Dog-Friendly West Virginia Stops for Your Vacation

Visit these Places for a Dog-friendly West Virginia Vacation!

We LOVE bringing our dogs to West Virginia!  This is another wonderful state that offers countless things to do, even when you have your pups with you. They are best known for the beautiful outdoor adventures throughout the state, but did you know you can also tour several historic buildings and take your dog on ghost tours? Check our list of dog-friendly West Virginia stops to help you plan your next vacation!

For more information about any of the following places that we have been to, we have linked to our more detailed guides to help with any questions you may have. For the stops that we haven’t been to (or haven’t written yet), the link will take you directly to that company’s website.

Dog-friendly West Virginia Parks

It would be hard to find a park that is NOT dog-friendly in West Virginia, so it’s more important to decide what type of park you and your pup would enjoy most. Some of the parks have miles and miles of trails to explore whereas others are closer to a typical city park with the majority of the activities being things that are reserved for humans only. I can’t even begin to list all of your options so here is the list of parks that we have been to and what you and your dog can expect.

• Beartown State Park– This park is small with only 1 trail that is perfect for a nice relaxing stroll on a boardwalk. It’s perfect if you are looking for a non-strenuous hike in between hiking up mountains!
• Cranberry Glades Botanical Area (Monongahela National Forest)- Another wonderful FLAT boardwalk trail that takes you by several species of carnivorous plants and cranberry bogs.
• Berkeley Springs State Park– most of the park’s amenities are for humans only (roman spa, pool, and George Washington’s bathtub) however your dog can walk around the trails in the front of the park. The city is very walkable and we saw so many dogs out when we ate our food.
• Pinnacle Rock State Park– there are two sections of this park and most of the trails involve decently steep inclines and/or stairs. Many of the trails also have tall grasses which may be challenging for small dogs.
• Droop Mountain State Park– see civil war memorials and artifacts while hiking through the park. There is also a lookout with a great view if your dog doesn’t have an issue with heights and stairs.
• Blackwater Falls State Park– Gorgeous waterfalls, plenty of trails to choose from to fit your fitness level plus it has dog-friendly campsites and cabins.
• Bluestone State Park– is on a lake and has multiple trails to choose from. It’s another park that has dog-friendly cabins in addition to its campsites.
• Babcock State Park– More gorgeous trails and dog-friendly campsites and cabins. They have a lake (though dogs aren’t allowed in the swimming area) and you can take some fantastic photos at Grist Mill.
• Seneca Rocks (Monongahela National Forest)- Get ready for a steep climb for a great view but don’t forget to take your pup to the swimming hole to cool off after!
• New River Gorge National Park– This park is massive! You can easily spend a week here trying to hit all the trails in the mountains and the ones along the river. Like most national parks, your dog just isn’t allowed in any of the buildings.
• Harpers Ferry National Historic Park– we haven’t been here yet, but our trip is on the books for 2023 and I can’t wait! There are a few restrictions on places where you can bring your pup, but there are so many more places where they are allowed. The entire town is supposed to be pretty dog friendly, and I can’t wait to take our crew there and report back!

Dog-friendly Museums in West Virginia

• Mothman Museum– Take your pup in while you hear about the incidents that inspired the Mothman movie. You can even see copies of the witness statements taken. Then enjoy the town, take pictures with the Mothman statue, and take a stroll along the river’s boardwalk.
• Greenbank Observatory– If you like science, especially astronomy, you have to stop here and see the world’s largest steerable radio telescope. Your dog isn’t allowed inside the visitor center/museum, but you can walk them through the property by all the telescopes while you take a self-guided tour.
• Flatwoods Monster Museum– the museum is part of the visitor center and where you can learn about another monster sighting that happened in West Virginia. This stop is another small town full of fun shops that we are excited to explore soon!

Dog-Friendly Historic Sites & Ghost Tours in West Virginia

• Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum– they offer several tours throughout the day depending on your interest. You can choose one that focuses on photography, history, or the paranormal. Dogs are allowed on daytime tours.
• West Virginia Penitentiary– another haunted historic building where your dog can join you on any of their daytime tours. This is another spot that is on our list for 2023.
• Shepherdstown West Virginia Ghost Tour– Take your dog on an evening ghost tour and see if they can sense the spirits around you. I can’t wait to see if any of our dogs sense anything paranormal!

Dog-friendly Attractions and Experiences in West Virginia

• World’s Largest Teapot- If you like corny roadside stops like I do, stop and take your picture at the World’s Largest Teapot. There is a small area where you can pull off to the side of the road so you will want to be careful getting your pup out of the car because of the traffic.
• Thurmond Ghost Town– take your dog on a walk through a mostly abandoned town and get a taste of what a coal town would have looked like back in the day.
• Drinks and Food– there are so many restaurants, breweries, wineries, and more that allow pups that I can’t even begin to name them all! Stop in for a drink or a meal for the atmosphere or because you are avoiding crappy weather. Either way, you’re guaranteed a good time!

Get Ready to Book Your Dog-friendly West Virginia Vacation!

I hope you can use this list of dog-friendly West Virginia parks and attractions to get excited about traveling to this beautiful state. If you need extra tips on traveling with your dog or are looking for more dog-friendly locations, we are always adding new posts, or you can join our Traveling Pet Owners Facebook Group. And please let us know if you have discovered a dog-friendly attraction in West Virginia that we haven’t heard about yet, we would love to add it to our list!

Are you also looking to travel to the Bluegrass State? We have a list of dog-friendly places for Kentucky too!

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