by Christy Solo – Editor
Because we haven’t yet hit the Dog Days of Summer, now is the perfect time to go hiking with your dog. If your dad has a dog, or if you are a Dog Dad or heck maybe your dog is a dad and needs some time away from the litter – whatever your dogs ‘n dads status, a hike is the perfect Father’s Day activity!
So let’s revisit some of our area’s best “Dog friendly hikes!”
We’ll start by saying an internet search revealed that 99% of all “Best hikes in Oregon with your dog” lists (and there are many) really missed out on tons of trails in Southern Oregon; we’ll fix that.
If you want to explore the entire state with your poochy pal(s), you can purchase an entire book of “Best Hikes with Your Dog in Oregon” and start making your “to do” list.
We only have so much room, so let’s sniff out close-to-home hikes.
If you were inspired by another of our All Things exploring waterfalls, here are a few “best waterfall hikes with your dog” options.
The hike into stunning Toketee Falls is leashed dog friendly.
Note: Most trails require dogs to be on a leash, always default to leashing your dog unless an area or trail is very clearly marked acceptable for off-leash dogs. Who needs a lawsuit if Fido hurts another hiking human or pooch, or worse who wants to worry about Fido getting lost in the woods?
There are four fab falls to hike to in Prospect. The 1.2-mile Pearsony Falls Trail will take you along Mill Creek where you can also see Barr Creek Falls, Prospect Falls and Mill Creek Falls. If you’re going north on Mill Creek Drive off Hwy. 62 the trailhead parking is on your right just before Gun Club Dr. and the Prospect Store.
Next we’ll explore the only trail we’ll cover which is a bit of a drive, but worth it. You and your dog will love the 1.6-mile Oregon Redwoods Trail near Brookings. This trail takes you back in time as it winds through new and old growth redwoods.
The trail is a well-built and well-maintained trail, most of the trail is wheelchair accessible. It’s not one of the areas’ more popular trails, so you and your pup will most likely be in for a nice, quiet hike through one of only two old-growth redwood groves in Oregon.
If you and your four-legged friend are up for a full day of hiking, hit the Wagner Butte Trail near Ashland. This hike takes an average time of 5 hours to complete, but because it’s an “out-and-back” trail versus a loop, you can hike as much or as little of it as you want.
Odds are you’ll want to hike the entirety once you get going, especially if you make the trek in June because the trail will be abloom with wildflowers. This hike offers stunning scenic views as it goes in and out of forested areas and crosses wide open meadows as well as two creeks.
To get to the trailhead:
Drive on I-5 S for a total of 5.5 miles, then take exit 21 towards Talent. Turn right onto W Valley View Rd. for 0.5 miles, then at the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto E Main St. for 0.5 miles. Make a left onto Wagner Creek Rd. for 0.3 miles, then turn right to stay on Wagner Creek Rd. for another 7 miles. Turn left onto Brick Pile Rd/NF-22 for 3.6 miles to the trailhead parking on your right.
Now we’ll head north to Lost Creek Lake where you have so many dog-friendly hiking options you may never want to go anywhere else. The lake itself has tons of trails surrounding it, as well as two free of charge dog-friendly parks – McGregor and Rivers Edge. Both parks have their own mini trail systems. McGregor’s trails have easy river access for you and your dog as well as many interpretive signs.
Head up to dog friendly Stewart County Park for even more trails. One trail you will want to hit as soon as possible is the Blue Grotto Trail. It’s a 5 mile in-and-out hike to one of our area’s greatest hidden gems – the grotto itself. The waterfall which makes the grotto, well, a grotto, may be down to a trickle soon, so grab your dog’s leash and head out today while there may still be water flowing.
Access the grotto from the Lewis Rd. trailhead. To get there head up toward Prospect on Hwy. 62, after crossing the Peyton Bridge over the Rogue River arm of Lost Creek Lake, turn left on Lewis Road. Continue another 1.0 miles, and turn left to park at the Lewis Road Trailhead.
Let’s jump further north now to the Union Creek area where there are dog-friendly trails galore. You can hit the highlights on the Rogue River Trail like the Natural Bridge – two miles south of Union Creek – then the Rogue River Gorge at the north end of Union Creek.
Or you can hit the trail at either end and hike the miles between the two. If your dog loves to splash in the water, this section of the Rogue River Trail will be doggy nirvana for them – especially the section from Union Creek to the Natural Bridge.
Note: While your dog should always be on a leash on these popular trails (and anywhere else the law requires), for sure never, ever let your dog off leash above the Rogue River Gorge. Also keep them on leash for at least one-half mile before you get to the Natural Bridge. Both locations will lead Spot to a quick end if he stumbles in the roiling waters above these two dangerous lava features.
You can also hike the Union Creek Trail from just behind Beckie’s Café down to the Rogue and back.
We’ll take a quick jump north once again to Crater Lake. While there are many areas and trails which are off limits to dogs, there are also many scenic spots (the entire rim drive is dog friendly) and a few trails where your pup can hike their doggy heart out.
Dogs are required to be on leash at all times within the park.
Dog-friendly areas are clearly marked on the map you’ll receive when you go through the entry kiosk at the lake.
Final fun fact: Most of Oregon’s state parks welcome your furry companions.
For more information, check out the state parks website here:
