Dog walking in Mount Airy

Downtown Mount Airy

Downtown is where you'll find most of Mount Airy's Mayberry-themed attractions. It's also where you'll find several dog-friendly shopping and dining options. The Dapper Hound is a cute canine boutique on North Main where you can peruse the season's doggie fashion trends with your pooch. Old North State is a local winery and restaurant where you can enjoy fine dining and wine at a dog-friendly patio table. It's only a half-mile walk from Riverside Park's gorgeous natural scenery and groomed trails. You can also start the two-mile course of the Ararat Greenway at the trailhead in the park. You will need to keep your dog on a leash and bring your own waste bags and water.

Blackwater

In the bucolic Blackwater neighborhood, you'll pass by several farms and The FarmHouse Siloam, one of the Mount Airy area's premier wedding locations. You can also choose from many unique lodging options. The pretty Holly Hill Cabin is a pet-friendly vacation rental with a jacuzzi and full kitchen, as well as a classic covered "rocking chair front porch" where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature with your pup. The nearby Homeplace Recreational Park offers campsites, a large pool, and mini-golf, as well as expansive grassy areas and trails where you can take your dog for a run. You will need to keep your pup on a leash and bring your own waste bags and water.

Sheltontown - Bannertown

The Ararat River Greenway follows the river south from downtown to the Sheltontown - Bannertown neighborhood, where it ends at Tharrington Park. This 23-acre park features a walking trail that connects wooded and riverside areas with open grassy fields. There's also a canoe-launching area for people who enjoy paddling with their pups. You will need to keep your dog on a leash and bring your own waste bags and water. The Greenway also passes by Chase and Charli's, a dog-friendly dining spot. This "restaurant by the river" serves everything from steak to seafood and has a lovely covered outdoor dining area where you can sit and relax while you give your good dog some bites.

Pinnacle

Pinnacle lies twenty miles south of Mount Airy and is where you'll find the Pilot Mountain State Park. The park's namesake mountain has been a distinctive Mount Airy landmark since its founding days, and was the inspiration for "Mount Pilot" in The Andy Griffith Show. This huge park covers nearly 4,000 acres and is a favorite local spot for rock climbing, canoeing, and horseback riding. It also features an extensive trail network where you can set out for long hikes with your dog. The scenery includes unspoiled forests, waterfalls, and expansive high-altitude vistas. Pilot Mountain State Park is also a great place for birdwatching. You will need to keep your dog on a leash and bring your own waste bags and water.

Danbury

Danbury lies about a half-hour drive southeast from downtown Mount Airy and is the location of Hanging Rock State Park. It's another place favored by locals looking for a pristine wilderness area where they can ride horses, canoe, or hike. The park's breathtaking waterfalls and rock formations are great places for photo-ops with your canine companion. Your dog will need to be on a leash at all times and you will need to bring your own waste bags and water. Just north of the park you'll find the Green Heron Ale House, a rustic dog-friendly brewpub with gorgeous river views. It's a great place to unwind and enjoy a beer after a long hike.