Fall 2026 update: 10 verified dog-friendly hikes near Seattle with leash rules, parking passes, and October trail conditions, from Rattlesnake Ledge to Seward Park.
Fall is the best season to hike with your dog in the Pacific Northwest. Summer crowds thin out, temperatures drop into the comfortable range for dogs, and the first rains wake the waterfalls back up. But fall also changes the rules: parking lots switch to winter hours, gates lock earlier, trails get muddy, and some roads close for the season.
This guide was refreshed on September 30, 2026 with verified leash rules, parking pass requirements, and October conditions for each trail, checked against WTA.org, Washington State Parks, Washington DNR, the USDA Forest Service, and Seattle Parks. Before you go, check WTA trip reports for current week conditions.
Parking passes: the 30 second version
Three systems cover these trails. Bring the wrong pass and you risk a ticket.
Discover Pass ($30/year or $10/day): required at Twin Falls, Wallace Falls, Mount Si, Little Si, and Tiger Mountain trailheads. Carry one for Poo Poo Point too.
NW Forest Pass or $5/day (Discover Pass NOT valid here): Franklin Falls / Denny Creek.
Free, no pass: Rattlesnake Ledge main lot, Cougar Mountain, Discovery Park, Seward Park.
- Rattlesnake Ledge
4.0 miles roundtrip, 1,160 ft gain. Moderate.
The classic Seattle starter hike, and it earns the reputation. A smooth, well maintained trail climbs through second growth forest to a viewpoint over Rattlesnake Lake and the Cascades, with good fall color in October.
Dogs: Yes. Leash or voice control. No off leash area. Keep dogs well back from the sheer cliffs at the ledge.
Parking: Free at the main Rattlesnake Lake lot, no pass needed. Do not confuse it with the nearby DNR Snoqualmie Point lot, which does require a Discover Pass. The lot fills fast on weekends.
October notes: Day use only, gates lock at dusk, which comes early in fall. Expect damp, misty conditions and slippery wet rocks. No fall trail closure.
- Poo Poo Point via Chirico Trail
3.8 miles roundtrip, 1,760 ft gain. Moderately difficult.
A steady forest climb to a launch point with views of Mount Rainier. The paragliders are the attraction for people. For dogs, it is the shaded workout and the creeks along the way.
Dogs: Yes, on leash everywhere on DNR land. Keep dogs clear of the paraglider launch zone at the summit.
Parking: Carry a Discover Pass to be safe. The Chirico Trailhead requirement is ambiguous, but DNR's blanket rule calls for one.
October notes: Wood bridges and stone steps get slick in fall rain, with frost risk on cold mornings. Sections turn muddy. Day use only.
- Twin Falls, Olallie State Park
3.0 miles roundtrip, 500 ft gain. Easy to moderate.
Short, low elevation, and made for dogs that like water. The trail follows the South Fork Snoqualmie River to two waterfalls, with pools where dogs can splash and chase sticks.
Dogs: Yes, on leash. No off leash areas in the park.
Parking: Discover Pass required. Rangers ticket cars without one. The lot is full by 9:30am on Saturdays, so go early or go weekday.
October notes: Expect muddy stretches and slick riverside rocks and wooden steps. Use care on the stairs near the falls. Gate locks at dusk.
- Franklin Falls, Denny Creek
2.0 miles roundtrip, 400 ft gain. Easy.
The shortest waterfall walk on this list, under thick conifer canopy that shelters you from fall rain. Lower autumn flows leave more room to roam at the base of the falls.
Dogs: Yes, on leash.
Parking: NW Forest Pass or $5/day. A Discover Pass is NOT valid at this Forest Service fee site.
October notes: The road is normally open in October, but the winter gate closure dates are not published, so check the Forest Service page before a late fall trip. Rocks at the falls base are often wet and slippery.
- Wallace Falls
5.6 miles roundtrip, 1,300 ft gain. Moderate.
Nine waterfalls along the Wallace River through shaded hemlock forest, running bigger and more spectacular with the fall rains. The Lower Falls viewpoint, about 2 miles in, makes a fine turnaround for an easier day.
Dogs: Yes, but leash rules are strictly enforced here after incidents where unleashed dogs were swept over the falls. Keep leashed dogs away from falls edges.
Parking: Discover Pass required. Arrive early on weekends.
October notes: Winter hours start October 1: the park opens at 8am instead of 6:30am. Expect muddy, rooty trail and careful footing on the steeper sections.
- Mount Si
8.0 miles roundtrip, 3,150 ft gain. Hard.
The big workout. Mostly shaded old growth forest, wide well maintained tread, and big Snoqualmie Valley views. Cooler fall temperatures make this far more pleasant for dogs than summer.
Dogs: Yes, on leash.
Parking: Discover Pass required. Around 100,000 visitors a year means the lot overflows on most fair weather days. Arrive very early.
