There are over 8.1 million people in Virginia, and almost 247,000 of them live in Norfolk, which makes it the second most popular city in the state. Many dog owners live there with 55,300 dogs in Norfolk, making it one of the most popular dog-lovers’ city in the state. That means there are numerous dog-friendly places in the area.
The First Landing State Park has ten hiking trails for all skill levels ranging from 1/3 of a mile to 6 miles long. Each of the trails run along the beach and have their own particular highlights, such as marshland, Spanish moss, woods, all kinds of wildlife, and you can usually see dolphins in the Chesapeake Bay if you go along Osprey Trail. The Long Creek Trail has the best view with the highest elevation on White Hill, which is 65 feet.
If you just want to let your pup run with other dogs, you should check out Bea Arthur Dog Park behind the PETA office on Front Street. This park has plenty of room to run, a community toy box, lots of trees and picnic tables, and Fido can even take a swim in the river. PETA also provides a small pool in the summer and a water fountain. Enjoy your stay in Norfolk.
Ocean View is a beautiful coastal neighborhood that offers several miles of shoreline on the Chesapeake Bay. With lots of resident pups, the community does have some laws regarding walking your dog on the Ocean View Beach. Dogs are welcome seasonally to join you on this beach, but they must be leashed. No dogs are allowed on any beaches from 10:00am to 6:00pm between Memorial Day and through Labor day. Ocean View Dog Park is an alternative that allows your pup to run free year round! This park offers a fenced in area for dogs to run and play. There are also toys on hand and a water spigot available for thirsty pets. The park is a nice wide open grassy area with shade and has places to sit and relax. Also, in this neighborhood is the Maple Dog Park. Dogs are allowed off leash here, but be aware that this area is not fenced in, so make sure your pup has good recall.
This neighborhood is one of Norfolk’s historic districts, and features beautiful homes in the Queen-Anne and Gothic Revival style. Also in this neighborhood lies the Lafayette Dog Park.This beautiful dog park is a wonderful place for dogs to socialize and play, featuring benches, toys, water, and obstacles for dogs. It is always well-maintained and offers clean up bags for owners. The Winona Dog Park is also in this area, and offers an off leash outdoor area for romping near a creek. Make sure your dog is good at recall, as this dog park is not fenced in.