Our Giles County Top 9 List for CaNines
Download this handy map of Giles County.
Fun Fact: The Mountain Lake Lodge in Giles County served as Kellerman’s Mountain House for the filming of the 1987 movie “Dirty Dancing.”
After visiting Giles County, our pack compiled the “Giles County caNine List” to showcase our 9 favorite dog friendly features.
1. Cascade Falls
Trailhead: 2065 Cascade Dr., Pembroke
This stunning 66-foot waterfall stands out as the highlight of our Giles County adventures.
Visiting the waterfall requires a 4-mile round trip hike. The Cascades National Recreation Trail provides both an easier hiking option (the lower trail) and a more difficult hiking option (the upper trail). Go Hike Virginia gives clear directions for staying on the lower trail, if only I had paid closer attention.
We started out on the lower trail, but took a wrong turn somewhere and ended up on the more difficult trail, resulting in a memorable hike to see the falls.
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2. Mountain Lake Lodge
115 Hotel Circle, Pembroke
I was so excited to visit the Mountain Lake Lodge. Dirty Dancing fans know this place as the resort where their favorite movie was filmed.
When I found out that the lodge is dog friendly, well, say no more. I booked reservations.
Mountain Lake Lodge charges a fee of $75 per dog per visit and allows a maximum of two dogs per room.
Dogs are welcome in the Stony Creek Tavern which offers menu items from the Harvest Restaurant.
Here is the gazebo that was featured in the movie.
Visitors may take a self-guided Dirty Dancing walking tour of the grounds without booking a room. Maps are available at the front desk.
Mountain Lake, one of only two natural lakes in Virginia, provided the stunning location for the movie’s iconic lift scene. The lake experiences cycles of draining and refilling and is currently dry. It was last full in 2005 and only the lake knows when it will refill.
The pack visits the dry Mountain Lake basin.
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3. Giles County Animal Shelter
678 Green Hollow Rd., Pearisburg
Check out the available dogs at the Giles County Animal Shelter and the information provided by the shelter on how to find the right dog.
Photo from Facebook | Giles County Animal Shelter
Can’t adopt right now? The shelter also accepts donations through its Amazon Wish List.
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4. Appalachian Trail
Angel’s Rest Trailhead, 523 State Rte. 793, Pearisburg
Feeling ambitious? Giles County contains 50 miles of Appalachian Trail including a challenging portion known as Angel’s Rest.
We hiked a small portion of the Angel’s Rest Trail but those who go the extra mile (It’s actually five extra miles.) will be rewarded with a fabulous view.
Photo from Facebook | Go Hike Virginia
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5. Falls of Dismal
37.185621, -80.902058
Visiting the Falls of Dismal in the Jefferson National Forest was easy peasy because the trail leading to the falls is only 1/10 of a mile in length.
On the way to the falls, we stopped by the Walker Valley Market (106 Nature Ln., Pearisburg) for delicious, made-to-order sandwiches. We sat at one of the many outdoor tables that market has for sale because the restaurant patio is not dog friendly.
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6. Mill Creek Nature Park
900 Northview St., Narrows
Middle Falls of Mill Creek Nature Park
The Mill Creek Nature Park (voted “Best Hike to Take Your Dog on”!) features multiple waterfalls.
Be forewarned that the trail is extremely rugged and includes a boulder field. My hiking pole saved me numerous times. Also, the trail is not well marked but thankfully Go Hike Virginia provides detailed directions to the falls.
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7. New River
37.3367, -80.8105 Narrows
Giles County features 37 miles of the New River. Conditions were perfect for Mack to try his luck at fishing and for me to take Jake out on the kayak.
Amos and Grendel inspect the Narrows public boat launch.
Mack enjoys a bit of fishing in the New River.
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8. Mary Draper Ingles Trail
Glen Lyn Park, Campground Dr., Glen Lyn
We found the Mary Ingles Trail, which follows the New River, thanks to this detailed YouTube video by Parking Full Time Hiking.
The trail recreates Mary’s perilous escape route from the colonial era. Amos, our pack’s historian, wants to share a few details about the amazing story of Mary Draper Ingles.
Amos: “In 1755, during the French and Indian War, native Shawnee Tribesmen captured Mary Draper Ingles along with her two young sons and several others in the western Virginia frontier. The captives were taken to what is now Ohio and Mary’s sons were adopted by the Shawnee.
Mary was able to escape by walking hundreds of miles on a harrowing journey back to her home. During her escape, she crossed the New River and travelled through what is now Giles County.”
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9. Sinking Creek Bridge
Dunford Ln., Newport
Giles County is home to one of Virginia’s few publicly accessible covered bridges.
The Sinking Creek Bridge dates to 1916 and has become a popular wedding venue.
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Thanks for all the LOVE, Giles County!
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P. S. We recommend the following audiobooks during your trip to Giles County.
Comedian Katy Brand analyzes every aspect of Dirty Dancing and shares how profoundly the 1987 film impacted her life.
Follow the River tells the story of Mary Draper Ingles’ capture by Shawnee tribesmen, her captivity, and her eventual escape through hundreds of miles of treacherous wilderness.
The author’s quest to not be a quitter led him to become a thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail. He describes his trek through Giles County in Chapter 8 of …Then the Hail Came.
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Roving through Virginia with Rover 
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