The Best Dog Friendly Getaways near Seattle, Washington

Olympic National Park

Contributed by Jessica Schmidt of Uprooted Traveler

Why Olympic National Park is a great weekend vacation with your dog

Best For: Moody walks on the beach and through the rainforest, and whales!

Olympic is one of the most beautiful and diverse U.S. National Parks, with towering mountains, lush rainforests, and rugged beaches all within an easy drive of each other. Unfortunately, not everything in Olympic is dog-friendly, but there’s plenty to keep you busy for a weekend!

Dogs are welcome on any of the beaches between the Hoh and Quinault Reservations. Be sure to add Kalaloch Beach to your bucket list, where you can see the famed Tree of Life, an enormous sitka spruce tree that appears to be “floating” between two parted sea bluffs.

Additionally, some of the best hikes in Olympic National Park allow you and your furry best friend to explore them together. For example, the Spruce Railroad Trail, along the turquoise waters of Lake Crescent, and the July Creek Loop Trail, through the Quinault Rainforest, are excellent places to stretch your legs.

There’s so much to see and do in the Olympic Peninsula, outside of the National Park. For example, the Salt Creek Recreation Area has a number of hiking trails, a beautiful campground overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and awesome tidepools—all of which are dog-friendly! Alternatively, dogs are welcome on all trails of Olympic National Forest, which shares its western border with the national park and has the same stunning mountains and rainforests as its neighbor.

Our experience: why we think this is a fantastic day trip or weekend getaway

My husband and I lived in Seattle for four years and took my dogs to the Olympic Peninsula more times than I can count.

We’d spend our days walking along the crashing waves of the Pacific on Kalaloch Beach or Beach #4 and exploring the small towns dotting the park’s perimeter, like enjoying the dog-friendly patio at Barhop Brewing in Port Angeles or the underrated Bogachiel State Park in Forks (yes, of the Twilight fame!).

There were, of course, some trails in the national park that were off-limits to dogs, but honestly, there’s so much beautiful things to see and explore in this little slice of heaven, we never found having dogs with us limiting. Be sure to check out the Cape Flattery Trail on the Makah Reservation—it’s actually the northwesternmost point in the United States and an excellent spot to see orcas, gray whales, and more.

Bellingham

Contributed by Dhwani of Trrips and Maps

Why visit Bellingham for a vacation with your dog

Best For: dog-friendly breweries, off-leash fun, and stunning coastal views

Bellingham is a city located ~90 miles, 1.5 hour drive north of Seattle. With scenic parks, plenty of outdoor activities and a vibrant scene for food and breweries, it is an easy-to-plan coastal getaway from Seattle.

For off-leash destinations – Whatcom Falls Park is an iconic park of Bellingham with multiple waterfalls, ~5 miles of wooded trails, an off-leash trail and proximity to Whatcom Lake. Squalcim Park by the bay and Lake Padden for lakeside water time are fantastic options where dogs can run and play, free from their leash. Paws for a Beer is an off-leash dog bar where dogs are free to play in their outdoor area while you enjoy an adult beverage.

There are many other Bellingham attractions that you can visit with your pets on leash. The scenic Chuckanut Drive by Chuckanut bay is a popular destination with hikes and beaches. Bellingham has many waterfront parks and walkways that families can enjoy with their pets. If you are in the mood for an island adventure, then a trip to the nearby Lummi island is a 30-min ferry ride away, where pets are allowed on the stern of the ferry vessel.

Our experience: why we think this is a fantastic day trip or weekend getaway

Bellingham is among our family’s favorite getaway from Seattle. Some of its destinations can be visited all year round.

We love visiting Whatcom Falls across seasons. With waterfalls, parks, pump track, family-friendly trails, it has something for everyone in the family. To leave dogs off-leash, continue on the Waterline trail after visiting the waterfalls.

Chuckanut Drive is another such year-round destination for us. In winters, we simply drive the scenic route enjoying the views of the bay, the Olympic mountains and San Juan islands. To stretch our legs, our go-to destination on this drive is Larrabee State Park beach. You can keep your pet on leash to explore the grounds of this beautiful bayside park which is also Washington’s first state park.

After all the activity, we prefer winding down at a local brewery. Aslan and Kulshan breweries are popular and dog-friendly.

Anacortes

Contributed by Mindful PNW Travels

Why Anacortes is a great weekend vacation near

Best For: Walks, coffee and pup cups, boating with furry friends

Anacortes, Washington is one of the northern islands of the state. A dreamy boat town with dog-friendly hikes, coffee shops, boating, and more. Dog-friendly travel is extremely important to many locals and visitors so that the owner and furry family members can have a good time.

Washington Park Loop Road is the top area to catch some rays with your furry friend while watching sailboats coast along the water. This is a fun place to watch dogs play fetch in the water or hang out on the sandy beaches.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail is a bit quieter of a hike and doesn’t have the hustle and bustle of the inner city paths. The giant evergreen trees and lush bushes provide a cooler climate for hot days.

Out-of-town visitors love stepping onto the ferry and experiencing the ride or stopping at one of the San Juan Islands for a quick lunch. Dogs will have to remain on the lower decks and in the vehicles during the duration of the ferry ride. Check the WSDOT ferry schedule due to it changing seasonally.

Yacht Charters are a highly sought-after experience in the summertime. Call ahead to find out if the charter allows pets on the boat. If the policy goes against it, pups are allowed to walk on the boat docks.

Not a big fan of the water? Stop at Whidbey Coffee drive-through for one of the best lattes in the world, they even have special treats for pups.

