Known as the State of Natural Wonder, Oregon has some incredible sights to see, including the deepest lake in the US (Crater Lake), the deepest gorge in North America (Hells Canyon), the largest freshwater marsh in the country at Malheur Wildlife Refuge, and the largest number of wintering bald eagles in the world at Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex. And the best part is that you and your fur baby are welcome to visit them all!
Oregon is located in the northwestern corner of the country on the Pacific Ocean above California and Nevada, to the west of Idaho, and south of Washington. It has 4.2 million residents with approximately 700,000 fur babies so you know there are going to be lots of dog-friendly parks and other attractions.
The mild climate makes outdoor activities very pup popular with winter highs in the lower 50s and summers in the 80s. The adverse natural features including lakes, rivers, oceanfront, waterfalls, mountains, and caves are just some of the fun things to do in Oregon. Here are our top 15 dog-friendly vacation destinations in Oregon to help you out.
Portland
Portland is the most bike-friendly city in the country with the most accessible natural areas, stunning mountains, and incredible craft beer. It is also the most populated city in Oregon with over 652,000 residents. Living with all these folks are also an estimated 108,000 pups. Located in the northwestern corner of the state, Portland enjoys the most varied seasons so you can enjoy both winter and summer activities.
If you are there in the winter, we recommend bringing your fur puppy to Good Dog Park. It is an inside dog park where you can also do some shopping for treats, food, and other pet items. And it has two locations in Portland, one on each side of the Willamette River. For a more traditional outdoor dog park, try Gabriel Park, Sellwood Riverfront Park, or Normandale Park.
Don’t miss the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum. The dog-friendly museum has all sorts of weird and peculiar items to see.
Salem
Located in northwestern Oregon, Salem is the state’s capital and has over 175,000 residents with about 29,000 fur babies. It was founded in 1842 and was named the state capital in 1857. The city is nicknamed Cherry City because it was the main source of cherries in the country. Salem is one of the least expensive places to visit in Oregon with five hotels with rooms under $100.
One of the cheapest and best things to do in Salem is to visit Minto-Brown Island Park. Not only does it have trails, boating, fishing, picnic areas, and a playground but it also has a dog park where Fido can play off the leash. This huge 30-acre pooch play area is perfect for letting your dog get rid of those zoomies. However, if he is not voice-controlled, you may want to keep the leash on in such a large area.
Learn how to paint like Bob Ross at the dog-friendly “Paint Like Bob Ross” experience by Janet. You will be able to create a beautiful painting in two hours and it includes all the supplies.
Crater Lake National Park
As mentioned in the introduction, Crater Lake National Park is the site of the deepest lake in the United States at the deepest point, which goes 1,949 feet down. It is the remains of Mount Mazama, a sleeping volcano in the Cascade Range. This is the ultimate spot for a vacation at the lake whether it is summer or winter. During the summer, you can hike, camp, boat, and swim. You can even fish without a license!
Take your pooch on a hike to get some incredible lake views along the Pacific Crest Trail or East Rim Drive. The Mazama Campground is only open from June to October and has 214 campsites with a food locker, fire ring, and picnic table. During the winter, there are no campgrounds but there are hotels nearby. You can enjoy snowshoeing, Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, sledding, and snowmobiling.
If you get hungry, you can visit Jo’s Motel even if you are not staying there. They have an organic deli and grocery where you can get sandwiches, quesadillas, and ready-to-eat foods.
Eugene
With nearly 180,000 residents, Eugene is the second most populated city in Oregon. It may not have a huge deep lake but it has some of the best hiking trails. Grab your pup, his leash, doggie bags, and some water, and head for the Howard Buford Recreation Area. It has 12 dog-friendly trails from the fast and easy Riverbank-Water Garden-Pond Lily-Meadow trail, which is about one mile long. For something more challenging with a stunning view, the 6.6-mile Mt. Pisgah Loop is perfect.
Then, take Fido to run around off the leash at Alton Baker Park. It has an incredible fenced off-leash area behind Autzen Stadium. Amazon Park also has a dog park with three acres. Both of these fun places have seating, water, and waste stations to make cleanup easier.
After working up an appetite, take your little buddy to Rye where they serve everything from smoked duck to pork schnitzel. For dessert, they have three kinds of truffles as well as ice cream!
Hillsboro
Looking for a family vacation destination? Hillsboro, in the northwest corner of Oregon, has some great places to bring kids of any age. First, drop your fur baby off at Camp Bow Wow or Dog’s Day Out where he will spend the day playing while you and the kids are exploring. Then, head to the Oregon Zoo where they have 64 acres of space with hundreds of animals in 72 different types like tigers, elephants, and bears.
