clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Kalaloch Beach is one of the few areas in the Olympics that allows dogs.
Shutterstock

9 dog-friendly campgrounds near Seattle

Take your pup on an adventure

View as Map
Kalaloch Beach is one of the few areas in the Olympics that allows dogs.
| Shutterstock

It’s worth repeating a thousand times over, maybe a bit louder for the people in the back: We’re so very lucky to live in the great northwest. The moderate climate and Tolkien-esque natural beauty make it a wonderland for dogs and people alike.

Still, when it comes to finding a decent campsite that accommodates your furry pals, it can sometimes be a chore. Limited areas, strict policies, and downright pet bans can make it a chore for owners to find the right spots to rough it for the weekend.

This map navigates the best places around Seattle to take Odie out of the city for a while, with a focus on sites that possess the right mixture of enjoyable canine and human activities. Whether you’re looking to take them out for a day at the lake, a hike through a patch of forests, or tossing the frisbee along the beach, we’ve got you covered.

And if you’re looking for some of the best hikes to take your dog, we have a map for that too.

Read More

Dosewallips State Park

Copy Link

For the glampers among us, Dosewallips State Park features a comfy five-person canvas tent that can fit both your companions as well as your pups. You’ll still need to bring most of the usual camping gear, but the bunk and futon make it a much more comfortable stay than slumming it on the ground. Head to the water to get your clam on (where the scores are plentiful), or splash along the tide with your dog. Either way, there’s plenty to do around here.

Leavenworth Pine Village KOA

Copy Link

A short drive from the Bavarian town center, the Leavenworth Pine Village KOA stands out for its pet-friendly attitude and family-friendly vibe. The campground sits next to a cool, gentle stream, where you and your fur family can hang out, take a dip, or parade around the woods. The sites can be a bit tight, but there are more than enough activities for the whole family that include a swimming pool, game room, and complimentary pancake breakfast. It even offers free shuttle rides to Leavenworth proper if you need to grab a pint.

Manchester State Park

Copy Link

History and military buffs will appreciate the turn-of-the-century encampments that served as an artillery defense station near Bremerton. The aged brick picnic shelter was a former torpedo storage facility built in 1901, still in great condition. It has 35 tent spots, 15 hook-up sites, and a large group area, making for plenty of accomodations, no matter your entourage size. Dog-friendly trails are in no short supply around Port Orchard, plus kayaking, boating, and fishing for the humans.

Kalaloch Campground

Copy Link

One of the more majestic beaches in all of Washington, Kalaloch is a half-day drive or ferry away from Seattle, and has everything you’d want from a Pacific Northwest beach. Sweeping ocean views and spacious, driftwood-lined coastlines will make you want to sink into the sand. It’s one of the few Olympic National Park areas that allows dogs, so it’s the perfect camping spot for dog owners (but be aware some of the other parks along the coast prohibit dogs). Each site is spacious and private, while the gentle ocean waves drown out any neighbors that decide to stay up late. You can book one of the 168 campsites from May to September.

Colonial Creek Campground

Copy Link

The cascades are, quite simply, the pinnacle of Northwest wilderness beauty, highlighted by its deep blue lakes, thick tree patches, and soaring glaciers. Unfortunately, most of the better trails prohibit dogs due to wildlife concerns, so pup owners are left with limited options. Luckily for us, Colonial Creek Campground and nearby Diablo Lake are an exception, so our fur babies can come along for a trek through the cascades, as long as they’re leashed. The 94 campsites are available on a six-month rolling basis, so check for the next release cycle if the dates you’re looking for are full.

Deception Pass State Park

Copy Link

Just a short two-hour-or-less drive from Seattle, Deception Pass is the iconic, quintessential camping destination for any city-dwellers that’ve never been. Step carefully on the vertigo-inducing steel bridges, or hike underneath for a slew of activities for the whole family, including beach time, hiking trails, and kayaking. It’s close enough to nearby facilities and eateries like the Shrimp Shack, so you never feel too remote from the rest of civilization. It’s all pet-friendly too, of course.

Cape Disappointment State Park

Copy Link

This one is a bit of a drive, but hear us out. This anything-but-disappointing cape at the entrance of the Columbia River is an ideal getaway if you’re looking to take doggo to some of the rugged coastlines the Pacific Northwest is most known for. It’s a massive area, with 137 standard campsites, 50 full hook-up sites, 18 partial hook-ups, 14 yurts, and 3 cabins—all positioned within close proximity to the expansive beachfront, where you’ll find plenty of dogs and people alike. If your pup tires on the beach, you can take them up to the historic Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, where you can gain a better vantage point for looking out into the roaring Pacific.

Fort Worden Historical State Park

Copy Link

Along with Fort Flagler and Fort Casey, Fort Worden stands as one of the 3 “Triangle of Fire” stations that served as a military base protecting the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A sprawling fairground featuring concrete artillery stations and army barracks make for plenty of areas to explore while learning some history along the way. Dogs are allowed on a leash, including on the multiple hiking trails and an elevated bluff to take in the stunning view of the Strait. A short two-hour trip from Seattle, the state park features 80 campsites that you’ll need to book as early as possible.

