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Bring Fido to parks, patios and overnight stays on the Southern Oregon Coast.
No family vacation is complete without the entire family — and for many, that means our four-legged companions.
Fortunately, Fido will love sun-kissed patios, off-leash dog parks, pet-friendly overnight stays and other engaging sites on your next beach getaway to Curry County on the South Coast. Here’s a look at where to bring your pup in Curry County.
Savor Rugged Beach Views Around Brookings
Brookings makes an idyllic base camp for savoring the sights of the South Coast — where rounded bluffs have stood for millennia and teal waves crash into jagged sea stacks rising from the surf.
The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor delivers impressive views of rock formations, crags and the rugged coastline from roadside turnoffs and along short, dog-friendly hiking trails. Just north of town, Harris Beach State Park hosts several short trails and viewpoints that showcase the sea stacks and rock formations just offshore. Farther south, Chetco Point Park, surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean, occupies a peninsula that hosts tide pools teeming with wildlife, a short hiking trail and a fenced off-leash area where your pup can run free.
Hungry? At Zola’s on the Water, the dog-specific food menu includes burger patties and chopped chicken served on the eatery’s pet-friendly patio. Afterward, enjoy a nightcap at Chetco Brewing Company, which welcomes leashed dogs inside and on the patio.
At day’s end, the Beachfront Inn sits near the mouth of the Chetco River. In addition to ocean views, the hotel offers grassy areas for pet relief — although please pick up after your pet — and fenced patios. Sport Haven Beach hugs the Pacific Ocean in front of the hotel and provides the perfect backdrop for a game of Fetch.
Enjoy Solitude at Peaceful Viewpoints Around Gold Beach
Trade the noise of rush hour for the relaxing hum of ocean waves around Gold Beach, where viewpoints and hiking trails make it easy to leave the hustle and bustle behind.
Close to Gold Beach, let your dog run free on a quiet shoreline and in the shadow of sandstone formations at Otter Point State Recreation Site. Dogs are permitted to go off-leash on the Coast — provided they’re under your direct control — unless signs indicate otherwise.
South of town, two parking areas sit atop Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor and deliver wide-open ocean views that extend nearly 50 miles to the north and south. From there a hiking trail descends to the ocean shore and ends at the quiet Hunters Cove. Farther south, the Pistol River State Scenic Viewpoint sits where its namesake waterway empties into the Pacific Ocean and offers plenty of room to roam. If you’re heading out for an activity that isn’t pet-friendly, your pooch will be in good hands with the family-owned Happy Hills Kennel.
If you’re feeling famished, stop by Tortuga Mexican Bar and Grill for flavorful takes on classic Mexican dishes like enchiladas, tacos and carne asada. Fido is welcome on Tortuga’s covered patio. Then rest up at Jot’s Resort, which sits near the confluence of the Rogue River and the Pacific Ocean. It pairs sweeping views with plenty of dog-friendly amenities — including private balconies, treats at the front desk and grassy areas where you can walk your dog.
Big Views Meet Small-Town Charm in Port Orford
Port Orford is steeped in history that dates back centuries, from long-ago battles to a key Coast Guard station that remains a popular attraction today. Fuel up for the day with a meal at Portside Market & Deli. The cozy cafe dishes up breakfast and lunch classics like French toast, burgers and sandwiches, and it welcomes pets at a few outdoor picnic tables.
Start your sightseeing in Port Orford at Battle Rock Wayside Park, which provides beach access and overlooks the site of a battle in 1851. Nearby, Port Orford Heads State Park occupies the site of a former Coast Guard station and is home to a few pet-friendly hiking trails that lead to vistas of the coastline. Port Orford Heads is home to a blacktail deer population, so please keep your pet leashed when visiting to ensure they don’t disturb the wildlife.
Need to burn off a little more energy? Walk through groves of Sitka spruce at Humbug Mountain State Park. South-facing views of the Pacific Ocean await at the summit. Just north of Port Orford, view the southernmost lighthouse in Oregon (and the westernmost point in the state) at Cape Blanco State Park. More than 8 miles of trails splay out across the cape. Wherever you hike, be mindful of posted rules and regulations around leashes at all times.
Enjoy an overnight stay at Bandon/Port Orford KOA Journey. Choose among tent and RV sites, as well as pet-friendly camping cabins. On-site amenities for your furry friend include an off-leash fenced area and portable kennels for rent.
Pictured at top: Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor by Bear8 Photography
