New River Gorge Insider

Most trails in New River Gorge National Park welcome leashed dogs — and a few are genuinely outstanding as dog hikes. Long Point Trail (3.1 mi round-trip, moderate) is the best overall: dirt path through hardwood forest, manageable elevation, and a side-on view of the New River Gorge Bridge at the end that's one of the best in the park.

Canyon Rim Boardwalk is the easy version — paved, flat, about 0.4 miles, ends at two overlook platforms above the gorge. Great for older dogs or a quick morning outing. Burnwood Trail near Adventures on the Gorge is a gentle 1.2-mile loop through quiet forest — low effort, low stress.

Endless Wall Trail (2.4 mi one-way) has continuous gorge-rim views but rocky terrain — bring extra water in summer. Fayette Station Road, the old road that winds down to the river valley directly below the Bridge, is paved, flat, and one of the more memorable dog walks in the area. All require a six-foot leash.

Fayetteville's Court Street is worth a dedicated morning with your dog — it's small, walkable, and genuinely good. Browse the boutique shops along Court Street: Out of the Ashes, Thread, Water Stone Outdoors, and New River Antiques all make for an easy wander with a dog in tow.

For lunch, Secret Sandwich Society has picnic tables right next to the restaurant — a natural dog-friendly stop. The Take Out is the quick-bites and ice cream option that works well mid-walk. Wood Iron Eatery has outdoor seating and is the step-up lunch choice.

The whole stretch takes about an hour at an easy pace. For groups staying at the Delightful Downtown Bungalow, all of this is walkable from the front door. No car needed, no rushing.

A handful of Fayetteville spots genuinely welcome dogs at outdoor seating. The Take Out is the go-to for a quick, dog-friendly lunch — grab food and settle in outside with the dog. Wood Iron Eatery is the step-up option: real sit-down meals with outdoor tables in season, solid for a relaxed dinner after a trail day.

Bridge Brew Works brings in rotating food trucks, so the menu changes — but the setup is casual and outdoor-friendly. Secret Sandwich Society has picnic tables right next to the restaurant where dogs are welcome, making it one of the easier spots for a low-key lunch without juggling a leash in a crowded patio.

Takeout from any of these works well if your rental has outdoor space — no one has to leave the dog behind. Always call ahead to confirm current outdoor pet policy; hours and seasonal setups shift.

Fayette Station Road is the old two-lane route that descends from the gorge rim down to the river valley — and one of the few places in the park where you stand directly beneath the New River Gorge Bridge instead of looking at it from above. Closed to through traffic, it's now used as a walking path.

The surface is paved and the descent is gradual — manageable for older dogs or any dog who isn't a trail hiker. At the bottom, the original Fayette Station bridge crosses the New River and the gorge walls rise steeply on both sides.

The scale from the valley floor hits differently than from the rim overlooks. Worth doing as its own outing, separate from the standard Canyon Rim visit. Park near the top of the road off Fayetteville Road. Dogs on leash the entire way.

A few things worth knowing before arrival. All NPS trails require a six-foot leash — no exceptions on park land. Dogs are welcome on most outdoor trails but are not permitted inside Canyon Rim Visitor Center or other NPS buildings (the outdoor boardwalk is fine).

Dogs are not allowed on commercial whitewater rafting trips — this is a firm safety policy at all outfitters, including ACE and Adventures on the Gorge. Plan for someone to stay with the dog on rafting days.

What to pack: more water than you think (the gorge holds heat and shade is limited on rim trails), a collapsible bowl, a six-foot leash, and the NPS New River Gorge app for offline trail maps — cell service cuts out frequently in the gorge. Groups that book a rental with secure outdoor space so the dog can stay comfortably during water activities tend to have the smoothest trips.