Belly Rubs and Big Adventures in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
- Luie Boone
- 2 days ago
- 11 min read
This travel spot is featured in our fourth blog series, Hounds Honored.
It's time for belly rubs and big adventures in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia!
Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, is a town with history—a history that gets Luie Boone's eyes wide and his tail tucked. Do you want to know why? Well, here's why: The town was previously called Bath. And, if there's one thing that Luie Boone is not a fan of, it would be baths (and vacuums and leaf blowers and fireworks, but that's not the point). He doesn't care if his hoomans are bathing him in a kiddie pool in the front driveaway or if he's at the groomers, he's not appreciating a bath. And he knows that his hatred towards baths really doesn't make any sense. He loves swimming, cannonballing, and dipping his paws in the water, but baths? No, thank you. He would prefer to keep his perfectly curated smell.
Thankfully, the town wasn't previously named Bath because they have an induction ritual where all newcomers need to take a bath before they're accepted in to the town. If that was the case, Luie Boone would be a total no-show on this vacation. Rather, the town was originally named Bath, back in 1776, when the Virginia Legislature incorporated a town around mineral water springs! Now, that's got Luie Boone's tail wagging. These mineral water springs were visited by Native Americans and Europeans for thousands of years, due to their rumored medicinal benefits. Luie Boone sure hopes the springs have magical powers. His hooman sister, Rachel, hopes it's like the Fountain of Life—so Luie Boone can live fur-ever.
Vacationing with your dog in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, is one of those simple pleasures that reminds you how good it feels to slow down. Tucked in the foothills of the Appalachians, this historic spa town has a friendly, small-town charm that welcomes both people and dogs. It’s a place where you can wander tree-lined streets, breathe in the mountain air, and share every moment with your four-legged companion.
The heart of town is Berkeley Springs State Park, where warm mineral springs have been drawing visitors for centuries. While your pup can’t join you in the bathhouse, the park itself is dog friendly. The gentle sound of running water makes for a peaceful stroll. It’s an easy place to sit under a shaded tree, people-watch, and enjoy a picnic with your dog at your side. Just a short drive south is Cacapon Resort State Park, which is an absolute gem for outdoor lovers. The park’s hiking trails wind through forests and open ridges, offering views of the valley below. Leashed dogs are welcome everywhere, and there’s even a beach area where they can splash in the shallows!
When it’s time to grab a bite, you’ll find plenty of places in Berkeley Springs that welcome dogs on their patios. The Country Inn & Morgan Tavern is a longtime favorite. This spot offers hearty food and mountain hospitality with a dog-friendly outdoor area. Berkeley Springs Brewing Company is another great spot. It's just perfect for an afternoon of craft beer and sunshine while your dog relaxes at your feet. Luie Boone will bark more about this spot later. You’ll also find several small cafés around town with outdoor seating.
Finding a comfortable place to stay is easy too. The Country Inn of Berkeley Springs has some select pet-friendly rooms. With the inn's location, staying here makes walking your dog around town a breeze. If you prefer more space, the Coolfont Resort is located conveniently just outside of town. It welcomes dogs in some of its cabins and lodge rooms. Plus, the surrounding trails are ideal for early morning walks. There are also plenty of pet-friendly vacation rentals and mountain cabins available, many with fenced yards or porches overlooking the hills. Luie Boone will bark about Camping Dancing Bears a little later. This is the rental his hoomans picked.
Your vacation to Berkeley Springs doesn't have to stay in Berkeley Springs. In fact, there are several nearby towns that make for wonderful day trips. Each town has its own unique character, yet all share that easy welcoming spirit that makes this corner of West Virginia so special.
The town of Hedgesville is just a short drive east. It offers a peaceful country atmosphere surrounded by rolling hills and open farmland. It’s close to the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area, which spans more than 22,000 acres of forest, trails, and creeks! This spot is a haven for hiking, birdwatching, and exploring with your dog. There’s plenty of room to roam, and the stillness of the woods gives you that rare feeling of being miles away from everything.
A little farther north, you'll find the town of Falling Waters, which offers a mix of history and natural beauty along the Potomac River. This charming town is also very dog-friendly, with scenic trails, open spaces, and peaceful spots along the river where pups can explore and play. Whether you’re strolling through town or enjoying the outdoors, Falling Waters is a welcoming place for both people and their four-legged friends. Luie Boone is just excited to visit the Falling Waters Waterfalls. Hopefully, his hoomans won't mind if he goes for a dip!
