Bringing your dog along on a trip makes exploring the area so much better. Around Fayetteville, Oak Hill, and the surrounding gorge region, you do not have to leave your furry companions behind when heading out for the day or looking for a comfortable place to rest your head. Here are some of the best dog-friendly places to stay and visit with your pet.
Local Dog Parks
Located right in the heart of town near the Collins Community Center, the Oak Hill Dog Park offers a fully fenced, secure space for dogs to run freely. It features double-gated entry for safety, agility equipment like tunnels and hurdles for training, waste stations, and shaded seating areas for owners to relax while their dogs play.
Situated within the expansive Fayetteville Town Park, the Fayetteville Dog Park provides plenty of open green space surrounded by mature trees. The area includes separate enclosures for large and small dogs, ensuring a comfortable experience for pets of all sizes. After off-leash play, visitors can easily connect to the town park’s paved walking trails for a leashed stroll.
Places to Visit
A local favorite for sweet treats, this charming ice cream shop is a fantastic spot to cool off with your pup after a day outdoors. The vibe is friendly, casual, and welcoming to the whole family. Their spacious outdoor patio area gives you plenty of room to relax at a picnic table with your dog while enjoying your favorite scoop or frozen treat.
What Guests are Saying: Visitors love the wide variety of ice cream flavors, the generous portion sizes, and the peaceful outdoor seating space. Dog owners especially appreciate the welcoming atmosphere where pets can hang out comfortably on the patio while everyone enjoys a cold treat on a warm day.
Location: Situated right in Oak Hill, making it an easy, convenient stop when traveling along the Route 19 corridor or heading home from local parks.
A charming local plant and garden shop co-located alongside Freefolk Brewery and Ample Pizza, offering a wonderful, relaxed atmosphere for pet owners. The vibe is welcoming, creative, and community-centered. You can browse through exotic houseplants, garden goods, and unique gifts, then step outside to enjoy the outdoor space with your dog right by your side.
What Guests are Saying: Visitors love the friendly, laid-back environment and how welcoming the owner is to both people and pets. People frequently mention what a great addition it is to the local area, making it easy to pop in for plants, grab food next door, and relax outside with their dogs.
Location: Located on Midland Trail in Hico, right where Route 19 crosses the scenic highway just north of the New River Gorge Bridge.
Freefolk Brewery (Fayetteville)
A vibrant, laid-back local brewery that goes above and beyond to welcome four-legged visitors. The vibe is creative, community-centered, and wildly pet-friendly, allowing dogs both in their outdoor seating areas and inside the taproom. Their spacious setup includes a large covered pavilion, fire pits, outdoor games, and an on-site kitchen serving up great food alongside fresh craft brews.
What Guests are Saying: Reviewers consistently call this one of the most dog-friendly spots in the area, praising the welcoming staff who treat every pup like family. Visitors love the ample space to stretch out, the fresh water stations, the delicious pizza and food options, and the relaxed indoor-outdoor layout.
Location: Situated on Court Street in Fayetteville, placing it just a short drive from the center of town and nearby regional trailheads.
Bridge Brew Works (Fayetteville)
Known for outstanding craft beer and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere, this local favorite offers a spacious environment for hanging out with your dog. The vibe is casual, friendly, and outdoor-oriented. Their expansive outdoor seating area features shaded covered spaces, fans to keep things cool on warmer days, fire pits for cooler evenings, and regular food trucks parked on site.
What Guests are Saying: Pet owners love the welcoming outdoor patio and the friendly, laid-back staff who always make sure visiting dogs have shade and fresh water bowls. Reviewers also rave about the high quality of the craft beer selection, the rotating food trucks, and the open space for pups to relax comfortably.
Location: Located on Nick Rahall Greenway in Fayetteville, sitting conveniently just minutes off Route 19 and close to the major park visitor centers.
Fayetteville Town Park (Fayetteville)
For a relaxed afternoon with your pet, the local town park offers a great open setting. The vibe is family-friendly, spacious, and quiet. It features wide paved walking paths, open grassy fields for playing, plenty of shaded trees, and water stations to keep pets comfortable.
What Visitors are Saying: Pet owners praise the clean facilities, the easy walking loops, and the peaceful environment where dogs can get plenty of exercise and playtime.
Location: Situated conveniently right in the heart of Fayetteville, making it an easy stop before or after visiting local restaurants.
Downtown Fayetteville Patio Dining (Fayetteville)
After a full day out, downtown Fayetteville has a wonderfully welcoming, pet-friendly dining scene. The vibe throughout town is neighborly, artistic, and relaxed. Many local eateries feature spacious outdoor patio seating where dogs are welcome to rest right beside your table while you eat.
