Are you looking for an outdoor adventure in West Virginia that includes your furry friend? The town of Harpers Ferry in the Mountain State is dog-friendly and features a national park just right for hiking fun with Fido. You and your dog can enjoy a day together exploring this historic Appalachian area, and even make a stop at a local winery before you head home.

Harpers Ferry is the easternmost city in West Virginia. It sits at the point where the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers converge, and the three states of West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland intersect.
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Harpers Ferry was named for Robert Harper, a builder from Pennsylvania, who was commissioned by the Quakers in 1747 to construct a meeting house in Virginia. On his way there, he saw the potential of this area and purchased 126 acres. He was then granted permission to run a ferry across the Potomac River.
The quaint 19th-century town of Harpers Ferry is filled with shops and restaurants.
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You and your dog can do some window shopping on High Street. If you are looking for a place to have lunch, try the Cannonball Deli on Potomac Street, with a dog-friendly patio out back.
Be sure to cross the footbridge over the Potomac River for some beautiful views.
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Climb the stone steps past St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church to reach Jefferson’s Rock, giving a stunning bird’s eye view of the surrounding area.
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You will also pass the ruins of St. John’s Episcopal Church, which comprise part of the Appalachian Trail. Thomas Jefferson is said to have proclaimed from this vantage point in 1783 that this scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic.

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You can visit John Brown’s Fort in the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
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In 1859, John Brown, an abolitionist, led an unsuccessful revolt against slavery. He was captured here and tried for treason.
The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park includes 22 miles of hiking trails for you and your pup to explore.
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The Schoolhouse Ridge Trail features ruins of an old school, destroyed during a Civil War battle. Harpers Ferry is the midpoint of the 2,178-mile Appalachian Trail.
Your dog can become an honorary BARK Ranger at the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
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The program is free, and all dogs are welcome to become BARK Rangers. After completing a short program, the dog is sworn in as a ranger. You can even purchase a bandana or other swag for your dog in town. In addition, contact the park if you would like to become a Volunteer BARK Ambassador with your dog.
Are you still looking for a little more adventure to round out your dog-friendly day? Pop over the state line to the Breaux Winery in Virginia, approximately a 15-minute drive from Harpers Ferry.
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Your friendly, leashed pooch can join you outside while you enjoy a glass of fine wine. On occasion, Breaux hosts Dog Day events on site that feature live music, wine tastings, food trucks, dog rescue organizations, vendors selling dog treats and supplies, and local artists.

The town of Harpers Ferry, along with the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, offers you and your dog an opportunity for a unique excursion. For more information, visit the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park website and Facebook page. For a trip to the Breaux Winery, visit the Breaux Vineyards website and Facebook page.

Have you been to Harpers Ferry, or the Breaux Winery, with your dog? Share your thoughts with us!

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More to Explore

West Virginia Is For Animal Lovers

William Suphan | October 11, 2022

What are the best zoos in West Virginia?

West Virginia has several wonderful zoos to choose from. One of the hidden gems is Hovatter's Wildlife Zoo with 30 species of animals to observe. You can even pet a giraffe and feed several of the animals. It's the only zoo in the state with a full pride of lions! The Oglebay Good Zoo in Wheeling is fairly small, but includes a lot of interactivity with sloths, lemurs, meerkats, and more! It's like playing with the cast of Madagascar. You can help with feeding and training under the guidance of a zookeeper. During the Christmas season, bring the kids for a reindeer encounter.

What are the best places in West Virginia to pet animals that are not zoos?

Sometimes you want to interact with animals in a setting that isn't a zoo. PIGS Animal Sanctuary in Shepherdstown has over 500 animals they've rescued and many of them are pigs. This place takes care of animals that were neglected and abandoned and gives them a better life. Besides pigs, there are donkeys, goats, cats, dogs, llamas and more. Give Purrs A Chance is the only cat cafe in the state, located in Berkeley Springs. For a small fee, you can come here and play with dozens of cats and kittens that are perched everywhere and roam the whole place just looking for some love.

What are the best pet-friendly accommodations in West Virginia?

We all know that pets are members of the family, and it's wonderful that more places are accepting this, though they may charge a fee for your furry friend to stay. There's an AirBnb riverside cottage nestled in the woods where your dogs will love to explore all the new smells. They'll love playing in the Cheat River just steps from the cabin. How about a cozy A-Frame cabin under the stars? Lost River Blackbird near Wardensville is a cozy, dog-friendly cabin in an absolutely gorgeous setting. You'll be snuggled up with your dog under an heirloom wool blanket while looking at the stars through the huge skylight windows.

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Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USA