Dog walking in Bedford

Thaxton / Bunker Hill

Falling Creek Park in Bedford has over 10 miles of walking trails where you can bring your pup for a great walk through some beautiful woodland scenery. Trails vary in difficulty, from the easy Pond Loop or Creekside Trail, to the more advanced Ridge Loop or Slick Rock trails. Maps are available through Bedford Trails. In addition, there is a picnic area with grills, a playground, a series of fitness stations, disc golf and a skate park to keep the whole family happy. While dogs are permitted throughout the park, they must remain leashed and please pick up after your pet to keep the area clean for future visitors.

North Bedford

Otter Creek Campground and Trail is in the far north of Bedford, 23 miles northeast of the town. There are numerous trails to explore with your pet here that are part of the 369 miles of hiking trails along the picturesque Blue Ridge Parkway. You can stay a night or two in the campground with your dog, so why not make a weekend of it? It is a lovely spot, but rather remote and rugged, so pack and dress accordingly. The Otter Creek Trail is one of the hikes here, taking you 3.5 miles from the campground to the James River Visitor’s Centre. For a shorter walk, take the one-mile Otter Lake Loop Trail or the 0.4-mile Trail of Trees that both extend from the Visitor’s Centre. The 0.4-mile Canal Lock Trail is another pleasant, easy walk that takes over a bridge to the old Battery Creek Lock.

Westover

Blackwater Creek Dog Park in Lynchburg is a pup-tastic place to let your pet off the lead to really burn off some energy. There is a space for the big dogs and a separate space for the little tykes, so every pup can have fun and be safe while they play. Water fountains are provided for thirsty pups and there is some seating for you to relax while you supervise. Some waste bags are also available. Outside of the dog park, there is a paved trail system to explore and plenty of places to stop for a picnic with Fido, but he will need to go back on the lead here.

Ballyhack

In the eastern section of nearby Roanoak, to the southwest of Bedford, you will find the pup-friendly Explore Park. This 1100-acre park is a lovely spot to come for a walk with your pet along some of their 14-miles of trails through forest and along the Roanoak River. There is a Visitor’s Centre on site as well as a seasonal gift shop to check out. Canoeing is permitted in the river and there are plenty of places to stop for a picnic. The Roanoak River Greenway Trail also passes through this area and is another pet-friendly walk to explore. Totalling 9.5 miles, this paved loop trail is easy to navigate and has many interesting things to see along the river and through the town of Roanoake as you pass through. Dogs must be kept leashed in both of these areas, and always clean up any mess your pup leaves.