Ron Bexel
Best Dog Friendly Hikes Washington – Considered one of the best hikes in Washington state, Mount Eleanor is also dog friendly! Image Credit: Foreign Society
Filled with beautiful trails and all the trees, forests, and smells a dog can sleep on, Olympic Island is a great way to spend the day on a Hood Canal tour with your pooch. Whether you want to hike mountain slopes or explore deep forests along wild rivers, hiking trails along the Olympic Hood Canal are for two-legged and four-legged alike.
Best Dog Friendly Hikes Washington
But first – how do you know a trail is dog friendly? The easiest way is to find out where the ride is. If the trail is in Olympic National Park, you cannot have a dog on the trail. If the trail is in Olympic National Forest, DNR land, or a state park, the trail is actually dog-friendly. It’s important to remember that even though the trails are dog-friendly, you’re still responsible for keeping them on a leash and picking them up. There are no dog-friendly trails and not all hikers welcome dogs, so keep that in mind when hiking with your pet.
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We start with an easy and mostly flat trail near Hoodsport and near Highway 101. Skokomish Park on Lake Cushman is the perfect dog-friendly spot for dogs and their owners to stretch their legs. Like spending a few days camping by a beautiful lake. The park has off-leash areas and pet-friendly trails, but remember that dogs must be on a leash in public areas. Also, Skokomish Park has breed restrictions for owners of pit bulls, mastiffs, rottweilers, dobermans or breeds that include wolves and/or coyotes, but all other dogs are welcome.
Lake Cushman and Skokomish Park offer incredible outdoor recreation opportunities for all ages, including camping! Image Credit: Foreign Society
Three incredibly popular dog-friendly trails can also be found in the Lake Cushman area. Two of them are solid, but the third is more for dogs that don’t do well in rocky terrain and altitude. The easiest of the three is the Upper Big Creek Loop Trail, a perfect loop that crosses beautiful creeks, passes beautiful waterfalls, and has every tree a dog can imagine. At 4.2 miles round trip and with plenty of places to stop and rest, the trail is a year-round hike since it only gains about 800 feet in elevation. The trail is well-marked, easy to follow and a local favorite for both two- and four-legged pilgrims.
West of Big Creek is the Mount Gulz Trail, recommended for those seeking a bit more of a challenge. Mount Rose in the Olympic National Forest and Skokomish Forest showcases the stunning beauty of Lake Cushman, while Mount Rainier, Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens. At approximately 6.5 miles round trip and 3,500 feet of elevation gain, this trail is sure to leave both you and your dog scratching their heads. Your dog will enjoy the smells, walks and terrain while you enjoy the view. For dogs and hikers with sensitive feet, there is a less rocky trail to and from the summit while staying in the right spot. The route adds miles, but has very few sketchy sections. Do not expect water on these trails from June to October.
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Overall, the dog friendly trails on the South Fork Skokomish are incredibly wild and very easy! Image Credit: Foreign Society
Finally, in the Cushman Lake area, we find the Eleanor Mountain Trail. Considered a must-see mountain in Washington state and one of the best views in the Pacific Northwest, Mount Eleanor becomes a favorite. There are two main routes to reach Mount Eleanor, starting from the Upper Trail Head or the Lower Trail Head. The lower trail starts out easier than the upper, but is about six miles round trip, while the upper trail is only 3.5 miles round trip. Regardless of where you start, you’ll hike this trail, with the upper trail gaining 2,400 feet in 1.7 miles and the lower trail gaining 3,300 feet in 3 miles. The achievement may be difficult for both you and your dog, but the hike is incredible and the rewards are worth it. While your dog may be oblivious to the beauty, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in Washington State.
Another great hike is the Lower Lena Lake Trail, which is perfect for dogs of all shapes and sizes. Image Credit: Foreign Society
The Upper South Fork of the Skokomish Trail is a great place to hike through some old growth and a great place to have your own trail. Located near Hoodsport, the trail crosses several streams for four miles near the border of Olympic National Park. Note that the road is closed to vehicles for five miles before reaching the trailhead between October and April due to wildlife encroachment.
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Those looking for something a little closer to Highway 101 should head north of Hoodsport to Doswallops State Park. Doswallips has a few hiking options, including the excellently maintained and always steamy Donkey Trail. With 400 feet of elevation gain in just 3.5 miles, this trail offers wild and spectacular views along the river. With views of waterfalls, bridge crossings, ferns, and rivers, this family-friendly and dog-friendly hike will have your entire crew begging for more hikes. If you really need more miles, consider hitting Lower Lena Lake near Hama Hama!
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In many health care settings, imaging tests such as X-rays, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging, also known as magnetic resonance imaging, can help providers… visions that never fail. Take my breath away and be in awe.
Not every state in the country is blessed with so many breathtaking waterfalls in their backyard, and I try to take advantage of that.
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Instead, I made it a point to visit as many dog-friendly waterfalls as I could in the state and was in for a real treat.
What else is better? Washington’s most popular waterfalls don’t require a difficult hike and are easily accessible for dogs and people.
I strongly encourage anyone who is interested in getting outdoors with their dogs, but may be intimidated by a lack of experience, to consider starting at Franklin Falls.
This hike will always hold a special place in my heart because it was the first waterfall I’ve ever been to outside of Seattle.
Dog-friendly Hikes Along The Hood Canal
The walk is beautiful, with conifers and ferns lining the path, and a clear stream running for about a mile.Â
The 70-foot falls are short and steep when you reach the end of the hike, so plan to get a little wet from the spray if you don’t keep your distance.
This hike is located at Snoqualmie Pass and is 2 miles (round trip) of paved trails and steps making the short trip to the falls easy and safe for hikers young and old and of course our four legged friends.
The elevation gain is short — just 400 feet — so you and your dog don’t need to be in great shape to reach the falls.
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I must warn you though, at the end of the hike near the waterfall, a small, rocky scramble is sometimes faster than the spray of water.
Don’t let this deter you, wear sturdy shoes and take your time getting down and you’ll be fine.
If you choose not to do the latter well, know that you can see the entire falls from the top.
Anything else interesting about Franklin Falls? The waterfall sometimes turns into a sparkling, magical frozen glacier in winter.
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However, while not particularly difficult in the winter, access to the parking lot is closed, so you must travel about 8 miles to the snow park from Exit 47 (Denny Creek Snow Park) or hike about 4 miles from the summit. Snoqualmie.
You need a Northwest Forest Service pass to park on the trail when there is no snow on the ground.
In winter, you will need a snow park parking permit to park at Denny Creek Snow Park and snowshoes or micro-spikes are recommended.
Note that there are falling snowballs
