Enjoy a peaceful space in Mars Hill located on an active hobby farm. Our Sniffspot is fully enclosed with no-climb, 4ft goat fencing and includes walking paths and a small creek for your pups to play in. Easy access from the main road with a small graveled parking space right in front of the Sniffspot entrance. As most properties in Mars Hill, the acreage is located on a hillside. Your dog can play near the creek at the bottom of the slope which is more flat and shaded or take a short hike along the path to the top and enjoy amazing mountain views while your pup plays in the pasture! We do have chickens, goats, sheep and pigs that remain in their separate fenced in pasture, but occasionally the chickens may roam in the parking area, so please be aware.

A large pasture with fencing around everywhere except the top of the creek crossing running behind it. Bring a towel and enjoy! The bugs are back so a head screen or bug spray might make you more comfortable. Chairs and tables and sometimes a hammock provided creekside! We just added a new 10x16 Covered Gazebo! We hope you like it! Please do not bring more dogs than you have made your reservation for. If something changes please contact customer service and they can add dogs to your current reservation. I hope you have a fun and restful visit!

Welcome to Pondside Paws Park, located in a quiet valley 15 minutes outside of downtown Asheville NC. Here you will find a peaceful, fully fenced in half acre lot with a pond for your pups to swim, romp, sniff, play and have a great time. For those more adventurous dogs, there's even a dock for jumping into the pond! There are opportunities for enjoying the pond regardless of your dog's age or exercise ability, as there is a shallow area with tall grass for wading and splashing, and a deeper area for swimming. The slope of the land is gentle for those older dogs as well- this spot is suitable for dogs of all ages and abilities. For the humans, we have several seating options including a picnic table and 4 chairs under a shade sail. Bug spray, sunscreen, fresh drinking water for the dogs and a tote full of toys is also provided in the weatherproof storage shed next to the seating area. Waste bags are available if needed, although we appreciate people bringing their own, and there is a waste container located at the entrance, next to the kiddie pool that is used to rinse off muddy paws. It's recommended that you bring a towel to dry them off before getting back into your car. We hope you enjoy the spot and leave it as you found it for others to enjoy as well.

WE ARE OPEN post-Helene! The top pasture of this small farm is available for dogs to sniff and exercise. Sometimes there will be farm animal smells, horses and goats, and turkeys, rabbits and deer may also visit. The neighbors have a dog in their fenced yard but they're usually good about bringing him in if someone is in the sniff spot. There is a nice hill to tire everyone out, and a pretty view of my little farm. If you sit at the top and throw balls down the hill your dogs will get very tired! There is a picnic table, a swing, a table and chairs, a fire pit chairs, a splashing trough, a dog toy box, and a hose. You can pull right in through the double red gates and close them behind you, to leave my neighbors room to drive past. This will also ensure your dogs don't escape from the sniff spot when you open the car doors. There is a large horse water trough, feel free to dump it and refill it if you need to (and if you're strong enough!) Please have fun with the dog toys - if your dog tears one up just toss out the stuffing or pieces. That's just what dogs do!

Our backyard is spacious for wild running and lots of sniffs. Waste stations are along the fence, there is a hose for washing off, some pools if wanting to splish splash( during summer months and upon request) and picnic tables for the pet parents to sit and relax while the pups play. A cooler will be outside with cold beverages (water, ice, N/A seltzers and sodas). Toys will be available such as frisbees and balls. Welcome to bring any of your own. Neighbors are super friendly in the case a toy gets thrown above the fence.

We have over an acre, fully fenced. Pull right up to the marked gate by the out building and go right in. Tall trees provide shade and there is seating. Our dog Oliver shares his toys and we keep a doggy waste station available for easy cleanup. We live in the house on the property with our 3 dogs but want to share our spacious yard with others. Thanks for stopping by. The doggy pool is out in warm weather and is filled with filtered water.

*POST HELENE UPDATE 10/13/24* I am so sad to say that the Helene floods have completely destroyed our Sniffspot. We hope to reopen one day but the space will be a completely different place. We are hard at work doing what we can so please check back often. UPDATE 4/11/24* The bugs can get really bad at certain times of year. Mostly gnats around the face and no-see-ums. I do provide bug spray and bug nets that work best when worn with a hat. The worst of the bugs are early spring (April-June). Not fenced but not immediately bordered by anything but forest or field on all sides. The property is 12 acres with mostly open or treed space. There is a small beach area with water calm enough for dogs to swim and fetch sticks. We have picnic tables and chairs that you can use but please pick up after yourself, your dog, and your kids. There is now a trashcan provided on the beach for your convenience. Downstream side of property has an “island” that can be explored. The neighbors property downstream starts shortly free the road narrows between the river and steep bank. It’s usually more overgrown and can visually tell the upkeep is different. Please avoid being on their property. Flood waters make signage difficult to use in this area. Just message me if you need more details on the boundary line.

Fully enclosed 6 foot tall fence with dig guard. This park was built for dogs who are escape artists.

PLEASE BE CAREFUL OF BEARS! I have had a bear in the back yard a few times recently. They jump fences! If you need a better idea of where it is, it's within walking distance of the East Asheville Farmer's Market, Library, Fire Department, and Wells Fargo. I'm also close to Bull Mountain Rd. A few Announcements: While I make every effort to ensure that my roommate and other guests have cleaned up after their dogs, I have occasionally been informed that they have not. So I must now update the description accordingly. I welcome you to partake of my beautiful backyard in a peaceful neighborhood- as long as you are aware it is possible there is occasional dog poo. Also be advised that if you are extremely sensitive to poison ivy, be aware there may be some in some parts of the yard. If your dog is a curious sort, be aware that there is some yard equipment being stored under the deck and this area is open and not blocked off. I cannot anticipate every guest's need, but I am happy to offer my yard for a small fee to those who understand what is being offered. Thank you! Also, if you should happen to encounter my neighbor in the back left of the yard, please be advised he is unfortunately a little senile and has been known to be a nuissance to several of his neighbors. I don't want to scare you off, as we love our yard and will continue using our yard in the ways we see fit. If his (small) dogs come out while you are there, please be careful with your dogs, and please take anything he says with a grain of salt-, he unfortunately sometimes behaves like your classic grumpy old man. We apologize in advance for anything he says and are working on a solution. It may take some time for that to be implemented. Recommendations: 1) Please clean up after your dog. 2) If you book an evening time, be prepared with a flashlight, or know when the sun sets. I have outside lights, but I can't guarantee they will always be on, and they don't illuminate the whole yard. The space: A wide open space with rolling hills for your dogs to play, while you enjoy the view. *The sprinkler is actually a garden hose that is a "soaker" hose. It sprays water out of it like a sprinkler. There are plenty of sticks you can throw for the dog to fetch. (The location is 5 minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, 5 minutes to Downtown Asheville, and close to the Folk Art Center. The newly renovated Haw Creek library and playground, Creekside Tavern, and High Five Coffee are just down the street. You can also walk to the Haw Creek Farmer's Market from here on Fridays, 3-6 pm. You can walk straight from to the Mountain to Sea trail from here without having to drive, and hike to Lunchbox rock (seen in pictures here.) I included the porch pictures so you could see the sunset. :) ) There is hand sanitizer, sunblock and bug spray under the stairs, under the side of the bottom step that you are welcome to use.i