Daniel Boone’s Dogs Were Here
Fun Fact: In 1757, American frontiersman Daniel Boone traveled through this region accompanied by his dogs.
“One day I undertook a tour through the country, and the diversity and beauties of nature I met with in this charming season, expelled every gloomy and vexatious thought.”~Daniel Boone
In honor of Daniel Boone’s Fidos of the frontier, we sought out Dickenson County’s Fido friendly adventures and accommodations.
We awarded 5 out of 5 stars to “things to see and do” and to “where we stayed.”
- Restaurants – not rated
- Things to see & do ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Where we stayed ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ratings are based on the dog friendliness and general awesomeness of each category.
Things to See & Do
Breaks Interstate Park
627 Commission Circle, Breaks
How big is Breaks Canyon? Big enough to be the largest canyon in the eastern United States.
The Breaks Canyon mountain pass provided Daniel Boone and his canine companions with a break on their journey to Kentucky and the Ohio Valley.
How to describe the 4,500 acres of mountains, forest, river and canyon within Breaks Interstate Park? I think our favorite frontiersman said it best:
“Nature was here a series of wonders and a fund of delight.” ~Daniel Boone
We couldn’t agree more, Mr. Boone.
627 Commission Circle, Breaks
There is much to love about Breaks Park.
Our pack’s 3 favorite Breaks activities include watching a most fabulous sunset, Class 0 kayaking, and hiking “a must see” trail.
1. State Line Overlook
With the name, “State Line Overlook,” we might have overlooked what turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. While its sweeping views exhilarated us at noon, the State Line Overlook really puts on a show, and draws a crowd, at sunset.
2. Laurel Lake
The Breaks provides Class V kayaking on the Russell Fork River, which is some of the most challenging whitewater in the country.
a view of the Laurel on Laurel Lake
Fortunately for our pack, the Breaks also offers Class 0 kayaking on the calm, still waters of Laurel Lake. Here, Mack can spend the day fishing and I can safely paddle around with my kayaking partner, Jake.
3. Geological Trail
The towering rock formations along the Geological Trail left us amazed and awestruck.
Described as “a must see,”the Geological Trail is just one of many dazzling hiking trails at the Breaks. Thankfully, the Virginia Outdoor Adventures podcast discusses scenic hiking at the Breaks in this gem of an episode linked below. (After listening, I’m sure glad that our pack didn’t meander onto the extremely steep and strenuous Bottom of the Breaks Trail. We will leave that to the experts.)
John W. Flanagan Dam & Reservoir
37.23213,-82.34606, Haysi
Here, the Cranesnest and Pound Rivers form a large and stunningly beautiful lake ideal for fishing and boating.
Plus, its location next to the Jefferson National Forest makes for some heavenly hiking trails.
Dickenson County Animal Shelter
309 DC Truck Shop Road, Clintwood
This small shelter stretches its limited resources to help the county’s homeless pets.
I asked staff at the Dickenson County Animal Shelter how we can help and I learned that the shelter goes through a lot of dog food.
Readers, please go to your Amazon account and send dog food, lots of dog food, to the Dickenson County Animal Shelter, 309 DC Truck Shop Rd., Clintwood, VA 24228.
Hmmm. Does anyone else see a resemblance between these pups and Daniel Boone’s beloved Mountain Cur?
Cranesnest River Trail
37.14970° N, 82.46530° W, Clintwood
We found the Cranesnest River Trail to be the perfect place to hike with our pack. It follows along its namesake river where fishing might yield a walleye or trout. I would say more, but the High Lonesome Trail blog features a terrific post that provides all the details.
Birch Knob Observation Tower
Birch Knob Dr., Clintwood
(where Mack and the rest of the pack took a break while I got a stair workout)
If Daniel Boone’s dogs were with us maybe they would be brave enough to climb the dog friendly Birch Knob Tower. However, our dogs flatly refused to climb even one step. They did not like the open grid stairs and lack of risers.
Every time I was certain that I was about to reach the top, more stairs would appear.
This video shows visitors exactly what to expect. Thank you, Bear 5 Outdoors for filming your climb. (Wow does it bring back memories.)
The view from the top of the tower includes not just Virginia and Kentucky, but also North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
Ahem….Who wants to get out there and trim all that foliage that’s blocking the view?
Whenever we venture onto The Crooked Road, we know we’re in for a treat. The Crooked Road encompasses 333 miles of southwest Virginia’s music heritage and includes Dickenson County among its stops.
The Crooked Road led us to the music of bluegrass virtuoso Dr. Ralph Stanley, Dickenson County’s much beloved native son.
Dr. Ralph Stanley’s music originated from his family’s musical legacy. His mother taught him how to play the banjo in the clawhammer style. His father’s side of the family bestowed him with a unique singing voice.
The Ralph Stanley Story is a super documentary and great to watch after a day of hiking around Dickenson County. I enjoyed the video’s narrative, but I played it a second time because of the the music.
Thanks for all the LOVE, Dickenson County
194 Clintwood Main St., Clintwood
Where We Stayed
“Hit the Breaks Cabin” is a dog friendly AirBnb right around the corner from Breaks Park. We liked that the cabin has a hot tub, but we especially appreciated and took much advantage of its fully stocked kitchen. We prepared our meals and dined at the cabin during this trip.
Photos of “Hit the Breaks Cabin” from AirBnb
Road Trip Reads
These books, all found on Audible, greatly enhanced our knowledge and appreciation of the culture and people of Dickenson County. (FYI: Virginia’s Department of Wildlife Resources based its Lonesome Pine trail loop on the 1908 novel “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” which takes place in the region.)
Roving through Virginia with Rover 
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