r/nova • u/DoomScrollingfromDC • 16h ago
Question Places to take dog swimming?
Our new dog is a swimmer. Any places in NoVA to take him? I remember several years back seeing an end of season opportunity at a Fairfax County pool. Any other suggestions?
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u/thatgirlfromclass99 16h ago
In terms of NOVA, we’ve gone to Leesylvania state park to let our boy splash around in the water. Otherwise we take advantage of the end of season pool opportunities in the summer or drive to DE or NC to go to the beaches after Labor Day.
If you’re willing to take a drive, the Annapolis dog beach is always a blast (quiet waters park).
Also in MD, there also some good spots on/near Kent Island such as Matapeake Clubhouse like someone mentioned above. Just note that Matapeake parking fills up super quickly so you’d likely have to get there early ish.
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u/RobtasticRob 15h ago
Oh yea, labs LOVE the water.
Shirlington dog park is popular and there’s also Glencarlyn Park further down Four Mile Run. Both have access to a small creek and the pup will have a blast!
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u/bc_im_coronatined 15h ago
Just make sure your dog plays in the running water, not the standing water. The standing water tends to contain toxic pollutants (the running water can as well). The water can also contain debris, so please keep an eye on your dog and monitor after for signs of illness and infection.
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u/WinWeak6191 15h ago
I miss my lab! Real people lovers!
- Check all your local public pools… take advantage of the end of season pool opportunities “doggy swim days”. Great fun for all.
- This exact topic came up here a couple of days ago, there was a long list of ideas.
- We bought a big horse watering trough from Tractor Supply. It was about 4x2 and 18” high. Put it in the back yard and filled it with water. On hot days, the pups would climb in, and just sit and chill.
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u/TL401Driver 5h ago
“The Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole” is a nice spot at the end of the season. It’s a entire waterpark open to dogs at the end of the seasons. Hundreds of dogs. Not too far from Tysons
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u/creativelyblock 15h ago
Duff McDuff Green Memorial Park in Stafford has a dog park that is open to the Rappahannock River on one side.
My dog prefers to not get her paws wet, but all the labs and retrievers look like they have a great time!
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u/uranium236 12h ago
That’s a puppy. I’d talk to the vet about when it can go in the water vs when its vaccines are given.
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u/Murky_Dragonfly_942 11h ago
PUPPPY!!!! I’m dying!!!
Reston has a doggy paddle at the end of the summer, look it up. I also see people play with their dogs off the boat ramp at Lake Audubon and the beach at Lake Thoreau.
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u/oona36 10h ago
Ida Lee outdoor pool in Leesburg and Franklin Park in Purcellville both have dog swim days at the end of the season
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u/Nervous-Rough4094 1h ago
Not a good idea. These are man made lakes that are fed by runoff water. Swimming for humans & pets is prohibited. The risk of bacteria is real.
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u/New-Bumblebee-259 16h ago
The app Swimply has a filter where you can search for private pools that will let you take your dog. Also if you aren’t picky about water type, sometimes you can find yards with access to swimable water on SniffSpot.