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Washington is home to hundreds of hiking trails that twist around mountains, forests, and lakes. The trails are home to various wildlife and beautiful views and are perfect places to explore with your dog.
There are a few places where pets aren’t allowed, but there are just as many areas where your dog can join you on your adventures. Remember to keep them on a 6-foot leash and abide by the “leave no trace” rule by picking up after yourself and your dog during your hikes. We hope these 16 dog-friendly hiking trails give you somewhere new to explore.
The 16 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Washington
1. Mailbox Peak Trail Loop
Two trails are available with varying difficulty and length
The trail ends at the Mailbox Peak Summit, where you can take a picture with the iconic mailbox
It’s a popular spot for hikers and dog walkers—Keep your dog leashed
You’ll need a day pass or Discovery Pass to park
The hike is a challenging one, but the final view is worth the effort
2. Heybrook Lookout Trailhead
A 1.9-mile long trail with a beautiful view at the end
Suitable for novice hikers but it is steep in places
A popular hiking spot with limited parking
There’s an old fire watch tower you can climb at the end
You’ll need plenty of water and snacks for you and your dog
3. Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
Several trails to choose from to suit all hiking abilities
You’ll likely encounter plenty of wildlife, horses, and other hikers—Keep your dog leashed!
The trails are marked but take a map just in case
Weekends can get busy
Located right on the edge of Seattle
4. Upper Big Creek Loop Trail
June to October is the most popular time for visitors
A moderate, 4-mile hike with steep inclines in places
Spectacular views of the surrounding area
The trail and bridges are well-maintained
Parking requires a trail pass
5. Dog Mountain Trail
🗺️ Address:
📍 WA-14, Cook, WA 98605
🕐 Open Times:
24/7, March to December
💲 Cost:
$5
🐕 Off-Leash:
No
There are two available hikes with varying difficulty
You’ll need a day or annual pass to park
Can be crowded in summer with limited parking—there is a shuttle available if you don’t want to park at the trail
Beautiful views throughout the year with gorgeous wildflowers in springtime
A difficult hike that is mostly uphill but it is manageable for beginners
6. Chambers Bay Loop Trail Head
A 3.1-mile loop trail in Tacoma with a beach, golf park, and off-leash dog area
Dogs should be kept on a leash in the main park
An easy, mostly flat trail with beautiful views of Puget Sound
There isn’t a lot of shade so take plenty of water
Can get crowded but there’s plenty of space
7. Rachel Lake Trail
A 9-mile hiking trail that’s popular among local backpackers
Offers a beautiful view of the lake and several small waterfalls
The trails aren’t marked very clearly so be sure to take a map
You’ll need a day pass or a Northwest Forest Pass to park
The hike is difficult to start with but is easier later on
8. Rosario Head Trail
Beautiful views of Puget Sound
A 1.5-mile easy hike for beginners
There is plenty of parking available, but it gets crowded on weekends
You’ll need a Discovery Pass to visit the park
Remember to keep your dog leashed
9. Lake Ann Trail
A popular spot for hiking, birdwatching, and running
Make sure your dog is leashed
The snow lingers for most of the year and can be deep in places—you might need crampons and poles
Offers spectacular views of Mt. Shuksan and Lake Ann
It’s a popular hiking spot for day visitors and campers
10. Lake Valhalla Trailhead
A 12-mile trail for experienced hikers
One of the quieter, less crowded hiking trails in Washington
There is a shorter hike to Lake Valhalla at Smithbrook Trailhead for beginners
You might encounter bears and other wildlife
There are campsites and restrooms located at Lake Valhalla
11. Sheep Lake and Sourdough Gap Trailhead
🗺️ Address:
📍 Naches, WA 98937
🕐 Open Times:
24/7, all year
💲 Cost:
$5
🐕 Off-Leash:
No
Gets crowded later in the day so head out early
One of the easier trails available in Washington
Located on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
There are hiking spots available at the lake
It can get very busy and there is minimal parking
12. Snoqualmie Lake Trail
🗺️ Address:
📍 North Bend, WA 98045
🕐 Open Times:
24/7, all year
💲 Cost:
$5
🐕 Off-Leash:
No
The trails are easy and suitable for novice hikers
You can continue your hike in Otter Falls or return to the trailhead
It can be difficult to get to—watch for potholes on the main road
There is limited parking, and you’ll need a day pass
You might encounter bears—Keep your dog leashed
13. Baker Lake Trail
The road leading to the trailhead is filled with potholes
It’s an easy trail but lengthy
All the bridges and the trail are safe and well-maintained
It gets busy during summer weekends
You’ll need a National Forest Pass to park and use the trail
14. Melmont Ghost Town Hike
A moderately difficult hike with a few ruins to explore along the way
The trail can get incredibly muddy
Located on the Foothills Trail
It is difficult to find the trailhead but worth the effort
The trail is rarely crowded and there’s plenty of parking
15. Wildcat Green Mountain Trailhead
A popular spot for dirt biking so you need to make sure your dog is leashed
Suitable for novice or experienced hikers
It’s a long way to the top—pack enough water for you and your dog
On clear days you can see Seattle in the distance
You’ll need a Discovery Pass to park
16. Gold Creek Trailhead
A paved loop trail that’s wheelchair and stroller accessible
You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass to use the parking lot
Quieter than the nearby Wildcat Trailhead
There are expansive and gorgeous views at the end of the hike
Suitable for children and older hikers
Conclusion
There are several hiking trails throughout Washington that are man-made and natural with a range of difficulties. If you’re looking for a great view for a doggy photo shoot or just want somewhere new to explore, a new trail is an excellent choice. You can stick to simple man-made trails if you’re a novice hiker or tackle some of the difficult trails we’ve listed to challenge your skills and give your dog some new places to sniff. Hopefully, this list will help you find your new favorite trail.
Featured Image Credit: Kevin Lobene, Shutterstock
Written by
Nicole Cosgrove
Lead Pet Expert & Pet-ditor in Chief
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts’ knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.…Read more
