Sugar Hollow Park - Bristol, VA
Sugar Hollow Park – Dog-Friendly Outdoor Escape in Bristol, Virginia
Located in Bristol, Virginia, Sugar Hollow Park offers an expansive outdoor experience, perfect for dog owners seeking pet-friendly trails and forested surroundings. The park features scenic walks through the woods, wetland areas, and a picturesque creek, making it one of the most loved dog-friendly hiking spots in the region. Families will also enjoy reservable picnic shelters, picnic tables, mountain biking trails, disc golf, and athletic fields—all set in a well-maintained environment with plenty of natural shade.
While Sugar Hollow Park’s trails and open grounds are popular with local dog owners, please be aware that the park strictly enforces leash laws. However, some reviewers have noted incidents with off-leash dogs, particularly in the picnic and creek areas, so owners should be especially cautious. There are ample areas for relaxation, shaded picnic spots, and play opportunities for the whole family, making this park a welcoming destination for both pets and people.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the park’s leash requirements? Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times within Sugar Hollow Park, as per local leash laws.
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? No, dogs are not allowed off-leash. Owners are expected to keep pets leashed, though some visitors have reported off-leash dogs in certain areas.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the park features pet-friendly hiking trails through the woods, wetlands, and along the creek.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there are shaded areas and several picnic shelters available within the park.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, Sugar Hollow Park offers a playground and athletic fields for families.
- Are picnics allowed? Yes, there are picnic tables and reservable shelters, making the park ideal for family picnics.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, reviewers note that the park is well maintained and clean.
- What should I do if there’s an aggressive dog? Report aggressive dog encounters to park staff or local authorities, as there have been incidents with unleashed dogs.
- Are staff or rangers present at the park? There are staff present, but some visitors have noted limited intervention regarding leash enforcement in remote areas.
Reviews
We stopped in briefly for a picnic and enjoyed the lovely forested grounds. Lots of picnic tables up for grabs and various picnic shelters you can reserve as well down by the creek or up the hill.
I love this park. The walk through the woods is really cool.
DOG ATTACKS ARE COMMON !!! This IS a leash law state yet when you go to the family picnic are and the creek area, you are almost guaranteed to see/be charged at by someone’s dog! Once you get to the wetlands STAFF no longer care even after having to pepper spray an attacking dog off me and my leashed dog . I have made complaints and shown multiple photos of this occurrence. I LOVED this park all my life but the last year has been unbearable – I know drove an extra 20min each way to avoid this place and go to the lake – ENFORCE THE LEASH LAWS OR STOP ALLOWING PETS ALL TOGETHER IM TIRED OF ALWAYS BEING ON EDGE AT THIS PARK WONDERING WHEN THE NEXT LOOSE DOG WILL ATTACK — Remeber folks it’s the law and also not everyone wants to ran up to by a dog especially a child
BEWARE!! be extremely careful walking your dog in the back section of this park In the area for the family picnics and where the creek is at- I’ve been coming for years and I’ve noticed over the past six months almost every day there is large loose dogs with no leash running around I have been approached and have had to spray multiple aggressive dogs when mine is on a leash and the owner thinks it’s cool to just let their dogs Park with leash laws. There is absolutely nothing any staff at the park will do about this . The park is well maintained, and there is a vast amount to explore everything from a dam to the wetlands to the forest If your here wothout an animal, it’s a great place If you plan on bringing A dog prepare for it to be attacked
This is a beautiful park. There are really nice views from up on top of the dam. The disc golf course is also very nice. It’s well maintained and has some of the longest holes in the area. There are several athletics fields and a playground. As well as a good variety of mountain biking trails. Overall, it is a very nice park.