Ruff House Dog Park at Rockwood Park has off-leash runs. Everywhere else on county land, dogs must be on a physical leash. Trails, patios and rules.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Rules come from Chesterfield Animal Services and Virginia State Parks; park details from Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation. Restaurants set their own patio rules, so ask before you bring a dog.

Midlothian is a leash town: on any county-owned land, your dog must be on a physical leash unless it is inside a posted off-leash area. The place to let a dog run is the Ruff House Dog Park at Rockwood Park on Courthouse Road. For long walks, Mid-Lothian Mines Park, Robious Landing on the James and Pocahontas State Park all welcome leashed dogs.

Who to call

  • Chesterfield Animal Services: 804-748-1683, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays
  • After hours, loose or dangerous dog: police non-emergency, 804-748-1251
  • Park information: 804-748-1623

The leash rule

Chesterfield’s running at large ordinance says a dog is at large when it is off its owner’s property and not under the owner’s “immediate control.” Immediate control means either:

  • a physical leash directly connecting the dog to the owner, or
  • the dog is clearly obedient to commands and stays close to the owner.

On county-owned land, including every county park, only the leash counts. A physical leash is required everywhere except a designated and posted dog exercise or off-leash area.

Other county rules on the same page:

  • Rabies: any dog or cat 4 months or older must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian or veterinary technician; proof is needed for a lifetime dog license.
  • How many dogs: more than three adult dogs per family is prohibited in a residential district without a special exception permit; Planning is at 804-748-1050.

Ruff House Dog Park

Rockwood Park, 3401 Courthouse Road, is the county’s oldest park, at Courthouse and Hull Street roads. Its Ruff House Dog Park has off-leash dog runs. The 171-acre park also has 5.5 miles of walking trails, restrooms, picnic shelters and the Rockwood Nature Center, so a dog walk can turn into a family outing.

Walks with a leashed dog

Place Address Why go
Mid-Lothian Mines Park 13301 N. Woolridge Road Boardwalk around the pond, mine ruins; 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Robious Landing Park 3800 James River Road James River landing, 3.4 miles of trails (a riverside section is closed)
Huguenot Park 10901 Robious Road Flat, wooded park with a fitness trail
Pocahontas State Park 10301 State Park Road More than 90 miles of trails; parking fee

At Pocahontas, Virginia State Parks requires pets to be leashed or confined at all times, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, food service areas, designated swimming areas or yurts; they are allowed in campgrounds and cabins, with a per-pet nightly fee for cabins, according to the state’s pet rules.

Our walking and biking trails guide has distances and trailheads.

Patios

Restaurant patios set their own rules on dogs, so call ahead. Places with outdoor seating include The Hard Shell Bellgrade, 11400 W. Huguenot Road, which has a covered patio in front, and Triple Crossing Midlothian, 1101 Winterfield Crossing, with a patio overlooking a pond.

Lost, found and adoption

Chesterfield Animal Services runs the county shelter. Adoptions are by appointment: call 804-748-1683, option 2. Lost, found and impounded pets are listed on the Animal Services page.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a dog park in Midlothian, Virginia?

The nearest county dog park is the Ruff House Dog Park at Rockwood Park, 3401 Courthouse Road, which has off-leash dog runs. Park information: 804-748-1623.

Do dogs have to be on a leash in Chesterfield County parks?

Yes. On county-owned land, a dog must be on a physical leash directly connected to its owner unless it is in a designated and posted off-leash area, according to Chesterfield Animal Services.

Are dogs allowed at Pocahontas State Park?

Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Virginia State Parks bars pets from public buildings, food service areas, designated swimming areas and yurts.

Does my dog need a rabies shot in Chesterfield County?

Yes. County code requires any dog or cat 4 months or older to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian or veterinary technician, and proof is needed for a lifetime dog license.

How many dogs can I have in Midlothian?

The county zoning ordinance prohibits more than three adult dogs per family in a residential district without a special exception permit. Call Planning at 804-748-1050.