If you have the whole day to play, Oaks Amusement Park will keep you entertained with rides like AtmosFEAR, Adrenaline Peak Coaster, the Ferris wheel, and a carousel. They also have roller skating, mini-golf, and tons of carnival games where you can win prizes. And don’t forget the carnival food like popcorn, nachos, and funnel cakes.
After you pick up your pup, take everyone to Hondo Dog Park. It boasts four acres with a section just for small dogs, one for large dogs, and another for both. Your pooch will love the hydrants.
Willamette National Forest
Spread across 1.6 million acres with eight different wilderness areas and dozens of parks, rivers, lakes, ponds, and trails, you can get lost in the Willamette National Forest. Luckily, there are more than 75 campgrounds with well over 1,000 campsites so you and your cuddle buddy can stay for a weekend or longer. Many of the campsites are rustic with pit toilets, picnic tables, fire pits, and bear boxes.
There are seven major mountains including Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington, and Diamond Peak as well ranging from 1,500 to 10,500 feet above sea level. If you like to hike, you can get some incredible views from up there. If you would rather enjoy some water activities, Waldo Lake, Big Lake, Detroit Lake, and Cougar Reservoir are all incredible.
Hungry yet? Nearby in Blue River, stop by Takoda’s for some pizza and burgers or Indigo Cafe where they have rice bowls, sandwiches, and desserts. Remember to bring doggie bags in case you need them.
Bend
If you are looking for a winter wonderland, Bend is where you need to go. The main attraction here is Mount Bachelor, a 9,068-foot sleeping volcano where you can find one of the largest ski resorts in North America. Mount Bachelor Ski Resort boasts 4,300+ acres with 101 runs, a vertical drop of 3,365 feet, and 12 lifts. Your pup is allowed at the resort but not on the slopes or ski lifts.
Wanoga Snow Play Area Sno-Park is a different kind of park because it is not owned by a company. Instead, you and your pup are allowed to go sledding, tubing, cross-country skiing, and even enjoy some snowshoeing for free. They even have warming shelters so you can thaw out when you need to.
If you are into snowmobiling, check out Edison Butte Sno-Park or Kapka Sno-Park, which are also in the Deschutes National Forest. Don’t forget to bundle up your pup, including his delicate paws. And always remember to bring doggie bags.
Medford
Couples with dogs love Medford. First, book a suite at Clarion Pointe where they have a spa with a hot tub, an indoor pool, and champagne room service. Then, take your sweetheart out to explore the wineries and vineyards. There are more than 20 dog-friendly places where you can sip wine and eat cheese with your pup and your special someone. Dancin Vineyards is one of the top-rated with the best wines in the area.
Afterward, take everyone for a real meal at Wild River Restaurant. They serve everything from pasta to shrimp scampi. You will also find some fine wines, ales, and lagers as well as chocolate-dipped cream-filled eclairs for dessert. But they also serve cheesecake, cobbler, bread pudding, and mud pie.
Finally, take your cuddly canine companion to Medford Dog Park near Bear Creek Park. It has a whopping 35 acres of space with a section just for small and timid dogs. The park has all sorts of agility stations with ramps, tunnels, and jumps, too.
Corvallis
Ready for a summer vacation? Check out Corvallis this summer. Right where the Marys River meets the Willamette River, you will find a bunch of pup popular parks like Willamette Park and Natural Area, which is the largest park in the city. The 287-acre park has all sorts of fun stuff to do including swimming, fishing, and boating. And the best part is that your pooch can be off the leash anywhere except the picnic area, playgrounds, and soccer field.
Avery Park is another riverfront space where your canine compadre is welcome to join you. There are 75 acres surrounded by Marys River. You and your pup can also visit the Peavy Arboretum and OSU McDonald Research Forests where they have dozens of trails, geocaching, a logging sports arena, and tons of forests.
For a unique place to grab a bite and beverages, go to Common Fields. It is a group of food trucks surrounding an open dining space where your pup is welcome. There are a variety of cuisines including Salvadoran tamales, Pierogi Pop-Up, Black Forest Kitchen German food, and Kalamata Mediterranean food.
Siuslaw National Forest
Right by Corvallis, the Siuslaw National Forest is a fun weekend getaway where you and your little buddy can explore more than 600,000 acres that run from the ocean to the coastal mountains. There are three different wilderness areas in the woods including Rock Creek, Cummins Creek, and Drift Creek. Right in the middle of it all is Beaver Creek Falls, where Sweet and Beaver Creeks meet.
With so much to do, it is best to reserve a campsite in one of the 20+ campgrounds scattered around the forest. Try to get one that is close to the activities and places you plan on enjoying. For example, if you plan to play at the beach, Tillicum Beach Campground has 61 sites with beachfront views. Rock Creek Campground is also on the water but only has 13 sites, and Sandbeach Campground has 63 sites with some dunes for ATV riders.
