Dog walking in Portland

Harper/New Deal Potts

Quiet, laid-back and residential, Portland’s super dog-friendly Harper/New Deal Potts neighborhood is a real-mutts visit! The area is home to Portland’s only off-leash area, the Meadowbark Dog Park at Meadowbrook Park. The dog run might be a little no-frills, but there’s still plenty of room for even the most energetic of furballs to leap about to their little heart’s content! Bags and water are provided, and owners are sure to appreciate the well-shaded seating area. Careful though -- the park doesn’t have a separate small dog area, so be mindful of your pup’s temperament.

Wilkinson

If you and your pup are looking for a pretty place to stretch your legs, why not drive down to White House and check out the White House Walking Trail? This pawesome greenway winds its way for three and a half miles past bucolic pastoral scenery, wooded wonderland, and gently burbling creeks. As an added bonus, the trail is flat and paved, making this an accessible day out for pooches and people of all ages and abilities. After you two have walked up an appetite, consider stopping in at The BBQ Place. This local gem serves up the best in no-frills, authentic Tennessee barbecue, and they cater to canines outside.

Bledsoe Creek State Park

On the edge of Gallatin where small town meets rural wilderness, Bledsoe State Park is a pawfect place for you and your canine companion to get back to nature! At 169 acres, Bledsoe Creek State Park might not be the largest preserve around, but there’s still plenty of scope for you and your buddy to sniff and explore. Beginners and less athletic animals might want to try the Loop Trail, a mostly flat, wooded stretch with fantastic views of both the lake and the creek. There are some options for fitter furry friends as well -- be sure to look up a trail map before you go!

Colonial Acres

No bones about it, Hendersonville’s Colonial Acres neighborhood certainly welcomes wagging tails with open arms! The suburban enclave is surrounded by green space -- the well-maintained Drake Park to the south is a lovely little spot for an on-leash stroll, but the real draw for you and your best pal is the dog run at Memorial Park! Hendersonville Dog Park has enough space in both the large and small dog areas for your pooch to burn off their excess energy, and bags and water are provided. After you and your buddy are all tuckered out, you two can chow down at WhichWich, an amazing sandwich joint that allows doggy diners outdoors.

Goodlettsville

Goodlettsville might well be the last stretch of small-town serenity you’ll pass on the way to the hustle and bustle of Nashville, and if you and your pooch are looking for some variety in your off-leash adventures, it’d be a huge faux paw not to include it in your itinerary! Fenway’s Dog Park at Moss-Wright Park may not be quite as big as the one in Hendersonville, but it’s certainly still large enough for a spirited game of catch. Everything you need in terms of bags and water is provided on-site, so all you have to do is BYOB (Bring Your Own Beast)!