Grade: Padme’s Paws (Out of 4) My Grade (A to F) C- Hiking the Latourell Falls Loop in Guy W. Talbot State Park is an experience full of stunning sights, physical challenges, and a few unexpected surprises. This 2.85-mile trail offers breathtaking views of waterfalls and the Columbia River Gorge, but it’s not without its hurdles. Whether you’re bringing your furry hiking buddy or exploring solo, this trail has something to offer—but you’ll want to prepare for its quirks. In this review, I’ll share my honest experience hiking this trail with my dog, Padme, a 90-pound Rottweiler/Husky mix, including why it earned a “C-” grade and only 2 out of 4 paws on my dog-friendliness scale. From parking and accessibility to trail highlights and challenges, here’s everything you need to know before lacing up your boots. Trail Stats Parking and Facilities The parking situation is relatively easy, with a small main lot and a smaller overflow area nearby. The good news? There’s no parking fee. The bad news? The lots fill up fast, so arrive early, especially on weekends. The facilities here include pit toilets, but don’t expect luxury. The one I used was less than ideal—let’s just say my Shewee came in handy. While it wasn’t as bad as a poorly maintained port-a-potty, it wasn’t far off. If you’re picky about bathrooms, consider stopping elsewhere before arriving. Why It’s a Great Hike for Dogs—Or Not Let’s talk about Padme’s experience. Unfortunately, this trail didn’t quite hit the mark for her, earning only 2 out of 4 paws. Here’s why: For younger or smaller dogs, this trail might be too strenuous. If you’re bringing a pup, be prepared to carry them on the steeper sections. Why It’s a Great Hike for People: Breathing Hard and Living through the Ups and Downs Despite the challenges for Padme, I found some aspects of this hike personally rewarding. The elevation changes were a satisfying challenge, and the views made the effort worthwhile. The trail starts with a descent to the base of the larger falls, offering a dramatic and up-close view. From there, switchbacks lead up the hill. The evidence of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) adds a historical touch, making the hike feel like a journey through time as well as nature. My favorite part of the hike was a small resting spot where the trail levels out. There’s a bench near a tree with a gorgeous overlook of the valley—a perfect place to catch your breath and take in the scenery. Trail Challenges: What to Watch Out For While the views and historical charm are undeniable, the trail comes with its share of difficulties: Tips for Hiking Latourell Falls with Your Dog If you’re planning to tackle this trail with a four-legged companion, here are some tips to make the experience smoother: Highlights and Memorable Moments One of the standout moments of this hike was seeing a young man dressed as a Viking, complete with a sword, posing at the base of the falls. The misty weather and dramatic backdrop made the scene look like something out of a fantasy novel. Standing at the bottom of the falls, I couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer power and beauty of nature. It’s moments like these that make hiking such a rewarding experience, even when the trail isn’t perfect.

Grade: Padme’s Paws (Out of 4) My Grade (A to F) A Trail Stats Parking – Easy Eagle Fern County Park offers a spacious parking lot with a convenient kiosk to pay the $8 fee. If you prefer, you can use one of the following passes: There’s also a nice bathroom building with flushing toilets and heat, which can be very useful on colder days. Why It’s a Great Hike for Dogs: Exploring Padme’s Favorite Spots This trail is special to me and Padme. It’s where we first began hiking together, and it’s one of the best dog-friendly hikes in Oregon. When we first started coming here, there were several downed trees that you had to get around or over, so she learned how to jump and balance. Also, the first portion of this trail runs parallel to the river, with several places to get down to the water. That’s where I learned that she’s a water dog. The backside of the loop butts up against the hillside, with boulders and thicker vegetation that Padme loves. She learned to climb rocks here and knows exactly where she gets the most snacks for being cute. This trail has two loops—a flat half mile and a second, longer loop that goes up and then back down. When Padme was younger, and even now, we usually stay on the flat loop. This time, we did the longer loop. The elevation changes and the switchbacks were fun for her. She got to do some jumping and climbing, as well as sniff around more. I was excited to give her a new experience in a place she knows so well. Why It’s a Great Hike for People: Exploring Limits and Finding Quiet In the section about stats, I mentioned that I’d explain the difficulty level of this trail. There are two loops that make up this trail. The bottom loop is flat and about a half mile long. It is incredibly easy and beautiful. It is reasonably ADA accessible when no trees have been downed by the weather. Take the babies (fur and otherwise) to this trail! You won’t be disappointed. There’s a longer loop that goes up the hillside, about a mile long. It is steep and not ADA accessible. When I say steep, I don’t mean mountain steep, but it’s steep enough to bother my creaky knees. There is also a portion of the trail where I really wished I had my poles. That being said, I’ve done the flat portion of this trail before and love it. It’s short, so Padme and I usually do the loop a few times to get the mileage. Today, we did the whole trail, and I was pretty proud of myself. I had tried to do the entire loop when we first started coming here a few years ago. I was less fit and heavier then. I did make it up the first set of switchbacks, but it was really painful on my lungs and knees. Even though I thought it was beautiful, I was afraid that there were more climbs ahead and that I couldn’t do it. I was in pain and embarrassed about my lack of abilities, so I didn’t go any further. And I didn’t try again. But today, I did the whole thing. It was a little uncomfortable on my knees, but it was fine otherwise because I’m a lot fitter and stronger now, which is the whole goal of my journey. It made me happy and proud. I try not to regret too much because we are where we are, but as I hiked the upper loop, I wished I had tried again sooner. This loop unlocked so many beautiful sights and views. At this time of year, many of the leaves from the deciduous trees have fallen and cover the trail. This makes the trail a little tricky because it’s slippery and hides how muddy things are. But today, there were just enough yellow leaves dotting the scenery to remind me of being at my grandmother’s house in Tennessee on warm summer nights, watching the lightning bugs buzz around while I fell asleep. As comforting and beautiful as it was at times, the time of year always made itself known. The ground is getting muddier and slipperier. On steep inclines, be careful. Also, toward the end of the trail, before you rejoin the smaller loop, there’s a short, tiny section that makes me laugh. I actually ran into it the one time I tackled the upper loop before, and I hoped to avoid it this time, but no such luck. There’s a spot on the hike where, if I were under 30, I would have just easily hopped down from one level to the next. My hiking shoes have good enough traction to not slip on the rock face that slopes steeply between the two levels. The problem is that I’m of a certain age, there was mud, and I didn’t bring my hiking poles. To get past this one spot, I ended up just scootching down a little. I hate scootching, but I scootched. So, beware or be prepared. And try to enjoy the scootch. Now get out there and take your dog on a hike! Final Thoughts: Why You Should Visit Eagle Fern County Park Loop Trail with Your Dog If you’re looking for a dog-friendly hike in Oregon, Eagle Fern County Park Loop Trail is a fantastic option. Whether you stick to the flat loop or take on the challenge of the upper one, it offers something for everyone. And if you have a dog, this trail is perfect for letting them explore and have fun while you enjoy the scenery. On this hike, I not only conquered the physical challenge but also made lasting memories with Padme. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come since our first visit, and I can’t wait to return again and again. If you’re looking for other dog-friendly hikes in the area,