The Bellamy River Wildlife Management Area in Dover, New Hampshire is a dog friendly hike buzzing with activity. Follow these trails through fields of wildflowers surrounded by the sounds of bees, to a pond where you just may see a resident heron. Continue into the forest for perhaps a quick glimpse of a deer, while heading towards the tidal creek. There you will have two choices. If you go to your right along the Bellamy River, the trail is a short loop back to where the wildflowers join with the wood line. If you go to the left, it is a much longer loop. But be warned! Whereas the trail to the right is easy to follow the one to the left gets confusing. Once you pass the old apple orchard, the trail isn’t as well marked. In fact during our visit, we lost it entirely! But thankfully Mom snapped a photo of the trail map at the parking lot kiosk before setting off on our hike. From that map we could see the trail skirted along the wetlands, and eventually brought us back to the wildflower trail. It took a bit of effort, but we found it and successfully finished our hike at the Bellamy River Wildlife Management Area.

Dogs are allowed, but they must be on-leash from March 15 to July 15 to protect the nesting wildlife. This area is also home to New England Cottontail Rabbits, an endangered species, so please keep dogs under control. If your dog flushes a cottontail rabbit, please restrain the dog and move to another area. It is important to respect the wildlife, so that dogs will continued to be welcome, and always clean up after your pet and carry it out.

The Bellamy River Wildlife Management Area is located off Back River Road on Rabbit Road in Dover, NH. Look for the sign to the trailhead and parking area. For more recommendations in New Hampshire and beyond, please visit our Dog Friendly Places Reviews.