Continuing our theme of making Take Paws a showcase for people having fun traveling with their pets, today we have a guest post from Katie Heaverlo. Katie’s taking us on a pet friendly tour of Washington’s Yakima Valley Wine Country, so fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride!  

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Free time is a rare commodity these days, especially for dog owners who have tight schedules with work, family and playing fetch with the four-legged family member. So don’t go running round looking for Yakima Valley wineries that welcome pets. The following are a few great places for your dogs:

Sleeping Dog Wines

At Sleeping Dog Wines you’ll find a small production winery that thrives on its simplistic style. Hand-picked grapes are monitored through every detail of the wine making process to ensure the optimal product for each vintage. Spread out your lunch on a picnic table overlooking the Yakima River while enjoying a bottle of Tail Wagger. Sleeping Dog Wines is inspired by four legged companions as the dog theme carries throughout. Aurora, the canine valet, will welcome well behaved pets and humans.

Wilridge Vineyards & Naches Heights Vineyard

Although canines have a leash requirement at Wilridge Vineyards and Naches Heights Vineyard the tasting experience can easily turn into an outdoor adventure. The Cowiche Canyon Nature Preserve trail begins in the vineyard and angles itself down about a half mile to the canyon floor. The trail is perfect for stretching Fido’s legs while being surrounded by scenic wildlife and Basalt and Andesite rock formations. After the hike relax on the lawn and soak in the scenery while sipping a glass of wine.

Cherry Wood Bed, Breakfast & Barn

A western adventure awaits humans and canine alike at Cherry Wood Bed, Breakfast & Barn. Roughing it becomes luxurious with these teepee accommodations that include a dog bed. Wine tours by horseback are available or hop in the hay wagon (the cowboy limo) for an old fashioned good time. As animal lovers themselves, the owners have been known to rescue dogs as well as horses in need of caring homes and created the Canine and Wine Walk to raise funds for a local dog rescue organization. At this annual May event, attendees can walk with a canine companion through the vineyards and orchards to participating wineries and bond with other like-minded individuals.

Yakima Greenway

The Yakima Greenway is a 15 mile paved pathway that parallels the Yakima River. Dogs must be on a leash while walking or running with their owners and there is access to an off-leash dog park at the Sherman Park location along the pathway. This path system is easily accessible from downtown Yakima and provides parks and natural areas to engage in healthy outdoor activities.  The Greenway facilities are free and open to the public 365 days a year, from dawn to dusk.