Looking to hike with your dog in the Seattle area?
There are countless stunning hikes in the Pacific Northwest, but not all of them allow dogs on trails. For example, dogs are not allowed on trails in national parks (except for the Pacific Crest Trail in North Cascades National Park). To make things convenient for you and your pup to get outside, we found five scenic places in the Seattle area where you can hike with your dog with minimal driving time required. No park pass or entry fee is needed for any of these trails, and they’re all within about an hour’s drive from Seattle!
Remember to keep your dog on a leash at all times, bring plenty of water, and leave no trace (including your dog’s poo bags!).
Here are our top five dog-friendly hikes in and around Seattle:
1. Discovery Park Loop Trail
Located in Magnolia, Seattle’s biggest city park is an excellent option for a hike that feels like you’ve left the city. On this 2.8-mile roundtrip loop trail, and your dog will enjoy the wide-open meadows with bluff views of water and mountains. See more Discovery Park trails here. Dogs are permitted on all trails except for the Wolf Tree Nature Trail and the beach.
Two important notes to keep in mind before heading to Discovery Park with your dog: you cannot park at the beach without a permit or ADA placard. And also, dogs are not permitted on the beach areas of Discovery Park, leashed or unleashed. This rule protects sensitive shoreline habitat and wildlife!
🥾 2.8 miles roundtrip
⛰️ 140 ft of elevation gain
🐕 Dogs allowed on leash
🆓 No pass needed
📍Address: 3801 Discovery Park Blvd., Seattle, WA 98199
2. Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is another great option for hiking with your dog without having to leave the city. This urban park in West Seattle has five miles of trails, including a great 1.8-mile roundtrip loop trail that has incredible views of water and mountains from the beach and bluff. While you’re in the park, be sure to look for the Northwest Troll!
🥾 1.8 miles roundtrip
⛰️ 160 ft of elevation gain
🐕 Dogs allowed on leash
🆓 No pass needed
📍Address: 8011 Fauntleroy Wy SW, Seattle, WA 98136
3. Vashon Island Center Forest
Washington Trails Association calls Island Center Forest “one of King County’s best-kept secrets.” You can take your dog on the ferry from Seattle to Vashon to explore this lush island forest’s 10 miles of trails. While you’re there, you can easily drive over to Maury Island for additional dog-friendly hiking through Maury Island’s Marine Park and Natural Area.
🥾 10 miles of trails
⛰️ 200 ft of elevation gain
🐕 Dogs allowed on leash
🆓 No pass needed
📍Address: Island Center Forest, Vashon, WA
4. Lime Kiln Trail
This dog-friendly trail in Granite Falls has a mossy old-growth forest and a river canyon, and even a historic lime kiln. This hike’s difficulty is rated moderate.
🥾 7 miles roundtrip
⛰️ 625 ft of elevation gain
🐕 Dogs allowed on leash
🆓 No pass needed
📍Address: Robe Canyon Historic Park, Mountain Loop Hwy, Granite Falls, WA 98252
5. Rattlesnake Ledge
Rattlesnake Ledge in North Bend is one of the most popular hikes in the area for good reason, since you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic view at the top. It has the highest elevation gain of all the hikes on this list and is rated moderate, so it may not be suitable for puppies or aging dogs.
🥾 4 miles roundtrip
⛰️ 1,160 ft of elevation gain
🐕 Dogs allowed on leash
🆓 No pass needed
📍Address: Snoqualmie Valley Trail, North Bend, WA 98045
Correction: An earlier version of this article mentioned the beach at Discovery Park. Dogs are not permitted on this beach or on the park’s Wolf Tree Nature Trail.