Dog Friendly Hikes In and Around the Columbia River Gorge
10 Dog Friendly hikes in and around Portland, Oregon.
Our family loves to explore and we are lucky to live in the Pacific Northwest with breathtaking sights all around! Snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and raging waterfalls only make up some of the amazing places you can visit. So we thought we would round up some of Kevin’s favorite spots to hike in the Portland/Vancouver area.
In no particular order, these are great places to hike with your dog around the Portland area. Most of them we have visited with Kevin and some are still on our to-do list! Trust me when I say to bring a camera to capture all of you and your furry friends adventures!
1. Vancouver Waterfall Walk
Rating: Easy-Peasy
This is more of a city walk, but it is still worth mentioning! With lots of people to see, walking along the water is great fun for dogs and their humans. There are also some great food selections on either end for humans who need a treat (and they have ones for dogs too!).
Vancouver Waterfront Park and Grant Street Pier
2. Tryon Creek Inner Loop Hike
Rating: Easy-Peasy
If you’re looking for places to hike with a dog in Portland, The Tryon Creek State Natural Area is only fifteen minutes away from downtown! This park has a few different hiking trails, but the Inner Loop Hike is perfect for pups of all sizes.
3. Mirror Lake
Rating: Sort of Ruff
Depending on when you decide to visit, the weather may make this trail a little challenging. But it could be a great adventure for you and your dog! Located on Mt. Hood, this hike is just over four miles and you’ll reach an awesome lake about halfway through your trip that your dog can rest by and get some well-earned pets and snuggles while enjoying the perfect view of Mt. Hood.
4. Dog Mountain Trail
Rating: Adventure Dog
The hike to Dog Mountain is a difficult trail, so if you’re just starting to hike with your pup, save this one for later! But for the more experienced travelers, this hike has an amazing view of the Columbia River Gorge and will give you and your dog the opportunity to enjoy nature. Before you head out on this hike, it’s important to know that every hiker on the Dog Mountain Trail System must carry a permit during the peak spring wildflower season (Saturday, Sundays from April 23-June 12 and Memorial Day.
5. Latourell Falls
Rating: Sort of Ruff
We love to visit waterfalls, and Latourell Falls is at the top of our list! What’s cool about this waterfall is that you can walk right up to it, and even walk behind it! It’s a little muddy, so make sure you have some good shoes or boots for the trek.
6. Lake to Lake Trails (Camas/Lacamas)
Rating: Sort of Ruff
With tons of trees, bridges, water rapids, and falls, this trail should definitely make it onto your list! It’s tons of fun for both humans and dogs to explore.
7. Washington Park Loop
Rating: Easy-Peasy
This is more of a walk rather than a hike, but it is a great place for dogs to roam with their human! You will have plenty to see with the Japanese Gardens, Rose Test Gardens, and Zoo around this area.
8. Panther Falls
Rating: Easy-Peasy
This is the shortest hike on the list, but don’t let that fool you! Panther Falls is a great place to hike with your dog! The best time to visit is between April and October, and don’t forget to get some pics of your pup posing in front of the water.
9. Warrior Point Hike
Rating: Adventure Dog
Although this hike isn’t super difficult, it is very long. But for more experienced hikers, this is a great destination to hike with your dog. You will get to hike to a lighthouse and see tons of birds along the way!
10. 1000 Acres
Rating: Easy-Peasy
If you’re looking for an awesome off-leash place for your dog to explore, this is the place to check out! It is more of a walking dog park than a hike, but there are tons of easy trails and plenty of space for your dog to run to their heart’s content.
Exercise is important for pups of all shapes and sizes. These hikes are not only a great way to get out and move, but they also have tons of new sights and smells so your pup's sniffer will stay busy! Take your time and enjoy as you check out some of the best places to hike with your dog in Portland.
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