Road trips can be a lot of fun. And, you can create a lot of fun memories and strengthen your bond if you bring your dog along. Although traveling with your dog can be stressful at times, you can set the foundation for a great trip by planning ahead to make sure you have plenty of dog-friendly stops on your itinerary. If you’re headed to “The Mountain State”, use this West Virginia dog-friendly travel guide to start your research:

6 Dog-Friendly Activities in West Virginia

There may be a lot of tourist traps and things to see during your travels, but not all of them will be dog-friendly. Take a look through some of these dog-friendly activities in West Virginia and consider adding them to your trip plan if your travels bring you nearby:

1. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

If you enjoy history and creepy places, consider spending some time at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston. Guides in period dress take visitors throughout the asylum sharing historical facts and anecdotes about the building.

Your leashed, well-behaved dog is welcome to join you on these tours. However, they are only permitted on the Heritage & History daytime tours and not the ghost tours. The daytime historical tours do not include paranormal information, but they still provide plenty of creepy information from history.

2. Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry

Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry is the oldest ghost tour in the United States, and it is also one of the top-rated. Guides will take visitors on a 90-minute walking tour through the historic Lower Town neighborhoods.

They will provide historical facts and anecdotes as well as legends and paranormal phenomena for the sites and buildings along the way. It’s a family-friendly tour and it’s also dog-friendly. As long as your dog is well-behaved and leashed, they are welcome to join you on the tour.

3. Kanawha State Forest

Kanawha State Forest is located in Charleston. This beautiful area offers 25 miles of different trails for walking, horseback riding, biking, and hiking. The trails range in difficulty and length, so you’re bound to find the perfect fit for what you feel like doing.

Plus, there are guided tours available with naturalist guides. Also, it’s dog-friendly! They just need to be well-behaved and leashed and you need to be prepared to clean up after them.

4. Hilltop Drive-In Theater

If you’re in Chester and you want to kick back to enjoy a movie, consider catching a flick at the Hilltop Drive-In Theater. This drive-in opened in 1950 and has been a local staple ever since. Your dog is welcome to join you as long as they are leashed, quiet, and well-behaved.

Just make sure you have some cash on hand. Although the concession stand accepts credit cards, admission is currently cash-only. You are also responsible for cleaning up after your dog if they make a mess, so make sure you remember to bring waste bags.

5. Westover Park Loop

Should your travels bring you near Westover and you want a break, set aside some time for the Westover Park Loop. This trail is about 2 miles long and is considered a good option for all skill levels.

It’s near Morgantown and is inside the Westover City Park. Also, your dog is welcome to join you as long as you clean up after them and they remain leashed at all times.

6. Hatfield Cemetery

The historic Hatfield Cemetery is located in Williamson, which is near Sarah Ann in Logan County. It holds the grave of Captain S. Hatfield from 1898, which is also the earliest burial date in the cemetery. This is still a family plot and, although the family does allow for visitors, they ask that visitors respect the space and leave no trace.

In addition to exploring historic gravesites, there are also hillside trails where your leashed dog is welcome to join you. You’ll have to use an access road and hike up the footpath to reach the cemetery, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes and bring water for you and your dog. This cemetery is also considered to be haunted, so you probably don’t want to stick around as the sun starts to set!

3 Dog-Friendly Hotels in West Virginia

Although more hotels are becoming dog-friendly, they aren’t all dog-friendly, dog-friendly rooms tend to be booked quickly, and many of them have restrictions and extra fees. By researching hotels ahead of time and booking your room early, you can make sure you and your dog will have a place to rest, relax, and rejuvenate after a day full of adventure. Consider booking a room at one of these dog-friendly hotels in West Virginia if you’ll need to stay overnight as you travel near them:

1. Sleep Inn & Suites Princeton

If you’ll need to stay overnight in Princeton, think about making a reservation at the Sleep Inn & Suites Princeton. Two dogs of any size are welcome to join you for your stay at this hotel.

There is an additional pet fee, which is $15 per stay plus tax and this is for stays up to five nights. There is a grassy relief area on-site and you cannot leave your dogs unattended in your room.

2. The Blennerhassett Hotel

The Blennerhassett Hotel is a historic hotel located in Parkersburg. In addition to gorgeous architecture, beautiful views, and historic tours, this hotel is also dog-friendly!

Two dogs of any size are welcome to join you. There is an additional pet fee, which is $50 per stay for one dog or $75 per stay for two dogs. A park is available just down the street for walks and relief; waste bags are available in case your forget to bring yours.

You are also permitted to leave your dog unattended in your room as long as they are crated and well-behaved when you are not around. Bowls will be in the room and you can find treats available in the lobby. Also, if you provide the name of your dog in the special request section of your reservation, they will get a special welcome when you check in!

3. Quality Inn New River Gorge

The Quality Inn New River Gorge is a dog-friendly hotel located in Fayetteville. You are permitted to bring three dogs of any size with you. There is additional pet fee, which is $15 per dog and per night.

You can leave your dogs unattended in your room as long as they are crated and are quiet and well-behaved when you are not around. There is also a grassy relief nearby for your convenience.

4 Dog-Friendly Restaurants in West Virginia

You can always rely on the food you bring with you, fast food drive-thrus, and convenience stores as you travel. But, this can get boring quickly and can also cause you to miss out on local flavors and experiences. If you find yourself near one of them around a mealtime, consider grabbing some refreshment at one of these dog-friendly restaurants in West Virginia:

1. Mountain State Brewing Co

If you want a break in Morgantown, consider grabbing some food and drink at Mountain State Brewing Co. In addition to home-brewed beer and a variety of cocktails, their menu also features everything from appetizers and dessert to full entrees, sandwiches, flatbreads, and more. Plus, they have a lower patio and an upper deck, both of which are dog-friendly.

2. Table 9

Also located in Morgantown is Table 9. This is a Gastropub that features farm-fresh local flavors that celebrate the seasons in West Virginia and use ingredients from local farms. Their menu features craft food and drink with something for everyone. And, their outdoor seating is dog-friendly.

3. The Rabbit Hole

If you’re in Harpers Ferry near lunch or dinnertime, consider dropping by The Rabbit Hole. It’s a casual spot and a local favorite that serves up a delicious variety of American fare with plenty of options for everyone. Plus, they have a spacious outdoor patio where your dog is welcome to join you.

4. Oscar’s Breakfast, Burgers, & Brews

Oscar’s Breakfast, Burgers, & Brews is located in Barboursville. As the name implies, you can stop by for any and every meal. From sandwiches, burgers, and appetizers to breakfast staples, delicious entrees, and more, there is something for everyone on this menu.

Local favorites include the Goblin Burger, Primate Fries, Buffalo Ranch Salad, Farm Fresh Breakfast Sandwich, and more. Plus, they have an outdoor patio where your dog is welcome to join you.

Although this West Virginia dog-friendly travel guide is a good start, it doesn’t cover everything. If you find somewhere else you want to stop, just make sure it’s dog-friendly before it makes it onto your trip itinerary.

If you’re headed to a different state, take a look at the other dog-friendly travel guides available. No matter where your adventures may take you, here’s to safe travels and wagging tails!