Activities For Dogs In Mount Rainier National Park
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
The beautiful park of Mount Rainier in Washington was first established in the year 1899. It became the nation's fifth national park in history and actually holds the title of being the first national park to be created after the Forest Reserve Act of 1891. Here in the borders of this park, you can see gorgeous lakes, lush forest, and many more of nature's treasures. So many fun and interesting activities are available at Mount Rainier, such as hiking, canoeing, wildflower discovery, and rock climbing. If you are an outdoor person with a love for the mountains, then this park is an absolute must see. Furry friends can come along as well; however, there are a few restrictions as to where they can go due to the fact that the park wants to preserve the land and the foliage found there. For instance, dogs are only allowed where cars can go and at campsites. They can't be left on their own and can't be on a leash any longer than 6 feet in length. While dogs, unfortunately, aren't allowed on many of the hiking trails inside Mount Rainier National Forest (with the exception of Pacific Crest Trail) there are still a lot of activities you can take your dog on outside of the park!
Unique Lodging
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Any Day
Expensive
Easy
24 - 72 hrs
Items needed
Dog bed
Food
Water
Leash
Activity description
Why stay in just any old hotel when you can experience so many amazing pet-friendly, unique lodgings? At Mount Rainier and the surrounding area, you and your dog can experience places to stay such as the Hobo Inn - Caboose Lodge where you can actually stay in a train car, or the Wonderland Lodge in which you and your pet can have a unique log cabin experience. The Wonderland Lodge is close to the Crystal Mountain and a few awesome hiking trails, so once you are done enjoying the hot tub, there are plenty of great adventures to be had outdoors! Budget for an amazing experience!
Step
1
Location with options
When deciding on which place you want to stay during your time at Mount Rainier National Park, the first step will be to figure out what activities you want to do while you are outside of the lodge. Such as with the Wonderland Lodge, since the gondola at Crystal Mountain is a dog-friendly activity, that may be an excellent choice as it's nearby and convenient. Of course, if you don't mind driving, any location will work!
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2
Double check amenities
While many of the lodging options that can be found near Mount Rainer say that they are pet-friendly, an excellent idea would be to call ahead and double check that this is the case. There is nothing worse than showing up tired and ready to relax, than discovering that the hotel didn't actually expect you to arrive with a furry friend in tow.
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3
Kick off your shoes
Once you've found the perfect place to drop off your bags and hang out, it's time to explore! Perhaps there are some awesome hiking trails nearby or perhaps the hotel itself is a unique place to explore (such as the Westwood Chalet). Whatever the case may be, there is no doubt that it will feel good to finally have some downtime to hang out with your friends and your dog in a new and exciting environment. So whether you chose to lay down and take a quick nap or head out to explore, there's no doubt that a unique lodge will be the perfect headquarters for either activity.
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Hike the Trails
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Sunny Day
Free
Normal
6 hrs
Items needed
Water
Treats
Leash (no longer than 6 feet)
Doggy bags
Dog hiking pack (optional)
Activity description
There is no better feeling than getting outside and exploring all the beauty that it has to offer; especially in a gorgeous place like Mount Rainier! In order to take full advantage of the opportunity (and wear your doggo out) a great option of activity is, of course, hiking. Unfortunately, inside the park there is a limited amount of hiking trails; only one in fact. But, that doesn't mean that you need to miss out! Just head slightly outside of the park and there are a lot of great options and areas to explore. So grab your maps and get ready to see some amazing views.
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Dog friendly trail
If you are inside Mount Rainier National Park, then the only option you will have for hiking is the Pacific Crest Trail near Show Lake. The good news is that even though there is only one trail, it is still an awesome one to experience! You can see a beautiful lake and alpine meadow while also experiencing the coolness of the forest. It is a relatively easy hike, and is only about 7 miles from the trailhead to the lake. So enough to wear your dog out without being too strenuous!
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2
Think outside the box
Once you explore the Pacific Crest Trail, you will need to go outside the park to find more. Thankfully, there are a lot of dog-friendly trails available and they range in difficulty and length. Be sure to take plenty of snacks and water with you (if your dog has a pack they can carry their own water easily) just in case you are not near your lodging area.
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3
Be prepared and safe
There is a lot of ground to cover in areas like National Parks. Be sure that when you head out on your hike that you have proper safety gear, food, water, and some form of communication if you are in a group (like walkie-talkies). Avoid going out alone if possible and definitely not when evening is setting in. Let someone know where you are heading and what the time estimate should be for your adventure, that way should anything happen, you can have back up on the way!
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Model Sessions
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Any Day
Free
Normal
2 hrs
Items needed
Camera (or phone)
Treats
Clicker (optional)
Leash
Doggy bags
Activity description
When in nature, you can choose to fully immerse in it, or capture it! Those who love photography may take a trip to Mount Rainier to snap some excellent shots of the beautiful mountains, relaxing forests, cool lakes, or wildlife. If you are someone who enjoys taking pictures (and if your dog likes being a model) then this activity may be perfect for you! Pose your dog in an area that is sure to show off their wild and beautiful nature and you're bound to get some keepers that are frame worthy. Just remember to always check that you are in a dog-friendly area before taking your dog there for photo sessions.
Step
1
Gather equipment
Not all dogs are naturals at getting their photos taken so you may need some aids like treats or toys. Be sure to double check all of your gear to ensure that you aren't missing anything essential and if you are just using your phone, ensure that the battery life is full (considering it tends to die at the worst possible times)!
Step
2
Picture perfect place
Once you have everything together, you can then move on to finding the perfect area for capturing your photos. With somewhere like Mount Rainier, this won't be hard to do! Look for vibrant colors if that is your preference, unique backdrops, changes in terrain, and of course, keep accessibility in mind.
Step
3
Capture the memories
If your dog already knows commands like "place", "sit", "stay", and "look here" (or look at me) then they have most likely posed for some kind of photo before. If not, don't worry! This is a great opportunity to train them and get those brain mechanisms turning. This is where the clicker and treats will come in handy as your dog will most likely get distracted at some point. Be sure to always have them on a leash, or at least have one near by should you need it.
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More Fun Ideas...
Ride the Crystal Gondola
If you and your dog love heights, then taking a ride on the gondola at Crystal Mountain may be the perfect activity for you! The gondola takes you 2,000 feet into the air for scenic views of beautiful meadows full of wild flowers, and once you reach the summit, you can take in all of Mount Rainier's glory; along with the ability to see Cascade Range and the Summit House (which is the highest elevation restaurant in all of Washington State). Just keep in mind that this is a summer activity, so if you want a chance to take a ride, you'll need to go after ski season is over.
Camp
One of the main things you may be planning to do while visiting Mount Rainier is to camp. This is great because your dog can absolutely camp with you, even if you are tent camping! The only thing that you'll really need to keep in mind is that you can't leave your pet staked or in their crate alone at the campsite. The dog must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet long, and it is best advised to make sure that your pet is well socialized before going as most campsites allow multiple people to camp in the same area. This will ensure that both you, and those around you, have a great experience!
Conclusion
If you had previously heard that Mount Rainier National Park was not necessarily a dog-friendly park, we hope that this article has helped to provide a different outlook. With a few alternative options, even if you can't fully enjoy the inner workings of Mount Rainier along with your dog, you can be assured that there are still a lot of great memories to be made. From the lodging experiences to the trails right outside the park, you most definitely won't be bored. Just enjoy the outdoor experiences in your dog's favorite kind of environment and know that Mount Rainier will always be there to visit again on your own should you choose to do so!