Bring the dog. The New River Gorge welcomes dogs on every single trail in the park, as long as they stay on a physical leash no longer than six feet. That means cliff-edge rim walks, forest trails and bridge views, all shared with your dog. The exceptions are park buildings and visitor centers, ranger programs and Bridge Day, and no rafting outfitter takes pets on the river.
The rules come from the park's pets page and its superintendent's compendium. Pet policies at lodgings and patios change, so call ahead before you count on one.
Are dogs allowed in New River Gorge National Park?
On the trails, yes; indoors, no. "Pets are allowed on all trails at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve," the park says, but "Pets are not allowed in any park buildings or visitor centers" and "Pets are not allowed at ranger led programs." Qualified ADA service animals can go everywhere, visitor centers included; emotional support animals can't. Your pup can even take the park's B.A.R.K. Ranger pledge.
A few finer rules are worth knowing. At a visitor center you can leave a pet tied, on a leash of six feet or less, to an object staff point out, for up to one hour; elsewhere in the park, up to four hours. Tied pets need water, fresh air and shade, and "Pets will not be tied to trees or other woody plants. Pets will not be tied to trash cans." One person can walk two pets at most, campsites take up to four, you'll need to pick up after your dog at campgrounds, visitor centers and developed trails, and "No pets will be permitted at Camp Brookside (service animals excepted)."
Pack water for both of you. "There is no drinking water available at the trailheads," the park warns, and "Streams in the park may contain harmful bacteria or parasites such as Giardia."
Which trails suit a dog, and which need care?
Every trail is open to dogs, so pick by terrain and by your dog. The Kaymoor Miners Trail "drops 900 feet in elevation" on "821 wooden steps," tough going for an older or small dog and tougher on the way back up. Long Point Trail ends at "overlooks with drop-offs," notes the visitors bureau, which is where the short leash earns its keep, and dogs must be leashed at the climbing crags too. The trails guide has distances and trailhead details for each route.
Summer heat is the thing to watch. July afternoons average 81.3°F up at Oak Hill and 84.0°F down at Hawks Nest, which hits 90°F on about 11 days a year. Walk early, and carry more water than you think your dog needs.
In fall, the preserve lands open to hunting. The NPS hunting maps show preserve areas open to hunting in green and park areas closed to it in red, and deer archery runs from September 26 with buck firearms season November 23 to December 6 (WVDNR 2026-27). A blaze-orange vest for you and a bandana for the dog is cheap insurance on preserve trails in those weeks.
Where dogs are not allowed
Bridge Day is the big one. The organizer's FAQ lists "NO dogs," so if you're in town for Bridge Day on October 17, 2026, line up a sitter or a kennel for the day. Bringing a service animal? Call the Chamber (304-465-5617) to confirm the arrangements.
Dogs also can't go into NPS visitor centers or ranger programs, Camp Brookside, Mountain Transit Authority buses ("No pets are allowed on buses except service animals"), Fayette County Park, where "Animals and alcohol are prohibited," or the federal Battle Run Campground at Summersville Lake ("NO PETS"). Several lodgings don't take pets, among them the Historic Morris Harvey House, New River Cabins' tiny houses and Adventures on the Gorge's glamping tents and vacation homes.
Two activities call for a phone call first. The Bridge Walk is a harnessed catwalk tour, and nothing suggests dogs can come along. The Hawks Nest jet boats have been listed as "pet friendly for leashed pets," but policies there may have changed, so ring Adventures on the Gorge (844-823-2684), which runs them, before you drive over.
Pet-friendly lodging near Fayetteville and what it costs
Plenty of places will happily take your dog, from rafting-resort cabins to the brand-new Hill Hall Hotel downtown. Fees range from a flat $50 per cabin at ACE to $15 per pet per night at the Quality Inn and $50 a night at Hill Hall. Most places allow two pets and put them in designated rooms, so mention your dog when you book rather than at check-in.
Pet terms as each property published them in 2026. Policies and pet-room counts change, so call to confirm. | Property | Pet terms |
| Hill Hall Hotel, Fayetteville | Pet-friendly, $50 per dog per night, two at most |
| Quality Inn New River Gorge, Fayetteville | $15 per pet per night; up to 3 pets; designated rooms; register at check-in |
| ACE Adventure Resort, Oak Hill | $50 one-time cleaning fee per cabin for up to 2 animals; limited pet-friendly cabins, chalets and campsites |
| Adventures on the Gorge, Lansing | $75 first pet, $25 second in deluxe, hotel-style and loft cabins; $25 per pet in rustic cabins; 2 pets maximum; none in glamping tents or vacation homes |
| Hawks Nest State Park Lodge, Ansted | Two pet rooms, under 50 lb, $40; call to confirm |
| Babcock State Park cabins, Clifftop | Pet-friendly cabins 1-2, 9, 12-15, 17-18 and 24-27; call for the fee |
| New River Gorge Cabins, Lansing | Two cabins take pets, $50 one-time |
| New River Cabins, Hico | Cabins: two dogs up to 50 lb, $45 or $50 per stay; tiny houses: no dogs |
| Opossum Creek Retreat, Victor | Selected cabins, $25 per dog per day |
| American Alpine Club campground, Lansing | Dogs welcome on a leash |
West Virginia's state parks welcome leashed dogs and cats, with pet-friendly cabins at Babcock, Hawks Nest and Pipestem (WV State Parks, 1-833-WV-PARKS). The county visitors bureau keeps a longer pet-friendly lodging list with 24 listings, several of them campgrounds. For more cabin choices, the cabins overview compares the main areas, and the live map shows live prices nearby.
Dog parks, patios and shops in town
Let your dog run free at Charlie McCoy Town Park on Park Drive, half a mile from downtown, which has two dog parks, one for large dogs and one for small. It's easiest to reach from the park's second entrance.
Fayetteville is a friendly town for a dog on a leash. The visitors bureau's "Dog Friendly Fayetteville Adventures" list points you to Cathedral Cafe ("water provided for your furry companion"), Bridge Brew Works ("large dog-friendly outdoor space"), Freefolk Brewery, Burrito Bar and The Take Out & Stache Ice Cream for outdoor seating, and Water Stone Outdoors, with a patio and a "whole doggie section with dog lifejackets leashes." The list dates from 2024 and one spot on it, The 304, has since closed, so ask at the door. The same list welcomes leashed dogs at the "Visitor Center," which means the bureau's office on South Court Street; the NPS visitor centers don't allow pets.
What to do with your dog on a rafting day
Book your dog a day of its own. Full-day New River raft trips run five to seven hours, longer than the park's four-hour limit for a tied pet, and outfitters don't take dogs on the river or offer dog-sitting. These nearby spots offer boarding or daycare:
- Barks & Boops Boarding, 201 Maple Ave, Oak Hill, 681-238-3110, listed weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Wild and Wonderful Tails, 157 Burn Bowyer Rd, Mt. Hope, 304-923-2310, boarding, grooming and dog daycare; call for hours and prices
- Paws N Pals Doggy Daycare & Boarding, 611 S. Oakwood Ave, Beckley, 304-255-0768, listed daily 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Call ahead for rates, and for a Saturday river trip check weekend hours, since Barks & Boops lists weekdays only. The bureau's dog page also mentions Hide & Seek Dog Retreat in Beckwith and Fayetteville Veterinary Hospital. The rules, safety and services guide covers the rest of the park's regulations.