The largest nearby town is Martinsburg. A trip here can add a bit of city energy to your mountain getaway. Martinsburg is filled with small parks, local shops, and plenty of places to eat outdoors with your dog. The War Memorial Park and the Poor House Farm Park are both excellent options for leashed walks and picnics. In particular, the Poor House Farm Park has large open spaces, a lake, and wooded paths that make it ideal for exploring with your pet. Afterward, you can hang in downtown Martinsburg, which offers dog-friendly breweries and cafés.
To the east, Shepherdstown offers a completely different kind of charm. As one of West Virginia’s oldest and most picturesque towns, it’s full of colonial architecture, vibrant arts, and scenic river views. The town sits along the Potomac River and has a network of quiet streets perfect for strolling with your dog. The C&O Canal Towpath runs right through the area, offering a long and peaceful walking route— that’s also shaded and scenic. Shepherdstown’s downtown cafés and restaurants often have outdoor seating.
And then there’s Harpers Ferry, which is an absolute must-visit for any history lover or outdoor enthusiast traveling with their dog. Located where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet, Harpers Ferry combines breathtaking scenery with deep historical roots. Dogs are welcome throughout most of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park—as long as they’re on a leash, which means you and your pup can walk the same cobblestone streets and historic trails that shaped the early story of America! Luie Boone hopes there's some history about dogs there. The Maryland Heights Trail is another favorite spot among locals and visitors. It leads to an overlook with one of the best panoramic views in the region. After a long hike, relax at one of the local cafés or grab an ice cream. If you grab an ice cream, Luie Boone says you better grab one for your dog, too!
The best part of exploring all of these towns around Berkeley Springs is how naturally your dog fits into every adventure! The drives between towns are beautiful and easy, with rolling farmland, mountain views, and quiet country roads where you can stop to stretch and take in the scenery. Everywhere you go, you’ll find that people are friendly, businesses are accommodating, and dogs are treated as welcome companions rather than afterthoughts.
Whether you’re hiking through the woods near Hedgesville, learning history in Falling Waters, enjoying a park day in Martinsburg, wandering the art-filled streets of Shepherdstown, or taking in the stunning river views of Harpers Ferry, you’ll find that this corner of West Virginia is a dream for travelers with dogs!
Each day brings something new to explore—whether it's a new trail, a new café, or a new sunset to share with your best friend.
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Camp Dancing Bears
This rental has 3 bedrooms with 4 beds and 2 bathrooms.
Photos by: Berkeley Springs Cottage Rentals
It features the following amenities:
Tucked away in the scenic River Ridge gated community
Open wrap-around deck with stunning mountain views
Covered lower deck
Propane fireplace on the top deck
Gas BBQ grill
Firepit with seating
Direct private access trail to Cacapon River
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
For our vacation to Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, my hoomans selected a lodge called Camp Dancing Bears for our place to stay. That name immediately threw me for a woozy! Are there going to be bears dancing at the camp? Will we get to watch them dance? Can I dance with them? My hoomans shook their heads and laughed. No dancing bears. Whatever, at least the rental is tucked away in the River Ridge gated community with mountains, trees, and the Cacapon River nearby. I don’t know what “Cacapon” means, but it sounds perfect for splashing and sniffing. And it is! According to my hoomans, it means "medicinal waters" in Native American. That means we can splash and sniff in the water, all while getting healed up. And guess what? I’m not going alone! My stuffed teddy bear, Teddy, is coming too! He’s been guarding the suitcase all week, ready to go. When he heard the name Camp Dancing Bears, his little stitched smile got even bigger. He says it sounds like the perfect place for a bear like him. I would have to agree! It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, plus lots of space for me to stretch out and for Teddy to find his cozy spot. There’s a full kitchen with yummy smells and it’s super dog friendly. Outside, there’s a wrap-around deck for squirrel watching, a firepit for roasting marshmallows, and a BBQ grill that already makes my nose twitch. Best of all, there’s a private trail leading to the Cacapon River. I can already picture it: the sound of the river, the crackle of the fire, and Teddy curled up beside me after a long day of exploring. Camp Dancing Bears, here we come!
Paws Venture Here
Luie Boone sniffed out and dug up these local gems for you to check out while vacationing in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.