There are also hundreds of lakes, ponds, rivers, and creeks for fishing, kayaking, and swimming as well as mountains where you can take a hike.
Seaside
Up in the northwestern tip of Oregon, the small town of Seaside welcomes pups and their humans for some beach fun and other summer activities. You and your fur baby can enjoy a summer getaway at the beach, where you will likely see some of the other 6,400 people and 1,000 dogs. Fido is welcome to swim and play on the beach as long as he is on a leash and you pick up after him.
Some of the popular activities here include boogie boarding, kayaking, hiking, kite-flying, and biking along the water. If you do not have a bike, take your cuddle buddy to Wheel Fun Rentals, where you can rent a Surrey bike or coupe to race along the beach. They also have boogie boards, bike trailers, and beach wagons.
Seaside Aquarium is one of the pup popular places where dogs can go with their pup parents to see hundreds of marine creatures like seals, otters, sea turtles, and all sorts of fish.
Turner
Another place you can take the family is Turner, where they have the Enchanted Forest. This place is a blast, especially for the little kids. They have bumper boats, a tiny train, bumper cars, a carousel, and the Challenge of Mondor Wizard. You can visit a castle on Storybook Lake, pan for treasure in Tofteville Western Town, and watch a show at the Old European Village.
First, you will have to drop off your pooch at Suite Dog Daze to play while you go to the park because they do not allow dogs. Then, after you are all done riding and playing at the park, pick your fur baby back up and go to Turner Lake Park, where leashed dogs are always welcome. Here you can fish, go boating, or have a picnic at one of the picnic areas.
And for something different, go to Cascades Gateway City Park to play disc golf with the family and Fido. There are over 100 acres with trails, picnic areas, ball fields, and fishing lakes.
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has almost 2.4 million acres packed with fun things to do all year long. If you want to ski or do other snow-related activities, they have several mountain resorts in the Wallowa Mountains. The main resort here is Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort where pups are welcome on some of the trails and in the yurts but not on the Nordic trails.
For those who visit during the summer, you can find more than 50 campgrounds so you can stay for a while. Most of them are open from May to October and have picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and restrooms. You will also find 66 trails from the short and easy to the backpacking hikes that take several days to finish. Also, with dozens of lakes, ponds, rivers, and creeks, there are plenty of swimming, boating, and fishing spots.
If you like art, take your fur buddy to downtown Baker City just outside the forest. There is a dog-friendly art tour with a wide array of sculptures to enjoy.
Newport
Right on the coast where Yaquina Bay meets the ocean, this seaside city has just over 10,000 people and 1,650 fur babies. If you and your pupster visit during the summer, you will probably see some of the local pups with their pup parents at the beach or one of the fun dog parks in the area. South Beach State Park is a great place to enjoy the water and the fields. It has trails, a playground, a disc golf course, and lots of waterfront space.
Nye Beach has a very welcoming atmosphere where you can stay at the Pearl of Nye Beach with your canine companion. You can also rent a kayak and explore the coastline with your pooch. If you would rather stay dry, the Agate Beach Golf Course is one of the only dog-friendly golf courses in the state. Right next to it, the off-leash dog park has a fenced area for leash-free fun.
If you want to make your own art, book a three-hour sketching class with Ryan. He will take you along the coast and help you learn how to sketch your favorite scene.
Astoria
Located on the very tip of northwestern Oregon, Astoria is a small town on the Columbia River right where it meets the ocean. The city was founded in 1811, making it the oldest city in the state. It has about 10,000 residents who live with an estimated 1,650 dogs. One activity you do not want to miss here is the Astoria Riverfront Trolley. Your pooch is welcome on a leash at this popular attraction.
Fort Astoria (also known as Fort George), is also dog-friendly for leashed dogs. This is where the town was started at a trading post opened by the Pacific Fur Company in 1811. It was built right at the entrance of the river and is now a national historic spot with several historic buildings to explore.
Don’t miss the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park where you can learn all about the native people who used to live there and what kinds of flora and fauna are in the park. With just over 3,000 acres, you can enjoy the trails, beaches, and forts on the property.
The Final Woof
Whether you are into camping, fishing, hiking, or skiing, Oregon has something for everyone to enjoy as well as your fur baby. There are 115 dog parks, 23 dog beaches, and over 150 trails that are pup-friendly. If it is a camping trip you want, check out Crater Lake National Park, Willamette National Forest, or Suislaw National Forest. For a hiking expedition, Eugene has over a dozen awesome trails and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has 66! Medford is a great place for a romantic trip with 20+ vineyards to explore. For a family trip, Hillsboro has the Oaks Amusement Park and Turner has the Enchanted Forest.
