For many of us, our dogs are more than companions—they’re adventure buddies. Hiking with your dog offers exercise, mental stimulation, and a chance to deepen the bond you share on the trail. While leash laws and trail etiquette should always be respected, there are times and places where allowing your dog to roam free in nature is not only safe, but essential for their well-being.

Active breeds—like Collies, Shepherds, Huskies, wolf mix breeds and many retrievers—are built for movement. These dogs thrive when they can stretch their legs, sprint through the forest, and follow their noses down winding paths. A standard daily walk isn’t enough to meet their physical and mental needs. Off-leash time allows them to burn energy naturally, strengthening muscles and improving cardiovascular health while also reducing anxiety and restlessness at home.

Equally important is the mental stimulation they gain from off leash experiences. Forest environments are rich with scents, textures, and sounds that keep a dog’s brain engaged. Off-leash exploration taps into their instincts, offering enrichment that leashed walks often can’t provide. A tired, satisfied dog is also less likely to develop behavioral issues caused by pent-up energy.

Of course, responsible off-leash hiking requires preparation. Dogs should have solid recall training, be under voice control at all times, and stay respectful of wildlife, other hikers, and the environment. Choosing appropriate trails where off-leash use is permitted ensures a positive experience for both your pup and the people you encounter along the way. Below you will find 10 great trails for you and your active breed to explore throughout the year.

Oakridge area:

Alpine Trail to Buckhead Shelter:

11.5 miles round trip, 2,376 feet of elevation gain

The Alpine Trailhead is located at the edge of the town of Westfir and travels steeply uphill through a beautiful mixed forest with lush understory. This trail offers views of the valley created by the Middle Fork Willamette River, as well as a glimpse of Diamond Peak. You can make this hike any length you want to, but if you go to Buckhead Shelter, it is a total of 11.5 miles roundtrip. Make sure to bring lots of water for your pup, since there are no natural water sources along the way.

Deception Butte:

9.2 miles round trip, 2,650 feet elevation gain

Located just before the town of Oakridge, this is such an amazing hike! Even though the trailhead is right off of Highway 58, the trail is not heavily trafficked and it has so much to offer. During the spring (April and early May), you will see a plethora of wildflowers lining the trail. In the autumn the foliage is golden, a great contrast with the blackened trees from the 2014 Deception Butte Fire. The first 1.5 miles are along Deception Creek, before the trail climbs steeply up to the top of Deception Butte, where you will be greeted with an epic view towards the east.

Middle Fork Willamette Trail: 30 miles one way with 8 trailheads in between to do shorter sections

This National Recreation Trail is located south of Oakridge and offers a total of 30 miles of trail from the bottom trailhead at Sand Prairie Campground all the way up to Timpanogas Lake. The trail is wonderful for dogs because it not only travels along the river, it also crosses many small creeks along the way so there is never a shortage of water and spots to cool down.

Roaming. Photo courtesy of Mike Norton (@nortonsworld on Instagram)

McKenzie area:

East Fork Trail: 11.5 miles round trip, 2,275 feet elevation gain

This trail is located just off of Cougar Reservoir and takes you through a stunning forest and along the East Fork South Fork McKenzie River. Unfortunately there is a bridge out near the East Fork Lower Trailhead (although the river could be crossed in late summer due to lower water levels), so it is recommended that you start at the Upper Trailhead and do an out and back hike. This hike is absolutely stunning and a great option especially in the winter when a lot of other places are under snow.

Taking in the view. Photo courtesy of Mike Norton (@nortonsworld on Instagram)

Chucksney Mountain Loop: 10.1 mile loop with 2,100 feet elevation gain

Located directly between Westfir/Oakridge and Blue River, this hike lies deep in the heart of the Willamette National Forest and is truly a hidden gem. The trail begins at Box Canyon Horse Camp and takes you up through old growth forest to hilltop meadows covered in wildflowers during the summer months. There is a great viewpoint of the Three Sisters and Broken Top, before the loop trail takes you back down. On this side of the loop the trail is lined with huckleberries that are ripe in mid-August. Make sure to bring some extra water for your pup, since there are only two natural water sources along the way.

MacDuff Mountain: 10 miles round trip, 2,760 feet elevation gain

Hiking near Cougar Reservoir is a wild and stunning experience. This trail is perfect for those who aren’t afraid of a little elevation gain and the view from the top is definitely worth the climb! Stunning rock formations along the way will enhance your experience, and the forest that you hike through is ever changing, from lush ferns and mushrooms near the bottom, to large rhododendron bushes as the understory, closer to the top. The summit offers close up views of the Three Sisters, the Husband, Mount Washington, Three Fingered Jack and even Mount Jefferson.

Lower parts of the McKenzie River Trail: Up to 13.1 miles one way with up to 1,421 feet elevation gain

The upper parts of the McKenzie River Trail encompass Blue Pool, Sahalie and Koosah Falls and Clear Lake, all three of which are extremely busy areas year-round, so it is not recommended to hike the upper section with your off leash pup. The lower section of the McKenzie River Trail is not as busy but still very beautiful and you can choose from four different trailheads, which also allows you to do as many or as little miles as you want. The trail is riverside and there are creeks along the way, making it a nice cool experience even in the hotter summer months.

Sweet Home/Santiam area:

Gordon Lakes: 7 miles round trip with 1,380 feet elevation gain

This underrated gem is located east of Sweet Home. This is not only a wonderful hike in late spring/early summer to see some wildflowers, it is a really great autumn hike and you will likely not see a single person here. The trail takes you through a forest of large old growth trees, up to beautiful open Gordon Meadows. In the fall you can find lots of mushrooms lining the trail. If you are hiking in the summer or fall, besides Gordon Lakes at the beginning of the hike, there are no other water sources along the way. During the early season there is seasonal Boulder Creek, which is about 1.8 miles up the trail towards the meadows.

Santiam Wagon Road: 9.7 miles one way with 3 trailheads in between to do shorter sections

The Santiam Wagon Road, especially the lower section is a trail less traveled but offers miles and miles of great sniffing and exploring for your pups. With some access to the South Santiam River and lots of creeks along the way, this is a great hike to do in all four seasons. The only trailhead that will be on the busier side is the House Rock trailhead in the summer, because there is a campground there, as well as a great swimming hole.

Crescent Mountain: 9.3 miles round trip with 2,350 feet elevation gain

Crescent Mountain Trail is a beautiful hike along the Old Cascade Crest featuring mountain vista views and wildflowers in the summertime. The first 1.2 miles of the hike are almost entirely flat as the trail meanders through a beautiful dense forest. Once you cross Maude Creek (this is the only water source along the trail) the easy part of the hike is over and the trail starts gaining some elevation. From the top of Crescent Mountain you will have epic views of the Three Sisters, Mount Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Mount Jefferson and even Mount Hood!

Franziska Adair is an avid hiker, writer, and owner of Hike Oregon, a website dedicated to providing accurate beta on hikes in Oregon and beyond. More info about many of the hikes seen here can been found in her book “52 more hikes for 52 more weeks” and on her website, hikeoregon.net.

Additionally: All of the dogs in the photographs for this story are up for adoption at Crux Pet Adoptions, the perfect place to meet your new adventure companion! To view all of their Adopotable Dogs, visit cruxpetadoptions.com

Hiking With Your Dog: Why Off-Leash Time Matters for Active Breeds