When it’s time to walk the dog, you may have a favorite daily route for your four-legged friend. But it’s always nice to change things up now and then, especially if you’re looking for a longer stretch of exercise for everyone.

The Columbia-Pacific region is fortunate to have plenty of dog-friendly trail options, from short boardwalks with grand coastal views to longer forest and waterfront hikes.

Fort Stevens State Park

With lots of open space and a wide network of trails, this Oregon State Park is a great place to take your pups. The varied field, forest and shoreline habitats have an abundance of interesting smells, and you can either stick to pathways or head cross-country.

Be mindful of the elk herds that sometimes hang out near the visitor center, and keep yourself and your dogs at a safe distance as you explore wide, sandy shores and military history.

Warrenton Waterfront Trail

Looking for something even and paved? This 8.4-mile out-and-back trail follows along the Skipanon and Columbia Rivers for plenty of views, and you can even stop for a rest and picnic at the dog-friendly Carruthers Memorial Park.

Be aware that the trail does occasionally follow the main road, and dogs must be kept on a leash.

Ecola State Park

With expansive views of Haystack Rock, pocket beaches and old-growth forest, this park has a vast network of trails and terrain, with 8 miles of the Oregon Coast Trail and a 2.5-mile interpretive route within its boundaries.

Routes are mostly out and back, like the 2.5-mile Crescent Beach Trail, so plan accordingly. The park’s day-use areas are great for downtime and views. However, this is a place to keep your dog leashed. In 2024, an off-leash dog was badly injured after falling off a 300-foot cliff at the park and had to be rescued, so stay safe.

Cape Disappointment State Park

If you’re after hills and rugged trails, the Coastal Forest Loop and North Head Trail, both clocking in at 1.5 miles, offer plenty of both. Take a short loop for views of North Head Lighthouse, or an even shorter walk on the Bell’s View Interpretive Trail to a viewing platform.

Also at this Washington State Park, the 0.45-mile Benson Beach Trail offers a flat, even stroll to the ocean, and the 8.5-mile-long Discovery Trail passes through sections of the park to head further north to Seaview and Long Beach.

Leadbetter Point State Park

At the northern tip of the Long Beach Peninsula, this heavily wooded park opens up to shorelines of both the Pacific Ocean and Willapa Bay.

Meandering trails offer plenty of opportunity for exploration, and while most are somewhat rugged, the Martha Jordan Birding Trail, at 5.3 miles out and back, is an even, flat saunter through forest and wetland.

Black Lake

This jewel of Ilwaco has a nice trail system on the east side of the lake. You can make a loop around the water, or head up the slope beyond. The easternmost section of the trail was taken out with a recent clearcut, but the rest of the path is intact and worth exploring.

While most public lands allow dogs on leashes, be aware that Willapa National Wildlife Refuge in Washington does not allow dogs at any time, year-round. Otherwise, stay and wander for a while.

Tips for a safe and fun adventure

Tips for a safe and fun adventure

• Keep your dogs leashed. It’s the law, and it’s a safety issue, too. Your off-leash dog could head into traffic, fall off an embankment or become hopelessly lost while chasing a deer. For more freedom, invest in a long leash that allows your dog to roam a bit more.

• Stay hydrated, even in cold weather. All that exercise can make your pup quite thirsty — and if they have to mark every tree or post they pass, they’re dehydrating themselves even faster.

• Be mindful of how much exercise your four-legged friend is capable of. Older dogs or those that don’t get as much exercise may have a tougher time with longer or more strenuous hikes. Just because you can do it doesn’t mean they can.