Top public and private dog hiking trails in West Jefferson, North Carolina

Slys Peace Trail

Located in the foothills, the Slys Peace trail was created for dog stimulation. The trail starts at the lower end of the pasture and follows the creek meandering through a rhododendron forest. Situated at the base of 100 acres of wooded ridge land, the hike offers a wilderness experience customized to your comfort zone. There are multiple trails to accommodate your level of exercise. The full experience will require crossing the creek multiple times and is recommended for those with hiking experience. Trails are easy to follow with multiple exits that lead out to the pasture. This is dog heaven. Let your dog be a dog. To locate the gate entrance watch for the Giant metal horse. His nose points the way. Follow the fenceline a few hundred feet where you will find the gate just before the power line easement. There is now a large Sniff Spot sign securely attached.

Valdese Lakeside Park

Valdese Lakeside Park in Valdese, North Carolina is a fully fenced dog park located at 1149 Lake Rhodhiss Dr. The park offers amenities such as tables and trails for dogs and their owners to enjoy. The park is open from 7 AM to 8 PM every day of the week. For more information, visit the website friendsofthevaldeserec.org or call 828-879-2132.

Park hours: 7 AM–8 PM 7 days per Week

Good Vibes & Wagging Tails 🐾

🐾 The Story of Gabagool (Gaba) 🐾 As pet owners, we know there’s nothing quite like sharing life with the pets we adore. Sometimes, the most meaningful connections come when we least expect them. 🐾 We owned this property for nearly a year before officially moving onto the land. During that time, every visit seemed to bring the same quiet companion—Gaba. He would appear out of nowhere, calmly walking the land, greeting us with a gentle presence. He would sit quietly at my husband’s feet, resting his head there—simply being. Peaceful. Loving. Familiar. 🐾 Because each property along this road spans several acres, we truly believed Gaba belonged to someone nearby. It never crossed our minds that he might not have a home. 🐾 About a month after we moved in, a neighbor casually mentioned—almost in passing—that Gaba had been abandoned by a previous owner nearly six months earlier. We were stunned. Truly shocked. 🐾 From that moment on, we understood what we had already felt in our hearts: Gaba wasn’t lost—he was meant to be here. 🐾 Gaba has shown us parts of this six-acre land we didn’t even know existed. Quiet corners. Hidden paths. Peaceful spaces we may never have discovered without him. In many ways, he introduced us to the soul of this property. 🐾 We believe Gaba is a blessing to our family and to this land. His journey is what inspired us to share this space with others—to welcome you and your pet into a place that has brought us peace, healing, and perspective. 🐾 This listing and the time we share here was inspired by Gaba’s journey and everything he has shown us about patience, presence, and connection. Because some moments deserve more than just a quick visit, we’re inspired to offer additional time—two full hours— so you and your dog can slow down, explore, and simply enjoy being together without feeling rushed. 🐾 We hope Gaba’s story inspires you to book, just as it inspired us to open this land and share it with others. Whether you’re walking, resting, exploring, or simply enjoying the quiet sounds of nature, we welcome you to spend meaningful, quality time with your dog in a place that has meant so much to us. 🐾 Good Vibes & Wagging Tails 🐾 — where time slows down, and connection takes the lead.

David's 50 Acre "Let Them Run Free" Private Dog Park near Abingdon

This spot is 50+ acres of open fields and forest, non-residential, with a mountain stream along the western border, and a 1/4 acre farm pond. There are no pets or livestock on the property, so if your dog likes to run free and fast, this is the place for adventure. There are some trails through the woods, seasonal berry picking, a water hydrant with public water, and shelters with an indoor bathroom if needed. The land also hosts our sawmill and lumber kiln as well as a mechanic shop leased to a friend, but most of the land is open for exploration. There is a gravel/dirt road that loops around the property, but is not recommended for low clearance vehicles. Plenty of parking anywhere along the loop. Squirrels and wild rabbits to chase!

Grovers 7 Acre Unfenced Private Hiking trail In Olin

Long trail runs along side creek in woods