Dog Friendly Activities in the Portland Area
Calling all dog lovers! If you are looking for a town that will love your dog as much as you do, Portland is the place! The City of Roses is well equipped to host you and your adorable pooch with a plethora of dog friendly activities. If you’re in the area, make sure you check out some of these spots – Your four-legged friend will thank you!
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Thousand Acres Dog Park – Quite possibly the most amazing dog park in the Pacific Northwest (we might be biased, but it has to be up there!), Thousand Acres Dog Park is located about 15 miles east of Portland, where the Sandy River meets the Columbia River. This park has been hailed as an “off-leash mecca” and is a favorite pass-time for Portland area locals, human and dog. This park is a great place to let your furry friend run free while you enjoy some quality time in nature. Keep in mind, dogs are off leash, and this park also hosts the occasional equestrian and mountain bike, so if your dog doesn’t play well with others, this might not be the best fit for you. Parking a vehicle here does require a day use permit, which can be purchased online for a $5 fee. You can use the same permit if you plan to make additional stops at other locations, like the Crown Point Vista House or Latourell Falls. Check out our blog on the Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls for ideas on how to combine your trip to Thousand Acres Dog Park with an adventure through the rest of the gorge.
Sellwood Riverfront Park – Tucked away in the southeast corner of Portland is the adorable community of Sellwood, known for its small cluster of local businesses and restaurants, as well as some epic antique shopping! It is also home to one of the area’s most beloved riverfront parks, aptly named Sellwood Riverfront Park. This park has a little something for everyone! Bring a picnic blanket and snag a shady spot under one of the trees in the large grassy area where you and your dog can play fetch to your heart’s content. If your dog loves the water, you should opt for a stroll on the small stretch of sandy beach along the Willamette River that can be accessed directly from the park. You’ll find plenty of Portlanders and their pooches here on warm summer days when the hot sun makes taking a dip in the river extra enticing. As always, make sure to keep you and your dog safe — Be mindful of water levels, currents, and boat traffic in the area.
Lucky Labrador Pub – This local pub has four locations scattered throughout Portland and combines two of the city’s favorite things, dogs… and beer! Our favorites locations are on NW Quimby Street in an area of NW Portland dubbed “Slabtown,” and in Multnomah Village, a small neighborhood in SW Portland approximately 10 minutes from downtown by car. As you could probably gather from the name, this pub is entirely dog friendly so if you are like us and love taking your dog on dinner dates, look no further! You’ll find that their selection of pizzas, salads, and beers is enough to satisfy just about every palate. To keep things safe for everyone, please remember to keep dogs on a leash, and if your dog would rather dine solo, this probably isn’t the best fit.
Whether you are local or visiting from out of town, we hope this gives you something to think about when planning your next day out with your four-legged friend! For more ideas on off-leash areas, check out Portland’s official off-leash dog park guide. You can also get additional ideas for dog-friendly restaurants by visiting the Travel Portland website.