Dottie's Basecamp was designed with our rescue dog and adventurous lifestyle in mind. We know it'll be the perfect spot for you (and your pup) to relax and unwind between explorations.
We are a short walk to Cowlitz River access, and a short drive to White Pass, Mount Rainier National Park, and just moments from town!
A portion of every stay is donated to a PNW-based no-kill animal rescue organization.
The space
This charming cabin boasts a range of features, including a large front deck, fire pit, three cozy bedrooms, a fun and fully-equipped kitchen, two full bathrooms (one with a large soaking tub), wood stove, Blackstone gas grill, high-speed WiFi, and smart TVs. With easy access to local trails, Mount Rainier National Park, White Pass for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing- you’ll have everything you need to enjoy the great outdoors.
Our cabin is a short drive to the center of Packwood, approximately a 20 minute drive from multiple entrances to Mt. Rainier National Park, and only 30 minutes from White Pass Ski Area. Whether you're looking for hiking, biking, snow sports, or just exploring the Gifford Pinchot with your pup(s), this cabin is in the perfect location.
Lovingly (and completely) renovated in 2022, our basecamp offers plenty of room to unwind. Climate friendly cleaning products are used throughout the home for the safety of you and your animals.
We provide comfortable furnishings, Pacific Northwest-sourced artwork, cozy textiles, and unique decorative elements (check out our collection of fun trinkets around the cabin!) Enjoy our cozy wood-burning stove and central heating on snowy winter mornings, and plenty of outdoor amenities including a fire pit for relaxing evenings under the stars. On a clear night, we have an incredible view of the sky and often the Milky Way!
Dottie's comfortably sleeps up to six. Each bedroom features Early Bird mattresses, high-thread-count 100% cotton sheets, and mixtures of cotton quilts, wool throws, and plush blankets. Because we value comfort, we've also provided throws around the cabin and extra pillows, because what's better than a cozy rainy morning?
The well-equipped kitchen includes everything you need for a warm cup of morning coffee or tea: electric gooseneck kettle, whole bean coffee, an assortment of teas, sugars, honey/agave, and our very own Dottie's Basecamp coffee mugs. All of the amenities you could ask for in your getaway are included: oven, microwave, toaster oven, air fryer, dishwasher, a small cookbook collection, essential cooking spices, and many kitchen necessities to prepare and enjoy a nice meal.
Entertainment options abound, with a large Roku smart TV offering access to Netflix, Hulu, and more (guests will need to use their own accounts to sign in). Board games, cribbage, cards, puzzles, and a curated library featuring Rainier and dog-friendly hiking guides, a few outdoor classics, and a small collection of fun murder mysteries featuring adventurous cats, and other treasures are also provided! Also, please enjoy our recent addition -- an Arcade Machine featuring dozens of classic titles!
We provide chargers, luggage racks, and closet space. We have a Blu-Ray/DVD player and a selection of DVDs. We ask that you lay out the blankets provided if your pup will be on the furniture, and request that you wipe off muddy dog paws with the provided towels at the front door. Please pick up after your pups in the yard.
We welcome your housetrained, spayed/neutered, and well-behaved pets. We ask that puppies or dogs that are not housetrained not visit our space.
Guest access
The entire property (save for a few closets of cleaning supplies and owner essentials) are available to access. The cabin is located on an open 1/2 acre lot with plenty of room for you (and your dog) to enjoy.
We ask that you please not leave your pet inside or outside unattended.
Other things to note
We welcome your housetrained, spayed/neutered, and well-behaved pets. We ask that puppies or dogs that are not housetrained refrain from visiting our space. Damage caused by pets will result in damage fees. Any pets not disclosed at time of booking will result in a charge.
Please bring your own firewood to use in the wood-burning stove or in the outdoor fire pit. There are many places in town where you can purchase all of the firewood you could ever need.
Guests MUST ensure fire is fully extinguished before leaving it unattended. This is a non-negotiable. There is a 5 gallon bucket by the water source to assist with this. Any non-extinguished fires will result in a fine.
Please be mindful of the season. In the summer, burn bans may be in effect. To check on the status of potential burn bans, please visit the Lewis County website, SW Clean Air website, and/or DNR Burn Restrictions websites.
In the winter, the roads may be snow-filled and our driveway may not yet be shoveled, so we recommend planning for snow navigation if traveling to Packwood November - March. The weather can also impact any backcountry plans you may have, so please double check weather patterns before heading out.
While the wi-fi is blazing fast, cell service can be spotty with certain carriers, so we recommend bringing a hard copy or taking screenshots of directions just in case. We use Verizon and have pretty good service to the cabin.
In extreme weather conditions, you may experience short power outages: one of the cons of living in a heavily wooded area. If this does occur, we have an emergency kit provided that includes candles, flashlights, etc.
Forget something? We have a spare hiking pack, dog leashes, and dog waste bags to use while you stay at Dottie's.
We welcome well-behaved and housebroken dogs. We ask that you are mindful of dog hair left behind and we provide a stick vacuum and lint rollers to help. This helps us keep our cleaning fee low and provides a great experience for all future guests.
We do charge a reasonable pet fee. Please let us know at the time of booking that you intend to bring your pet with you so the fee can be included. **Please note that any undisclosed pets will result in a $200 fee.
Security cameras (exterior only) are in place to ensure guest safety and overall security. These are not actively monitored during your stay unless an issue arises, but may be referenced to confirm guest count. There are no interior cameras.
Please review the printed or digital guidebook and reach out to us with any questions!
