8 RESEARCH-BASED DAY PLANS
Eight sequenced, dog-friendly outing ideas around Richmond. Re-check linked policies before leaving.
LOCAL · LEASHED
A river walk, an optional second stop, then a dog-friendly beer garden.
Choose your Belle Isle parking lot before leaving. City and park-partner pages differ on dog-access wording; confirm current access and keep your dog leashed.
Source check · 2026-09-30FENCED OFF-LEASH · OUTDOOR PATIO
A fenced run for your dog, then a leashed outdoor stop at West Creek.
Hardywood is closed Mondays and its former overflow parking lot is unavailable. Ask the venue before relying on the tent or gazebos for shelter with your dog.
Source check · 2026-09-30
DAY TRIP · LEASH NO LONGER THAN 6 FT
A state-park trip for a leashed trail walk and shoreline views.
Plan a trail and shoreline visit. Dog water-entry and fossil-collecting permission have not been established; keep your dog on land and leave fossils where they are.
Source check · 2026-09-30For a state-park walk close to Richmond, followed by an optional patio visit.
Before you go From October 5, 2026 to January 1, 2027, a permitted archery deer hunt takes place in parts of Pocahontas. The event calendar lists Monday–Friday; the park page lists Monday–Thursday. Hunt areas remain open to other uses. On October 7, a cross-country meet runs 2:30–6:30pm and front-entrance traffic will periodically stop for runners. Check both DCR pages before you go.
For a fenced off-leash run followed by a leashed outdoor brewery stop. Choose the dog park that suits your starting point.
Before you go Keep dogs leashed outside the designated dog-park fences. Ruff House requires license and rabies proof and excludes children under 10 from the fenced area; Short Pump has its own age and access rules. Hardywood is closed Mondays.
For a leashed park-and-river walk during the cooler months, with an optional outdoor brewery stop.
Before you go Cooler weather does not create an off-leash exception. Check daylight, trail conditions and closures. Friends of James River Park warns of dangerous hydraulics at Z Dam and Bosher’s Dam downstream of Huguenot Flatwater.
For a leashed walk in Chesterfield followed by an optional fenced dog-park visit. Choose stops that fit your day.
Before you go A James River trail section at Robious Landing was closed for erosion at the source check. Stay out of closed areas. Swimming is prohibited at county water-access locations.
For a weekend outing west of Richmond: choose one state park, then an optional farm-brewery stop.
Before you go Lickinghole’s listed hours are Saturday noon–8pm and Sunday noon–6pm, closed Monday–Friday. Bear Creek can reach capacity on busy weekends. An outdoor dog-friendly venue is not a guarantee of rain shelter.