Our pups have always loved hiking, so we’ve searched for trails in our area of Western Washington that we can enjoy with them in their later years. I’ve compiled a list of hikes that we like and would recommend to others with senior dogs. Of course, every dog is different so do your research and adjust your plans as needed. The list is separated by geographical region. To view all the hikes, as well as additional tips, the best place to start is on the introductory page: Hiking with Senior Dogs in Western Washington.
And don’t forget, for everyone’s safety and enjoyment of the trails, make sure you keep your pup on leash and pick up after them!
Check out gorgeous sea stacks at Ruby Beach
The areas where dogs are allowed are somewhat limited on the Washington coast, and when you factor in the needs of a senior dog, the list gets smaller. We’ve taken two trips to the coast, one staying in Tokeland (southwest of Aberdeen) and another staying near the Kalaloch Lodge at Olympic National Park (between La Push and Ocean Shores). Of the two, I’d highly recommend the Kalaloch area over Tokeland. Kalaloch is a more visually interesting landscape and has more hiking options. Here are my thoughts on our two vacations to the Washington coast.
KALALOCH AREA
The view from one of the campground paths near the cabin
We stayed at an Airbnb cabin that was located within a campground. The cabin was nice, but the lounge area was in the loft, accessible only by a set of very steep, slippery stairs, which our dogs couldn’t have safely navigated even in their younger years. This meant that all of our relaxing time was spent in the small dining room, which was less than ideal, but we made it work.
A massive pile of driftwood blocked the beach, but we still enjoyed the walk from the campground as far as we could go
The campground had a lot of beautiful flat paths to walk amidst tall trees with massive burls. And there is a trail with access to the beach below, but unfortunately our dogs couldn’t cross the massive pile of driftwood blocking the path to the beach. If you’re able to pick up your dog and safely walk across uneven, unstable logs with gaps in between, you’ll find that the beach is a lovely walk. Unfortunately many dogs, not just seniors, would have trouble crossing over all the logs. Given the limited amount of lodging options in the area that accommodate pets, I would consider staying here again, as it’s a lovely, quaint cabin, but I’d suggest looking for alternate options in case something better has become available. There are limited dining options in the area. We cooked most of our food but got a few meals at the Kalaloch Lodge restaurant (to-go) and thought it was pretty tasty.
The paths within the campground were lined with lots of native plants
Be sure to check the tide chart before starting your adventure each day. Many of the area beaches are not accessible or safe during high tide.
There are several beaches and wooded trails in the area, though some of the beach access points have stairs to climb, logs to cross or steep paths to traverse. This is my best recollection of access for each location. I found the Disabled Hikers site helpful when planning our trip. Keep in mind that beach access changes over time because of winter storms, construction and other factors. Be prepared to adjust your plans as needed. You can always speak with National Park Service rangers (the Kalaloch Ranger Station is open only during summer) or the staff at the Kalaloch Lodge regarding any access questions you have.
When doing your research, please note that Kalaloch Beaches 1-4 (which is the area covered in this blog post) should not be confused with La Push-area First Beach, Second Beach and Third Beach located farther north.
The wooded Kalaloch Nature Creek Trail is a short stroll through wetlands
Kalaloch Nature Creek Trail – This short (.8 mile roundtrip), wooded trail is located across Hwy 101 from the Kalaloch Campground. Park at the campground and cross the road. I worried that crossing the road would be a challenge but it wasn’t busy when we were there in May. The trail is well-maintained and flat but might be a bit muddy or even flooded in places. It’s a lovely forest stroll that is unlikely to be crowded. Check out the WTA site for details. Many thanks to the WTA volunteers for making improvements on this trail. They were actually doing work the day we hiked it.
Kalaloch Beach & Tree of Life – The best starting point for seeing the famous Tree of Life is from the Kalaloch Campground. This tree defies all odds! Erosion has washed away almost all the soil from underneath its roots, but it somehow continues to thrive! From the Kalaloch Campground parking area, take the main access to the beach (noted by the driftwood fence).
There are stairs leading to the beach, but we found them doable. At the bottom of the stairs, walk to the right (north) and you’ll find the Tree of Life not too far way. Have fun exploring the beach and, when ready, return the way you came.
If you want to make a loop, continue walking past the Tree of Life until you come to another set of stairs, which leads to the Kalaloch Public Beach Access (as noted on Google Maps). Then walk through the Kalaloch Campground to your car. This loop option does provide a different, higher perspective, though not quite as scenic, and is a good alternative to returning by way of the beach if you or your dog are tired of walking on sand; however the steps up are a bit steep, and some dogs will have challenges with them.
The path to the Big Cedar Tree is very accessible
Big Cedar Tree – Though the distance is short, this trail was one of our favorites. The large, old-growth trees are beautiful, and it’s a lovely casual stroll. The primary feature of the trail is a massive cedar tree that, sadly, was damaged significantly in 2014, almost cutting the tree in half. But there is beauty in nature’s destruction. The tree will continue to break down over the years and will provide nourishment for new life! The only thing I don’t like about this trail is that it’s too short, but you can always go back multiple times like we did. Check out the WTA site for details.
