How long does each excursion last?

Our DC Dog Hikes keep your pooch out of the house for between 2-3 hours. Each hiking expedition includes pick-up and drop-off at your home.

What are the best parks and trails for hiking with dogs near Washington, DC?

Washington, DC has some of the best hiking trails for dogs in the United States! Here is a list of some of our favorites. Each of these parks is within a 30-40 minute drive from northwest DC: Billy Goat Trail Carderock Park C & O Canal Dewey Local Park Donaldson Run Park Difficult Run Stream Valley Trail Fletcher's Cove Fort Marcy Gold Mine Trail Great Falls Park Maryland Great Falls Park Virginia Little Falls Stream Valley Trail National Arboretum Potomac Heritage Trail Potomac Overlook Regional Park Ray's Meadow Local Park Rock Creek Park Scott's Run Nature Preserve Theodore Roosevelt Island Turkey Run Park Veirs Mill Local Park Westmoreland Park Windy Run Park Zachary Taylor Park The following parks are a little further outside the city (1-2 hour drive). Due to their distance we don't normally go to these as part of our hiking program, but they do make for an excellent day or weekend trip with your dog! Burke Lake Park Catoctin Mountain Park Dog Beach at Downs Park (swimming) Harpers Ferry Shenandoah National Park Sugarloaf Mountain

How often do you go out with dogs? What is your schedule?

We take dogs on hikes and trail runs five days per week, Monday - Friday. Pick-up time is generally between 10:00am and 1:00pm and drop-off time is two-three hours after pick-up.

What is the price of a dog hiking service?

We offer different pricing options depending on the number of days per week your dog joins us: For 5 days per week, the cost is $45 per day. For 3-4 days per week, the rate is $59 per day. If your dog will be with us 1-2 days per week, the price is $64 per day. For further details, please refer to our pricing page .

What is the difference between a dog walk and a dog hike?

Dog walkers walk the dog around the block. The primary goal of a dog walk is to give the dog a bathroom break. The walks are usually 20-30 minutes long. A dog hike takes place away from your home at a nature park. This gives your dog the opportunity to be out in nature and enjoy the fresh air and wildlife. The goal of a Pant & Wag dog hike is to give your dog the appropriate amount of exercise in their natural element and to socialize and bond with other dogs. The hikes are a minimum of one hour long.

Dog Hikes in Washington, DC

Check out this Video of one of our Iconic
DC Dog Hikes:

About Dog Hiking Adventures

Pant & Wag has been hiking with dogs since 2010 making us the first and most experienced dog hiking company in Washington, DC. We have hiked and run over 15,000 miles along the best trails at the most amazing dog friendly nature parks. We create memorable experiences for your dog because let's be honest — your dog deserves the best!!

Our dog hiking service is the favorite excursion of many of our doggie-clients. The smells, sounds, and sights of being out in nature mentally stimulates your dog while the expeditions provide an excellent strength and endurance workout allowing him/her to burn off some excise energy and lose weight. The uneven nature of the trails will also help your dog increase his balance, strength, and coordination as we jump, climb, trott and run over all the different types of terrain.

Check out this Video of one of our Iconic DC Dog Hikes:

(or keep reading below...)

During the outings we often encounter wildlife such as deer, rabbits, raccoons, foxes, beavers, tree mice, a variety of birds, and lots and lots of squirrels! Fido will be a happy hiker during his/her Pant & Wag adventure! For the safety of your pup and as required by law, he or she will never be off-leash. Water breaks are taken whenever appropriate to avoid overexertion.

Different Trails for Wagging Tails

Many people are surprised to learn that the Washington, DC area has some of the best hiking trails for dogs in the entire nation! DC has consistently earned the top ParkScore ranking of urban parks in the 100 largest cities in the U.S. by the Trust for Public Land organization[1].

No other DC dog hiking group will take your pup to as many places as Pant & Wag. We will bring out your dog's inner-explorer as we embrace the wilderness and sniff out new trails. We don't go to the same park over and over and we don't just take your dog to the trailhead nearest your house. Instead, our professional hikers will lead your dog and his playgroup on a real field trip to dozens of the most scenic parks and dog friendly trails throughout the entire DC area. This will provide your dog with the physical stimulation and mental nourishment that far too many city-dwelling pups lack. Some of our favorite local dog friendly hikes include visits to:

Rock Creek Park
Potomac Overlook Regional Park
Carderock Park
Great Falls (Virginia and Maryland)
Billy Goat Trail
Turkey Run Park
Fletcher's Cove
Scott's Run Nature Preserve
... and so many more! See the FAQs below for a more thorough list.

