Editor's Note: We invited Jessica Williams (@youdidwhatwithyourwiener), founder of the popular dog travel blog You Did What With Your Wiener to share some of her favorite travel recommendations for BringFido readers interested in visiting the Pacific Northwest. Here’s the scoop on nine of her favorite doggie day trips from Seattle, Washington.
If you’re visiting Seattle with your dog and have more than a day or two, taking your dog out of the city to explore more of the state is a must. Washington State is so diverse, it would be a shame if you didn’t escape the urban environment to explore a quaint little town or the natural beauty with your furry friend. Below are some of my favorite day trips from Seattle that you can enjoy with your dog.
1. North Cascades Scenic Byway
The legendary North Cascades Scenic Highway is one of the most amazing dog-friendly road trips in Washington State. Once you drive north and depart Interstate 5 at the town of Burlington, you will travel along rivers and past numerous mountain peaks to the Washington Pass Overlook. The stars of this section of the route are the stunningly beautiful Diablo Lake and the jagged spires of Liberty Bell Mountain at Washington Pass, both of which can be viewed from a roadside parking lot.
In the spring, the emerging vibrant greens and moody weather add a fresh but cozy feeling to the drive. In the fall, you can expect to see golden larch trees, red-vine maples, and orange hardwoods while weaving through a variety of terrains.
While Highway 20 passes through North Cascades National Park, the actual park boundary is several miles from either side of the highway. This means that many of the trails adjacent to the highway allow dogs.
Some of the most spectacular hikes are Heather-Maple Pass, Blue Lake and Rainy Lake (ADA accessible).
You can turn around once you reach Washington Pass and head back to Seattle or continue east to the western-themed town of Winthrop. From there, you can return the way you came or head to Wenatchee, past the mighty Columbia River and dozens of fruit orchards, through Leavenworth and over Stevens Pass to Everett, then south again to Seattle. This monstrous loop can be enjoyed in one adventurous day or turned into a weekend trip.
One important note about the North Cascades Scenic Byway is that Highway 20 may be closed during the winter months due to snowfall, so check the road conditions before venturing out in winter or early spring.
2. Bavarian Village, Leavenworth
Leavenworth is a former logging town turned Bavarian Village in the mountains. If you visit, you’ll see why the Sound of Music is the most popular summer play there. Leavenworth is a very dog-friendly town, with a pet store, dog-friendly restaurants, breweries and wine-tasting rooms, and many dog-friendly activities centered around outdoor recreation.
In the summer, you can take your dog river tubing, for a leisurely stroll through Waterfront Park, hiking to the top of Icicle Ridge for a great aerial view of the town, or exploring one of the other dog-friendly trails in the area.
In the winter, you can go snowshoeing with your dog through Waterfront Park or Lake Wenatchee State Park, cross-country ski with your dog at the Chiwawa Sno Park (after 10 a.m.), or just wander around town enjoying the winter-specific festivities. XC skis and snowshoes can be rented downtown from Der Sportsmann.
There are two options to Leavenworth: roundtrip along Highway 2 and over Stevens Pass or as a loop if connected with Highway 97, Blewett Pass, and I-90. The loop will take you through some more spectacular scenery and past the town of Roslyn below.
3. Historic Roslyn
Roslyn is best known as a primary filming location for the 1990’s TV series Northern Exposure but it’s more than that. It’s also known for the Brick Saloon, Washington’s oldest continuously operating bar, and the Roslyn Cemetery, which is famous for its size, diversity and its interesting layout. Roslyn is also one of the premier outdoor meccas in the state.
While dogs are not allowed at the cemetery, you can drive or walk by and look at it from the road and then eat at one of the four dog-friendly restaurants in this little town of fewer than 1,000 people.
If you visit Roslyn, you must drive 10 minutes north to Speelyi Beach on Lake Cle Elum where you will find turquoise waters, a gorgeous mountain view, and a large beach where your dog can romp (except in early spring when the reservoir is full).
In the summer, there are many dog-friendly trails in the area and most of them allow you to hike with your dog off leash.
In the winter, you can cross-country ski with your dog at the Salmon La Sac Sno-Park, or snowshoe the very steep but popular Hex Mountain Trail, the trail network in the Roslyn Urban Forest, or the easy Coal Mines Trail. Snowshoes can be rented at Ride Roslyn Bikes.
4. Snoqualmie Falls
The 268-foot Snoqualmie Falls is the second most visited natural landmark in Washington after Mount Rainier. Featured in the early-1990s television series Twin Peaks, Snoqualmie Falls is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and receives around 1.5 million visitors per year. The Snoqualmie Tribe, which continues to be an active steward of this place, asks you to be mindful when visiting and considers the falls to be humanity’s place of origin.
You can view the falls from the upper viewpoint adjacent to the Salish Lodge and Spa, where parking is free, and then walk the 0.7-mile trail down to the falls from there. Be aware that the first portion of the trail down from the lodge is steep, descending approximately 250 feet in under a half mile. If you want to skip the climb back up the hill and shorten the walk to the falls to 0.3 miles, you can park in the lower falls parking lot for a small fee. Extend the adventure by walking two miles round-trip along a paved path to Historic Downtown Snoqualmie.
5. Bainbridge Ferry to Winslow
If you want a quintessential Washington State experience, and want to see the Seattle skyline from the water, take the ferry boat from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. Pets in carriers are allowed in interior passenger areas aboard Washington State Ferries. Pets on leash are allowed to pass through the passenger terminal and interior passenger area to access the exterior passenger areas, including shelter decks, promenade decks and/or sun decks.