The sea stacks on Ruby Beach are quite dramatic!
Ruby Beach – If you only have time to visit one beach, it’s a toss up between Ruby Beach and Beach 3. The sea stacks at Ruby Beach are incredible, and if you go at low tide you can find fascinating sea life in the tide pools! To access the beach, you’ll take a relatively steep but short trail from the parking area. When we were there, we also had to cross one or two driftwood logs at the bottom. All this was doable with Shiloh’s handle harness. Since we visited, the National Park Service has done major work to the Ruby Beach area, which you can learn about here. This beach is probably the most crowded of the Kalaloch area beaches, but for good reason, in my opinion. Once on the beach, people spread out and you can enjoy a relaxing, beautiful stroll. Visit the WTA site for details.
From the trail looking down onto Beach 3
Beach 3 rocks, surf and forest
Beach 3 – I love rocks, and the rock formations all along the beach here are incredible! If I really only had time for one beach (which would be a travesty!), I think I'd choose this one. It's less crowded than Ruby Beach and the rocks are absolutely fascinating. Park off the road (parking is limited) and take the trail down. There are some moderately steep sections and some stairs but we found it doable with Shiloh’s harness. There are tons of rock formations, and likely driftwood, to explore.
Behind us you'll see the bridge and massive rock you need to clamber down to reach Beach 4
Beach 4 – Unfortunately Beach 4 isn’t easily accessible for senior dogs because you have to clamber down a massive rock to get onto the beach; however, you can reach Beach 4 by starting at Beach 3 and walking for a couple of miles (which is what we did). If you and your pup are up for a long stroll – don’t forget to account for your return trip – some say that the best tide pools in this area are at Beach 4.
Tidepools – Sadly the tides weren’t in our favor and we didn’t get to see the tidepools during our visit. We have been able to explore tidepools before and highly recommend visiting at low tide if you can work it into your schedule and your pup is up for the adventure. Seeing the colorful sea stars, sea urchins and anemones is a real treat! The NPS says that while Beach 4 is the most popular beach for viewing tide pools, the pools can also be found at Beach 3 and Ruby Beach. While you can see the pools when the tide is 1.5 feet or less, you’ll have a better viewing experience if you go when the tides are below 0. I believe the summer months are best for these super low tides. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before low tide so you have time to walk to your destination and look around before the tides come back in. Be wary of sharp rocks, as they could easily cut your pups paws! And remember that barnacles are alive, so be careful not to step on them.
We didn’t visit Beach 1 or 2 during our trip, so I can’t comment on them.
TOKELAND AREA
This vacation was all about solitude and peace. We went during the height of Covid, and this trip was the perfect escape. The full kitchen allowed us to cook all our own food, and the local trails were mostly deserted. Unfortunately, the hikes we were able to explore in this area were not the most impressive, and I do think that the hikes in the Kalaloch area are much more scenic (if you’re trying to decide between the two), but if you’re looking for tranquility and a unique area, this is a great option.
The marshland across from our rental was the highlight of our trip
We enjoyed watching the birds and observing the changes as the tide came in and out
Chops could spend hours watching her "TV."
On this trip, we stayed in a quaint little Airbnb that was just across from a marshland. The house itself was older and a bit in need of repair, but it was clean and only had a couple of steps to get into the home, so access wasn’t a problem for Shiloh. There are a couple of houses nearby, but the location was quiet, relaxing and peaceful. We walked through the marsh trails at least once a day and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful landscape and frolicking birds, and the pups loved all the smells. Of all the trails we hiked during our stay, the marsh was our favorite. We especially loved watching the landscape change as the tide came in and then went out. A very meditative experience.
A paved trail runs from the parking area along the beach at Westport State Park
The beach was enjoyable but didn't have any unique features for visual interest
Westport State Park (Westport Light Trail, including time on the beach) – This park offers a paved trail with occasional side trails to get to the beach. We particularly enjoyed relaxing on the sand, watching the surfers. There were some burrs that got stuck in the dogs' paws on the side of the paved trail, so I’d lean towards walking the beach rather than the trail when possible, though the trail offers a slightly different vantage point. A Discover Pass is required. Learn more at the WA Parks site or WTA site.
The Johns River State Wildlife Area has a river/marsh through the first portion of trail
Next you follow a grassy path next to a field that is used for hunting during the season
And finally you reach the woods, which doesn't look like it from this photo but was the more interesting part of the trail
Johns River State Wildlife Area - The Wildlife Area is an odd, underused area that starts with a paved path with a river/marsh on the left and a marshy field on the right. Presumably you can see elk here if you go at the right time, as it's also set up for hunting. And there are plenty of birds to observe, including herons. It then becomes a grassy trail (mowed somewhat infrequently, if I had to guess) and ends in a forest. The forest is the real highlight, in my opinion, though I assume most people stop before they get that far. There isn't really a trail through the forest, but we enjoyed seeing the cool trees, mushrooms and water plants we found there. A Discover Pass is required. Find more information and read trip reports about this park at the WTA site.
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