Activities For Dogs In Oregon On Rainy Days

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Introduction

While Oregon boasts a mild-mannered climate largely influenced by its mountains and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, that also means that, like its neighboring state of Washington, it also receives a fair amount of rain. Portland alone has more rainy days than almost any other major city! That leaves a hefty portion of the year for residents and visitors alike to figure out what to do with their dogs since rainy day activities can often be limited. Then again, that's why we're here, holding up the umbrella so you can see a bit more clearly and get the picture that despite the precipitation, we can still help you find some elation!

Take a Wet Hike

Popular
0 Votes
Rainy Day
Free
Easy
1 - 3 hrs
Items needed
Raincoat
Dog Bags
Leash
Doggy Raincoat
Towels
Activity description
Almost no one likes the smell of a wet dog, but that doesn't mean you can't participate in activities outdoors when it's raining. Rainy days can often be the best days for hiking for several reasons. First, you'll get to see the regular environments in a different light - wet features are often more saturated in color, making for more beautiful surroundings and photos (should you have a rain guard of some sort). Second, we can almost entirely ensure you that even the most popular hiking spots will be considerably more empty, so you won't have to fight the crowds. As long as you dress appropriately with a warm under layer a raincoat, waterproof shoes/boots (or patience for wet feet), and a raincoat for your dog as well, you can still enjoy a nice outdoor hike even if it is a bit wetter (part of Oregon is a rainforest after all).
Step
1
Prep your pup
If you're a resident that is used to the frequency of rain in Oregon, you may already have a raincoat for your dog. If not, a rainy day is a perfect opportunity to track one down. Look online and order one or call around and see if you can track a raincoat down that will suit your dog in size.
Step
2
Pick your trail
Of course, like any other day, rainy or otherwise, you'll have to stick to dog-friendly trails, but that doesn't mean you can't find one that's better for rainy days. Any trails that take advantage of the old-growth rainforest are best, as you get to see the plants and animals in their naturally wet environment, but many of those trails are dog-free in an effort to best preserve an American rarity - if you haven't noticed, we don't have many of them! We suggest Opal Creek since the extra water will make the river that runs near the trail that much more powerful, as well as the falls. There are also gorgeous rock formations scattered throughout the trail and near the pools that look extra gorgeous when doused with water. Whatever you choose, make sure there aren't any risky spots such as steep cliff faces or inclines that may increase your risk of falling, especially when there's rain involved.
Step
3
Hit the trails
Once you've procured a raincoat for your dog (and you if you need one), check the weather, pack up the rest of your supplies and hit the road. It's probably best to lay the towels down beforehand so you don't have to do so once you and your dog are already wet, but make sure to save at least one for wiping them (and yourself) off. On your hike, make sure to stick to easier paths if possible. Rain can often move ground or make things slick, so you'll want to make sure you're not putting yourself or your dog in greater danger by hiking in slippery conditions or on slick surfaces. Other than that, have fun! If you prepared appropriately, you should stay mostly warm and dry but if you don't, remember to take notes for next time so you can continually improve your efforts to get outside for a hike despite the rain!
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Get Portland Weird

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Rainy Day
Free
Easy
20 - 60 min
Items needed
Leash
Dog Bags
Activity description
There's a reason Portland has the motto, Keep Portland Weird. Residents have been doing their best to keep the city, its people, and its culture as weird as possible for decades now and it's not difficult to see just walking down the street. Fortunately, most people who live there embrace it and many visitors appreciate its quirkiness, even if just in limited quantities. If you want to get a full taste of the weirdness that exists there, take a tour through the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium, a Portland classic. It's normally $5 for entry but with a dog and/or a cool costume, it's free! It'll give you something interesting to do for an hour or so outside of the house and outside the rain.
Step
1
Show up and get weird
There really isn't much to this one. You really just need to show up and go in, but of course, it's always polite to let them know you have a dog. Make sure to towel them off if they get wet in the rain beforehand so they don't try to shake off on the installations and products. The store itself has a lot to offer. There are tons of weird gifts to buy, books, art, and a bunch of other (literal) odds and ends, and that doesn't even count the museum walkthrough itself. There are only three main rooms, so it isn't particularly large, but there's more than enough to oogle and you can even try some freaky dessert treats if you make it through unscathed.
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Rainy Portland Patio Tour

