Rebecca Chille
Dog Friendly Vacations Maryland – Your furry friend deserves an escape too, and a trip to Montgomery County, Maryland is the place for a fun getaway away from home. From dog-friendly hotels to expansive walking paths along peaceful rivers, man’s best friend (and man’s dog owner!) will make you want to sit back and relax.
Let your dog roam outside in some of the best parks in the country. The famous Billy Goat Trail in C&O Canal National Historical Park has two trails that allow dogs. Section B is 2.4 miles long and is a fairly challenging hike, and Section C is 2.6 miles long and is perfect for beginners. The trails skirt the beautiful Potomac River, and while you’re there, be sure to check out the famous Great Falls Falls.
Dog Friendly Vacations Maryland
Black Hill Regional Park is an oasis for different breeds of dogs! The park offers more than 2,000 acres of land, including a half-acre dog park, picnic shelters and volleyball courts. The park also features 20 miles of hard surface and nature trails that dog owners and their furry friends can explore together.
Quiet Waters Park Dog Beach
Elder Pine Brewing & Blending Company welcomes dogs to their back porch in Gaithersburg, so you can sip a rotating selection of beers while enjoying your dog’s company in a nature-filled outdoor space. Keep your eyes peeled for on-site dog events!
Spend the day relaxing at Pike & Rose’s newest outdoor pop-up, Bark Social. This area is the perfect oasis for dogs and their owners. Bark Social offers a variety of dog-approved activities, including dog-friendly sodas, bubble baths, and plenty of outdoor play areas. And for humans, there’s a variety of snacks, beer, tea, and caffeinated beverages to choose from while walking your dog.
The EVEN Hotel in Rockville is the perfect place for you and your pet to relax and unwind after a long day exploring the area. Their spaces are designed to help their guests maintain a healthy lifestyle while away from home. Stay active with in-room fitness areas or enjoy a variety of dining options, including Grab N’ Go meals and make-to-order smoothies.
Residence Inn by Marriott Bethesda is located in the heart of Bethesda, one of the most luxurious neighborhoods in the country. Guests can enjoy a fitness center, free full American breakfast, and comfortable rooms. Ask for rooms with kitchens, especially if you plan to stay a while. Once you’re settled in, you and your furry friends can wander around Bethesda and explore the parks, outdoor dining, and various retail options the neighborhood has to offer.
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People and their children will never want to leave the Sheraton Silver Spring Hotel during their vacation. For those lazy days, order breakfast from the delicious menu or room service for a late night snack. When you want to dine in Mica’s lobby or enjoy a cocktail, try American cuisine at Mica’s restaurant. If you’re looking for a quick coffee, there’s a Starbucks in the building ready to satisfy your caffeine needs (don’t forget to order a cappuccino for your dog’s treat!) Experience endless relaxation in hotel rooms. and then head downtown for shopping, dining and outdoor activities in downtown Silver Spring.
VM Tip: We recommend using the dog-friendly car pool or walking the neighborhoods around your hotel. Many hotels are conveniently located near the Red Line subway, but only service animals are allowed on the train.
Montgomeryshire puts new and exciting culinary intersections, rich history, and outdoor adventures at your fingertips. Spend your weekend your way with classic Maryland flavor. Assateague Island consists of 37 miles of sand, marine forest, and salt marshes shared by Maryland and Virginia. Many people are drawn to Assateague by the nameless horses. But if you’re looking for a nature-friendly, dog-friendly haven, Assategue Island is hard to beat!
Assateague Island is a great choice for a relaxing, dog-friendly beach vacation on the East Coast. With miles of beach, great hiking trails, paved bike paths and canoe and canoe launch areas, this is a place where you can truly enjoy nature!
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Assateague Island is located just 150 miles east of Washington, DC, and is divided by the Maryland-Virginia state line. The southern third of Virginia Island is home to Assateague Lighthouse and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. But on the Virginia side of the island, pets are prohibited, even if they stay inside your vehicle.
Luckily, you’ll find plenty on the Maryland side of the island! Assateague Island National Seashore and most of Assateague State Park, Maryland’s only marine park, are located here. And interestingly, the national seashore is more pet-friendly than the state park!
There is no road running along the island. Traveling from the north entrance near Ocean City, Maryland to the south entrance in Chincoteague, Virginia requires an 80-mile journey through the mainland countryside. So, if you are traveling with a pet, it is important to plan your stay accordingly.
As we mentioned earlier, pets are prohibited, even in your car, on the entire Virginia side of Assateague Island.
Dog Friendly Beaches In The South
The northern two-thirds of the island is in Maryland and is divided between the National Seashore and Stag State Park. Each of these parks sets its own pet policy.
In most parts of Maryland’s Assateague Island National Seashore, pets are allowed year-round as long as they wear a leash longer than 6 feet at all times. This includes most beaches, the water on those beaches, most campgrounds, and the marina area. Pets are not allowed at the following locations on the National Seashore:
Pets are allowed on lease all year round at the marina on the mainland and at Rackcliffe Road. During camping season (last week of April – November 1), pets are welcome on camping loops G, H, and I and on the beaches (and water) adjacent to these loops, as well as on the hiking trail / western bikers. Towards Camp Road.
When the campground is closed (November 1st through the third week of April), leased pets are allowed on all campground loops and nearby beaches, including on the water.
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Leased pets can also join you in state park day-use areas, even though the Friday after Labor Day is Memorial Day weekend.
Assategue Island’s north entrance can be reached from Berlin or Ocean City, Maryland. The Verrazano Bridge crosses the island from the mainland, bringing you to Assateague State Park.
Note that the state park only allows dogs on beaches near campground loops G, H, and I from the last week of April through November 1st. All campground links. You can pick up a map to find campground links at the Visitor Center.
Continuing south, dog-friendly beaches stretch for miles at Assateague Island National Seashore. Here, leased pets are welcome along the beach, except for the lifeguard-guarded beach just across the street from Bayside Drive-In Campground.
Assateague State Park Beach
Once you get away from the car parks the beach is wide, deep and sparsely populated. We saw people fishing, fishing, cooking and warming up by the fire after surfing.
For even more privacy, you can get permission to drive on the beach! All Sand Vehicle (OSV) permits cost $110, are valid for one year, and can be purchased online at www.recreation.gov. You need to get your license within 10 days from the date of purchase and it allows you to drive on the sand after the asphalt road ends in South Ocean Beach!
While the dog-friendly beaches are beautiful, Assategue Island is best known for its eponymous horse herd. Descended from domesticated horses brought to the island in the late 17th century, the herd is now wild.
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It is absolutely necessary that visitors do not feed the horses. This herd has evolved to survive in the sparse vegetation found on the island. If the animals are fed during the tourist season, they have difficulty feeding normally when the crowds disappear. And in harsh winters it can be a disaster.
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The horses are smaller than I expected. Many people also call them “ponies”. However, they are wild animals and may bite or kick when approached. So don’t underestimate them. It is better to see them from a distance. Especially when your dog is with you.
Wild ponies are usually very easy to find. There are about 150 horses in the Maryland and Virginia herds. They like to meet in small groups around car parks and roam paths and roads. They also enjoy long walks on the beach and picnic baskets along the way. So be careful with your lunch!
Are you still worried that you will lose them? Before crossing the Verrazano Bridge, stop for a “horse report” at the Assateague Island Visitor Center.