Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve

If you're looking for a secluded spot where your pup can stretch their legs, you can't go wrong with the Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve! Situated on Virginia's Northern Neck, this hidden gem is pawfect for quiet walks with your pooch, away from crowds and distractions.

Like most places on the Chesapeake Bay, Hughlett Point is relatively low and flat, but don't mistake that for boring! Though the 204-acre site is mostly undeveloped, the scenery is puptacular, and you and Fido can experience nature is at its finest here. From the parking lot, you and your pooch can access an easy trail that starts on a boardwalk and leads through a wooded area that eventually opens up to a sandy beach. Some visitors have encountered mosquitoes in the woods, so arm yourselves with insect repellent, especially during the summer months.

Once you reach the beach, you and your pup are free to stroll along the water's edge and admire the beauty of the bay. If the tide is low, you should be able to walk to the other end of the trail and complete it as a loop. As you and Fido explore the area, see if you can spot and hear any of the wildlife species that call the preserve home. With its undeveloped beach, tidal and non-tidal wetlands, low dunes, and upland forests, Hughlett Point provides important habitats for the federally threatened northeastern beach tiger beetle and various songbirds, waterfowl, and birds of prey.

Due to the fragile nature of the preserve, unleashed dogs and swimming are not allowed. Help keep the site clean and beautiful by carrying doggie waste bags and picking up after your furry buddy. Note that while the place is rarely crowded, the parking lot is small and can fill up quickly at times.

For a peaceful, dog-friendly beach where you and your pup can get away from it all, there's no better spot than the Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve!