Oregon Dog-Friendly Travel Guide
Traveling with your dog can be a fun adventure or it can be a stressful nightmare. Oftentimes, the amount of planning put in before the trip determines which one it ends up being. Because not everywhere you go is guaranteed to be dog-friendly, it’s important to plan ahead to make sure you have dog-friendly stops on your itinerary, especially if your trip will include overnight stays. If your travels will take you to the “Beaver State”, use this Oregon dog-friendly travel guide to start your research:
8 Dog-Friendly Activities in Oregon
When traveling with your dog, you’ll want to make sure you do more than ride in the car and stop at parks for breaks. Finding some dog-friendly attractions along your route can give you and your dog a break from traveling that is way more interesting. Here are a few dog-friendly activities in Oregon to kickstart your research:
1. Sandy River Delta Park
If your dog loves to run and swim, the Sandy River Delta Park is a great stop. It’s located in Troutdale and features a trail system full of off-leash trails where you can walk or hike for hours. Your dog will need to be leashed if you’re on the Confluence Trail, but the others are off-leash as long as your dog is under voice control.
All trails lead to the Sandy River. And, your dog is welcome to wade and swim! Because of the rain, trails can get muddy. That, plus the river, means it’s a good idea to have some extra towels on-hand once you get back to the car.
2. Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is located in the city of Cannon Beach and it’s a dog-friendly beach year-round! Your dog is welcome to join you walking, running, or swimming either on-leash or off-leash as long as they under voice control. Just make sure you clean up after your dog.
Plus, this beach is near the town center that features a lot of cafes, shops, and more. Not every shop will be dog-friendly, but at least you know the beach will be.
3. International Rose Test Garden
If you’re in Portland for a day or two and you want to relax in nature for a bit, consider spending some time at the International Rose Test Garden. It’s a calming setting where you and your dog can walk the grounds. Several displays of roses and other plants are available for you to see and for your dog to smell. Just make sure you keep them leashed and that you clean up after them!
4. Portland Saturday Market
Also in Portland is the Portland Saturday Market. This is a busy farmers market that is open on both Saturday and Sunday. Your dog is welcome to join you as you explore as long as they are leashed. You’ll also want to make sure they handle crowds well because this is a popular place for locals and tourists alike!
5. Proxy Falls Trail
There are tons of dog-friendly trails throughout Oregon, so you’re bound to find a few wherever you end up. If you find yourself in Sisters, Oregon, carve out some time in your schedule for the Proxy Falls Trail.
This trail leads thought the Willamette National Forest and is located in the Three Sisters Wilderness area. You and your leashed dog can see open lava fields, dense forests, and Proxy Falls, which is a 226-foot veil waterfall.
6. Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
If history is more your thing and you’ll be traveling near Astoria, stop by the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. You can follow in the footsteps of some of American history’s most famous explorers and learn about their stories and the native people.
Your dog may not be permitted inside the information center, but they are allowed to join you on the grounds as long as they are leashed. Waste bags and garbage cans are available throughout the park, but you may want to bring your own water just in case.
7. Spinreel Dune Buggy
If you and your dog enjoy an adrenaline rush and are up for something more adventurous, consider swinging by North Bend. Here, you can book a pet-friendly dune buggy from Spinreel Dune Buggy and head out into the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Center to explore.
There is space for your dog in the back of Spinreel’s two-seater dune buggies. And, there is a variety of terrain available, from flatter trails to high dunes, Pacific coastline, and more!
8. Peavy Arboretum
For some peace and quiet in nature, you can spend some time in the Peavy Arboretum located in Corvallis. It’s open every day from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and provides plenty of trails, outdoor recreation, and educational opportunities. Plus, your dog is welcome to join you as long as they are leashed or they can be off-leash as long as they under voice control. Just make sure you bring waste baggies and clean up after your furry best friend!
3 Dog-Friendly Hotels in Oregon
After a day full of fun, you’ll want to make sure you have a place where both you and your dog can rest, relax, and rejuvenate for the next day of fun. However, not every hotel will welcome your dog. And, hotels that do have dog-friendly rooms often fill up fast. So, if you have to stay somewhere overnight, you want to make sure you do your research and book your room early. Here are few dog-friendly hotels in Oregon to get you started:
1. Aloft Portland Airport at Cascade Station
If you’ll need a place to stay overnight while in Portland, consider booking a room at the Aloft Portland Airport at Cascade Station. Although the room rate is higher than what you might find at a budget motel, you get the chance to stay in a luxurious ground-floor hotel room in a prime location with your dog. Up to two dogs that are up to 60 pounds are welcome to join you for your stay. Plus, there is no additional pet fee.
2. Motel 6
Regardless of where you might need to stay in Oregon, there’s likely to be a Motel 6 somewhere nearby. Don’t let the budget or discount motel moniker fool you. When you need a place to stay, booking a room at one of the locations for this dog-friendly chain can be just what you need.
Up to two dogs of any size are welcome to join you. And, there is no additional pet fee! Plus, there is a fenced-in grassy area on-site complete with a waste station. You just can’t leave your dog unattended in the room.
3. La Quinta Inn & Suites Woodburn
La Quinta Inn & Suites can be a good fit if you’ll need to stay overnight while you’re in Woodburn. Up to two dogs of any size are welcome to join you and there’s no additional pet fee! Grassy relief areas are on the property and dog-friendly rooms are located on the ground floor. As long as your dog is quiet and well-behaved while you’re not around, you can leave them in your room unattended.
Just make sure you stop by the front desk and leave a contact number on your way out. There are some other La Quinta Inn & Suites located throughout Oregon. So, if you need to stay somewhere else, check out the La Quinta locations in that area to see if they are dog-friendly too.
3 Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Oregon
While traveling, it’s easy to fall into a routine of convenience stores, fast food, and the food you packed to bring with you. But, it also means that you miss out on variety and the local flavor. Instead of sticking with fast food or the same thing day after day, consider stopping by one of these dog-friendly restaurants in Oregon should your travels bring you nearby around mealtimes:
1. Plum Hill Vineyards
Plum Hill Vineyards is a winery located in Portland that is truly dog-friendly. In addition to the family dogs on-site, there is also a fenced dog run. Plus, your dog can join you on the patio while you sample some delicious wines. They even provide water, treats, and waste bags for your dog!
2. Food Carts Portland Tour
If you’re in Portland and looking for a snack or a meal, consider booking a Food Carts Portland Tour. Starting downtown, a guide will lead you to four very different food carts for small bites from each of them.
Along the way, you’ll also learn more about food carts in Portland as well as how the Portland pods work. It’s a unique experience, gets you a taste of the local flavor, and your dog is welcome to come along as long as they are leashed.
3. Ruby’s Roadside Grill
Ruby’s Roadside Grill is a dog-friendly casual eatery located in Seaside. With a wide variety of options on the menu, there’s something for everyone at this place! From burgers and salads to soups, hot dogs, seafood, and more, you may have to plan to stop by more than once during your trip! Local favorites include things like BBQ Shrimp Tacos, the Chicago Dog, and more.
Traveling through Oregon with your dog does not have to be stressful. With some planning, it can be a lot of fun, especially when you have an Oregon dog-friendly travel guide on your side!
If your travels will be taking you to a different state, take a look at the other dog-friendly travel guides available. Here’s to safe travels, happy trails, and wagging tails no matter where your adventures lead you!