Dog walking in Custer

Birchmont/ Salish Breeze

If your pup can’t get enough of the beach, visit the Birchmont/ Salish Breeze neighborhood in Blaine, about six miles from Custer. There, you and your dog can explore the 194-acre Birch Bay State Park, a woofderful natural area with fur-iendly coastline access on the northeast end of the park’s shoreline. There’s a boat ramp, picnic areas, restrooms and campsites, too. The park is also pawpular for sailing, kayaking, canoeing and windsurfing. You and your leashed pup will love exploring the half-mile Terrell Marsh Trail that meanders through the park’s wetlands. The trail is a great place for birdwatching and wildlife viewing.

Peace Portal

Get ready for some puptastic park playtime in Blaine’s Peace Portal neighborhood! About six miles from Custer, this neighborhood is home to the Grateful Dogs Off Leash Area within Skallman Park. This large, fully fenced-in off-leash park is a furrific place for playtime and socialization. There are lots of shrubs and bushes to sniff, mature trees and lush grass. There’s also drinking water and a doggie waste cleanup station. There’s a covered seating area for humans and a designated yard for smaller dogs. After your pooch is tuckered out, take a stroll through the neighborhood’s other fur-iendly parks like Blaine Marine Park. Situated on the coastline, the park is an especially scenic place for a walk on one of its paved walking paths. Leashed dogs are also welcome at the neighborhood’s Montfort Park.

Semiahmoo - St Andrews

Whether you and Fido prefer beachcombing, leisurely walks or kayaking around the bay, you and your pup will have a furrific time in Blaine’s Semiahmoo - St Andrews neighborhood. About seven miles from Custer, the neighborhood’s Semiahmoo Park is a pawpular place for all kinds of outdoor fun! Leash your dog and check out the Semiahmoo Split-Coast Millennium Trail, a .8 mile loop where you’ll get pawsome views of Drayton Harbor and Mount Baker. The trail is a great place for bird and wildlife watching as you meander through forests, fields and coastline. The park has picnic tables, barbecue grills, restrooms, plus easy kayak or canoe launching from the beach.

Ferndale City Center

If your pooch loves parks, Ferndale’s City Center neighborhood is the place to be! Travel just seven miles from Custer in the town of Ferndale, explore this neighborhood’s VanderYacht Park. This woofderful park has an unfenced off-leash area where your dog can run and sniff in this beautiful natural setting. There are tons of trees, a walking path, large meadows and picnic areas. VanderYacht Park is also home to wetlands, making it a pawsome place to see wildlife. There’s also a disc golf course and playground equipment. Leashed dogs are welcome at tons of other neighborhood parks, including Pioneer Park, Flair Park, Cedar Creek Park, Oxford Park and Horizon View Park.

Lake Terrell

Check out one of the area’s most beautiful recreation areas in Ferndale’s Lake Terrell neighborhood. The Lake Terrell State Game Refuge has pawsome scenery including mountain views, plus wetland and forest habitats. Leash your furry friend and explore the hiking trail that meanders around the beautiful shoreline of Lake Terrell. The area is extremely pawpular for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. If you’ve got a paddling pooch, the lake is a great place for canoeing and kayaking. September through November, dogs are welcome to enjoy off-leash time during the day. There is a small fee for parking at this year-round park.