Dog days of summer for fido (and you)!

Get ready for some doggone fun in the New River Gorge! Active Southern West Virginia has seasonal and year-round adventures for you and your pooch. Leash up and get ready for a summer party and social walks.

Big Dog Party

Exercise and enjoy it, too! That’s the message behind ActiveSWV, an organization with free activities for everybody. Their monthly events range from stand-up paddleboarding and tai chi to— you guessed it— dog walks.

The Big Dog Party on June 24 will combine socializing with some light exercising. Bring Rover to Fayetteville Town Park by 9 a.m. for a little stroll. Then try your paw at contests for best trick and costume! Don’t own a dog? You’ll have a hoot, anyway. Just sit back and watch the spectacle.

The party will also have raffles, a reading of “Go, Dog, Go!” and activities for kids and dogs until 1 p.m.

Happy tails and trails

ActiveSWV also has doggie activities throughout the year.

If you’re keen on early morning exercise, try “Active Dogs and People.” Community Captain Suleka Deevi and her dog, Tesla, lead walks every Monday and Wednesday. Join them by 7 a.m. at Grey Flats Trails, a forest habitat near the Beckley Soccer Complex. Most walks range from 2-4 miles.

“Dog Walk in the Park” events are more spontaneous, so follow ActiveSWV on Facebook for the latest hangouts. Most happen in the New River Gorge. If you’ve never hiked there, you and your dog are in for a treat. The region is famous for its breathtaking mountain views.

New River Humane Society Dog Walkers

If you don’t own a dog, this ActiveSWV group offers the perfect solution! Head to the humane society in Fayetteville every Sunday at 3 p.m. Needy pooches look forward to these weekly walks, which help them gain trust and social skills. Every outing increases their odds of being adopted. Plus, the two of you get to explore and burn some calories!

Where does your dog like to roam in West Virginia?