Outdoor Paws Explore Washington’s Olympic Peninsula
- Luie Boone
- Jan 5
- 7 min read
This travel spot is featured in our fifth blog series, Bowwows Belong.
Outdoor paws are made for adventure, and Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is a paw‑some playground for pet‑loving explorers. With dramatic mountains, lush rainforests, sparkling lakes, and a rugged Pacific coastline, this region offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Pacific Northwest. From welcoming gateway towns to dog‑friendly lakes, beaches, and forests, it’s easy to experience the beauty of the peninsula with your four‑legged companion by your side.
Port Angeles makes a perfect starting point. This northern hub offers pet‑friendly lodging at the Red Lion Hotel, scenic leashed walks along the Port Angeles Waterfront Trail, and outdoor dining at Next Door Gastropub where dogs are welcome. Just south, Lake Sutherland provides a quieter escape with calm shorelines ideal for picnics and peaceful strolls. A short drive west brings you to Lake Crescent, one of the peninsula’s most iconic natural features. Dogs can enjoy the shoreline and the Spruce Railroad Trail, while Lake Crescent Lodge offers pet‑friendly rooms for travelers who want to linger.
Heading deeper into the peninsula, Forks—famous as the setting of the Twilight series—is surrounded by misty rainforest and rivers. Leashed dogs can explore forest roads and quieter paths, while Pacific Pizza and The Dew Drop Inn provide dog‑friendly dining and lodging. Just beyond Forks lies LaPush, home of the Quileute tribe and known for its dramatic coastal scenery. Dogs are welcome on Rialto Beach, First Beach, and the LaPush Beach Trails, where sea stacks and surf create unforgettable views. Kalaloch Lodge adds to the experience with dog‑friendly cabins and patio dining overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
On the southwestern side, Quinault offers serenity along the shores of Lake Quinault. Surrounded by lush rainforest, it’s a quiet gateway to the Quinault Rain Forest within Olympic National Forest. Leashed dogs are welcome on forest roads, select trails, and the lake shoreline. Lake Quinault Lodge and nearby cabins provide pet‑friendly accommodations, making this an ideal stop for travelers seeking peace and connection with nature.
Quilcene Bay, tucked along the eastern edge, is another calm retreat. Its tidal flats and shoreline walks are perfect for leashed exploration, and Twana Roadhouse welcomes dogs on its outdoor patio with hearty fare and homemade pies. Vacation rentals and small inns in the area make it easy to stay between the mountains and coast.
Sequim adds a sunny touch to the journey, known for its lavender fields and slower pace. Many farms, including Purple Haze Lavender Farm, welcome leashed dogs, and the Dungeness River Trail offers long, scenic walks. Dining is easy at The Oak Table Cafe, where outdoor seating makes pups part of the experience.
Port Townsend, on the northeastern edge of the peninsula, blends historic charm with coastal scenery. Its walkable downtown features dog‑friendly patios at The Fountain Cafe and Sirens Pub, while nearby Fort Worden State Park offers trails, beaches, and picnic areas. The Palace Hotel even provides a thoughtful “Dog Kit” with bowls, sheets, and towels to ensure a comfortable stay for your pup.
For those seeking immersive forest experiences, Olympic National Forest is a must. Dogs are allowed on most trails and forest roads, offering quiet hikes through towering evergreens, moss‑covered terrain, and peaceful streams that showcase the peninsula’s wild beauty.
With welcoming lodging, outdoor dining, and diverse landscapes, the Olympic Peninsula is a memorable adventure for travelers with their dogs. Whether you’re a Twilight fan eager to explore Forks and LaPush or simply seeking lakeside serenity and rainforest trails, this region makes it easy to create lasting memories with your best friend!
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay at Washington's Olympic Peninsula. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Emerald Haven
This rental has 4 bedrooms with 4 beds and 2 baths.
Photo by book.enchantedhavens.com
It features the following amenities:
One acre vacation property
Set on 100 feet of Lake Sutherland’s sunlit north shore
Stunning views of Mt. Storm King
Toddler bedroom for two kids and a baby room with a crib in the master bedroom's walk-in closet
French doors onto private balcony in master bedroom
Two stunning deck levels
Step onto the upper deck right from the house
Expansive lakeside deck, perched directly above the lake, featuring a lively tiki bar
Hot tub under charming pergola
Cozy firepit with Adirondack seating
Property includes two kayaks, two paddles, and one paddle board
For safety, life jackets are readily available in the boathouse
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
My hoomans are planning a vacation on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, and I’m coming along! We’ll be staying at Emerald Haven, which is a cozy cedar lake house perched on the sunny north shore of Lake Sutherland. I’m bringing my stuffed eagle, Iggy, because Washington is home to one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. The Olympic Peninsula has them year-round! Iggy absolutely deserves to come! The house has big windows with stunning lake and mountain views, perfect for wildlife watching. Past visitors spent an entire day watching three bald eagles fish on the lake. I'll plan to do the same, with Iggy right by my side. Inside, the home is designed for comfort, offering plenty of cozy nap spots for both of us. Outside, there are decks overlooking the lake, a fire pit, and a hot tub twinkling under the stars. Nearby towns, dog-friendly lakes, and the Olympic National Forest make it easy for us to explore the peninsula together. The house comes with kayaks, a paddleboard, and a private dock—paw-some for a splash or a quiet watch session with Iggy. Inside, there’s plenty of space to sleep, a fully stocked kitchen, and music both indoors and out. I haven’t even arrived yet, but I already know this trip will be filled with nature, bald eagles, a stuffed eagle, and plenty of excellent naps.
