US National Arboretum

The US National Arboretum is a beautiful place to spend the day with your furry best friend! This 446-acre park is home to tons of gardens to explore, and it also has lovely trails. Dogs are welcome to join you in the arboretum on-leash.

If you’d like to go on a long walk with your pup, the arboretum has over nine miles of trails to hike on. Many of these trails are located in the west side of the arboretum. Here, you’ll find a stunning forest filled with native trees. The paths here are shady, making this hike perfect for a hot day. You’ll also get great views of the Anacostia River.

The east side of the arboretum is home to many of the arboretum’s most well-known gardens. This includes the Glen Dale Hillside, which is filled with blooming azaleas in the spring. This side of the arboretum also houses the Friendship Garden, which has daffodils, ornamental grass, and two unique sculptures. You can also go for strolls through the National Herb Garden, which is divided into four sections that all feature different herbs from around the world. The National Herb Garden also has a beautiful collections of roses. If your pup gets thirsty while you’re exploring these gardens, water is available near the Arbor House Visitor Center.

While you’re at the arboretum, you also won’t want to miss the National Capitol Columns. These tall Corinthian columns are located on a small hill in Ellipse Meadow. The columns were built in the early 1800s, and they were once housed in the East Portico of the Capitol Building. You and your dog will both have a great time checking out these historic columns!

The US National Arboretum is a stunning botanical garden that has tons of great attractions for pups and their owners. Be sure to bring some doggy bags with you to the arboretum, and have a great time exploring the forest and gardens here!