Day One
When you arrive in Tualatin Valley, make a stop at Brix Tavern (map it) in Reed’s Crossing in Hillsboro, where you and your pup will enjoy “Yappy Hour,” a menu of dog-friendly food and drinks from 3-6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Next, head to L.L. Stub Stewart State Park (map it) to set up camp. Featuring rustic cabins, drive-in and walk-in camping, plus offers hot showers and a dedicated off-leash dog park area, this park makes an ideal basecamp for both you and your pup to relax after a day on the trails.
For dinner, head to Smokehouse Chicken and Guns (map it) in Gales Creek for a pint and hearty food.
Afterward, head back to your campsite under the stars for a camp beer and a cozy night in the tent.
Day Two
After a morning stroll along a portion of the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, head back into Forest Grove and fuel up with breakfast and coffee at BJ’s Coffee House (map it).
Drive out early into the Tillamook State Forest. Hit the Step Creek Trail, a quiet 3-to-4-mile loop surrounded by lush ferns and bigleaf maples showing off fall colors.
While hiking go mushroom foraging in the Tillamook State Forest. Keep an eye on the damp forest floor and rotting logs along trail shoulders for fall chanterelles and other edible mushrooms.
After an afternoon foraging, head back to your basecamp at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park to drop off your mushroom haul and give your pup a quick water break. Take advantage of the park’s hot showers to clean off the trail dirt and let your dog stretch out at the dedicated off-leash park area.
Then head down to Forest Grove and McMenamins Grand Lodge (map it) for food, live music, outdoor fire pits and seasonal Oktoberfest beers on tap with your dog on the lawn. Leashed pets are allowed at the outdoor bars.
As the festivities wind down, head back to your campsite under the stars at Stub Stewart State Park, crack open a fresh Oregon craft beer, and unwind by the campfire to end the day.
Day Three
After packing up camp, head to the city of Tualatin for a hearty breakfast at 60’s Cafe & Diner (map it), a classic diner with traditional breakfast eats. Plus, dogs are welcome on the outside patio.
Next, enjoy a walk along the Tualatin River Trail that starts in the city of Tualatin, winding along the river into Cook Family Park (map it) in Tigard. This dog-friendly paved trail is a flat out-and-back trail surrounded by trees.
Finally, head to Wildwood Taphouse (map it) in Tigard and enjoy a final pint on their pet-friendly patio and participate in their Pay-It-Forward board (buy a pint in advance for a friend or stranger). Then grab a few 4-packs of local Oregon IPAs and fresh-hop brews from Wildwood’s cooler before heading home to enjoy later and reminisce about your Tualatin Valley getaway.
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