Paws Venture Here
Luie Boone sniffed out and dug up these local gems for you to check out while vacationing at Washington's Olympic Peninsula.
Salt Creek Recreation Area
The Salt Creek Recreation Area is a 196-acre marine sanctuary, located on a picturesque beach on the Puget Sound. While here, be sure to look up and see if you can spot some bald eagles! Iggy hopes we do! This area was originally used as a WWII military camp. The land was later purchased by the Federal General Services Administration. Several relics from the war remain, including two concrete bunkers.
Quinault Rainforest
The Quinault Rainforest is a temperate rain forest. It's believed to be the area with the greatest number of record size giant tree species. Take a short interpretive loop trail there that passes a crashing creek, as it heads to the ocean. You can gaze up at dizzyingly tall trees and soak it all in—literally. The Quinault Rainforest can average 140 inches of rain each year, so bring your and your pups gear, as there will be plenty of puddles to splash in on this hike! Luie Boone can't wait to splash!
The Sisters
The Sisters are two large Sitka Spruce trees, which have stood over Elk Creek for nearly 200 years in the Elk Creek Conservation Area in Forks, Washington! Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) are known for their grand size and longevity (living hundreds of years). Take your canine buddy for a walk on the Elk Creek Conservation Trail and see them! Luie Boone promises to not lift his leg and take a tinkle on these infamous sisters.
Kloshe Nanitch
Once the site of a historic lookout, this craggy, ridgetop perch serves up excellent views of Lake Crescent, Mount Olympus and the Sol Duc River Valley. Kloshe Nanitch—which is Chinook for take care or look out—served as the site of a fire watch for many years. Originally built in 1917, the site was abandoned and destroyed in 1963. Take your pooch on the 5.1-mile Kloshe Nanitch Trail to reach the lookout. On clear days, the views extend all the way to the Pacific Ocean and James Island!
Madison Creek Falls
Madison Falls is a stunning 60-foot waterfall near the Elwha River. It's also one of the most accessible destinations at the Olympic National Park—making it a great stop for families and their pups. A short, paved trail leads to these pretty little falls located within Olympic National Park and in the famed Elwha Valley. This path is also one of the few within the national park that is open to dogs—as long as they remain on leash. Luie Boone cannot wait to plop his toosh right underneath the falls!
First Beach
The First Beach—located in LaPush—is a beautiful beach, featuring sea stacks and a jetty off to the right. It encloses a large fishing marina. With no leash laws, your pup will be in heaven! First Beach is also the home of the Quileute Nation. While visiting, please observe proper etiquette. Thank you for your assistance in helping them protect their sacred and ceremonial area, including the preservation of historical artifacts.
Siebert Creek Conservation Area
The Siebert Creek Conservation Area is located on the traditional and ancestral lands of the indigenous people, who have lived on the North Olympic Peninsula since time immemorial. They continue to lead in environmental stewardship. This conservation area is approximately a 39-acre parcel along the Siebert Creek between Port Angeles and Sequim. Volunteers have constructed new trails, trailheads, and even a picnic area to help hoomans and their pups enjoy the area.
Chestnut Cottage Restaurant
The Chestnut Cottage Restaurant is a casual restaurant, which serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch in Port Angeles. Dogs are welcome to join you on the outside patio. This dog-friendly eatery offers benedicts, biscuits and gravy, omelets, and more. There's even a dog menu! Luie Boone would absolutely love (and demolish) the BARKuterie board.
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Washington's Olympic Peninsula
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
My hoomans have been acting suspicious... in a cheerful, but very organized way. They pulled out maps, opened suitcases, and kept saying the word “vacation.” Normally, that’s my one of favorite words, because it means car rides, new smells, and snacks. Big plans were clearly happening! I brought Iggy the Eagle with me to eavesdrop. My hoomans said we are going to Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. That sounded fine, until I learned from my hooman sister Brooke something crazy. She told me that’s where the Twilight movies were made! Twilight is apparently a series of movies about humans, vampires, and werewolves who spend a lot of time staring at each other. I looked at Iggy. He didn’t look impressed. I was worried about having to protect my hoomans. Then, I remembered that Twilight is just a movie. No real vampires, no real werewolves, no danger. Phew! Now, I'm very excited! Mossy forests, long trails, rivers to splash in, windy beaches full of sticks. Washington's Olympic Peninsula, here I come!
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