3 must-visit places in Richmond to explore with your dog!
Y’all, I love Richmond, especially in the warmer months. With the river and James River Park System right in our backyard, there’s plenty of trails to sniff, spots to swim, and adventures to be had.
Here are mine and Kona’s favorite 3 places for a day-trip adventure. Be sure to pack your water shoes, sunscreen, and lots of water!
Mya the Australian Shepherd at Belle Isle point overlooking Richmond, VA
Belle Isle
One of the most popular spots in RVA, this historical site offers hiking and mountain biking trails, a rock climbing wall overlooking the quarry, plenty of spots for fishing, and huge rocks for sunbathing and enjoying views of the city. The Hollywood Rapids make it a bit rough for swimming, unless the river level is low - then the rocks provide a few protected swimming holes for a quick dip.
Access the front side of Belle Isle via the Belle Isle Pedestrian Bridge under the Lee Bridge. The backside offers tons of rocks to hop and calmer water to splash around in. That side can easily be accessed from the Southside at the 22nd street access. A short hike down the tower heading east will take you to the backside, while a westbound hike will take you to our next favorite spot!
Kora the Border Collie taking a break from playing fetch.
Reedy Creek
Right down the Buttermilk Trail from the backside of Belle Isle is a little place called Reedy Creek. (You can also access this from the trails at Forest Hill Park too, if you don’t mind getting a little wet.) There’s a mowed path through the wildflower meadow you can explore, and it’s a perfect place for launching your kayak or canoe. Little trails off the main gravel path will lead you to secluded spots where you can relax in nature while your pup splashes in the water.
There’s a small parking lot that fills up pretty quick, so the earlier you can take off from work and get down there, the better.
Rocket on the Northbank Trail at Hollywood Cemetery
The Northbank Trail to Texas Beach
So yeah, you could access Texas Beach via the trailhead off Texas Avenue near Maymont, but in doing so, you’re completely missing out on an awesome hike with stunning panorama views of Richmond. Start at the Belle Isle Pedestrian Bridge parking but instead of heading over the bridge to Belle Isle, you’ll head to the Northbank Trail. This trail is popular with bikers, so do keep your pup on a leash (actually, leashes are required at all the places here.)
Once you get to Texas Beach, grab a spot in the sand and head out for a dip. This spot is very popular with locals and dogs, so it’s probably more suited for less reactive pups. The relatively calm water is the perfect spot to cool off before your hike back to the car. And if you time it right, you can catch some killer sunsets over the city.
Have you been to any of these spots? If so, which is your favorite?
Want my full list of the best spots in
RVA to explore with your pup?
Reserve your copy of Tails of the River City. It’s a hardcover coffee table book featuring outdoorsy dogs in 24 of the best dog-friendly spots around Richmond.
This book project was created to raise funds for the Richmond SPCA, and through it, so far we’ve raised over $3,500.
In honor of Kona’s 14th birthday, save 14% when you order before June 1, 2021 with the code KONA14.
Tails of the River City is in the final stages of production and on-track for a Summer 2021 release.