Biscuit Run Park - Charlottesville, VA
Biscuit Run Park – Dog-Friendly Adventure in Charlottesville, VA
Biscuit Run Park is an expansive, pet-friendly destination in Charlottesville, Virginia, perfect for dog owners seeking a mix of scenic hiking trails, fresh air, and outdoor fun. With over 8 miles of well-marked, dog-friendly trails and open spaces nestled among old-growth forests, it’s a great option for both leisurely nature walks and more energetic outings with your four-legged friend. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, the park’s blend of wide, graded paths and rustic countryside atmosphere offers a refreshing escape from the city.
The park features a dedicated dog run area, water spout for thirsty pups, and convenient amenities such as public restrooms, poop bag dispensers, waste bins, benches, and a large parking lot. While most of the park is leashed-only, some visitors don’t always follow this rule—so be prepared for off-leash encounters. Biscuit Run’s unique history, spacious grounds, and beautiful natural scenery make it a standout dog park in Charlottesville, Virginia, ideal for hiking, dog walking, and enjoying Virginia’s great outdoors with your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Official rules require dogs to be leashed, but some park visitors allow their dogs off-leash despite posted restrictions.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? Yes, there is a fenced dog run area at Biscuit Run Park.
- What are the park’s leash requirements? Dogs must be on leash as posted by park rules, though some guests do not always comply.
- Are there water fountains or bowls for dogs? There is a water spout for dogs, but water flow may not be strong.
- Are poop bags or waste stations provided? Yes, poop bags and waste bins are available throughout the park.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? There are benches, but some are located outside of the fenced dog area.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, there are public restrooms (pit toilets) on site.
- Is there parking at the park? Yes, there is a spacious parking lot at the trailhead with about 75 spaces.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Absolutely—Biscuit Run Park offers 8 miles of pet-friendly hiking trails.
- Is the park muddy after it rains? Some trails can get muddy, so good hiking shoes are recommended.
Reviews
Great hike! The beaver pond is so beautiful!
I see I’m the first to leave a written review so I’ll do my best to be thorough. Justly evaluating something usually requires historical perspective and this park has quite a history that should help you appreciate it. What we’re enjoying now as a wonderful and expansive nature preserve was once the focus of an ambitious and controversial real estate development plan.
Back in the 80s and 90s Biscuit Run was owned by the Breeden family. Charlottesville was a different animal back then. The social context was hippies cautiously tangoing with buttoned up transients brought on by a large university. There were tracts of land within city limits untethered by monitory motivations. We would walk our dogs, ride dirt bikes, hike and enjoy wildlife, all without the threat of losing easily accessible tracts to commercial interests.
In the early 2000s the urban trickle from New York and D.C. accelerated to an exodus after the dot-com bubble exploded. By 2006 a developer named Hunter Craig and his group Forest Lodge LLC had purchased the 1,200-acre Biscuit Run from the Breedens for NULL.2 million. Craig had bold plans to transform the property into a sprawling mixed-use community. The development was envisioned to include 3,100 residential units, a slew of commercial spaces and extensive infrastructure to accommodate the growing population in and around Charlottesville. Critics warned of urban sprawl, traffic congestion and the loss of open space, while others supported the potential for increased housing and economic development.
History doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes. In 2009 a different deck of flimsy cards collapsed the U.S. economy again and we got the Great Recession. Craig’s plans for Biscuit Run went careening off course. The economic downturn brought an abrupt halt to many large-scale development projects across the country and Biscuit Run was no exception. Facing financial pressures Craig opted to sell the property to the Commonwealth of Virginia in late 2009 for NULL.8 million which, with some generous tax credits, he was able to push up to NULL.48 million.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation planned to turn the land into a state park but when estimates to do so netted almost as much as Craig’s original purchase they froze. In 2016 a General Assembly committee deemed funds insufficient to go through with it and they began pushing to convert the project to a local one.
Eventually in 2018 Albemarle County signed a ground-lease with the DCR. Progress updates, though allotted in breadcrumb portions, were ravenously devoured by parkland starved Cvillians. Finally on December 14th, 2024 the first phase of the park was completed and the proverbial ribbon cut. The park features 8 miles of well marked pet friendly trails, dedicated mountain biking trails, a trailhead with 75 parking spaces, public restrooms, maps, and the promise of more trails and amenities to come.
Update: Added more pictures first week of May 2025. (Original review and pictures posted Dec 2024)
Great park, lots of potential! Walked about 5 miles, haven’t mountain biked it yet. What i saw was some nice single track appropriate for beginners. Sounds like there are some more challenging runs already built or coming soon. There is a nice little pond on one of the loops, there is also an area across the stream which says are more primitive trails which are not mapped currently. I have included a photo showing the sign.
New trails, still under some construction. Wide, graded trails, shared with mountain bikers. Not crowded on a weekday midday walk. Pretty quiet even though uphill from Scottsville road. Some nice old growth white oaks and tulip trees stand out along the trail.
Lovely park with miles of trails, even in the snow. Comprehensive map, benches, Pit toilet restroom and spacious parking lot. Cannot wait to see it once all of the development phases are complete.