Pet-Friendly Spots Around the Triangle

Culture, Kids & Family

Dog-friendly parks, paths and more in the Triangle

Three dog parents unleash their top spots in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill for furry friends to enjoy

Shake up the routine walk around the neighborhood, and set off on a howling good adventure with your four-legged friend. The Triangle is home to plentiful places that you and your pups are sure to love, but we wanted to highlight a few of the most fetching locales; so, we asked three local dog owners who are popular with pup parents on Instagram to share their tips for the best day out.

Paw Paths

Meghan Bouney and her pup, Dewey, have explored almost every dog-friendly corner of the Triangle. The pair has lived in Orange and Durham counties, and are currently based in Raleigh. “I think this is what makes us so knowledgeable about all the dog-friendly things in the area,” Meghan says.

The duo’s go-to for spending time outdoors is to hike the Company Mill Trail in Raleigh’s William B. Umstead State Park – “if we want a good and long hike,” Meghan clarifies. “It’s about 6 miles, and Dewey is able to go swimming in the river.” Dewey also loves the 2.5-mile trek along the Mine Creek Greenway Trail’s Sawmill Segment in North Raleigh and the trail to Sennett’s Hole at West Point on the Eno in Durham. Dewey also enjoys a good romp in the grass at Dorothea Dix Dog Park.

Meghan says that when she and Dewey are looking for more social activities, Atlantic Gardening, a Raleigh-based urban plant nursery, is a lesser-known dog-friendly location on Meghan’s list – complete with a Garden Bar for humans to enjoy. Raleigh’s East Bower Cider Co. gives out free doggie snack boxes on its Dog Day Tuesdays.

Dewey and Meghan head to Unleashed, the Dog and Cat Store when it comes time to stock up on supplies for Dewey at home or for their outings together. The shop boasts eight Triangle locations – four in Raleigh, three in Durham and one in Cary – and often hosts adoption events, training sessions and even “yappy hour.” Meghan and Dewey attended the store’s Spring Fling at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. “The sponsors there that set up their booths are amazing, and you leave with so much free swag,” Meghan says. “Honestly, I did not need to buy Dewey dog treats for months.” You can catch up with Meghan and Dewey on Instagram @tailsofthetriangle.

Pup Cups to Park Play

Michelle Shaffer founded The Dog Moms of Durham, a volunteer-run nonprofit working to build a stronger dog community in the Bull City, in summer 2023. The group hosted a dozen social meetups in its first six months, so Michelle knows a thing or two about what gets tails wagging.

Michelle prioritizes the comfort of her pup, Lachlan, when she takes him out in the city. “I like to find a place that is not very crowded, but very welcoming to dogs,” she says, “a place that allows my dog to get good mental stimulation.”

Michelle recommends a trip to Boxyard RTP – dog parents can groove to live music and sip on drinks while their pooches play in the Barkyard, a park with separate areas for large and small dogs, play furniture and fresh water sources. “You can let your pup get out his zoomies before heading inside to get dinner,” Michelle says. She also suggests Growler Grlz in South Durham for Thursday night trivia on its pet-welcoming patio.

One of Michelle’s fave dog-centric events is Canine Field Day, which Durham Parks and Recreation hosts at Rock Quarry Park in April. The extravaganza offers dogs a chance to participate in games for fabulous prizes, while their human companions indulge in treats from various vendors and food trucks. DPR hosts several dog-focused events throughout the year, including its Dog-Gone Egg Hunt, Barktoberfest and Santa Paws. Find out more here, and keep up with The Dog Moms of Durham’s latest meetups, event appearances and festivals by following @trianglecanineclub on Instagram.

Canine Chronicles

Dog mom Kisha Buie is ever busy juggling her lively pack of pups: giant schnauzer Kingsley, goldendoodle Char and standard poodle Majesty. Kisha carefully considers several factors when venturing out with her fluffy squad: the crowd level, the amount of green or outdoor space, availability of water and waste disposal stations, and the sociability of other dogs in the area.

Kisha says the American Tobacco Trail is her go-to spot for hikes. “It’s paved and easy to walk, plus you’ll meet lots of friendly dogs along the way,” Kisha says. Sarah P. Duke Gardens during its dog-friendly hours (before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.) is another idyllic locale offering serene vistas and a breath of fresh air.

Kisha’s recommendations extend to dog-welcoming breweries like Durham’s Hi-Wire Brewing, Ponysaurus Brewing Co. and The Glass Jug Beer Lab (both its downtown and RTP locations) as well as rooftop bar The Velvet Hippo, which invites dog owners to bring their furry companions to its “yappy hours” on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Like Michelle, Kisha also points to Boxyard RTP for an all-around good time for parents and pups. She often makes a stop at Buzzy Bakes for a pup cup. Kisha also ensures her pups don’t miss out on the Triangle’s many vibrant, Fido-focused events, favoring Bark in the Park baseball games at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Follow along on the adventures of Kisha and crew on their Instagram, @kingsleyandcharlamagne.