Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Usk, WA
South Skookum Lake Campground permits pets throughout its lakeside sites nestled in thick trees that provide privacy between campsites. The consistently clean vault toilets and well-maintained fire rings make this location popular with dog owners seeking a quieter outdoor experience. Most pet-friendly sites in the Usk area feature designated fire pits and picnic tables where campers and their dogs can relax together. Browns Lake Campground allows pets year-round and offers moderately secluded campsites that accommodate both tents and RVs. The campground's mile-long trail around the lake provides excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with a special cedar grove that many campers with pets enjoy visiting.
Leashed pets can explore the hiking trails surrounding South Skookum Lake, where the loop trail takes approximately 45 minutes to complete and offers wildlife viewing opportunities. Dogs swimming in Browns Lake enjoy the calm, clear water, though the 10-foot slope to reach the water features roots and weeds rather than a sandy beach. Cooks Lake provides more primitive options with approximately six dispersed sites that permit pets, though the six-mile gravel road access requires careful navigation especially with trailers. During summer months, the lake temperatures remain comfortable for dogs to swim, with tadpoles, turtles, and small water snakes visible in the shallows. Bears are present in the region, so proper food storage containers are essential when camping with pets at any of these locations.