Dog walking in Brookings

Brookings Central

Explore the heart of Brookings in the Brookings Central neighborhood. Take a stroll through the city’s quaint downtown area with your leashed dog and see historical buildings, specialty shops, galleries and all the things that make Brookings unique. A must-see in this neighborhood is Azalea Park. Prepare to be wowed as you and your leashed pup check out this pawpular outdoor hangout. Azalea Park has an astounding array of beautiful flowers in the spring and summer, and vibrant foliage in the fall. There’s also sports fields, a picnic area, restrooms, and a gazebo. The park also hosts free summer concerts. Bud Cross Park is another great spot with lots of athletic fields and a large open green space. You’ll also find the city’s only off-leash exercise area located within Stout Park in Brookings Central. There are cleanup baggies at the Stout Park off-leash area, but you'll want to bring your own to the other neighborhood parks, along with drinking water.

Pacific Heights Rd

For a true Brookings beach experience, head to the Pacific Heights Rd neighborhood. This area is home of Harris Beach State Park, a super fun, super scenic and super dog-friendly spot for you and Fido to share Pacific Coast adventures! This place is pooch heaven, as dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach as long as they are within sight and under direct voice control. Enjoy a game of fetch in the waves and romps in the sand! Harris Beach is a furrific place for beachcombing and watching spectacular sunsets. You might also see wildlife including gray whales, sea birds, Harbor seals and California sea lions! There’s restrooms, showers and a playground, too. The park has dog-friendly camp and RV sites, plus yurts if you want to extend your fun overnight! Be sure to cleanup after your dog on the beach and bring drinking water.

Brookings North

Looking for a great place to hike with Fido? Head to the Brookings North neighborhood’s Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. This 12-mile stretch of forested area has some pawsome, scenic hikes. You’ll feel like you and your pup are in a postcard as you explore coastal rock formations, natural bridges, forests of giant trees, secret coves, beaches, and bask in ocean spray. There are several puptacular trails in this secluded area. For a longer hike, check out the 2.9-mile Thomas Creek Whaleshead Beach Trail. The beach views are incredible, and there’s lots of things to sniff as you meander through the forested area. For a shorter jaunt, the Arch Rock Point Trail is .2 miles with overlooks at the puptacular rock formations rising up from the Pacific Ocean. Dogs must be leashed on trails, but are allowed off-leash on beaches unless otherwise signed.

Harbor

For fun with Fido, head to Harbor! Just across the Chetco River from Brookings, the town and neighborhood that share the same name is home to Sporthaven Beach. This area is a pawpular spot for pooches, as dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach so long as they’re under your direct control and within eyesight. Your dog will love romping and splashing in the waves. There’s a picnic area, campsites and plenty of free parking. Pack a picnic and watch surfers, or look for whales during the migration season December through March. Remember to bring drinking water and your own cleanup bags.

Southern Brookings

Want to experience Brookings like a local? Visit the South Brookings neighborhood’s Crissey Field State Recreation Site. This area is pawpular among Brookings residents because of the pristine dog-friendly beach. Dogs are allowed off-leash as long as they’re under your direct verbal control and within eyesight. The area’s diverse natural habitat makes this an extra fun spot for Fido – there are mature trees to sniff and explore, walking paths, and of course, lots of areas to swim in the Pacific Ocean surf. The beach is also great for fishing, whale watching and beachcombing. There are interpretive displays and restrooms at this free recreation area.