You can ride the ferry round trip with your dog for the experience of the ferry boat ride alone or depart on the Bainbridge Island side and visit downtown Winslow, via Winslow Way or the Waterfront Trail if you’re walking.
Stroll through little downtown Winslow, which is often characterized as “quaint and sometimes funky,” and visit the Strawberry Hill Dog Park. In the summer, you can grab lunch with your dog on the patio of the Streamliner Diner or That's A Some Pizza.You can ride on the ferry, walk if you are staying close, or take a bus there (even non-service pets can ride at the discretion of the operator for a fee).
6. Double Bluff Beach, Whidbey Island
Dogs aren't allowed on most beaches in Seattle so if your dog loves the sand and surf, you’ll want to head to Double Bluff Dog Beach on Whidbey Island.
Double Bluff Beach is one of the best dog beaches on the west coast and there's even a two-mile stretch of beach that is designated off leash where your pup can romp free. The beach boasts spectacular views of Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, the Cascades, the Olympics, and even downtown Seattle on a clear day.
To get to Whidbey Island, head north of Seattle and take the dog-friendly Whidbey Island Ferry. While you’re on the island, you can also check out Fort Ebey State Park and explore the 28 miles of pet-friendly hiking trails and on-leash beach.
To return to Seattle, you can go back the way you came or drive north on the island on Washington State Route 20, follow it east, reconnect with Interstate 5, and head south back to Seattle. If you choose the latter route, be sure to allow time to stop at Deception Pass State Park for more hiking, beach exploration, and to photograph the famous Deception Pass Bridge, one of the scenic wonders of the Pacific Northwest, hovering 180 feet above the water.
7. Port Townsend
It was once thought that this sleepy little town with an eclectic vibe would be the largest harbor on the West Coast of the United States. While the Victorian architecture from Port Townsend's boom era is still prominent, it’s best known for its laid-back vibe, Fort Worden State Park, and some of the best beaches in the state.
Fort Worden is a former U.S. Army base and the remnants of the military bunkers and restored Victorian-era officers’ quarters offer a great glimpse of Pacific Northwest history. This 432-acre park features a historic lighthouse, over two miles of beach, and 11.2 miles of dog-friendly hiking trails (2.6 are ADA accessible).
Adjacent to Fort Worden to the west is North Beach County Park and the famous Glass Beach. The waves have spread the tumbled trash – or hidden treasure depending on your perspective – from a former garbage dump up and down the beach and now sea glass can be found starting at North Beach all of the way out to McCurdy Point about four miles west.
Caution: The whole walk should only be attempted at low tide - heading out while the water is still on its way out and returning when it starts to come back in.
On a clear day, you can see both Mount Baker and Mount Rainier from Port Townsend, which are the two highest volcanoes in the state.
The Port Townsend waterfront retail district features several restaurants with dog-friendly patios where you can grab lunch with your dog. While some spots are only available during the summer, the bench outside of Waterfront Pizza and the picnic tables next to the Nifty Fifty’s Soda Fountain are available year-round.
To visit Port Townsend with your dog, you can take either the Bainbridge Island Ferry from downtown Seattle or drive north on I-5 to Edmonds and take the Kingston Ferry. From either point, drive over the Hood Canal Bridge and onto the Olympic Peninsula.
8. Poulsbo
Poulsbo is a cute little Scandinavian-themed town on the Kitsap Peninsula.
The area was historically inhabited by the Suquamish people, many of whom still live on the Port Madison Indian Reservation, but was settled in the 1880s by Norwegian immigrants who thought the landscape looked similar to their homeland.
Your visit to Poulsbo must include a stop at The NW Dog to grab a treat for Fido.
In town, you can walk the boardwalk from downtown to the American Legion Park, visit Raab Dog Park, and wander the small network of trails at Fish Park near the head of Liberty Bay.
Nearby attractions include the Silverdale Dog Park and Clear Creek walking trails, the Point No Point Lighthouse and Park in Hansville, and miles of walking trails at Port Gamble Heritage Park.
A trip to Poulsbo can be combined with a visit to Bainbridge Island, which is only another 21 miles northwest of Winslow or Port Townsend, and Poulsbo is a short side trip along that route. If you are ambitious, you can combine all three destinations into one day!
9. Mount Rainier National Park
Although Mount Rainier National Park can be seen from Seattle on a clear day, nothing rivals seeing it up close.
Mount Rainier is a large park and it is impossible to see the whole thing in one day so it’s best to pick one of the primary visitor centers, like Paradise on the south side or Sunrise on the north, and explore a little from there.
While dogs are not allowed on any trails, you can still enjoy national parks with your dog while following the rules. Dogs are allowed in developed areas, like parking lots, and can walk along roadways. Some of the best viewpoints, like Reflection Lake, are on the side of the road. There’s a dog-friendly picnic area right behind the Sunrise Visitor Center with an amazing view of Mount Rainier, which is a great place to enjoy a packed lunch.
If you’re visiting in summer, be sure to stop by the Crystal Mountain Resort just east of the park. You can hike, or ride the dog-friendly Mt. Rainier Gondola, to the top of the ridge with close-up views of Mount Rainier and the beautiful Cascade Mountain Range. The Summit House, the highest restaurant in Washington State at 6,872 feet, sits on this ridge. In summer, your dog can join you at one of the outdoor-deck tables with a view.
While areas of the park are accessible in winter, there are frequent closures due to bad weather and the dog-friendly options are even more limited.
Bio:
Since 2010, Jessica Williams has been inspiring dogs and their owners to explore the outdoors and put more adventure into their lives through her award-winning blog YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner.com. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking, camping, or traveling with her hubby and two miniature Dachshunds. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.