October notes: No seasonal closure. Note the active bear caution in the area. This is a full day effort, so bring more water and food than you think.
- Little Si
3.7 miles roundtrip, 1,300 ft gain. Easy to moderate.
Mount Si's little sibling and the better pick for most dogs: under 4 miles, forested shade, and valley views from the top without the all day grind.
Dogs: Yes, on leash.
Parking: Discover Pass required at the Little Si Trailhead.
October notes: Rocky footing in places, including a scree slope and boulder field near the top, so watch your dog's paws. No seasonal closure.
- Cougar Mountain: Coal Creek Falls
2.5 miles roundtrip, 416 ft gain. Easy.
The easiest waterfall on this list and completely free. Maple, alder, and cedar canopy shelters the trail from fall rain, and the falls come back to life with the first autumn rains after running dry all summer.
Dogs: Yes, on leash. King County parks require leashes unless an area is designated off leash, and Cougar Mountain has none.
Parking: Free, no pass needed. The large lot still fills quickly on weekends.
October notes: Open year round. Trails can get muddy after storms. Stay on the trail: old coal mining pits sit beside some sections, and stinging nettle edges the path.
- Discovery Park Loop
2.8 miles, 140 ft gain. Easy.
The best in city option: one loop through forest groves, open meadows, and bluffs with Puget Sound and Olympic views. Gentle enough for seniors, puppies, and low energy days.
Dogs: Yes, on leash park wide. There is no off leash area in Discovery Park. The nearest is Magnolia Manor Park. Dogs are not allowed on the beach or on the Wolf Tree Nature Trail.
Parking: Free, no pass. Three lots, and they can be scarce at peak times.
October notes: Open year round, 4:30am to 11pm. Paths get marshy in spots after rain. Keep away from unstable bluff edges.
- Seward Park
2.4 mile paved loop, nearly flat. Easy.
A flat lakeside loop with downtown skyline views, plus 120 acres of old growth interior forest for shade and sniffing variety. The easiest logistics on this list.
Dogs: Yes, on leash on all trails and the loop. No off leash area in the park. The nearest is Genesee Park, just west of Seward Park.
Parking: Free lots inside the park, no pass needed.
October notes: Open year round, 6am to 10pm. Poison oak grows along the path, so stay on the trail. Waste bags are available at the Environmental and Audubon Center.
What to pack for a rainy fall dog hike
Fall hiking with a dog is a wet sport. Pack like it.
A full body rain layer for your dog. October trails mean mud from belly to paws. The Trail X Gen 2 [LINK: Trail X Gen 2 product page] covers back, chest, belly, and legs, so the mud stays on the suit instead of your car seats.
A dedicated trail towel. For paws, faces, and the final wipe down at the trailhead.
Water and a bowl. Dogs still dehydrate in cool weather, especially on climbs like Mount Si or Poo Poo Point.
Treats and waste bags. More bags than you think. Fall means fewer trash cans emptied on some trails.
A headlamp. Gates lock at dusk and October daylight ends early. If you are pushing daylight at Wallace Falls or Rattlesnake Ledge, you want light.
FAQ
Do I need a Discover Pass to hike with my dog near Seattle?
It depends on who manages the land. State parks and DNR trailheads (Twin Falls, Wallace Falls, Mount Si, Little Si, Tiger Mountain) need a Discover Pass. Forest Service trailheads like Franklin Falls need a NW Forest Pass or $5/day instead. Seattle city parks and Cougar Mountain are free.
Are dogs allowed off leash on any of these trails?
No. Every trail on this list requires leashes. The nearest off leash areas are Magnolia Manor Park near Discovery Park and Genesee Park near Seward Park.
What is the best easy fall hike with a dog near Seattle?
For waterfalls with minimal effort: Coal Creek Falls on Cougar Mountain (2.5 miles, free parking) or Twin Falls (3 miles, Discover Pass). For city convenience: the Discovery Park loop or Seward Park.
Is Hurricane Ridge dog friendly?
No. Olympic National Park does not allow dogs on trails, including Hurricane Ridge. Dogs are only permitted in developed areas like roads, parking lots, and campgrounds. Stick to the trails on this list for actual hiking with your dog.
The bottom line
Match the trail to your dog and your day. Short waterfall walks at Twin Falls, Franklin Falls, and Coal Creek Falls for easy outings. Rattlesnake Ledge and Poo Poo Point for a moderate workout with a view. Mount Si when you both want the full effort. And Wallace Falls in October, when the rains make it spectacular and the crowds thin out.
Whatever you choose, October means mud. Cover the dog, pack the towel, and check current conditions on WTA trip reports before you go.
Tired of the post hike cleanup? The Trail X Gen 2 [LINK: Shop the Trail X Gen 2] keeps mud off the belly, chest, and legs, so fall hiking stays fun after the trailhead too.
