All over the Salem area, hotels know that family getaways mean the whole family—pups included. Here’s how a few are catering to two-legged and four-legged travelers alike.

Just south of downtown Salem, the Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn caters to dogs (and their owners) with a variety of helpful amenities. Dog-friendly rooms are located near exits to allow for easy outdoor access, and a large field next to the hotel gives pups plenty of room to roam. Two dogs, each weighing up to 80 pounds, are allowed in each room.

At the edge of Silverton sits the Oregon Garden Resort, which boasts a slate of dog-friendly rooms. A small patio or terrace gives pups room to relax, while visitors can take their dogs along if they’d like to explore the nearby Oregon Garden—home to more than 20 specialty gardens showcasing the natural beauty of the Willamette Valley and wider Pacific Northwest.

The Independence Hotel, sitting along the Willamette River in downtown Independence, welcomes pets with what it calls the “Very Important Pet (V.I.P.)” experience. Stylish decor, river views, comfortable beds, and thoughtful amenities (like two-person desks) offer plenty to love for pets’ owners—but easy access to the Willamette River Trail and the Independence Community Dog Park (complete with a water station, pet waste station, and separated areas for small and big dogs) make it a hit with dogs as well.

Pups and their human companions alike love the myriad of dog parks around the Salem area. Here are a couple of our favorites.

At more than 1,200 acres, Minto-Brown Island Park is larger than Central Park in New York City. Naturally, with so much space to roam, the park hosts a 30-acre (unfenced) dog park where pups can run free. A water station is provided in warmer months as well.

Nestled at a bend in the Willamette River, the 148-acre Keizer Rapids Park offers something for everyone: a disc golf course, a multi-use path, plenty of picnic tables, and—of course—an off-leash dog park. The park includes two covered shelters for those rainy days and separate areas for dogs of all sizes and energy levels.

The Salem region sits surrounded by rolling hillsides, old-growth oak savannas, and lush farmland—the ideal growing conditions for our award-winning wineries. With so many tasting rooms to explore, it’s no surprise several welcome well-behaved pups with open arms.

Airlie Winery, for instance, is home to far more than great wines. Rocky and Piper are the winery’s resident Irish setters and serve as its "canine ambassadors." The friendly pups might even whisk your dog away for a run through the vineyard or a splash in Airlie's on-site pond.

In South Salem, Cória Estates boasts a spacious patio and grassy area—perfect for not just enjoying views of the surrounding Willamette Valley and Cascade peaks, but for hanging out with your pooch.

Keeler Estate Vineyard hosts a dog-friendly tasting room—but takes its pet-friendly policies to a whole new level with a "Pinot & Puppies" add-on for its wine club members. For an extra $5 per wine allocation (offered three times yearly), dogs can become wine club members themselves; membership includes a gift upon sign-up and an organic dog treat with each allocation; a portion of each membership also benefits Homeward Bound Pets Humane Society—Oregon's first no-kill shelter.

With four estate vineyards growing pinot noir grapes, Cristom Vineyards has long been known for its iconic Oregon wines. But the acclaimed winery also welcomes leashed dogs to its outdoor areas for an easy-going afternoon in the sun.

Salem is surrounded by some of the best farmland in the United States; for proof, look no further than our historic hazelnut orchards, our world-renowned vineyards, and our colorful flower farms. Find the best of that bounty at our local farmers markets, usually happening between April and November—and generally pet-friendly.

Salem Community Markets comprises three separate markets on different days of the week—Saturday, Monday, and Thursday—with each offering fresh, home-grown (and homemade) items from a dozen or more vendors.

The Original Independence Farmers Market, meanwhile, showcases hand-made goods, locally sourced meat, farm-fresh produce, and other artisan items not far from the Willamette River in the heart of Independence.

The Silverton Farmers Market launched in 2002 with items from three farmers—and has since grown into a regional hit, with more than 30 vendors selling a mix of high-quality produce and homemade goods in downtown Silverton.

Before you bring your pet, though, keep in mind that dogs aren’t allowed in booths and must be kept on a leash at all times; additionally, pet waste bags may be available at market information booths to help keep the area clean. And be sure to check with your preferred market before visiting to ensure they are still pet-friendly.

Hiking and walking trails crisscross the Salem area—from urban parks to remote forest destinations. Here are a few dog-friendly outings that’ll give a good workout to two-legged and four-legged hikers alike.

We mentioned Minto-Brown Island Park’s spacious off-leash dog area earlier in this piece, but the park’s hiking and walking trails are also open to leashed pets. In all, roughly 29 miles of trails follow the Willamette River, pass through wide-open wetlands, and duck into lush forests—and can be enjoyed by all.

Nearly 15 miles of trails cover Willamette Mission State Park, the site of the original Willamette Mission (established in 1834), and show off the park's rich natural wonders: the quiet banks of the Willamette River, a 270-year-old black cottonwood tree (the nation's largest), and the bucolic Mission Lake. Leashed pets are welcome on the park’s trails—and can run loose in the park’s off-leash pet area.

Silver Falls State Park is widely (and deservedly) known for the popular Trail of Ten Falls loop hike. And while the famous trail isn't pet-friendly, roughly 35 miles of less-traveled trails within the park can accommodate leashed pets. At the southern edge of the park, the nine-mile Smith Creek Loop Hike takes visitors through a second-growth forest and shows off massive Douglas fir trees that were once the hallmark of this area; even at nine miles, most of the trail’s ascents are gentle and well-graded, making them accessible to fit dogs. An off-leash area is available in the South Falls Day-use Area if your pup still has extra energy after a hike.