The Benefits of Hiking for Dogs' Physical and Mental Health

We generally cover between 3 and 5 miles on each field trip (less during the summer months).Trekking this distance can improve your dog's cardiovascular health, increase muscle mass and bone density, decrease stress and anxiety, boost agility and coordination, and help manage your pups' weight [2]. A weighted doggy backpack may be used to intensify the workout and give your dog a sense of purpose. For an even more advanced outing our excursions are often combined with dog running and/or faux hunting trips to create a truly amazing experience for your dog and his friends in their natural environment. We also always allow for extra play-time and socialization which is critical for a dog's mental well-being and behavioral development [3].

Your Dogs Very Own Exercise Report

At the end of each day you'll receive your pups very own activity report. The report details what park we traveled to, what trails we trekked, a GPS trail map, the number of miles we wandered, a bathroom report, and even photos and videos of your doggy happily frolicking and playing with all his furry friends!

Get Your Dog Hiking with our Simple Process:

Sign up for a free consultation. During this meeting we will review what we do and why we do it, how we are unique compared to other dog service companies, answer any questions you have, and review your dog's temperament and history to help ensure we get him/her in the best possible playgroup.

We will pick up your dog from your home on his/her scheduled day(s) and drive to that day's destination in our air conditioned minivan, SUV, or other suitable caravan.

A professional Canine Fitness Coach will exercise your dog and his/her friends for a Fitness Adventure that they will love!

We return your dog to your home, happy and healthy, and clean off his/her paws if necessary.

That evening you will receive full report of your dog's activities including pictures and videos!

Sign up for a free consultation Here we will answer any questions you have and review your dog's temperament and history to help ensure we get him/her in the best possible playgroup.

We will pick up your dog from your home on his/her scheduled day(s) and drive to that day's destination in our air conditioned minivan, SUV or other suitable caravan.

A professional Canine Fitness Coach will exercise your dog and his/her friends for a Fitness Adventure that they will love!

We return your dog to your home, happy and healthy, and clean off his/her paws if necessary.

That evening you will receive full report of your dog's activities including pictures and videos!

It's super convenient for you and super fun for your dog!!

FAQs About Dog Hikes

How long does each excursion last?

Our DC Dog Hikes keep your pooch out of the house for between 2-3 hours. Each hiking expedition includes pick-up and drop-off at your home.
What are the best parks and trails for hiking with dogs near Washington, DC?

Washington, DC has some of the best hiking trails for dogs in the United States! Here is a list of some of our favorites. Each of these parks is within a 30-40 minute drive from northwest DC:

Billy Goat Trail
Carderock Park
C & O Canal
Dewey Local Park
Donaldson Run Park
Difficult Run Stream Valley Trail
Fletcher's Cove
Fort Marcy
Gold Mine Trail
Great Falls Park Maryland
Great Falls Park Virginia
Little Falls Stream Valley Trail
National Arboretum
Potomac Heritage Trail
Potomac Overlook Regional Park
Ray's Meadow Local Park
Rock Creek Park
Scott's Run Nature Preserve
Theodore Roosevelt Island
Turkey Run Park
Veirs Mill Local Park
Westmoreland Park
Windy Run Park
Zachary Taylor Park

The following parks are a little further outside the city (1-2 hour drive). Due to their distance we don't normally go to these as part of our hiking program, but they do make for an excellent day or weekend trip with your dog!

Burke Lake Park
Catoctin Mountain Park
Dog Beach at Downs Park (swimming)
Harpers Ferry
Shenandoah National Park
Sugarloaf Mountain
How often do you go out with dogs? What is your schedule?

We take dogs on hikes and trail runs five days per week, Monday - Friday. Pick-up time is generally between 10:00am and 1:00pm and drop-off time is two-three hours after pick-up.
What is the price of a dog hiking service?
We offer different pricing options depending on the number of days per week your dog joins us:
- For 5 days per week, the cost is $45 per day.
- For 3-4 days per week, the rate is $59 per day.
- If your dog will be with us 1-2 days per week, the price is $64 per day.
For further details, please refer to our pricing page.
What is the difference between a dog walk and a dog hike?

Dog walkers walk the dog around the block. The primary goal of a dog walk is to give the dog a bathroom break. The walks are usually 20-30 minutes long.

A dog hike takes place away from your home at a nature park. This gives your dog the opportunity to be out in nature and enjoy the fresh air and wildlife. The goal of a Pant & Wag dog hike is to give your dog the appropriate amount of exercise in their natural element and to socialize and bond with other dogs. The hikes are a minimum of one hour long.

