Where to vacation with jerk doggo within driving distance of the PNW?

December 5, 2018 4:20 PM

I need to find a five day low-cost trip that needs to be driving distance (6-10 hours okay) of Seattle. However, my dog is a jerk that hates all people. I can keep him muzzled when around people, but we need a cabin or someplace that will let us be separate from humans and accept dogs.

Bonus points for if there is outdoorsy stuff that doesn't need high levels of physical fitness, scenic vistas, 'special' places, or places to See Things. Ideally, a place that we can keep costs down, a kitchen we can cook our own food, etc. would be great.

posted by corb to Travel & Transportation around Portland, OR (6 answers total)

Lost Lake, Oregon has pet friendly cabins. since you have a jerk dog, the A-frame is pet friendly and is the most isolated of the cabins there. the trail around the lake is nice and you can rent canoes etc in the lodge.

day use of the area is pretty large, but clears out towards evening and is mostly on one side of the lake.
posted by Dr. Twist at 4:27 PM on December 5, 2018 [2 favorites]

There are rental cabins in the small towns surrounding Mt Baker that have ample acreage to allow jerk doggo to run free with the added bonus of pretty mountain scenery. If he is fine alone in a house for a couple hours you can drive basically to the top of the mountain and enjoy an easy walk for further views. PM me if you want a specific suggestion for dog-friendly ones.
posted by Pomo at 5:20 PM on December 5, 2018 [1 favorite]

Whidbey Island has great dog parks-- several of them are large enough that you can usually avoid coming too close to people who need biting.
posted by The otter lady at 5:39 PM on December 5, 2018 [2 favorites]

The Olympic Suites Inn is an old apartment complex converted to a hotel and they allow dogs in some of their rooms. It's a nice home base for exploring the Olympic Peninsula and we stay there when we visit.
posted by Ostara at 6:48 AM on December 6, 2018 [1 favorite]

The Oregon and Washington coasts are basically full of places to stay that are dog friendly and have kitchenettes (eg, Long Beach, Newport, Cannon Beach, etc). In the off season prices can be really cheap, too. There's something very pleasant about being able to take the dog for a long walk on the beach directly from your apartment, and later sit inside and watch the wind and waves (and maybe rain) while sipping hot cocoa or wine.

The weather isn't usually great (bring rain coats and a spare towel for dog drying) but it keeps the crowds away and it's not like brutally cold or anything like that, just rain and wind. State parks vary in dog friendliness but at many on-leash is allowed.
posted by Dip Flash at 7:00 AM on December 6, 2018

The Inn at Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City has some pet friendly rooms and we loved it there. You don't mention how your dog does with other dogs, but just FYI most Oregon beaches have a LOT of off leash dogs even though they're not supposed to. If your dog hates other dogs it can get dicey. Ask me how I know!
posted by nakedmolerats at 8:13 AM on December 6, 2018