Washington Park

Copy Link

A short drive to the north through the tulip fields of Skagit Valley, the Washington Park Campground is a convenient, pet-friendly oasis nestled on the western shores of Anacortes. Positioned on a peninsula that juts out into the sound, the campground feels like you’re on your own island, with paved roads and trail loops that wrap around to spectacular views of the water and incoming ferries. There are 58 campsites in total, with 25 of those on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s one of the few campgrounds that doesn’t need a decade in advance to book.

Dosewallips State Park

For the glampers among us, Dosewallips State Park features a comfy five-person canvas tent that can fit both your companions as well as your pups. You’ll still need to bring most of the usual camping gear, but the bunk and futon make it a much more comfortable stay than slumming it on the ground. Head to the water to get your clam on (where the scores are plentiful), or splash along the tide with your dog. Either way, there’s plenty to do around here.

Leavenworth Pine Village KOA

A short drive from the Bavarian town center, the Leavenworth Pine Village KOA stands out for its pet-friendly attitude and family-friendly vibe. The campground sits next to a cool, gentle stream, where you and your fur family can hang out, take a dip, or parade around the woods. The sites can be a bit tight, but there are more than enough activities for the whole family that include a swimming pool, game room, and complimentary pancake breakfast. It even offers free shuttle rides to Leavenworth proper if you need to grab a pint.

Manchester State Park

History and military buffs will appreciate the turn-of-the-century encampments that served as an artillery defense station near Bremerton. The aged brick picnic shelter was a former torpedo storage facility built in 1901, still in great condition. It has 35 tent spots, 15 hook-up sites, and a large group area, making for plenty of accomodations, no matter your entourage size. Dog-friendly trails are in no short supply around Port Orchard, plus kayaking, boating, and fishing for the humans.

Kalaloch Campground

One of the more majestic beaches in all of Washington, Kalaloch is a half-day drive or ferry away from Seattle, and has everything you’d want from a Pacific Northwest beach. Sweeping ocean views and spacious, driftwood-lined coastlines will make you want to sink into the sand. It’s one of the few Olympic National Park areas that allows dogs, so it’s the perfect camping spot for dog owners (but be aware some of the other parks along the coast prohibit dogs). Each site is spacious and private, while the gentle ocean waves drown out any neighbors that decide to stay up late. You can book one of the 168 campsites from May to September.

Colonial Creek Campground

The cascades are, quite simply, the pinnacle of Northwest wilderness beauty, highlighted by its deep blue lakes, thick tree patches, and soaring glaciers. Unfortunately, most of the better trails prohibit dogs due to wildlife concerns, so pup owners are left with limited options. Luckily for us, Colonial Creek Campground and nearby Diablo Lake are an exception, so our fur babies can come along for a trek through the cascades, as long as they’re leashed. The 94 campsites are available on a six-month rolling basis, so check for the next release cycle if the dates you’re looking for are full.

Deception Pass State Park

Just a short two-hour-or-less drive from Seattle, Deception Pass is the iconic, quintessential camping destination for any city-dwellers that’ve never been. Step carefully on the vertigo-inducing steel bridges, or hike underneath for a slew of activities for the whole family, including beach time, hiking trails, and kayaking. It’s close enough to nearby facilities and eateries like the Shrimp Shack, so you never feel too remote from the rest of civilization. It’s all pet-friendly too, of course.

Cape Disappointment State Park

This one is a bit of a drive, but hear us out. This anything-but-disappointing cape at the entrance of the Columbia River is an ideal getaway if you’re looking to take doggo to some of the rugged coastlines the Pacific Northwest is most known for. It’s a massive area, with 137 standard campsites, 50 full hook-up sites, 18 partial hook-ups, 14 yurts, and 3 cabins—all positioned within close proximity to the expansive beachfront, where you’ll find plenty of dogs and people alike. If your pup tires on the beach, you can take them up to the historic Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, where you can gain a better vantage point for looking out into the roaring Pacific.

Fort Worden Historical State Park

Along with Fort Flagler and Fort Casey, Fort Worden stands as one of the 3 “Triangle of Fire” stations that served as a military base protecting the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A sprawling fairground featuring concrete artillery stations and army barracks make for plenty of areas to explore while learning some history along the way. Dogs are allowed on a leash, including on the multiple hiking trails and an elevated bluff to take in the stunning view of the Strait. A short two-hour trip from Seattle, the state park features 80 campsites that you’ll need to book as early as possible.

Washington Park

A short drive to the north through the tulip fields of Skagit Valley, the Washington Park Campground is a convenient, pet-friendly oasis nestled on the western shores of Anacortes. Positioned on a peninsula that juts out into the sound, the campground feels like you’re on your own island, with paved roads and trail loops that wrap around to spectacular views of the water and incoming ferries. There are 58 campsites in total, with 25 of those on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s one of the few campgrounds that doesn’t need a decade in advance to book.