Beyond their camping, the open-air restaurant and beer garden area is a top destination to visit with your pup. The vibe is casual and community-centered. You can grab a local craft beer, enjoy fresh food, and sit outside at picnic tables with your dog right by your side.
What Visitors are Saying: Guests frequently mention the welcoming patio space, the fun atmosphere, and how great it is to relax outdoors with their pets while enjoying good food and drinks.
Location: Located just a short drive from downtown Fayetteville, offering plenty of open space and parking.
Pets in the National Park
National park property in the area welcomes dogs, making it easy to bring your four-legged companion along for the trip as long as they remain on a leash no longer than six feet at all times. To keep these beautiful public spaces clean and safe for wildlife and other visitors, always make sure to pack out and dispose of all pet waste properly. While pets are free to explore outdoor areas, keep in mind that they are not permitted inside visitor centers, administrative offices, or other National Park Service buildings.
Pet Friendly Places to Stay
Fern Gully Cabins (Fayetteville)
Nestled in a peaceful wooded setting, this local cabin rental property offers a wonderful getaway for travelers who want privacy and comfort for themselves and their pets. The vibe is quiet, cozy, and completely surrounded by nature. Each cabin gives you plenty of outdoor space right outside your door, making morning walks and evening downtime effortless.
What Guests are Saying: Visitors love the peaceful atmosphere, the beautiful natural surroundings, and how easy it is to bring pets along for a relaxing stay. Guests frequently mention the clean, cozy accommodations and the convenient location that keeps you close to local spots while still feeling tucked away.
Location: It sits just minutes from downtown Fayetteville and the main attractions of the New River Gorge National Park, providing a quick drive to local shops and dining spots.
ACE Adventure Resort (Oak Hill)
A massive local resort option for travelers who want to combine pet-friendly accommodations with endless outdoor fun. The vibe is high-energy, adventure-focused, and incredibly welcoming. ACE offers pet-friendly cabin rentals alongside plenty of wooded RV and tent campsites, giving you plenty of options for staying right on the property with your dog.
What Guests are Saying: Visitors love the vast, open grounds where they can walk their dogs, noting that the cabin and camping options make it super easy to travel with pets. Reviewers frequently praise the friendly staff, clean facilities, and the convenience of having outdoor dining spots on-site that accommodate dogs.
Location: Situated on a sprawling fifteen-hundred-acre property in Oak Hill, sitting just down the road from the main town center while remaining a short drive from Fayetteville and the New River Gorge Bridge.
Rifrafters Campground (Fayetteville)
A long-standing local campground that welcomes pets with open arms. The vibe is serene, clean, and meticulously cared for by hands-on owners. Beyond offering beautiful shaded campsites for RVs and tents, the property features dedicated amenities specifically designed for dog owners.
What Guests are Saying: Campers consistently highlight the large fenced-in dog park on the property, noting how wonderful it is to give their pets a safe, open space to run off leash after a long car ride.
Location: Located just two miles south of historic downtown Fayetteville, putting you right down the road from park entrances and local pet-friendly dining.
Arrowhead Bike Farm Campground (Fayetteville)
This local favorite offers a laid-back basecamp for travelers who want to stay right in the heart of the outdoor community. The vibe here is social, outdoor-focused, and incredibly pet-friendly. Their campsite setup accommodates small to medium-sized rigs and tents, putting you right in the middle of nature. What Guests are Saying: Reviewers love the unique, relaxed atmosphere and how easy it is to hang out with their dogs around the property. Visitors also enjoy meeting the friendly resident goats and relaxing at the outdoor beer garden. Location: Positioned just outside Fayetteville, making it an ideal launchpad for immediate outdoor access and quick trips into town.
Traveling with Dogs in the New River Gorge: Tips
Keep Leashes Handy: Most public spaces, parks, and business patios require dogs to be kept on a leash to keep everyone safe and comfortable.
Pack Extra Water: Warm days out and about can tire out dogs quickly. Always carry extra fresh water and a collapsible bowl for your pet while exploring local towns and parks.
Check Patio Policies: While many local spots have pet-friendly outdoor seating, it is always a good idea to check with the host before bringing your dog onto a patio area.
Endless Hiking: With so many different angles to see the Gorge from, there are so many beautiful hiking trails to catch some scenery on. Check out the info the NRG CVB has put together on these here!
Travel Safely and Know Who to Call
Exploring the winding mountain roads around the New River Gorge National Park with your pets is an amazing way to make memories, but unexpected vehicle trouble can stall your travel plans quickly. Whether you experience a flat tire on Route 19, an engine overheating on a steep hill, or need assistance getting your vehicle to a local shop, the team at DTE Repair and Towing is always here to help. Based right in Oak Hill, we offer 24/7 towing and auto repairs to keep you, your family, and your four-legged co-pilots moving safely. Save our number for your trip, enjoy the sights, and drive safely.
