Why Your Dog Will Love a Trip to Klamath as Much as You
There’s no doubt that pups make great travel companions. They are always happy to see you and ready to adventure no matter what time of day it is. The trick is finding places that welcome your four-legger as readily as your furry friend welcomes a walk. Here’s where Klamath County steps up to the task.
This county in south-central Oregon is home to the mythical waters of Crater Lake, houses Oregon’s city of sunshine, Klamath Falls, and lucky for you, has a soft spot for dogs. Several restaurants cater to furry friends with dog treats and outdoor dining areas, and many hotels boast walking paths and open areas to make your pup feel welcome.
As you begin to plan your upcoming getaway, here’s a look at how to make the most of dog-friendly restaurants, lodging accommodations, and activities throughout Klamath County.
Where to Eat
Rodeos Pizza & Saladeria welcomes four-legged friends and your pup can join you for treats on their outdoor patio. Discover Klamath
Restaurants all over Klamath County cater to dogs by offering outdoor dining—with an average of 300 days of sunshine per year this is no small perk—or by serving dog treats and bowls of water to parched pups. Here are just a few of the region’s most popular dog-friendly restaurants.
A Leap of Taste, in the heart of downtown Klamath Falls, serves as a kind of community gathering space—and, yes, that community always includes Fido. The café pours a perky cup of espresso, serves a variety of deli sandwiches, stocks sustainable grocery products, and carries items from local producers like Euphoria Chocolate and the Rogue Creamery. Two sidewalk tables allow dogs, and servers have been known to bring water bowls outside or dig up dog treats from behind the counter.
Whether you’ve spent all day hiking the OC&E Woods Line State Trail or exploring the Sky Lakes Wilderness, nothing caps a day outdoors like some time at the neighborhood watering hole. The Grocery Pub prides itself on serving fresh fare (think wraps and sandwiches) alongside a selection of local and regional craft beer. Dogs are welcome to join their owners at the pub’s outdoor seating area, which includes a fire pit for keeping warm after the sun goes down.
Since 2014, Rodeos Pizza & Saladeria has whipped up an appetizing mix of specialty pies and filling salads in the heart of downtown Klamath Falls. The pizzeria prides itself on making its dough and red sauce from scratch as well as being a dog-friendly eatery. Rodeos’ outdoor patio is open to four-legged friends.
What to Do
Dogs are the best hiking buddies ever. Discover Klamath
No visit to Klamath County is complete without an afternoon spent exploring the OC&E Woods Line State Trail. Oregon’s longest state park begins in Klamath Falls and stretches for more than 100 miles, passing through farmland, mountainous terrain, and marshland along the way. The rail-to-trail conversion is a non-motorized path which makes it perfect for keeping pets safe, and the off-leash dog park, located along the path, offers agility obstacles and plenty of room to run. When you are on the trail, be sure to keep your dog leashed; depending on which section you hike, you may encounter cattle, rattlesnake, and other wildlife.
The Klamath Animal Shelter hosts the Freedom Dog Park, a private, off-leash dog park, near downtown Klamath Falls. The landscaped park was designed by a local, dog-loving family to benefit the shelter, and includes gravel paths, an agility area, a water faucet, and other fun features. A $6 day-use fee gets you into the park, and proceeds benefit the shelter.
When your favorite travel companion has been an especially good boy or girl—which, let’s face it, is probably most of the time—reward them with a trip to Double-C World Class Pet Resort. The center offers overnight boarding, grooming services, a self-service bathing area, exercise yards, an outdoor agility area, and a retail shop stocked with treats, toys, and more.
Where to Stay
There are many great places for you to stay comfortably overnight with your dog. Discover Klamath
Not far from the shores of Upper Klamath Lake, Running Y Ranch Resort caters to dogs as much as it does humans. The resort’s on-site eatery, Ruddy Duck Restaurant, boasts a large, dog-friendly patio, several miles of paved walking trails, and designated pet relief areas stocked with waste bags for added convenience.
Sitting just 18 miles from Crater Lake National Park’s southern entrance, Crater Lake Resort makes a great basecamp for exploring the nearby attraction. While the resort itself is dog-friendly, it’s important to note that dogs are not allowed on Crater Lake National Park’s hiking trails. Leashed dogs can, however, join their owners in exploring the 12-acre Crater Lake Resort property which is lined with walking paths. Dogs are also allowed in all of the resort’s accommodations, that range from campsites to cabins and glamping options—at the resort that means large tents outfitted with a comfortable queen bed.
Dogs of all sizes are welcome at Shilo Inns Klamath Falls. The hotel assigns pet-owners to rooms on the first two floors, which offer easy access to the parking lot and a grassy lawn, and they also provide dog beds upon request. The front desk is stocked with treats and a dog-walking area next to the hotel offers waste stations.
Klamath makes it easy to travel with your dog. Don’t find yourself barking up the wrong tree on your next vacation and, instead head to Klamath County where you know you and your pup will be greeted with smiling faces and plenty of treats to go around.
Written by Matt Wastradowski for Matcha in partnership with Discover Klamath Visitor and Convention Bureau.
