Basic Info
The private "Base Camp" 70 acre property leased by Dog Adventures Northwest is part of a larger parcel on the south end of Sauvie Island. The landowner lives in a residence on the property, so we do not share the exact address with clients. (Please get the address from Dog Adventures Northwest by emailing woof@dogadventuresnw.com.)
The land is level, with wide, grassy trails through blackberry bushes. Some of the land is treed, but the majority is meadow. There are two seasonal ponds that dry up in the summer. There is also river access to the public Willamette beach at the far SW corner of the property. When there are no cattle on the front acreage, we occasionally get permission to hike within the additional 50 acres of the property.
There is a cross-fence to separate dogs from cows (as well as impenetrable blackberry bushes). There is also an outer fence around the full perimeter of the entire 120 acre property. The fence is made of wood posts with horizontal, non-barbed wire. Only the wires surrounding the cattle are electrified using a Parmak Mark 8 system. For peace of mind, though dogs shouldn't ever be off-leash around the cattle or fencing, the electricity pulses at a low voltage, so there is absolutely no danger to the dogs in our care, even the tiny ones, even if they are standing in water and pushed up against the fence. Note that Parmak voluntarily conforms to the standards of Underwriter Laboratory, a US safety standard. All of its equipment is fabricated on-site, with thorough reviews every quarter.
The entire private Base Camp property is leased by Dog Adventures Northwest and available to all DANW contractors for free. Contractors are nevertheless not obligated to adventure at Base Camp.
Access
Dog Adventures Northwest leases the Base Camp property from 8am-8pm Monday through Friday, except during hunting season, when hours are slightly altered. We are allowed to have five trainers on the property at any given time. All Base Camp scheduling is done through the SHIFTR app. Contractors are not allowed at the property unless they are scheduled to be there.
As a part of our lease, we must stay at least 25' away from the fence line that borders the private lane and away from the property owner's private residence. Additionally, neighbors have requested that we use the beach to the south of our access point at the far SW corner of the property. See maps for more info.
The neighbors on the east side of the property (white house, just south of the lumberyard) have a big black Lab named Moose. He is not dangerous, but he WILL charge the fence in the mowed area, so it's easier to just avoid that area. Note that Moose really only patrols the part of the fence that is on the mowed part of the property, not the area with long grass on the south side.
Please note that our Base Camp access is entirely above-board, following all local planning and zoning laws. And, as always, Dog Adventures Northwest remains licensed, bonded, and insured.
Parking and Water
Drive past the barn and residence on the right side of the road and take your first right onto Lily Lane, a private road. Take your first right into the parking lot. Upon arrival, please keep all dogs on-leash until you are safely within the property and the gate is latched behind you. Upon departure, please keep all dogs on-leash from the inside of the gate until they are safely buckled into their car restraint systems. Note that there are tether points on the gate for leash management.
A hose is available by the parking area if anyone needs to be hosed down. The water is safe for dogs to drink, but non-potable for humans. If your dogs use the drinking bowls, please rinse and turn upside-down after use.
Visitors
If you would like to bring a guest to Base Camp, please obtain written permission one week ahead of your intended visit.
Note that the property owner allows several of his friends and their German Shorthaired Pointers to hike on the property, and that sharing with them is a condition of our lease. All of the GSPs are appropriate around other dogs.
Hunting
The landowner and his friends hunt on the property at dawn and dusk at prearranged times during OFWD deer and duck hunting seasons. Contractors will not have access to Base Camp during these hours. Plenty of advance notice is given (and verified, for safety).
Risks
The Base Camp property carries many of the same risks as other off-leash hiking locations. There is tall grass, so keep your eye out for ticks and foxtails. The ponds dry out in the summer, so there is not a risk of cyanobacteria on the property, though there is a risk for cyanobacteria in the Willamette. When in doubt, stay out. Dead fish and other wildlife show up regularly on the beach and the property, causing potential salmon poisoning and other parasites. Please see the Safety and Emergency section of the Contractor Portal for more info on these risks and best practices for how to mitigate them.
Rules
NO visiting the property unless you are scheduled.
NO guests allowed without written permission from Dog Adventures Northwest.
NO off-leash dogs outside of fenced area.
Close all gates behind you.
Pack out all waste.
NO poop may be left on the ground, bagged or unbagged. Pick up all poop and carry it with you.