Dog walking in Carlton

Tall Oaks

There will be plenty of tail wagging when you visit the Tall Oaks neighborhood in McMinnville, just seven miles from Carlton. Leash your pup and hit the trails at the 22-acre Discovery Meadows Community Park. There’s a one-mile paved walkway and .95 miles of unpaved trails that wind through the park. Discovery Meadows Community Park also has a picnic area, restrooms, a playground and basketball courts. The neighborhood’s West McMinnville Linear Park is also a furrific place to get some exercise with Fido. The park spans almost 14 acres, with lots of walking paths dotted with benches along the way. Remember to bring drinking water, a leash and cleanup bags. After your walk, visit Great Harvest Bread and enjoy a yummy baked treat like a cheddar bacon scone at one of their pet-friendly outdoor tables.

Joe Dancer Park

Need an off-leash area so your dog can burn some energy? Head to the Joe Dancer Park neighborhood in McMinnville, just seven miles from Carlton. This area is home to the pawpular Riverside Drive Dog Park. Your pup can run and play in the four acres of fenced-in area that includes separate areas for large and small or timid dogs. Riverside Drive Dog Park has a lot of amenities that make it a great place to hang out, like paved walking paths, running water, dog waste cleanup stations, kiddie pools in the warmer months, and lighting so pets and their people can visit the park after dusk when the days are short. There’s also restrooms for people. Remember to bring a leash for entering and exiting the park.

McMinnville City Center

If you’re looking to be steeped in dog-friendly fun, visit McMinnville’s City Center neighborhood, seven miles from Carlton. First stop, Wortman Park. Leashed dogs are welcome throughout this huge park. There are two miles of paved walking paths, a disc golf course, picnic areas and a playground. Your pup will especially love all the large open grassy areas dotted with mature trees. After your visit to the park, head to 3rd St. where you’ll find a ton of fur-iendly restaurants like the Red Fox Bakery, Serendipity Ice Cream and The Barberry. If you need a place to stay the night with your pup, McMenamins Hotel Oregon has historic, unique and fun accommodations. They even have a canine concierge to make sure your pet-friendly room is ready and waiting for you upon arrival.

Central Yamhill

Take a three-mile drive north from Carlton to Yamhill and visit the Central Yamhill neighborhood. Leash your pup and take a walk through the area to see some of this small town’s beautiful buildings and homes listed on the National Historic Register of Places. Fido will certainly love a stop at Beulah City Park, too. This large, grassy area has a beautiful canopy of mature trees, making it a perfect spot for a picnic on a warm day. Beulah City Park has one other very unique item – a soapbox derby ramp, where the city hosts its annual Derby Days every summer. As you head out to enjoy the park, remember to bring drinking water, a leash and cleanup bags.

Carlton

Explore the neighborhood of Carlton with your leashed pup and check out Upper City Park. Located downtown between Main and Grant Streets, you and your dog will love taking a walk on the park’s paths. Right across the street, The Horse Radish restaurant loves to host people and their leashed pups at their large outdoor seating area. Being in the heart of Oregon’s wine country, The Horse Radish serves food that pairs well with wines like artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, plus yummy sandwiches and more. Need a little something to perk you up? Carlton Coffee Company is another fur-iendly eatery in the neighborhood.