Popular
0 Votes
Rainy Day
Moderate
Easy
1 - 3 hrs
Items needed
Leash
Dog Bags
Umbrella
Raincoats (for walking)
Small towel or sham
Activity description
Portland is universally known as one of the most dog-friendly cities in the United States. There are hundreds (no joke) of dog-friendly restaurants scattered throughout the city, but even better, many of them are all-season patios thanks to clever design, covered areas, and well-placed heaters, meaning you and your dog can escape the rain and enjoy good grub simultaneously. We recommend making a tour between local pet shops, bars, and restaurants to keep things fresh, but if you plan it right, you'll have hours of entertainment, ninety percent of which will be out of the rain, all for a modest price. Plus, who can argue with eating good food and going shopping in the process?
Step
1
Pick your spots
While there are plenty of dog-friendly places to check out, it's best if you do at least SOME planning ahead to make sure you're not stuck blocks and blocks from the nearest dog-friendly shelter or entertainment. Figure out if you plan to drive, hop Lyfts, or just walk with an umbrella, then measure out how far you feel comfortable stretching in terms of total distance and distance in between locations. In terms of bars and restaurants, we recommend the Tin Shed, Roadside Attraction, White Owl Social Club, the Conquistador, and The Knock Back for starters, as they all offer covered spots, but there are plenty more you should be able to find with a little research and few phone calls. We barely even know where to start for pet shops you can stop in at, as there are at least 20 near downtown from Personal Beast to Salty's Pet Supply.
Step
2
Map it out
Once you've picked spots that look interesting, go online and pop them all into a mapping website so you can see where they all fall. If they're close enough and you have a good umbrella, tough it out and walk it. Make your paths in between stops as close as possible so you can dodge the rain. If it's particularly hard or cold, feel free to drive as well, which also means you can stretch your options out a bit further. Hint: check out our other weather-based guides such as Oregon's hot days, nice days, and cold days. Many of Portland's dog-friendly spots are universal (except for uncovered outdoor seating areas), so if you need additional locations to check out, don't hesitate to use us for inspiration.
Step
3
Hit it!
Once you've picked your locations and mapped it out, it's time to grab your dog, your leash and an umbrella and hit the road! You can always change your plans based on the weather but having a plan in place means you'll waste little time and won't likely get stuck trying to figure it out in the elements. Make sure your dog isn't getting too wet or cold and use your small towel or sham actively to keep yourselves dry and comfortable.
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More Fun Ideas...

Be a Natural Art Appreciator

People from all over the state (and other states for that matter) travel far and wide to see the Painted Hills outside of Bend. But most people go on nice days when the sun highlights the colorful features. But much like some other natural features, the rain actually saturates the colors in the rock, making them all the more striking when they're wet. If you stick around until just after the rain clears, you'll get the best view of them there is to have.

Get Regal With Your Beagle

If you've got nowhere else to go, book a stay at the Crystal Hotel in Portland. It's certainly not cheap, but well worth the experience. The staff is super helpful and enjoys dogs (though they appreciate a heads up since there is a $15 pet deposit per animal) and the building itself is gorgeous, boasting a rich history as well.

Conclusion

Rainy days aren't hard to come by in Oregon, but they sometimes make fun activities seem like they are. But if our list is any indicator, there are more than enough things to do that both embrace and escape the rain, depending on your mood and resources. Regardless, one thing is for sure, if you're stuck in the rain, (hopefully) it's no longer a pain, as we've got you covered even when you may not have any!