Howdy dawgs, I recently saw an article titled "16 Amazing Camping Locations in Virginia" that also listed some pet-friendly campgrounds in Virginia, and I wondered why they left off all the campgrounds in Virginia State Barks? There are no better pet-friendly campgrounds in all of the Commonwealth than Virginia State Barks.

Are there pet fees when we camp at a Virginia State Bark?*

No. One of the reasons many dawgs love Virginia State Barks is that they are allowed to spend the night with the family. Not only are the cabins pet friendly (there is a nightly fee) but the campgrounds allow us four-leggeds to stay for free!

When I first started going to Virginia State Barks with Mum and Dad they charged a fee for me, but then all of us dawgs got together and caused a big stink (I mean that figuratively, not literally, although if you knew my friend Buster you may think I meant literal stink!) so they decided to waive the camping fee for us.

Are there rules?

We can't live with 'em can't live without 'em so they do have a few rules. Mum hates the term rules, but calling them guidelines still makes them rules, so here they are:

1. Be considerate of other guests 
2. Make sure your family cleans up after you
3. Don't let them leave you alone for the day while they go swimming
4. Follow the leash law (trust me dawgs there is nothing worse than being strapped to your human family when you want to run and chase rabbits. You just gotta stay on that leash no longer than 6 feet and under control at all times. This is not fair, I know, when we just wanna run outta control and have funzies!)
5. Make sure they keep you updated on your shots (as there are wild animals out there at the bark who may carry rabies)
6. Don't bark or disturb others (this is a hard one for you hound dawgs, but if you bark too much you ruin it for the rest of us, so try to be on your bestest behavior)
7. Don't damage stuff, especially a bark facility (or you will pay for that damage)

If you don't obey these rules then your family's stay may be terminated without refund, so sit and obey! Good dawgie.

GET YOUR TAILS ON THE TRAILS!

Dawgs are welcome at Virginia State Barks as long as they follow the basic rules like remaining on a leash at all times

Dude, but can we have beach access? We dig sand!*

Before I forget to mention, dawgs are not allowed on Virginia State Barks designated swimming beaches. While lots of human swim at First Landing State Bark, it isn't a designated swimming beach so we dawgs are allowed there. Kiptopeke State Bark has a separate beach from the swimming one and we are allowed there too!

If you remain faithful on your 6 foot leash, you can sit under and tied up to a beach chair in the shade while the family goes for a swim, or you can even help dig a hole or build a sandcastle.

First Landing State Bark offers a dawg friendly beach, unlike other nearby Virginia beaches, so take advantage of it and be on your best behavior there.

If you are at a lake swimming beach, ask your family to tie you up under a picnic table just outside the sandy part of the beach, back under the trees, playground or picnic area.

This is what my Mum or Dad usually does and I can watch the family having fun and they stop by to visit with me every once in a while, making sure I have a full water bowl and sneak me a tasty snack. Quite frankly I am not the sort of dawg who actually likes being a round a bunch of kids in the water or on the beach anyway, so it suits me just fine.

Learn more about Pets in Virginia State Barks here, or call 800-933-PARK to ask questions about campgrounds or make a reservation for one.

*There is an exception, and Ms Heltman would get miffed if I didn't tell you this (and the wildlife might get even more annoyed): While pets are allowed at False Cape State Bark, they are not permitted access through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, so be sure to call False Cape State Bark at (757) 426-7128 to verify access. If you can get your humans to canoe or kayak to False Cape around the Refuge, that works.

Calling all cool dawgs

Remember, paws were meant to get muddy!