Roanoke Pet Friendly

Pet Friendly in Virginia's Blue Ridge

The Roanoke Region in Virginia's Blue Ridge is a pet-friendly destination that welcomes visitors of all types, including your four-legged family members!

With a local culture that makes the most of our outdoor amenities and natural resources, it's a fantastic place to enjoy with a pet.

Between various pet-friendly accommodations, pet-focused events, local parks to meet new furry friends, and countless opportunities for outdoor recreation, your pet will love Virginia's Blue Ridge as much as you will - maybe even more!

Sample Itinerary: Pet-Friendly Weekend Getaway to VBR >

Pet-Friendly Accommodations

A comfortable place where you and your pet can rest at the end of the day is an important part of any travel experience. The Roanoke Region in Virginia's Blue Ridge features a great selection of pet-friendly lodging options, including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. 

Learn more by viewing our complete list of pet-friendly accommodations.

Pet-Friendly Places of Interest

Bringing your pet with you is part of the fun of a metro mountain adventure! The easy access to public parks, walkable downtown districts, wineries, and breweries with outdoor patios means you and your pet are never far from something new to explore. This article by Ginger Warder also features many pet-friendly experiences in the region.

The following are places to check out with your pet in Virginia's Blue Ridge.

Farmers Markets: Farmers markets are a great spot to meet local farmers and vendors from Virginia's Blue Ridge, including a few specializing in pet products.

Unleashed Dog Bakery & Boutique: A dog-centric shop (pictured above) in Downtown Roanoke that features an assortment of treats, toys, and other specialty items. Humans are allowed to visit, too. :)

Black Dog Salvage: The iconic salvage and restoration company features a 40,000-square-foot warehouse of unique treasures. If you're lucky, you'll get to meet May and Stella, the resident black dogs and team members carrying on the Black Dog legacy of having the cutest greeters in Virginia's Blue Ridge.

Breweries: Along with producing fantastic craft beer, the local breweries in Virginia's Blue Ridge provide great communal atmospheres for visitors, including dogs. The following breweries, as well as local distilleries, offer outdoor patio space that is pet-friendly:

• A Few Old Goats Brewing
• Beale's Brewery & BBQ
• Big Lick Brewing Company
• Franklin County Distilleries
• Golden Cactus Brewing
• Olde Salem Brewing Company
• Parkway Brewing Company
• Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage
• Twin Creeks Brewing Company in Vinton
• Twin Creeks Brewpub at Explore Park
• Twin Creeks Distillery
• Twisted Track Brewpub

Wineries: Many wineries and vineyards in Virginia's Blue Ridge accommodate pets, and many host events and concerts throughout the year where pets are allowed. 

• AmRhein's Wine Cellars
• Beliveau Farm Winery
• Blue Ridge Vineyard
• Peaks of Otter Winery & Orchards
• Virginia Mountain Vineyards

Walkable Neighborhoods: The walkable downtowns of Virginia's Blue Ridge are great opportunities to enjoy the area with your pet. Our downtowns also provide a glimpse into the region's rich history and heritage, along with shopping and dining opportunities. Here are some of the walkable downtown districts to explore with your pet:

• Downtown Roanoke - Enjoy the Historic Roanoke City Market, Elmwood Park, pet-friendly patio dining at the City Market Building, and pet-friendly shops like Walkabout Outfitters and Unleashed Dog Bakery & Boutique.
• Grandin Village - The charming Grandin Village features the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-Op and their delicious PawPaw dog treats. The streets are lined with sidewalks and multiple businesses offer pet-friendly patio spaces.
• Main Street Buchanan - Discover the historic Town of Buchanan and its unique character and history, which includes the iconic Swinging Bridge that crosses over the James River. Plan a river adventure at Twin River Outfitters, and walk around Buchanan Park.
• Main Street Salem - Walk to the beautiful campus of Roanoke College, sample the delicious products at the Salem Farmers Market, and relax along Salem's charming Main Street and downtown area. Check out the self-guided Salem Walking Tour to learn more about the area.

