Don't overdo the hike for DC and the puppys' sake.

Dogs on leash are allowed in Rock Creek Park. Most dog owners don't leash their dogs there, though. Hint for other dog owners: If your dog likes to play in the mud by the creek AND jump on people, keep the damn dog on a leash.

There's a tangle of trails in the upper northwest part of the park that don't get too many people.

If you're in MoCo, a hike around Lake Needwood or Lake Frank:

http://www.montgomeryparks.org/PPSD/ParkTrails/trails_MAPS/rock_creek.shtm

I love this book, btw:

http://www.amazon.com/Dog-Lovers-Companion-Washington-D-C/dp/1566917123/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349488745&sr=1-3&keywords=dogs+washington%2C+DC

Scotts Run - off 193 by 495. Leads to a waterfall!

Don't know the rules for dogs in Rock Creek but if your enthusiasm for a long drive deteriorates, there is a nice 3 mile loop that starts behind the equestrian center and runs along the creek. It's especially nice when Beach Drive is closed.
Sky Meadows is also nice, bring a picnic or maybe research a lunch stop nearby.
If you are up for approx. 1 3/4 hour drive (the part after Warrenton is scenic) my favorite local hike is Cedar Canyon (or White Oak Canyon, they both start at the same spot) at the base of the mountains in SNP near Etlan, Va., via State Route 643 to Weakley Hollow Road. Bring your bathing suits just in case the waterfalls are swimmable.
Another nice hike is the at Westmoreland State Park down in Virginia (again about 1.5 hours or so), we usually take Route 301 instead of 95 - to Route 3. There's a hike through the woods and across a march boardwalk to the white sand beach where you can look for fossils. Or just pull up at the beach and noodle around!

Bull Run Occoquan trail. Its at the western edge of fairfax county and is not well known. there's never very many people on it. We hike it in sections as an out and back. I love this hike, southern two sections are best.

Sky Meadows

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/sky.shtml

Great place

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live? If you are in Bethesda that is a different "one hour" radius than if you live in Alexandria...

Regardless, if Prince William Forest National Park is within range for you, it is beautiful.
http://www.nps.gov/prwi/index.htm

PP here.

Dogs ARE allowed at prince william forest. Here are the rules
http://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/pets.htm

Where do you live? If you are in Bethesda that is a different "one hour" radius than if you live in Alexandria...

Regardless, if Prince William Forest National Park is within range for you, it is beautiful.
http://www.nps.gov/prwi/index.htm

Oops, sorry this is 1126. Missed the puppy part. Yes, no to Billy Goat then. Second Sugarloaf. Haven't been to Sky Meadows.

Dogs are not allowed on the billy goat trail, AFAIK. Also it can be a little tricky in places so depending on your 8 yr old I might think 2x.

Maybe Sky Meadows or Sugarloaf? I think leashed pets are permitted at both.

Billy Goat. http://www.our-kids.com/static/?f=billygoattrail

Long weekend. Beautiful weather. Would like to take the kids (12 and 8) on a hike, along with our puppy. Don't want to drive too far to get there (under an hour), but looking for that "you're out of the city feeling" . . .

Thanks!