Best Dog Friendly Hiking Trails Near Me – If you haven’t noticed by now, my Trusty Pup Ruby joined me on my epic wilderness adventure through the Pacific Northwest. Read on to find out how we found ways to take my dog on dog-friendly hikes in Redwood National and State Parks, and the beach house we stayed at where the dogs could run on the beach.
Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links, meaning I will earn a commission at no cost to you if you click and make a purchase.
Best Dog Friendly Hiking Trails Near Me
Is Redwoods the most dog-friendly park? I’ve put together a guide to the ten best dog-friendly national parks in the US. Discover other favorite parks for dogs.
Top 4 Dog-friendly Hiking Trails In Singapore
Since I no longer have a solid dog sitter in Seattle, going on the road without him for two weeks isn’t really an option. Bringing him along didn’t make the trip any easier, although I was surprised at how many dog-friendly activities we found. We’ve been especially lucky with dog-friendly hikes in Redwood National and State Parks, which is surprising.
In Washington, where we live, state parks and trails always allow dogs. But in California, the state parks we visited don’t allow dogs. Most national parks allow dogs to go anywhere cars can go (paved roads, parking lots, picnic areas, etc.), and Redwood National and State Park follow the same rules.
After leaving the Oregon Caverns and Cavern Junction, we headed south for an hour on the aptly named Redwood Highway to Crescent City, California. The temperature gauge started to rise as we headed south and soon it was sunny and warm enough to change into a t-shirt and shorts. This season won’t last long so we should have spent more time near CC instead of continuing south at the end.
Our first stop was at the Hiyoshi Visitor Center to get a passport stamp and park map. Their information station is set up as a one-way loop through a small visitor center and gift shop. We took turns walking the dog outside while the other got his stamp and talked to the rangers. The rangers at Hiouchi were very helpful – not only did they bother to peek in the door to say hello to Ruby, they had a duplicate list (below) of dog-friendly hikes and excursions throughout the Redwood area. Regardless of the park, I recommend taking the time to ask questions and talk to the rangers to hear their stories, especially here in Hioshi.
Tail-wagging Trails: The Best Dog Friendly Hikes On Emerald Isle
The first ride or hike they recommend is the Walker Trail, which is a ten-minute drive near the Smith River. Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park is the northern part of the Redwood State and National Parks complex and has some of the oldest growing trees in the parks. The Walker Road Trail is 2.5 miles round trip (three miles total) on a paved/dirt road that leads to the Smith River. There is plenty of parking “next to the pedestrian sign” the guard told us. You can exit US-199 when you see the pedestrian sign, or if you turn right onto Walker Road, there is additional parking. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park charges a fee for parking, but if you have an America the Beautiful Pass, you can use it to park for free at any of the Redwoods State Parks.
We enjoyed our leisurely walk along the Walker Road Trail, stopping every five feet to take a photo of another large tree. There was some traffic on the road, as there were small garden paths along the main road. The Simpson-Reed Trail is also off the main trail, which is a nice little plus. This was our first hike/hike in the Redwoods and it was a great way to start this part of the trip with Ruby.
We found another dog friendly trail near where we were staying in Eureka. The Elk River Corridor Trail is 11 miles of old growth and new forest. I found this trail online at AllTrails, and I’ll admit that I was a little taken in by the description online, thinking we’d be heading out on a non-descript trail, possibly with an RV sharing the lot (which happened to Robbie and me in Leavenworth). I’m ready to pack it up and leave if it’s near the surface. Fear not, I needn’t have worried – it’s a huge free car park that leads to a well-maintained track.
The first mile of the trail is an old logging road, paved and ADA accessible. We saw several families with prams and children’s bicycles walking along the road. The trail passes the old paper mill site and has some signage and interpretive activities for children. After the paved section, the trail leaves the old section and continues another two miles through woods and younger open meadows. The path continues for another three miles, ending at the top of the reserve. We turned around after about 2 miles, and didn’t make it to the windy side. Dogs are allowed on a leash on the trail, though I keep an eye on them because of the number of kids on the first part of the trail.
Best Dog Friendly Hotels In Wales 2023
Surprisingly, the beaches along the Redwood Coast are dog friendly! Moonstone, Clam Beach, Luffenholtz, Mad River and Samoa Dunes allow all leashed dogs to run and play. Gold Bluffs Beach and Crescent Beach are very popular beaches for dogs, and leashed dogs are allowed. We stayed at the King Salmon Hotel in Eureka and Ruby loved running on the beach across from our house. The map below lists dozens of beach-friendly beaches. Note that seals or sea lions may be present on the beaches, and moose are known to be plentiful as well!
The good keeper at Hiouchi gave us this printout of the proposed BARK! Ranger Walks, or dog-friendly hikes within the Redwood National and State Parks system. I copied the list and added others I found on the internet. The list runs almost north to south along the California coast.
I hope I have a good suggestion for a place to stay near the Redwoods. We stayed in Eureka, California (I’m sure we’ll talk more about that in the next post) and while we had nice dog-friendly accommodations, it was far from the redwood areas we wanted to climb. An asterisk* indicates an affiliate link.
Check out the test drive I took with Robbie here. Want to read more about my journey? All my posts for the Epic PNW Parks 2K1 Road Trip (name still being worked on) are here. Our Labrador Retriever puppy loves being on the road as much as we do. When we glance at our hiking boots or grab our backpack, our iron-loving pup, Jake, is headed for the door, ready to go on an adventure. He’s full of energy and curiosity, and loves a good snuff – so there’s no better adventure in Jake’s mind than a good walk in the woods.
San Diego’s Best Dog-friendly Places, Restaurants, & Shops
The mountains surrounding Asheville are filled with many beautiful dog-friendly trails. But these tours have been tested and approved by our staff, many times over, and are at the top of our list of favorite dog adventures. Grab a leash and run these trails for great exercise, great views and trail fun with your pup.
Wherever your adventures take you, always remember Leave No Trace to protect these beautiful places. Please walk your dog on a leash at all times. It’s a courtesy to other hikers and it’s important to protect the wildlife and protect them as well.
Steering wheel! Help keep the trail fun and enjoyable for everyone by keeping your dog on a leash at all times. Our favorite is the Ruffwear Slackline Leash. The comfortable padded handle can be used as a waist belt, and the high-quality swivel clasp helps keep it tangle-free. Hot weather and vigorous play can cause rapid dehydration, so make sure your adventurous four-legged companion has plenty of water on the go. Jake loves the Ruffwear Bivy Bowl for mid-ride rehydration: This collapsible bowl is so light it folds up to save space in our packs.
Is your pup new to the road? It’s always best to start small and work your way up, starting with shorter walks and gentler terrain. You can work on more difficult terrain and longer distances as your adventurer becomes more experienced and comfortable.
Pet Friendly Custer State Park And South Dakota’s Black Hills
Always leave a trail, unpack everything you pack, and if you find trash, pick it up and pack it.
Stay on the designated path, tell someone where you’re going, pack safety and wayfinding gear, and don’t rely on a cell phone to find your way. Please always practice good manners. And before you go, always check the trail kiosk, official maps, and park or ranger office for notices of trail changes, trail closures, safety information, and restrictions. With this list of ideas, there will be no more excuses to leave your fur baby at home alone on the weekends.
For
