Dog Walkers in Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant is also home to a heritage trail with 17 historic markers providing the story of the neighborhood with photographs and maps designed to be used as a self-guided walking tour. A farmers market is held Saturdays in the region and attracts pedestrian traffic.  

Dog walkers and their pets need to have warm jackets for cold, snowy winters, umbrellas for rainy days, and will need to contend with humid weather in summer. Avoid walking at the height of the day during summer months and be aware of thunderstorms. 

Mount Pleasant is bordered by Beach Drive on the west side as well as Rock Creek Park and the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, the Piney Branch Parkway and Park on the north side, 16th Street on its east side, and Harvard Street on the south side. The majority of the neighborhood on the west side is residential with row houses, some dating back to the late 19th century.  The eastern side of Mount Pleasant contains low and mid-rise apartment complexes and condos with a small commercial area. 

Overall, about 10,000 people reside in Mount Pleasant. Surrounding parks and tree-lined streets give the neighborhood a very park-like setting and lots of attractive greenery with shady spots for strolls with your pet. There are separate sidewalks on retail and commercial streets providing safe seperate locations for walkers and pets. The neighborhood does not have steep hills, although there are some gentle inclines, but they usually do not impede walking in the district.

The Piney Branch Park runs along the north side of Mount Pleasant and is easily accessible on foot. The park and greenway are heavily wooded and have a trail system with several great paths for dog walkers to enjoy.  The trail is wide and has a crushed gravel surface that drains to help maintain it in rainy weather. The 1.5-mile Pine Branch Loop has some elevation changes, so be prepared for a few climbs on this path.

The Rock Creek Park extends up on the west side of Mount Pleasant and the main section has 1,754 acres of natural greenway and an extensive trail system covering many miles of interconnected trails. Some trails are hard surfaced and others are natural dirt paths. There is plenty of wildlife in the park and variable trail conditions. Keep your dog leashed to avoid encounters with local critters and be sure to check trail markers as the area can be confusing.