Richmond has one of the most underrated urban trail systems on the East Coast, and dogs are welcome on most of it. The James River cuts through the middle of the city, and the greenway that follows it gives you access to islands, rapids, wooded bluffs, and river beaches, all within city limits and mostly free.
The city also rewards the dog owners who explore beyond the river. Northside has Bryan Park, with real wooded trails and a fenced off-leash area. South of the river, Forest Hill Park connects into the Buttermilk Trail system and stays quieter than the riverfront spots even on busy summer weekends.
This guide covers the trails worth knowing: what you’ll find there, when to go, where to park, and what to watch out for.
James River Park System: The Heart of It
The James River Park System spans more than 550 acres of parkland along both banks of the river, with access points scattered across the city. This is the anchor for dog walking in Richmond. Every trail guide you read for this city eventually circles back to the James River.
The system isn’t one trail. It’s a collection of connected corridors and destinations: Belle Isle, Pony Pasture, Texas Beach, Reedy Creek, the North Bank Trail, Buttermilk Trail, and more. You can spend an entire year rotating between access points and never repeat the same walk twice.
Dogs are required on leash on most James River Park trails, though enforcement varies by location and time of day. The full guide covers leash rules at each access point, plus which sections get congested and when to avoid them.
Belle Isle: The Island Loop
Belle Isle is a 54-acre island in the James River, reached by a pedestrian suspension bridge off Tredegar Street. The loop trail around the perimeter runs just under 1.5 miles on flat packed gravel, but the real draw is the south side, where the path gives way to granite boulders and your dog can scramble down to the water’s edge.
It’s one of the most photographed spots in Richmond and one of the most crowded on weekend afternoons from April through September. The experience is completely different depending on when you go. A Tuesday morning in October feels like you have the island to yourself. A Saturday at noon in July means navigating a stream of cyclists, runners, and people who didn’t plan for the heat.
Belle Isle is worth the trip at the right time. The article covers when that is, where to park, and what hazards to watch for on the rocks.
Pony Pasture: Where Dogs Come to Swim
Pony Pasture Rapids is the destination for dog swimming in Richmond. The James River shallows out here into rocky rapids where smaller dogs can wade and larger ones can actually swim. Most weekends from May through September, the parking lot on Riverside Drive fills before 9am. Plan accordingly.
The water looks calm from the bank but the James River has real current, especially after rain. The article covers where the safe shallow areas are, when the water level becomes a concern, and what to bring since there are no trash cans or water fountains on site.
For dogs who run hot in summer, Pony Pasture solves the problem. It’s also genuinely beautiful on a weekday morning when the rapids are catching the light and your dog is the only one in the water.
Bryan Park: Trails and Off-Leash Space in Northside
Bryan Park is the best trail option in North Richmond. The 279-acre park includes a fenced off-leash dog park area, plus miles of wooded paths that wind through two lake corridors and past the Azalea Garden. It’s the kind of place where you can get a genuine trail walk and then let your dog burn off energy in the fenced area before heading home.
The Azalea Garden is worth seeing in late April when the blooms peak, though the park gets crowded during the festival and your dog will need to be on a short leash. Outside of peak weekends, Bryan Park stays quieter than the river access points and tends to have better shade on hot days.
Forest Hill Park: The South Side Option
Forest Hill Park sits on College Avenue south of the James River in a part of Richmond that doesn’t see as much trail traffic as the north bank. The 80-acre park has wooded loop trails, open grass fields, and a 1930s stone shelter that serves as a natural landmark and shady rest stop.
The park connects into the Buttermilk Trail system, which links toward the James River and opens up longer route options for dogs who need more than a single loop. If you live in Forest Hill, Westover Hills, or Stratford Hills, this is your closest real trail access.
More Trail Guides
The guides on this page are just the starting points. We also cover the North Bank Trail and Buttermilk Trail for dogs who need serious mileage, Pocahontas State Park for day hikes outside the city, and the Canal Walk for urban riverfront routes downtown. There’s also a full rundown of every off-leash dog park in Richmond with ratings and honest notes on which ones are worth the drive.
Richmond’s trails are the best reason to have a dog in this city. The guides below are here to help you use them well.