Picture and Video Gallery of our DC Dog Hiking Field Trips:
(all pictures and videos are from actual Pant & Wag outings; no stock photography or videos are used!)

Best trails for dog hiking in Washington DC

Our DC Dog Hikes let your dog experience his natural environment on the best trails in the woods.

Poppy and her furry friends go on an amazing dog friendly hike along the Potomac River Gorge.

Hounds need to hound! Sniffing and exploring away from the city allows dogs to be dogs.

Playtime in the snow! We always allow for extra time for the doggy playgroups to frolick, play, explore, and socialize.

An awesome trek through wildflowers! We go to different trailheads everyday to keep your dog physically and mentally stimulated.

Our doggie hikers form deep-bonded friendships as they go adventuring with each other every week.

A vigorous 5k gallop in the mud! Don't worry, we clean the dogs off before returning them home!

We go to different parks and explore different trails each day. Your dog will never be bored with our DC dog hiking company!

Sometimes we run, sometimes we hike, sometimes we go on a faux hunting trip; we always change-up our activities so your pup never gets blasé with the same routine.

We never know what we'll encounter during our hiking excursions! In this video we came across a wake of vultures who were feasting on a deer carcass that got crushed by a tree. Gruesome? Yes. But what an amazing experience for the happy hikers to witness nature in action!

We go on excursions 5 days per week (M-F), in all weather conditions, during all seasons of the year. Autumn and winter in the woods are always the doggy's favorite!

A Deer! Our doggie exercise groups allow your dog to get out of the city and see (and smell!) actual wildlife in their natural element.

Maggie-May explores the riverside during her journey in the Washington, DC national parks.

Dog Hiking Adventures; Alternative to dog walkers and dog daycare

Fresh air and open spaces. Dog walkers and dog daycare can't compete with our outdoor nature expeditions!

By doing different activities at different parks your dog will be a happy hiker!

Rivers, rocks, flatlands... our excursions cover a vast diversity of terrain on the best trails to keep your dog physically challenged.

Best hiking trails for playgroups of dogs

Thanks to the National Park Service, the Washington DC area has some of the most gorgeous hiking trails in the nation for dog playgroups to explore!

Strenuous dog hiking trails for dogs near Washington, DC

Some of our dog hikes are on easy trails and some are on strenuous trails. We always mix it up to keep your dog mentally enriched which can help avoid potential behavioral issues.

Dogs are always on-leash as required by law. This helps us keep your dog safe, active, and also protects the surrounding environment and wildlife.

Pant & Wag is the best dog hiking group in Washington, DC!

Safety First

Safety and enjoyment for your dog always comes first at Pant & Wag. Here are some of our safety protocols:

100% Focus on the Dogs: When we are with your pup, our complete focus will be on him and his crew. This means no talking on cell phones, no texting, and no AirPods while exercising. This allows us to watch (and listen!) for signs of fatigue, aggression, injury, and other possible dangerous situations.

All Dogs Vetted: Before any dog can join our outings, we vet them in person to ensure they are a good fit for the group.

Always on Leash: Even if your dog is well-behaved off-lead, we always keep them on a lead during our trips. This is not only for the safety of your dog but also for the safety of other people, wildlife, and to protect the environment.

Canine First Aid Kit: A canine first aid kit is always onsite.

Fresh Water and Portable Water Bowls: We always have fresh water and portable water bowls onsite to keep your dog hydrated and cool.

Veterinarian Emergencies: While this has never happened, in the extremely rare case we encounter an emergency, we always know the nearest veterinary clinic to our given location. Additionally, we will advance the initial costs for our clients and approve the veterinarian recommended course of action should the client not be available, so your dogs emergency treatment will not be delayed.*

*signature required to advance the cost and approve veterinarian recommended treatment. See Addendum B: Emergency Information of the Client Agreement form for more information.

Sign Up Today!

While other pet service companies such as dog walkers, runners, and daycare never allow dogs to engage with nature, experience wildlife, or explore new trails, Pant & Wag's Fitness Adventures are developed only for dogs who deserve the best! Sign-up for a free consultation today to learn more about how to get your dog in our a unique, enjoyable, and highly beneficial aerobic exercise program.

Professional Dog Hikers Needed

You can actually get paid for going on hikes! Are you passionate about dogs, hiking, and the great outdoors? We might just have the perfect job for you! Our team consists of individuals from diverse backgrounds — stay-at-home parents, college students, retirees, and professionals with additional jobs — but they all share a deep love for dogs, nature, and staying active. If you have a few spare hours during the late morning and early afternoon and would like to earn some money while enjoying a refreshing trek with a group of dogs amidst the beautiful woods, we invite you to check out our Now Hiring page for more information.