Our experience: why we think this is a fantastic day trip or weekend getaway

Every time I visit Anacortes, which let’s be honest, is about once a month! I always start off my trip at Whidbey Coffee. I love their vanilla lattes, and my pup loves their treats. We typically head to Washington Park after that so we can both get some exercise walking the loop road. Please be considerate of this park, a campground and grill-out areas are here. Dogs are required to be on leash in this area.

Speaking of summer, it’s my favorite time of the year to visit Anacortes, and my dog loves it too. Warmer weather to splash in the water, more boats to watch from the beaches, or walk around the docks dreaming of which I would love to own myself one day. My dog loves to get sandy and run around, me, not so much.

Summer is a beautiful time, however, since Anacortes is a boat town, it gets fairly busy up there that time of year. If you or your dog aren’t the biggest fan of crowded areas, the off-season is still wonderful! Anacortes is a small town regardless, so the “crowded areas” are still fairly low-key.

Whidbey Island

Contributed by Rylee Muir of Vacation Washington State

Why Whidbey Island is a great dog friendly weekend vacation

Best For: On & Off-leash dog beaches, on leash hiking trails, small towns sights (and sniffs)

Whidbey Island is the perfect destination for dog owners visiting or living in Washington state. Whidbey is one of the most accessible islands to reach from Seattle, and they have countless activities for you and your dog to explore.

One of the top activities on the island is exploring Double Bluff Off-Leash area. This off-leash beach expands almost 4 miles along the shores of the Puget Sound and owns the title of the larges off-leash dog beach in Washington state.

If you’re searching for an adventure that will leave you feeling like you know the people of Whidbey islands, take your dog to Langley for some small town sightseeing. Many of the restaurants and stores in Langley are dog friendly so you can shop or eat without having to leave your dog behind. There are a couple of parks accessible from downtown Langley making potty breaks easy.

Another option for activities on Whidbey islands is to take your dog on a hike at Deception Pass State Park. There are hiking trails on the rocky beaches near the water or up in the hills that will give you views of the surrounding Washington islands. Make sure that you pack a leash because all of the trails and beaches in Deception Pass State Park require dogs to be on leash. It’s also important that you pack water for your dog as most of the water in this area is salt water.

Our experience: why we think this is a fantastic day trip or weekend getaway

About once a month I take my high energy dog to Whidbey Island for a packed day of dog friendly fun. I start by getting on the Mukilteo to Langley ferry and immediately head to Double Bluff Dog Beach. I prefer to visit the beach a high tide so that I don’t have to worry about my dog cutting his paws on the exposed rock that comes out at low tide.

I’ll typically spend a few hours watching him run until he’s tired and ready to move on. It’s important to pack tons of water when you’re visiting Double Bluff Beach because there isn’t any water available in the parking lot area.

After Double Bluff, we head into Langley to explore the town and grab food. I try somewhere new each time and have yet to find a place that won’t allow me to bring my dog inside. After that I’ll head back to the ferry or alternatively take the scenic drive back to Seattle by driving through Deception Pass. I recommend always stopping if you’re near Deception Pass so that you can explore the North Beach and walk across the iconic 180 foot bridge.

Victoria

Why Victoria is a great weekend vacation with your dog

Best For: off-leash nature walks, outdoor adventures, glorious gardens

Victoria on Vancouver Island in Canada is a great spot for a weekend with your dog. You start with a beautiful ferry ride from Seattle, where you can both enjoy the fresh air and views of the water.

Once you arrive, Beacon Hill Park is a must. It’s got off-leash areas, lovely gardens, and paths that are perfect for a walk. There are even peacocks wandering around. Right next to it is the Dallas Road Waterfront Trail. This is a favorite for locals and visitors alike, with its stunning ocean views and plenty of space for dogs to run off-leash.

The Inner Harbour is another highlight. It’s a lively area with lots to see, including boat water ballet on Sundays, street performers and markets. Many of the cafes and restaurants have outdoor seating where dogs are welcome. It’s a great place to sit, relax, and take in the sights.

The Galloping Goose Trail is worth checking out. It’s a long trail that goes through different types of scenery, from city to countryside. Perfect for a long walk or a bike ride with your dog.

There are plenty of pet-friendly hotels in Victoria, so you’ll have no trouble finding a place to stay that’s comfortable for both of you. Victoria’s mix of natural beauty and a welcoming vibe makes it a great getaway for you and your dog.

Our experience: why we think this is a fantastic day trip or weekend getaway

We spent a lot of time in Victoria during the summer, and the weather was perfect for visiting with a dog. It wasn’t too hot, making it ideal for all the outdoor activities you might want to do on a weekend getaway.

We loved how easy and accessible it was to go with walking with our dogs off-leash in so many places. The freedom was more than we are used to in the States, but make sure your dog has good recall and friendly behavior.

Butchart Gardens are world-famous and a definite must-see. While dogs can visit, we left ours at home because I didn’t want to spend my whole birthday trying to keep Denver from peeing on the perfectly manicured garden art. We saw a number of other dogs there though, and they seemed to be having a great time.

One quirky thing about Victoria is that dogs are welcome on patios you can access from the sidewalk. However, some trendy restaurants have fenced patios where dogs aren’t allowed, so don’t assume patio equals dog-friendly. You will have to check.

Overall, I don’t think our dogs have ever been as happy as they were here. Victoria is one of the most dog-friendly places we’ve ever been. We could have gone every weekend for an entire year and not run out of new beaches and trails to explore.