Whether you call it Washington State or The State of Washington, this small state in the northwestern corner of the US is the national capital and was named after George Washington. It runs along the Pacific Ocean to the west, Idaho to the east, Canada to the north, and Oregon to the south.
Washington is one of the most populated states, with almost eight million residents. And if one in every three households has a dog, as the ASPCA suggests, that amounts to about 1.3 million fur babies! No matter which city you visit in the state, you are likely to see some of those pups in the parks, at the hotels, and even in the restaurants.
In fact, there are 5,000 dog-friendly vacation rentals, over 1,700 pup-popular restaurants, about 120 off-leash dog parks, and 30 dog beaches. We found lots of cities in Washington that are popular with pooch parents. Here, we share 15 of our top picks.
Seattle
Although it is not the capital, Seattle is the most populated city in Washington, with about 749,000 residents. One thing about Seattleites, they love their pets. You will find over 300 rental properties that allow pets, 380 eateries, and over 40 parks. And being on Puget Sound, there is also lots of waterfront fun to be enjoyed with your pooch. Also, getting around the city is easy because the Seattle Monorail is dog-friendly too!
If you and your fur puppy like to hike, you are in luck because Seattle has 35 pup-friendly trails. Warren Magnuson Park has several trails that are between one and two miles and includes a beach trail. Also, Discovery Park has 534 acres with miles of trails in the Olympic and Cascade Mountains.
Or, take your pooch to the Amazon Dog Parks downtown at The Spheres. The company loves dogs so much they let their employees bring them to work, so they had to create a couple of dog parks to accommodate them.
Olympia
Olympia is the capital of Washington and has a population of just 55,600 people, just a fraction of Seattle. It is at the southern end of the Budd Inlet of the Puget Sound, so it enjoys water activities as well, including swimming, fishing, boating, waterskiing, and sailing. At Squaxin Park in northeastern Olympia, you can find a nice dog-friendly beach within the 314-acre park. Just keep your pooch on a leash and bring doggie bags to pick up after him.
You and Fido can enjoy a weekend getaway at the Hilton Garden Inn where they have an awesome indoor pool, hot tub, restaurant, fitness center, and free breakfast. It is right across the street from Watershed Park, where you can take your pup to play. It has over 150 acres, trails, and the Moxie Creek Basin.
If you are a pinball fan (or even if you aren’t), don’t miss the Olympia Pinball Museum. Your cuddle buddy can join you on a leash while you play some of the 90+ pinball and video machines.
Bellevue
If you would rather enjoy a freshwater lake than the salty Puget Sound, Bellevue has two different lakes to choose from. Lake Washington is the largest and has several parks in western Bellevue to enjoy. Take your fur baby to Magnuson Park on the lake, where they have an 8.6-acre off-leash park for dogs.
Lake Sammamish is a bit smaller and also has a park with an off-leash dog park! Marymoor Park has a huge pooch play area on the northern end of the lake with 40 acres of farmland along the Sammamish River. There are six miles of trails and several beaches where you can swim. It does have a fence, but with 40 acres, it is best to have your dog voice-controlled.
If the weather is not cooperating or you want to have a brew while Fido plays, Ales and Tails Park in Woodinville has an indoor dog park warehouse with agility equipment and lots of space. They even have dog grooming if your pup needs a bath. Or you can take your pup to Obec Brewing, where he is welcome to join you while you try some new beer flavors.
Spokane
In northeastern Washington, you will find Spokane along the Spokane River at the foot of the Selkirk Mountains. It is a bit smaller than the previously mentioned cities, with just 228,000 residents who have an estimated 38,000 fur babies. This is the perfect city for a family vacation with lots of kids’ attractions like the Looff Carousel, Numerica SkyRide, Manito Park, and the Great Northern Clocktower.
One of the best dog-friendly family hotels in the city is Ruby River Hotel. It has a pool, playgrounds, bike rental, and a restaurant, and it is right on the riverfront. Make sure you stop by Valley Mission Dog Park to let your canine companion get rid of the zoomies. It is fully fenced so you can let your pup run amok without a leash, and it has agility equipment, including tunnels, jumps, and ramps.
The whole family will enjoy eating at South Perry Pizza where they have 20 pet-friendly tables. The selection is awesome, and you can pick your own toppings. But make sure you save room for dessert!
Mount Rainier National Park
If you are interested in hitting the slopes, look no further than Mount Rainier National Park. Besides the obvious Mount Rainier skiing, you will also find other places like Crystal Mountain and Silver Springs Sno-Park. Dogs are typically not allowed on the slopes, of course, but many of the lodges, hotels, and resorts are pet-friendly, like the Village Inn and Alpine Inn at Crystal Mountain and the LOGE Alta Crystal at Silver Springs.
The 235,625-acre park is centered around the highest peak in Washington, Mount Rainier. Your fur pup is welcome as long as you keep him on a leash and out of the no-dog zones like the ski areas. The park has 279 miles of trails, some of which are dog-friendly and have awesome cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Always make sure you have extra water and some doggie bags with you.
