Best Dog-Friendly Trails in Olympic National Park

Olympic Beach Trails for Dogs

Rialto Beach to Hole-in-the-Wall (2 miles north, La Push, Clallam County): the beach walk north from Rialto Beach Trailhead to the Hole-in-the-Wall sea arch is one of the Pacific Northwest's great dog hikes. Sea stacks, tidepools, driftwood, and the 65-foot Hole-in-the-Wall arch carved by the ocean are accessible on the beach itself — no formal trail, just beach walking. Dogs on leash.

Ruby Beach (south of Kalaloch, Grays Harbor County): short beach access trail (0.3 miles) leads to a dramatic rocky beach with giant sea stack formations. Dogs allowed on leash. The combination of sea stacks and coastal forest makes Ruby Beach one of Washington's most photogenic dog-friendly beach destinations.

Kalaloch Beach (Kalaloch, Grays Harbor County): the series of Kalaloch beaches (1 through 6) are all dog-accessible on leash. Kalaloch's location between the Quinault Indian Nation lands and the park's coastal strip makes for long, open beach walking.

Olympic National Forest Dog Hikes

Quinault Rainforest Loop (4.0 miles, Lake Quinault, Grays Harbor County): on Olympic National Forest land (not the national park), the Quinault Loop combines old-growth forest, a crystal-clear lake, and the world's largest recorded Sitka spruce. Dogs allowed on leash. The boundary between national forest and national park is not always clearly marked — stay on the loop trail to remain in the permitted area.

Upper Dungeness Trail (various lengths, Sequim, Clallam County): the Dungeness River valley trail in Olympic National Forest allows dogs for the first 10 miles. The river valley's old-growth fir and cedar forest is spectacular, and the river access points provide excellent dog swimming throughout the route.

Hurricane Ridge Area

Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center Area (Port Angeles, Clallam County): dogs are allowed in the parking area, on the paved walkways around the visitor center, and on Hurricane Ridge Road itself. While the meadow trails are off-limits, the ridge's alpine views of the Olympic Mountains from the parking area rival any in-park trail view.

The short paved walks around the Visitor Center plateau allow dogs to experience the subalpine environment — wildflower meadows, black-tailed deer, and mountain goat sightings are all common from the parking area perimeter.

Port Townsend and Non-Park Peninsula Trails

Fort Worden State Park (Port Townsend, Jefferson County): 434-acre former military installation with full beach access for dogs, gun battery trails, and open headland walking. Dogs allowed throughout on 6-foot leash. Port Townsend is one of Washington's most dog-friendly towns — many waterfront restaurants have dog-friendly outdoor seating.

Dungeness Spit National Wildlife Refuge (Sequim, Clallam County): the 5.5-mile walk along the Dungeness Spit (the longest natural sand spit in the U.S.) allows leashed dogs. The spit encloses a protected bay with harbor seal colonies and bald eagle populations — an extraordinary dog walking experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dogs allowed on any Olympic National Park trails?

Dogs are allowed on Rialto Beach and the beach walk to Hole-in-the-Wall (2 miles), Ruby Beach, Kalaloch Beach, and on the paved road corridor near Hurricane Ridge. All other ONP trails prohibit dogs.

Can dogs hike in Olympic National Forest?

Yes. Olympic National Forest (surrounding the national park) allows leashed dogs on all trails. The Quinault, Hoh, and Queets rainforest areas on national forest land adjacent to the park are good options.

What is the best dog-friendly beach at Olympic National Park?

Rialto Beach (near La Push, Clallam County) is considered the best — dramatic sea stacks, the Hole-in-the-Wall arch 2 miles north, and consistent Pacific surf. Dogs allowed on a 6-foot leash.

Is Hurricane Ridge accessible to dogs?

Dogs are allowed in the Hurricane Ridge parking area, at the Visitor Center, and on the paved paths near the ridge. They are not allowed on the dirt trails into the subalpine meadows.