Fun Fact: Werowocomoco, the headquarters of Powhatan, was located in what is now Gloucester County.

Download this handy map of Gloucester County.

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After visiting Gloucester County, our pack compiled the “Gloucester County caNine List” to showcase our 9 favorite dog friendly features.

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1. Gloucester Point Beach Park

1255 Greate Rd., Gloucester Point

Jake, an avid birdwatcher, espies some birds at the end of the pier.

Be on the lookout for feathered friends at Gloucester Point Beach Park. More than 200 species of birds visit here each year.

Although Gloucester Point Beach Park provides stunning scenery of the York River near the spot where it enters the Chesapeake Bay, its beauty is more than skin deep. We learned about the location’s history, sites, and ecology from interpretative signs and this brochure.

But mostly, we just took in the views.

Mack enjoys a bit of fishing below the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge.

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2. Tyndall’s Point Park

7418 Battery Dr., Gloucester Point

Quiz time

Q. Where were the first Civil War shots fired in Virginia?

A. At Gloucester Point at the current location of Tyndall’s Point Park.

This small park features a short trail (a little over a quarter mile) with several interpretative signs. This was a trip highlight for Amos, our pack’s historian.

Amos: “On May 3, 1861, gunfire exchange occurred between Union soldiers onboard the USS Yankee and Confederate soldiers at Gloucester Point. This marked the first shots fired during the Civil War in Virginia. Earthworks from the war remain at the site that is now Tyndall’s Point Park.”

The pack walks by an earthwork at Tyndall’s Point Park.

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3. YROC Coastal Point & Grill

8109 Yacht Haven Rd., Gloucester Point

The pack stopped by the YROC Coastal Point & Grill for dinner. Jake, our pack’s restaurant reviewer and gastronome extraordinaire, only had good things to say.

Jake: “The dog friendly seating area is super comfy, even on a chilly day thanks to the ceiling heaters.”

Jake: “The customer service here is Spot On, and includes a fresh water bowl for anyone with four legs.”

Jake: “My personal favorite dishes? The crab cake sandwich and the veggie burrito bowl.”

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4. Machicomoco State Park

3601 Timberneck Farm Rd., Hayes

We could have spent all day exploring Machicomoco State Park.

Machicomoco means “special meeting place” in Algonquin.

This park is dedicated to the history of Virginia’s native tribes. We drove to the park’s Interpretive Area and checked out its pavilion (designed with longhouse architecture in mind) and historical information. The area features a timeline which we especially liked reading as we walked along the path.

Map from: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/machicomoco

Amos: “Not far from Machicomoco State Park, an archaeological dig is taking place at the site of Werowocomoco, the former headquarters of the Powhatan tribe.”

Chief Powhatan in a longhouse at Werowocomoco (detail from John Smith’s map, 1612)

Amos: “Captain John Smith described Werowocomoco in his writings but its location was lost to history until 2003 when archaeologists confirmed the location of the site based on artifacts.”

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5. Beaverdam Park

8687 Roaring Springs Rd., Gloucester

With its 625-acre lake and myriad hiking trails, Beaverdam Park is our kind of hangout spot.

Map from: https://gloucesterva.gov/parks-recreation-tourism/parks-waterways#beaverdam

Hey Grendel, which did you like better at Beaverdam Park, the lake or the hiking trails?

Grendel: WOOF! WOOF! WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!

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6. Rosewell Ruins

Rosewell Plantation Rd., Gloucester

Photo by Shawna Hardy

The Rosewell Ruins are a must see for history buffs and also for anyone looking for something really cool.

A visit to the Rosewell Ruins begins at its dog friendly visitor center. From there, the ruin is a quarter mile walk (or drive) away.

Amos: “Built in 1725, the Pages, one of Virginia’s first families, lived in the Rosewell mansion until 1916 when a fire ravaged this elegant abode.”

Amos: “Today, the archaeological digs at the Rosewell Ruins provide a glimpse into the lives of the Page family and the hundreds of enslaved workers who lived on this former tobacco plantation.”

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7. Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society

6620 Jackson La., Gloucester

We stopped by the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society and said “Hi” to all of the awesome pups available for adoption.

Blue is waiting to meet his forever family.

If you are not ready to adopt, no worries. There are other ways to help. Here’s how to donate.

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8. Brent & Becky’s

7900 Daffodil Ln., Gloucester

Our trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Brent & Becky’s, a Gloucester institution devoted to the flower bulb.

Before our visit, we learned the story of Brent & Becky’s from this video.

The pack toured the dog friendly educational gardens which comprise almost one-third of the 28-acre property.

Did you know that Gloucester County is the Daffodil Capital of America?

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9. Bangkok Noi Thai Restaurant

6724 Main St., Gloucester

Jake recommends a visit to the Bangkok Noi Thai Restaurant.

Jake: “This is a great spot if you’re a fan of Thai food. Meals are cooked to perfection and the blend of flavors is like a symphony for the taste buds.”

Jake: “Be sure to bring a 4-legged friend or two and sit at the outdoor patio.”

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Thanks for all the LOVE, Gloucester County!

(LOVEworks feature daffodils because.)

1200 Greate Rd., Gloucester Point

1977 George Washington Memorial Hwy., Gloucester

7900 Daffodil Ln., Gloucester

7375 Heron Cove Way, Gloucester

6292 Hall Town Rd., Gloucester

4435 S. George Washington Memorial Hwy., Hayes

8109 Yacht Haven Rd., Gloucester Point

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P. S. We recommend the following audiobooks during your trip to Gloucester County.

This audiobook tells the sacred oral history of an original core tribe of the Powhatan Chiefdom and includes events at Werowocomoco.

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In 1804, William Wordsmith wrote his famous poem Daffodils after a serendipitous sojourn.

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Blacktop Wasteland by Gloucester author S. A. Cosby is a great listen and a wild ride. Every time I thought I knew what would happen next, the story took an unexpected turn.

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