Pet-Friendly Restaurants

You can have a delicious meal while having your pet by your side when dining in Virginia's Blue Ridge. Many of the great local restaurants in the region feature pet-friendly patio space*, providing the perfect atmosphere for you and your guests.

See our complete list of pet-friendly restaurants in Virginia's Blue Ridge.

*Note - Some restaurants only offer seasonal patio space. We recommend checking to ensure the patio is open, especially during winter.

Outdoor Fun

Exploring the outdoors with your pet is one of the best ways to vacation in Virginia's Blue Ridge! The region boasts over 1,000 miles of trails and incredible parks, making it a beautiful mountain playground.

When You Go: Please recreate responsibly with your pet while exploring Virginia's Blue Ridge. Stay on designated trail areas, keep your pets on leash unless in designated areas where they're allowed to be off-leash, be courteous to people you encounter along the trails and mindful that they may be uncomfortable around animals, and remember to pack out all trash, which includes picking up after your pet and properly disposing of the waste. 

Here are some of the best ways you and your pet can enjoy the outdoors.

• Carvins Cove - Over 12,700 acres of outdoor fun, featuring trails for hiking and biking. Because this area features the reservoir that serves as the region's primary water source, please keep your dog from going in the water.
• Dog Parks - Dog parks in Virginia's Blue Ridge are a great way to socialize, but please ensure your dog is properly vaccinated, licensed, and identified.
  • Highland Dog Park - The Highland Dog Park is located in Roanoke's Historic Old Southwest Neighborhood and is a 1-acre fenced space for dogs to play. There are two divided spaces to accommodate large and small dogs.
  • Salem Rotary Dog Park - The Salem Rotary Dog Park on Indiana Street in Salem offers a space to help your dog exercise and socialize. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. and includes designated spaces for large and small dogs.
  • Thrasher Dog Park - The Thrasher Dog Park in Roanoke offers one acre of fenced space for dogs, which includes Mutt Mitt stations for owners and dog fountains for drinking. There are designated areas for large and small dogs.
• Explore Park - Located at Milepost 115 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Explore Park has 14 miles of biking and hiking trails, access to the Roanoke River, and cabins & camping options for overnight lodging.
• Mill Mountain Park - Between the scenic overlooks, hiking trails, picnic areas, and the photo opportunity beneath the iconic Roanoke Star, you and your pet will love Mill Mountain.
• Roanoke Valley Greenways - Over 30 miles of greenway space wind throughout the Roanoke Valley, offering riverfront views that are popular for walking, running, and biking.
• Roaring Run - The Roaring Run Trail is a fun, family-friendly hike that leads to the stunning Roaring Run Falls, unique footbridges, and rock walls.
• Bridgewater Marina at Smith Mountain Lake - a local outfitter that offers pet-friendly boat rentals and life jackets for dogs of all sizes
• State Parks - Virginia's Blue Ridge features four Virginia State Parks - Claytor Lake State Park, Douthat State Park, Fairy Stone State Park, Natural Bridge State Park & Smith Mountain Lake State Park.
• Public Parks - Paved paths for walking, running, biking, hiking trails, and other open spaces are fun spots to enjoy with your pets.

Learn more about recreation in Virginia's Blue Ridge by viewing our complete section on Outdoor Adventures.

Pet-Friendly Events

The animals are part of the fun in Virginia's Blue Ridge! Whether it's a fun run where you can bring your dog or a festival where the animals are the stars, your pet will feel like a celebrity.

The following are some of the most popular pet-friendly events in the region:  

• Horse & Hound Wine Festival at Peaks of Otter - July
• GO Outside Festival (pictured above) - October
• Drumstick Dash - Thanksgiving Day
• Pet Costume Contest at Dickens of a Christmas - December