Get outside and stretch your paws! Our area is home to plenty of fantastic trails complete with sticks, smells and space to explore that your dog will love. Grab the pup and leash and enjoy the outdoors with these three dog-friendly trails in Lewis County.
Airport Levee Trail
If you are looking for a quick and easy in-town adventure, head to Airport Levee Trail in Chehalis. This well-maintained gravel path will take you out and back on a two-mile scenic walk between the Chehalis Airport and the Chehalis Golf Course. Arrive at this spot early in the morning and enjoy the regal silhouette of orange and yellow trees against the foggy river valley, and you may spot the inconspicuous pumpkin patch on the left.
This is a great place to take your dog and relax since on comers can be spotted from a distance, and the wide path will give you the ability to pass them with plenty of room to spare. Planes and helicopters are seen taking off and landing at the airport, making this a fun in-town destination. If you need to catch a rest, you will find two sturdy wooden benches approximately a quarter mile from both ends of the trail. Drop off your trash and grab a complimentary doggy poop bag as you pass the doggy stations. There is no running water or bathrooms at the Airport Levee Trail.
How to Get to Airport Levee Trail
Take Exit State Route 6 West toward Pe Ell Raymond. If you are going north, turn left onto W Main Street. (If you are going south, turn right on W Main Street) and turn right onto SW Riverside Drive. Turn left onto NW Airport Road and take the first right into the airport parking lot. You can park here and walk the 500 feet to the trail or drive up the road 500 feet (just before the bed in the road) to find another small parking lot. The entrance to the trail will be marked with a map and a chain barrier.
Rose Park Trail
This multi-level, 21-acre day park is nestled in the quiet hills of Adna and is a sight to behold. With its tall pines, lush ferns, and fruiting chestnut trees, there are plenty of things to sniff and explore under this amber and emerald canopy. Locate the cyclone fence at the back of the parking lot to the right and find the wood sign with red lettering that marks the beginning of the .4 mile-long loop trail and workout circuit.
Cross the bridge, and you can choose to walk the course clockwise or counterclockwise at the first fork. Ascend into the tunnel of foliage that winds through the western portion of the park and widens approximately a quarter mile down the trail into a neat and spacious forest. Follow the path back down towards the park, and you will come out where you started. Many picnic tables are available, plus a covered kitchen and bathrooms at Rose Park. The small playground for the kiddos makes this the perfect destination for the whole family. Park and bathroom hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is also access to a water fountain and trash cans at Rose Park.
How to Get to Rose Park
Travel approximately 5.5 miles westbound down Highway 6 and carefully turn left onto Penning Road. After 0.8 miles, the park entrance is marked with a sign on the right-hand side of the road where you will make a sharp left turn into the park found at 263 Penning Road.
Oxalis Loop Trails
For those seeking more of a rugged and moderate adventure further from town, explore the babbling brooks and lichen-covered forests that surround the Oxalis Loop Trails. Oxalis Loop is an approximately one-mile loop trail that provides access to other trails along the way, such as Hemlock Trail, Salal Trail, Woodpecker Trail, and Deer Trail. These side trails will give your pup lots of ground to cover and make you feel like you are deep in the woods.
This half dirt, half gravel trails are semi-maintained, and you may find some down trees from time to time. Don’t be discouraged, most of them are fun to navigate around safely, but if you feel you must turn back, there are a few other loops you can still explore with Fido, and don’t forget to look out for spots to enjoy next to the stream. This location has no bathrooms, trash cans, or running water, but there are facilities across the highway at Rainbow Fall State Park with a Discover Pass.
How to Get to Oxalis Loop Trails
Travel approximately 15.8 miles west on Highway 6, and you will find the Oxalis Loop Trail hidden in the trees on the left side of the highway. It is marked with a blue wooden fence, a metal gate, and a pavilion. You can park on the right or carefully turn around and park in front of the fence. No pass is required to park here. Be very careful here as traffic travels fast, so it is best to have your pup leashed and ready to unload your dog close to the entrance.
Time immersed in nature walking not only benefits your health but also strengthens your bond with your pup if you bring the family dog. Be sure to follow all rules around keeping your pet leashed, take care when protecting the wildlife from your pet and if you pack it in, pack it out. Try one or more of these three dog-friendly hikes in Lewis County — your dog will thank you!