Cacapon Ridge Trail
The Cacapon Ridge Trail features rocky, steep terrain. It has gradual ascents and sections where the rocks naturally form steps. How cool is that? While trekking this trail, you'll be surrounded by stunning scenery. There are trees to sniff, rocks to sniff, and what? Luie Boone cannot believe it. There's a lake, too! The trail brings you right to Cacapon Lake. Luie Boone is going to sprint the whole thing, so he can do the biggest cannonball into the lake.
Devil's Nose
Devil's Nose is a paw-some place to go for a hike with your pup. It is a 2.4-mile out-and-back trail, and it's known for its jagged outcrop of sandstone. That's why it's called Devil’s Nose. Although the name mostly refers to the shape of the sandstone, it is also a warning to be on high alert! Why? Because there's venomous snakes—namely copperheads and rattlesnakes—that make their dens in the rocky landscape. Luie Boone is going to do his best to avoid those snakes, so he will make it to the creek and play in the water!
Jefferson Rock
Did you know that Thomas Jefferson used to sit on Jefferson Rock to look out upon the Confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac? Luie Boone didn't, but now that he does, he'd like to plop his tooshie up there. The uppermost slab originally rested on a narrow stone foundation. You could sway the rock back-and-forth with a gentle push! When the natural foundation dwindled in the 1850s, four stone pillars were placed under the uppermost slab's corners.
Shockey's Knob Shelter
You'll totally want to check out the Shockey's Knob Shelter when in Berkely Springs. To reach the shelter, you'll need to hike Shockeys Knob via Tuscarora Trail. And, of course, your furry friend can tag alone. Once you arrive, you can view this intriguing backcountry shelter. Be sure to check out the mailbox! There are no mailmen to bark at, but there is a book inside the mailbox. You can record your name and travels in the book. Luie Boone will ink his paw onto the page.
Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area
The Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area is an almost 23,000-acre tract of land. It is filled with largely unbroken oak-Virginia pine trees. Luie Boone wouldn't mind if some trees were broken, so he could lug a stick or two along with him. Here, you can enjoy hiking the extensive trail network, which traverses nearly the length of each mountain and valley!
Spruce Pine Hollow Park
The Spruce Pine Hollow Park is a hidden gem nestled in the serene landscapes of Hedgesville, West Virginia. This quaint park offers a perfect escape for nature enthusiasts and their pups. The park is characterized by its tranquil trails, picturesque creek, and a delightful footbridge that crosses the creek! Visitors are often drawn to the park's well-marked hiking paths, which connect to the renowned Tuscarora Trail. There are opportunities for both short strolls and more challenging hikes!
Falling Waters Waterfalls
You can find the Falling Waters Waterfalls in the town of Falling Waters. Historically, this town holds significance in American history. Why? Because it played a strategic role during the Civil War! Today, the remnants of this rich history can be felt as you and your pooch explore the area around the waterfall. Whether you’re eager for a peaceful retreat or a peek into history, Falling Waters Waterfalls offers an inviting sanctuary.
The Rusty Nail Winery
The Rusty Nail Winery doesn't have rusty nails sticking out of the ground, so don't worry, Luie Boone! Rather, this winery invites dogs and their hoomans onto their safe floors of their tasting room and seasonal, outdoor patio to enjoy wines. They even have a wine named after the owner's farm dog.
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Berkeley Springs, West Viriginia
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
My hoomans say that we’re going on vacation to Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. You know, the town that was apparently called Bath at one point. It got that name back in the 1700s, because people came to soak in mineral springs that were supposed to heal everything. The Post Office calls it Berkeley Springs, but the official town name is still Bath! What!? Two names for one place!? Sounds very confusing. They say it’s a “resort town that celebrates the power of bathing.” That part worries me. Please tell me you didn't forget our convo earlier. Remember: I do not celebrate baths. Baths are what happen after I find something wonderful to roll in. Still, I’ve been doing some research (okay, eavesdropping) and it doesn’t sound all bad. I heard rumors of ice cream shops. I’m also bringing Teddy, my stuffed bear. He’s been on other trips with me, but this will be his first time visiting a town that can’t decide what to call itself. I’ll make sure he sees all the best parts—the good trails, the comfy spots for naps, and absolutely no baths. After all our adventuring, I can nap in the rental home while my humans soak in those funny-smelling springs. So even if the town can’t pick a name, I’ll give it a chance. Maybe I’ll find good sticks, friendly faces, and plenty of crumbs. But if anyone tries to make me—or Teddy—take a bath, we're out!
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