Fun Fact: Greene County has the largest barn quilt trail in the state of Virginia.

Download this handy map of Greene County.

❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

Our “Greene County caNine List” showcases our 9 favorite dog friendly “Spots.”

❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

1. South River Falls

Shenandoah National Park, Swift Run Gap Entrance, 22591 Spotswood Trail, Elkton

At 83 feet, South River Falls earns its status as one of the highest waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park.

We learned about this waterfall, and the hike to see it, from Eben Schoeman’s Great Virginia Waterfall Trail. The round trip hike totals 3.3 miles on a trail rated by the National Park Service as “moderate” (suitable for beginners who want more of a challenge).

---

Hike Description from: https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/south-river-falls.htm

---

The trail passes an observation point, but to see the waterfall in all its glory, continue hiking to its base.

Hey Grendel! What did you think about our South River Falls adventure??

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

❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

2. Skyline Drive

Shenandoah National Park, Swift Run Gap Entrance, 22591 Spotswood Trail, Elkton

Some members of our pack were less than impressed by Skyline Drive. They snoozed in the backseat while we toured this iconic scenic roadway that runs through Shenandoah National Park. The rest of us were absolutely BOW-WOWed and we stopped at a few overlooks to take it all in.

Skyline Drive zigzags along the Appalachian Trail, so you just might encounter a thru-hiker who needs a lift to a nearby spot.

During our drive, we met Bridges (his trail name) and gave him a ride to the Visitor Center.

❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

3. Appalachian Trail

Shenandoah National Park, Swift Run Gap Entrance, 22591 Spotswood Trail, Elkton

Speaking of the Appalachian Trail…Shenandoah National Park contains more than 100 miles of the AT. That’s a lot of sniffing opportunities.

❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

4. Bearrr Appetit

362 Mountain Laurel Pass, Stanardsville

Jake, our pack’s gastronome extraordinaire, offered to write a review of our visit to Bearrr Appetit.

Jake: “I was much impressed by the spacious yet cozy outdoor seating area and how it seamlessly blends upscale elegance and rustic down-to-earthiness. I believe it was designed specifically for a dog to have its day enjoying the stunning scenery.”

Jake: “Our party ordered the Buck Burger and a fried catfish sandwich with plenty of onion rings. Everything was superbly seasoned and cooked to perfection. Plus, the generous portions allow for sharing with a 4-legged friend.”

Jake: “My advice? Bring your dogs and your appetite to Bearrr Appetit.”

❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

5. Greene County Animal Shelter

37 Geri Allen Way, Ruckersville

The Greene County Animal Shelter describes itself as “small in size but big at heart.”

Maybe your new best friend is among the shelter’s sweetie pies.

Not ready to adopt? The shelter’s donation page includes a link to its Amazon wish list and suggestions for items that can be dropped off during your visit.

List of items from: https://greenecounty.dogrescues.org/donate.php

❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

6. This AirBnb

Stanardsville

We recommend a stay at Off the Beaten Path, a dog friendly AirBnB in the woods that lives up to its name.

Photo from AirBnb

The road leading to the house made us grateful that we chose Mack’s 4-wheel drive pickup truck for this trip.

The back deck was our favorite spot on the property and a great place to watch the sunrise or unwind after a day of hiking.

❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

7. Sip Shack-Ruckersville

8532 Seminole Trail, (Rte. 29) Ruckersville

Amos believes in the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of pup cups.

After ordering a milkshake, a sorbet, and a round of pup cups, we headed to the dog park for an extended sniffing session.

Yes, you read that correctly. The Sip Shack features its own dog park. This might be the dog friendliest place in Greene County!

❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

8. Blue Ridge Cafe

8315 Seminole Trail, Ruckersville

Jake, would like to share his impressions of the Blue Ridge Cafe.

Jake: “I always breathe a heavy sigh of relief when a dog friendly seating area includes enough infrastructure to protect me from the elements. The Blue Ridge Cafe absolutely excels at ensuring the comfort of its patrons on the porch. My seating was firmly ensconced in the Goldilocks-zone, with nothing too hot, too cold, in danger of blowing away, or getting drenched from a sudden downpour.”

Jake: “Our taste buds also have good things to say about this place. Our party ordered the meatloaf and the Southwestern Salad topped with Salmon. The fresh ingredients were prepared and seasoned just right to combine bites of velvety smoothness with a flavorful crunch.”

Jake: “and oh yeah…the servers here are the icing on the cake. Our server arrived at our table with a fresh bowl of ice water and immediately noticed my handsome physique. I say, let’s return here again very soon.”

❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

9. Blue Ridge Barn Quilt Tour

Greene County takes the Blue Ridge Barn Quilt Trail very seriously. More than 100 locations throughout the county feature these painted quilt patterns. Wherever we looked, we saw a Barn Quilt, and sometimes two or three. We used the map on the Barn Quilts Tour website which provides information on which barn quilts include places to safely park and take photos.

❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

Thanks for all of the LOVE, Greene County!

4375 Spotswood Trail, Stanardsville

160 Green Acres Rd., Stanardsville

Greene County Technical Education Center, 10415 Spotswood Trail, Stanardsville

Greene County Visitor Center, 9157 Seminole Trail, Ruckersville

❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

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

The author explains the shameful history behind the creation of this much beloved National Park.

---

This resource tells the reader what to know for a memorable visit to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive. Our ears perked up during the following Travel Bits:

• 2–Skyline Drive
• 8–Overlooks
• 18–Appalachian Trail
• 76–South River Falls
• 78–Swift Run Gap entrance
• 94–A dog friendly park

---

This whodunnit within a whodunnit is set in a small town in the Shenandoah Valley.

❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️