Spend time with your canine in Black Mountain, NC
Spending the day with your dog by your side can be both energizing and peaceful. Play fetch. Take a nap. Go for a long walk. Take a nap. Meet up with friends. Take a nap.
Spending time in Black Mountain, North Carolina strikes a similar balance. Enjoy a morning hike. Savor locally-roasted coffee. Go gallery-hopping. Try something new on the menu. Dance to live music. Sleep with the windows open.
When you add them all together — you, your dog, and Black Mountain — we think you’ve summed up the perfect vacation get-away. So what are you waiting for?
Plan your dog-friendly getaway
For canines and their humans alike, there’s a calm, natural charm that makes Western North Carolina feel invigorating and relaxing at the same time. Here’s a directory for getting here sooner (and staying here longer!):
Click here for our overnight accommodations guide, including links to some of the most popular vacation rentals in the area. Most welcome pets!
Discover year-round Things to Do in Black Mountain, including our 2025 Park Rhythms Concert Series in June and July.
Learn more About our town.
Get tips on Getting Here.
Explore our parks
In Fall 2024, Hurricane Helene left many of our town’s green spaces in ruins. But as soon as we could, the Town of Black Mountain began the long, hard job of clearing and restoring our parks and trails. To help you plan your visit, we’re providing this list of dog-friendly Town parks and their current status (as of May 10, 2025). If you’re interested in ongoing progress reports and program announcements, follow our Parks Department on Facebook.
All dogs are required to be on a leash when visiting these parks, and please be kind and pick up after your pet.
Cragmont Park: PARTIALLY OPEN
105 Swannanoa Avenue
The tennis courts are open and usable. The walking path still needs to be repaired so is currently closed, but the open field is accessible to dogs and their humans.
Dr. John Wilson Community Garden: OPEN
99 White Pine Drive
The greenway around the garden is open and provides a nice area to walk your dog.
Lake Tomahawk Park: OPEN
401 Laurel Circle Drive
The walking path around the lake is great for dog-walking. The park also has a playground for kids, tennis courts, and a picnic pavilion (the pavilion does not have power).
Town Square: OPEN
106 Montreat Road (NC-9)
Nice for dog-walking and relaxing in a pretty green space at the center of downtown.
Riverwalk Dog Park: REOPENING SUMMER 2025
Once this park reopens, it will offer amenities including an off-leash play area for dogs.
Veterans Park: PARTIALLY REOPENED
10 Veterans Park Drive
The south side of Veterans Park reopened this Spring and is a good place to walk your dog. Please note that the north side (near the baseball fields) is still closed for repairs.
For a complete listing of Town parks and their open status, CLICK HERE.
Kick back in town
Source: Bona Fide Pet Boutique Facebook page
Black Mountain’s historic downtown is rich with interesting restaurants, pubs, shops, art galleries, and more. Many welcome well-behaved pups either indoors or on their patios (if there’s no sign on the entrance, please ask before you go inside). You’ll find water bowls outside many storefronts.
While you’re visiting, be sure to bring your pet to Bona Fide Pet Boutique on Cherry Street. They specialize in homemade baked treats and unique pet products.
We also recommend Foothills Grange for their large picnic and outdoor games area; the patios at The Cheshire Arms and Peri Social House; Old Town District BMT tap room and live music; as well as live music at White Horse Black Mountain (which allows well-behaved dogs inside).
Take a hike on North Carolina’s State and National parks and trails
Clean-up efforts from Hurricane Helene are on-going throughout Western North Carolina’s national and state parks. To check out the current status of a specific park or trail, and to learn whether or not dogs are permitted, refer to the North Carolina State Park interactive map and the National Parks Service’s interactive map.
Would you like to donate directly to the Town of Black Mountain’s ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery efforts? CLICK HERE. Thank you for considering.
About the Author
This blog story was written by Amy J. Schultz, an award-winning author, brand/marketing strategist, and overall creative type. She, her husband Brian, and their giant dog Bentley love their downtown Black Mountain neighborhood.
