscapes, is unquestionably a great place to enjoy with your dog.

Please see the map and descriptions below.

1. Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry is a historic town located in the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. It has a significant role in American history, specifically the 1859 John Brown raid. He and his followers attempted to seize the federal armory in Harpers Ferry to spark a slave rebellion. The attack was unsuccessful, but this event was a precursor to the American Civil War.

Harpers Ferry is a well-preserved historic town that invites visitors to explore its exceptionally well-maintained 19th-century buildings and discover its significant place in American history.

Ample walking trails, such as the Virginia Island Trail and the Harpers Ferry Historic Downtown Trail, are available for exploring the downtown area on foot. On the other hand, the Marland Heights Loop is an excellent option for a more strenuous hike. With an elevation gain exceeding 1500 ft, this trail can be challenging but provides a beautiful view from the top.

There are a couple of dog-friendly restaurants, but our choice is The Rabbit Hole, a casual eatery that serves up a variety of delicious American fare. They have pet-friendly outdoor tables on a shaded patio while you enjoy your meal.

If you are searching for more hikes nearby, check out our post on hiking in Maryland and Pennslyvania.

2. Cross-Country Skiing With the Pup

If you’re eager to enjoy skiing with your dog, your sole choice is cross-country skiing, and a great place to do so is the White Grass Ski Touring Center. It is in Tucker County, within the Canaan Valley region, and near Davis and Thomas.

Distinguished by its expansive network of cross-country skiing trails, the center offers an array of groomed backcountry trails that cater to a wide range of skiers, from beginners to experts. Not all slopes are dog-friendly, but there are a couple of them, which you can find on the map HERE.

If you don’t have cross-country skiing equipment, White Grass offers visitors rental services, including skis, boots, and poles. They also provide lessons and workshops for beginners and experienced cross-country skiers.

In addition to cross-country skiing, White Grass also offers snowshoeing opportunities. Snowshoeing is a fun and accessible way to explore the area’s winter wonderland. While dogs could not go downhill slopes and I couldn’t find doggy daycare nearby, I had to skip running down slopes on Timberline Mountain. Please let me know if you find an option for daily dog boarding in that area. Although I love my dog so much, I also love downhill skiing.

White Grass Café offers a variety of soups, sandwiches, and burritos.

3. Blackwater Falls State Park

Continue the road trip to Blackwater Falls State Park in Tucker County. This well-known destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers has become a favorite among visitors due to its stunning natural beauty and various recreational opportunities.

Firstly, the park comes with the magnificent 57-foot waterfall on the Blackwater River. This waterfall gracefully tumbles over a series of cascades and rock formations.

If you’re looking for a moderate trail that leads to beautiful waterfalls, you can explore the Blackwater Falls Trail, a 0.4-mile hike. For those with more time and a desire for a more extended trek, the Elakala to Yellow Birch Trail is a fantastic option, offering a 4.60-mile loop trail with multiple viewpoints of the fall landscape. The Lindy Point Trail and the Pendleton Point Overlook Trail also provide breathtaking panoramic views of the Blackwater Canyon and its forested surroundings.

Milo’s Cafe and Restaurant, located at the bottom level of The Bright Morning Inn in Davis, offers a dog-friendly garden area.

The Purple Fiddle, located in Thomas, is a unique cafe and music venue (with an on-site hostel). The patio is spacious and primarily covered and allows pets.

4. West Virginia Penitentiary

The West Virginia Penitentiary, also known as the Moundsville Penitentiary, is a historic former prison in Moundsville. It is one of the most well-known and haunted prisons in the United States. The prison was in operation for nearly 130 years.

It is known for its imposing Gothic-style architecture, featuring turrets, battlements, and a large central tower. It was the state’s primary prison until 1995, when it built a new correctional facility. Over the years, the penitentiary housed various inmates, including those convicted of serious crimes such as murder and robbery. It was known for its strict and often harsh conditions.

90-minute Historical day tours are available every day except Monday and are closed during the winter months. If your dog is friendly and quiet, it is welcome to attend a guided day tour with you.

Later Alligator, located in Wheeling, is a trendy eatery serving various delicious drinks and fare. Dogs are welcome to join you at one of their pet-friendly tables while you enjoy your meal.

5. Island Belle

The Island Belle is an old-fashioned sternwheeler ferries visitors to Blennerhasset Island State Park. It is the first of many portions of your journey that attempts to recreate the world as it existed in the 19th century.

The Island Belle departs from nearby Parkersburg at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha Rivers. The sternwheeler was a popular design during the 18th and 19th centuries. Although the steam pipes no longer eject thick plumes of white smoke as they chug down the river, the Island Belle still has two to maintain the traditional look.

The trip downriver arrives on the east end of the Blennerhasset Island State Park. Blennerhassett Island’s reconstructed mansion offers visitors a glimpse of life on a colonial farmstead. Volunteers wear period-accurate costumes. Dogs are not allowed inside the buildings, but self-guided walking tours are available. The island is open from the first of May until mid-November each year.

Nearby, Little Fish Brewing Company has delicious food and a great outdoor sitting area.

6. Monongahela National Forest

The Monongahela National Forest, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, is another dog-friendly haven covering approximately 919,000 acres. Renowned as one of the region’s most prominent national forests, it offers many trails perfect for exploring with your furry friend. Here are just a few options:

Seneca Rocks Trail (Seneca Rocks): This relatively short but steep trail leads to the iconic Seneca Rocks formation. The view from the top is spectacular, and it’s a popular spot for rock climbing. This trail is a must-visit for its scenic beauty and accessibility.

Spruce Knob and Seneca Creek Loop: This trail combines the highest point in West Virginia (Spruce Knob) with the picturesque Seneca Creek Backcountry. It offers stunning views and the opportunity to see some of the best scenery in the forest.

7. Greenbank Observatory

The Green Bank Observatory is a radio astronomy facility in Green Bank. It is one of the premier facilities in the world and is known for its contributions to radio astronomy research and radio telescope technology.

It is home to a collection of radio telescopes, including the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope with a diameter of 100 meters (328 feet). An interesting point is that the observatory is located in the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ), which encompasses a large area around Green Bank and other nearby communities. The NRQZ minimizes radio frequency interference (RFI) in the region, making it an ideal location for sensitive radio astronomy observations. You can take a self-guided tour with your dog and see more than ten impressive telescopes. Please download the map with all the needed information HERE.

However, if you plan to take a picture, you must bring an old-fashioned film camera (they sell them in the shop, too), since all electronic devices must be turned completely off (not in airplane mode).

That includes:

• Cell phones and MP3 players
• Bluetooth devices, including headphones, earbuds, and smart shoes
• Smartwatches and fitness trackers
• Segways, motorized bikes, etc.

If it is impossible to turn them off, you must leave them in the car before passing the main gate.

To continue with the dog-friendly road trip, please click West Virginia – Part 2.

For more travel ideas, check out our DESTINATIONS.