- Hike: North Cascades National Park
Sedro-Woolley is only about 40 minutes from the entrance to North Cascades National Park. While most of the trails do not allow dogs, there are enough dog-friendly options to make a day out of visiting the park. Dogs are allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). They are also allowed at scenic overlooks, like the Lake Diablo Overlook. I was also able to explore campgrounds with Max, like the North Colonial Creek Campground, which has access to Lake Diablo’s shoreline. South Colonial Creek Campground is just across the street and has another dog-friendly trail: Thunder Creek Trail. Between the two trails, campground visits, and scenic overlooks, we had an entire action-packed day at North Cascades National Park. Max slept the whole ride home.
2. Explore: Lake Padden Park
Only 30 minutes from Sedro-Woolley is Lake Padden Park in Bellingham. This 745 acre park offers hiking, swimming, horse back riding, and golfing. If you drive all the way to the back of the park, there is a fenced-in dog park. Behind the park is the entry to a system of trails where dogs are allowed off leash. Across from the dog park is a large field and the lake sits on the other side of the field. All in one park, your dog can play with other dogs in the dog park, go for an off-leash hike, and then swim in the lake! Max had so much fun here. He made lots of new friends on the off leash trails and everybody we came across was really nice. There was one section of a trail that got close to the highway, so if you have a wandering dog be careful around this section.
3. Fish: Skagit River
Max and I stopped at this park by the river that I cannot remember the name of. There was a trail along the side of the river through the woods, with access points to the river along the trail. This is where Max caught his first live fish! He had fun chasing them through the stream and I still can’t believe he caught one! There are fishing spots all over Sedro-Woolley.
4. Stay: The Magnolia Cabin
The best place to stay in Sedro-Woolley is Magnolia Cabin, located in Fox Creek Retreat. This 88-acre healing retreat center has a dog-friendly cabin complete with a front and back deck, soaking tub, and two friendly dogs who live there full time. The property has two hiking trails, a pond, cascading waterfalls, gardens, and a chicken coop. One of the resident dogs, Penelope, was the highlight of our trip. Her and Max really hit it off and roamed around chasing each other and exploring the property all day. Penelope was our hiking guide and led the way down both of the trails on the property. She loves to run and find sticks. Max and I had so much fun hanging out with her and we even invited her inside the cabin for some treats! The cabin is remote enough to relax and unwind in nature, but close enough to downtown should you need gas, groceries, or a smoothie/coffee. This was our last stop on a roadtrip from Alaska, and it was the perfect mix of hiking, relaxing, and enjoying the property.