Because 97% of the park is wilderness, you should keep your pooch on a short leash to prevent any dangerous animal encounters. There are cougars, bears, bobcats, and wolves, as well as mountain goats, elk, and deer.
Marysville
Known for its beautiful parks, trails, and waterfront, Marysville is a delightful place to take your honey for a romantic weekend with your fur baby. You can enjoy a picnic along the Snohomish River, enjoy a sunset with the Cascade and Olympic Mountains in the background, or have a candlelight dinner at one of the local restaurants. Many of them are dog-friendly so you can even take Fido out to dinner with you.
First, choose a pet-friendly hotel like Holiday Inn & Suites where you and your date can take a swim in the indoor pool, get a couples massage at the spa, and work out at the gym. It is even close to several parks, restaurants, and Quilceda Creek, where you can take a stroll. If you feel lucky, take your lover to Tulalip Casino to play the slots.
Then, take Fido to Strawberry Fields Rover Dog Park. It has three acres of fenced space with a special area for small dogs, as well as agility equipment, drinking fountains, waste stations, and picnic benches.
Tacoma
Surrounding the Puget Sound’s Commencement Bay, Tacoma is a port city with about 220,000 residents and 35,000 dogs. With lots of family attractions, parks, and entertainment, Tacoma is a perfect place for a vacation with the kids and your cuddle buddy. The kiddos will love the hands-on exhibits at the Children’s Museum, the games at Dorky’s Arcade, and the living museum at Fort Nisqually.
The largest park in the city is also the most fun for all. Not only do they have an off-leash dog park, but they also have a zoo, aquarium, beach, and museum. Since Fido is not allowed in these places, you can drop him off at Bark Central Doggie Daycare to play with other pups. Then, take everyone to Shake Shake Shake for some burgers and milkshakes. The patio is pup-friendly.
After, take everyone to Vashon Island on the dog-friendly ferry. The 45-minute trip is a fun way to see the water as you get to where you want to go. On the island, you can rent kayaks and get even closer to the water.
Olympic National Forest
With over 628,000 acres full of lakes, rivers, creeks, valleys, rainforests, and parks, Olympic National Forest has a plethora of fun things you can do with your fur baby. If you enjoy camping, this is the right place to visit because they have 14 different campgrounds with more than 500 sites. The largest is Kalaloch with 160 sites with fire rings and picnic tables, restrooms, water, and food lockers. It is only 40 feet to get to the beaches, but check to see if they are dog-friendly first.
The main park in the national forest is Olympic National Park, which boasts 922,000 acres of coastline, mountains, and rainforests. You can enjoy all sorts of activities with your pooch, including swimming, fishing, and boating in Ozette Lake, hiking the 9-mile Ozette Loop Trail, and seeing the amazing Marymere Falls at Lake Crescent. Remember to keep your pup on a leash and bring baggies to pick up after him.
Stop by Smuggler’s Landing or Hook & Line Pub for something delicious to refuel you both. If you want to let your pup run free, take him to Port Angeles Dog Park in Lincoln Park.
Vancouver
Vancouver is located in the southwestern corner of Washington, bordering Oregon and the Columbia River. The city has approximately 190,000 people and 31,000 dogs living in it so you will likely run into a few of the local pups around town. If you are on a tight budget, Vancouver will not break your bank if you play your cards right. First, choose Motel 6 for rooms starting at $65 with no pet fee.
Nearby, your canine companion will love visiting the Dakota Dog Park at Pacific Community Park. The fully fenced off-leash park has seven acres with a separate small dog area, a trail, water fountains, benches, and a doggie rinse station. Speaking of trails, you and Fido can also enjoy dozens of them in Vancouver, including the easy 2.8-mile Cougar Trails Loop or 2.5-mile Salmon Creek Trail.
Don’t miss the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium & Museum. This pup-friendly museum has some of the weirdest collections in the world.
Bellingham
For a summer retreat with your best furry buddy, Bellingham has some fantastic dog-friendly activities and places. With an estimated 15,000 fur babies in town, you will have no trouble finding some local hangouts for pet parents like the Paws for a Beer Tavern, where dogs can roam around inside and out, and Gruff Brewing Company, where your pooch can come inside the tap room while you sip some brews.
For some water adventures, you can either choose a spot along Bellingham Bay, Lake Padden, or Lake Whatcom. Both lakes have pooch parks where your dog can run around free, but Lake Padden Dog Park is a favorite since it offers off-leash swimming. If you want a good workout while you enjoy the outdoors, many of the parks have dog-friendly trails, including Arroyo, Little Squalicom, and the Maritime Heritage Park.
At Sehome Hill Arboretum, your fur baby can run around off the leash on the trails in this 175-acre park. However, it is not fenced so he must be voice-trained.
