Blog stories about the best dog-friendly hikes, parks and gardens.

Hiking, Parks and Gardens – can you say happy dog? DogTrekker has you covered with some great stories about the best hikes, parks and gardens for you. Whether you are looking for a quiet stroll through the park or an adventurous hike to a remote location, we have something for everyone. From the great outdoors to urban adventures, we’ve got it all covered. So don’t forget your pup when planning your next adventure – DogTrekker is here to help! Happy trails!

Here’s where to SNO-PARK

welsh corgi dog running outdoors in the snow

Wondering where to go to the snow with Rover? Start with a look at the DogTrekker SNO-PARKS page and map identifying just-off-the-highway sites maintained and administered by California State Parks, Caltrans, the U.S Forest Service, California Highway Patrol and various community organizations. Read more.

San Diego bound

Lily Pond at Balboa Park, San Diego.

In San Diego County, it’s a dog life when it comes to hiking, beaching, dining and sharing a hotel room with your pup. Read more.

Set the scene in Santa Cruz County

Wilder keeping it super cool in Santa Cruz. Photo by Celeste Cesena.

Just a short hop south of the Bay Area, Santa Cruz County is diverse and exceedingly dog-friendly. Read more.

Hiking hills and Headlands

Tolay Lake Regional Park. Photo by Harminder Dhesi.

Every good bird deserves watching at Bodega Bay, and the 1.2-mile Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail is a great venue for walking your dog while sharpening your identification skills. Read more.

Sonoma County trippin’

stone courtyard with fountain at Hotel Petaluma

Hotel Petaluma. Photo by Hotel Petaluma.

When’s the last time you explored these Sonoma County gems with your four-legged friend? Read more.

Paws to the Redding paths

Whether you go all out for a strenuous hike or prefer a walk on the mild side, there’s no shortage of DogTrekking options in a region blanketed by national forests and other public lands. Read more.

Snouts out the window

happy bully breed dog with head out window of car

Photo by Andrew Pons.

Fall is a great time for a scenic-drive vacation, and it would be hard to find more options than in the Shasta Cascade region, which boasts 12 designated scenic byways, each with its own intrinsic qualities. Read more.

Climb (or drive) every mountain

Buddy and friend on Lake Shasta. Photo by Michael Brown.

On a clear day, 14,179-foot-high Mount Shasta comes into view just north of Sacramento as you make the trip up Interstate 5. Read more.

Take a hike with DogTrekker

No matter where you are camping in California, DogTrekker.com’s free mobile app is your guide to dog-friendly hiking. Read more.

See more on Highway 4

dog stands in shallow water of river bank

Photo by Dayne Topkin.

Highway 4 in Calaveras and Alpine counties is one of our favorite routes for a summer road trip, offering way too many attractions and diversions for a mere weekend. Read more.

Gotta lake it

Mother and daughter with a dog resting on a pier looking at lake

Summertime and the livin’ is easy…as long as you’re on a lake. Heading up to Gold Country, you’ll find lots of places to dip your paws no matter which road you take. Here are some of our favorite splash spots in the Sierra foothills. Read more.

Get your buttes in gear

two beagles in rowboat with Sierra Buttes behind

Cricket and Splash boating on Sardine Lake. Photo by Jessica Bay, @littlehounddog.

The Lakes Basin Recreation Area straddles Plumas and Sierra counties about 70 miles north of Lake Tahoe. It's truly a land of lakes, with more than four dozen pools Read more.

Take a walk on the wave side

DogTrekkers who live inland know they’re never far from Sweatshirt Land. So when the mercury climbs, those in the know leash up their pups and head for the coast, making base camp in unhurried towns like Benicia, Pacifica, Point Reyes Station (gateway to the national seashore) or Half Moon Bay, all of which are well appointed with hiking trails. Our most recent weekend away was to Read more.

Roam among giants

Sniffing out redwoods in the Sierras. Photo by Jessica Bay.

We’re all familiar with giant sequoias, those massive, awe-inspiring sentinels of the forest found only on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. The most famous groves (Mariposa and Grant) are in Yosemite and Sequoia national parks, respectively—and unfortunately, dogs are not welcome on the trails leading through them. Read more.

SLO trekking with your dog

San Luis Obispo coast. Photo by Visit California.

San Luis Obispo is a great jumping-off place for DogTrekkers who'd like to visit Paso Robles wine country or romp on a beach. Read more.

A fine find in Gold Country

Photo by Jessica Bay.

The Sierra Nevada foothills, with their quaint, Gold Rush-era towns and growing portfolio of wineries, are a joy to explore with a four-legged companion. Read more.

Tiptoe through the tulips in Davis

pomeranian dog sitting in front of red tulips

Photo by Julia Edbrooke.

Sometimes a lovely May day beckons with a leisurely stroll, rather than a full-on hike. For DogTrekkers who enjoy spring blooms, Read more.

Shasta wanderland

Photo by Pille Kirsi.

May is prime hiking time in the Shasta Cascade region around Redding, where Mount Shasta (14,161 feet) and Mount Lassen (10,463 feet) rise like giant snow cones from the rugged landscape. Read more.

New park for Ranger

a view of Yosemite Valley with mountains in the background.

Ranger at Yosemite National Park. Photo Credit: Lisa Hernandez Ranger, a handsome nine-month old chocolate Labrador, camped for the first time in Yosemite. Ranger's people let us know that he had a great time frolicking in the river and going for long walks. Read more.

Dogs at Yosemite National Park

Yosemite falls with mirrored reflection in flooded valley

Photo by Mick Haupt.

Yes, you can and should have your dog tag along on your next visit to Yosemite National Park, even though park rules restrict canine companions almost exclusively to campgrounds and paved roads and trails. There’s enough to see (and sniff) for both of you to stay engaged for least a couple of days—and this winter’s heavy precipitation brings the added advantage of budding gr Read more.