Hiking Area in Montgomery County where dogs are NOT allowed?

[Anonymous]

Does such a thing exist? We took a family hike this weekend and it was very stressful trying to avoid unleashed dogs running up to us on the trail. I have an unusually severe allergy, so I cannot just pet and befriend these dogs unfortunately-if dog saliva or fur touches my bare skin I break out into hives in that spot at the very least, but it can also trigger a whole body reaction (think hives everywhere, swelling, etc etc). I carry my epi pen and benadryl and make sure my skin is covered as much as possible but it would be nice not to have to worry about it. It's a real bummer having to ask people to grab their dog, and offering an explanation when the person insists "But they're friendly, they just want to say hi!"

I have tried googling but I just get directed to sites listing where you CAN bring dogs. So, I turn to DCUM....

[Anonymous]

Billy goat trail, if its open

[Anonymous]

Jug Bay Wetland Sanctuary in upper Marlboro

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately even if dogs are not allowed, there are too many jackass owners in their area who call their dog an "emotional support animal" and will deliberately ignore rules/laws, because of their snowflake-ness.

[Anonymous]

I hike almost every days on greenway trail, Seneca creek, lake needwood, and never have an issue.

I also go to sugarloaf, pepco trail and the canal ... further north above violates lock.

I also walk around the Rio and the soccerplex.

You sound like you have a fear you might want to address with counseling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Billy goat trail, if its open

I think it’s just Section A that does not allow dogs. They’re okay on B and C, but should be leashed, off course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hike almost every days on greenway trail, Seneca creek, lake needwood, and never have an issue.

I also go to sugarloaf, pepco trail and the canal ... further north above violates lock.

I also walk around the Rio and the soccerplex.

You sound like you have a fear you might want to address with counseling.

Yeah, sounds like OP has a fear of dying from an allergic reaction. Crazy, huh?

I don't know if dogs are allowed, but Sugarloaf always has tons of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hike almost every days on greenway trail, Seneca creek, lake needwood, and never have an issue.

I also go to sugarloaf, pepco trail and the canal ... further north above violates lock.

I also walk around the Rio and the soccerplex.

You sound like you have a fear you might want to address with counseling.

Did you even read the original post? Counseling doesn’t cure serious allergies, as far as I know....

[Anonymous]

It's not hiking, per se, but Brookside Gardens doesn't allow dogs and it's fairly large.

[Anonymous]

Everything I can think of in Mongt Co allows dogs. In VA- Huntley Meadows doesn't allow dogs over the marsh - on the board walk - so that limits the dogs elsewhere in the park, but we will still see a few.

Billy Goat A is the only part that says no dogs - plenty of dogs on the tow path. And despite all the signs and threats - I still see dogs on A.

I can't think of a park that doesn't require the dogs to be leashed; too bad the owners can't manage to follow the rules.

[Anonymous]

“I have a lethal allergy to dogs” is what you need to say to dog owners on the trail.

I hike a lot and hardly see any unleashed dogs. Also, unleashed dogs don’t routinely come up and touch people. I understand it only takes one encounter, though, and that this possibility is causing you stress.

Pretty soon it will be colder and you can wear gloves as well as long sleeves. Location-wise you’re better off avoiding the easier, more popular spots as those will have the most people and dogs.

[Anonymous]

Do you have the All Trails app? You can filter hikes by many variables, dog-friendly being one of those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hike almost every days on greenway trail, Seneca creek, lake needwood, and never have an issue.

I also go to sugarloaf, pepco trail and the canal ... further north above violates lock.

I also walk around the Rio and the soccerplex.

You sound like you have a fear you might want to address with counseling.

Did you even read the original post? Counseling doesn’t cure serious allergies, as far as I know....

Yes and she is letting her fear rule her life.

She imagines people with dogs approach you and let their dogs slobber on people.

This literally has never happened to her but is a fear she has that rules her life.

That requires therapy to fix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hike almost every days on greenway trail, Seneca creek, lake needwood, and never have an issue.

I also go to sugarloaf, pepco trail and the canal ... further north above violates lock.

I also walk around the Rio and the soccerplex.

You sound like you have a fear you might want to address with counseling.

Did you even read the original post? Counseling doesn’t cure serious allergies, as far as I know....

Yes and she is letting her fear rule her life.

She imagines people with dogs approach you and let their dogs slobber on people.

This literally has never happened to her but is a fear she has that rules her life.

That requires therapy to fix.

I understood that it had happened to OP, which is why she's afraid of it re-occurring. I agree that she seems to be very anxious, but I have a child with an anaphylactic allergy to nuts, and when you have a deadly allergy, the fear of it being triggered, especially in a spot where medical help cannot reach you easily, is perfectly legitimate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not hiking, per se, but Brookside Gardens doesn't allow dogs and it's fairly large.

This. Just went this weekend.