Yakima
The city of Yakima has a population of 97,000 and an estimated 16,000 pooches so there are a lot of pup popular places to enjoy here. Known for its wineries and apple orchards, there are quite a few dog-friendly orchards and vineyards. West Valley U-Pick welcomes dogs on a leash while you pick your own apples, grapes, pears, zucchini, peaches, cherries, and blueberries. Also, the Tasting Room at Wilridge Vineyard allows pups in the outdoor seating area.
You can also take Fido to Bale Breaker Brewing Company, where they have a variety of local beers on tap and in cans. The taproom, patio, and lawn are all dog-friendly. They often have food trucks nearby to grab some grub. After, head over to Randall Park where they have 37 acres that include trails, disc golf, picnic areas, a pond, two playgrounds, and an off-leash dog park.
If you are not afraid of heights, the 6.5-mile Umtanum Creek Canyon Trail is perfect. You will see some amazing mountains, cacti, valleys, and even some bighorn sheep. Keep your pup on a short leash, and remember the doggie bags.
Snoqualmie Pass
Ready to do some skiing? Pack your favorite long johns and skis and head for Snoqualmie Pass in the center of Washington. This place is known for its incredible skiing and has almost 2,000 acres of skiing space, 25 lifts, four mountain areas, and 2,280 maximum vertical feet. Pups are not allowed on the slopes, but can stay at one of the dog-friendly hotels. The Summit Inn is one of the best, with hot tubs, a restaurant, and free parking, and it is just a few minutes walk to the ski area.
Alpine Trails Lodge is another place close to the slopes. It is a four-bedroom cabin with a private hot tub, game room, and two bathrooms. Summit Central has several cabins that welcome dogs with one bedroom, a fireplace, a cute kitchen, and a yard.
After a day on the mountain, stop in at Dru Bru, where dogs are always welcome as long as they are on a leash. You can enjoy freshly brewed beer while your pup has a treat.
Redmond
Up in northwestern Washington, you can find the historic city of Redmond, where the land has been habited for about 10,000 years. There is a famous archaeological site in the town center where the 10,000-year-old artifacts were found. However, it was not settled until 1870 when Luke McRedmond filed a Homestead claim by the Sammamish Slough. The city has an estimated 12,000 dogs, so there are plenty of things to do with your cuddle buddy.
For those who like to shop, Redmond Town Center Outdoor Mall is dog-friendly as long as he is leashed. Many of the stores even allow your pooch to accompany you while you browse. There is also outdoor seating at several restaurants where you and Fido can chow down. You can also take your pup to Hartman Park where there are 40 acres with trails, playgrounds, and a pool.
Don’t miss the airplane tours with Kenmore Air, where you and your pup can see things from above.
Everett
Everett is a dog-friendly place with parks, lakes, trails, golf courses, and other activities that welcome your pup to join you. Spend a summer vacation here at one of the 40 local parks, including American Legion Memorial Park, with 140 acres, Forest Park, with 197 acres, and Haworth Park Beach, with 28 acres and a spot for your pup to swim off the leash. Another great place for the summer is Lowell Park, with 10 acres, including a dog park.
If you like beer, go hang out with some of the other pup parents at Pints and Pups indoor dog park/bar. You can enjoy the real stuff while Fido tries a flight of alcohol-free beer flavored with shrimp, chicken, beef, and veggies. Hungry? Take your pooch to Sporty’s Beef & Brew, where you can both enjoy a big butt pork sandwich or another kind of deliciousness.
After, take your pup to Furtician for a new hairdo or a bath. Or get him a spa package for a hydrating spa bath with special conditioning masks.
Renton
Located on Lake Washington at the mouth of the Cedar River, Renton has a variety of family fun activities to enjoy with your pupster and kids. First, choose a pup popular hotel like Sonesta Simply Suites where they have a pool, free breakfast, and a gym. Then, take the kids to Tukwila Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle’s Restaurant, where you can spend the whole day playing on go-karts, bumper boats, and Kidz karts. They even have bowling and mini-golf.
You will have to drop off your pup at daycare before you go because no pets are allowed. At DoozyDog Club or Pickles Playland. Or take everyone to Cedar River Trail Park, where you can all play in the water, have a picnic, or explore the trails. There is even a dog park where your pup can romp around leash-free.
Then, take the family and your pup for a meal at Plum Delicious. They have burgers, steaks, pasta, and chicken, as well as sides and desserts.
The Final Woof
When visiting a new place, you are never sure what to expect as far as dog-friendliness. Some cities just do not seem to have much for canine companions. But Washington has a whole bunch of vacation destinations and dog-friendly activities that welcome dogs. If you want to camp, Olympic National Forest has 14 campgrounds. Those who like to hike can find some awesome trails and dog parks in Seattle as well as the Olympic National Forest. For a romantic trip, Marysville has quite an array of fun for couples. And if you want to ski, Mount Rainier has pet-friendly resorts, and Snoqualmie Pass has 2,000 acres of skiing space.
