Keep your dog under control and pick up their poop

A leash on dogs is not required within Wintergreen, but like most localities in Virginia, Nelson County’s rules state that dogs outside fencing must be “under its owner's or custodian's immediate control.”

That can mean, among other things, anyone who permits a dog that belongs to them to run at large or remain unconfined, unrestricted, or not penned up, will be in violation.

What does “under control” mean? "A controlled dog will stay by your side under any circumstances, whether it is enforced by a leash or by voice. A controlled dog off-leash will return to its owner 100 percent of the time it has been called," writes Leah Howard.

“Dogs must be leashed on the forty percent of the Appalachian Trail that uses National Park Service-administered lands - though we recommend that you keep your dog leashed, particularly to protect you and your dog in the event of an unexpected encounter with wildlife,” the National Park Service tells hikers. The Blue Ridge Parkway is part of the National Park Service, so a leash is required there and the same rule applies to Wintergreen’s trails.

Some areas in Wintergreen have signage saying dogs must be on a leash (such as the pathway around Lake Monocan) so it’s wise to carry a leash with you.

“Trail dogs aren't for everyone, but trails are. As dog owners, we need to remember that,” says Marc Peruzzi in Outside Magazine, noting that not everyone is keen on dogs.

Even on the hiking trails, dog poop should be packed out. “Many dog owners try to justify not picking up poop by referencing the bowel movements of coyotes, bears, and deer. They say that pet waste is natural, that it’s fertilizing the backcountry. I used to believe that drivel, too,” says Peruzzi.

“But dog scheisse is nasty stuff. It’s often chock-full of pathogens, viruses, and parasites that don’t belong in the environment. When it rains, that fecal matter—and the stuff living in it—enter our streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans. The EPA says that dog waste, like pesticides and chemical fertilizers, is an environmental hazard.”