The Best Dog-Friendly Nordic Trails in Bend, Oregon
Once the snow covers the Cascades, the number of dog-friendly trails dwindles dramatically, but Wanogo Snow Park is a wonderful exception. Thanks to the volunteers at DogPAC.org, nordic skiers can cruise a nicely groomed figure-8 loop, about two miles total, with dogs romping freely along side. It’s a real dog party at times, so know that the trail conditions are variable after a few hours of romping pups churn up the snow!
The loops are groomed for both skate and cross-country skiing, with an extra side loop of double track grooming. Classic skiers with sturdy edges on their skis can blaze a trail along the ungroomed areas far beyond the groomed loop, following forest roads and snowmobile tracks.
To get there, head west on Century out of Bend for about 15 miles, and watch for the sno-park on your left. The ski area is just across the parking lot from the Wanoga sledding hill. The parking is often jam-packed on weekends, so dogs should be leashed until you hit the trail. At the trailhead, you’ll find dispensers of biodegradable bags to clean up after your dogs and bins to drop them in. Please use them! Skiers appreciate poop-free trails!
Wanoga may possibly be one of the happiest places on earth — all that fresh air and immersion in nature, for dogs and their people. But it doesn’t come free! Grooming those trails requires expensive equipment, maintenence, and most valuable of all, the time donated by a small army of dog lovers. So please don’t ski past the donation box without making a contribution. And if you miss it, make your donation to DogPAC online using the big yellow button in the upper corner!