Nevada County
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Western Gateway Park in Penn Valley includes a great dog park
A dog-friendly destination is more than one that simply allows dogs — it is one that welcomes them! Dogs don't want to be left behind to keep the home fires burning. They happily prance and wag their tails to the question they long to hear, "Do you want to go?” Nevada County offers much for dogs traveling with their famiIies...miles and miles of walking trails and open space, evergreen trees and fall colors and best of all are the great outdoor smells. While on the leash dogs love to stroll through the historic towns of Grass Valley, Nevada City and Truckee, the historic state parks and friendly wineries. For those dogs that really need to stretch their legs ... two off-leash dog parks offer exhilarating run-free romps and an opportunity for canine social hours. And when it’s time to relax comfortable campsites or lodging awaits the dog traveling with his family.
Video: Sierra Snapshots - Dog-friendly Nevada County
All Roads Lead to Nevada County!
Brimming in history, culture and outdoor recreation, Nevada County offers an authentic California travel experience that is sure to delight and inspire each and every visitor.
Name Game
The county was created in 1851 and was named after the mining town of Nevada City, a name originally derived from the term “Sierra Nevada.” Interestingly, this California county adopted the Nevada moniker (which means “snowy” in Spanish) a full 10 years before the neighboring state took ownership of the name.
Explore the Spirit of California
Naming confusion aside, perhaps the biggest conundrum that visitors face in this fascinating 978-square mile county is where to start! With a foundation built upon the compelling Gold Rush and immigrant experiences, the entire region is now a cornucopia of recreational opportunities, arts and culture, interesting
special events, a growing wine industry and exceptional
dining options that will please even the most discerning tastes.
Nevada County’s Destinations
Nevada County is home to three distinct downtown areas – Nevada City, Grass Valley and Truckee. Each of these fascinating towns offers its own unique interpretation of the Sierra Nevada story. From world-class
skiing and snowboarding to mountain biking, Truckee offers stellar year-round outdoor fun coupled with historic sites ripe for exploration. Nevada City exudes a creative fun-loving spirit in its downtown shops and restaurants, enchanting Victorian Christmas events and galleries. Offering small town charm incarnate, Grass Valley is the hub of the emerging Nevada County wine industry and boasts a Center for the Arts, which hosts big city talent.
Visit Nevada County
There’s nothing like an old-style cabin to impart a sense of place at Lake Tahoe. We have a few dog-friendly favorites, starting with
Tahoma Meadows Bed & Breakfast Cottages on Tahoe's West Shore, a semi-secret place that has developed a loyal following among outdoorsy couples and families traveling with their four-legged friends.
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A body of crystal-clear water ringed by granite slabs—how Sierra perfect is that? Long Lake, in the Tahoe National Forest's Serene Lakes group off the Soda Springs exit on Interstate 80, is a favorite summertime destination for families that count dogs as members. Get there early on weekends to claim a perch from which you can throw sticks to Rover all day.
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When it comes to Northern California hikes that combine scenery, history and wildflowers, not much can trump South Yuba River State Park near the town of Penn Valley in Nevada County.
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Easy access to areas where you can sled, ski and snowshoe without paying a fee can be difficult to find—unless you take advantage of the Sno-Parks program operated by California State Parks in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service, CalTrans and various community organizations.
The program provides access to plowed parking areas in 19 Sno-Park locations in the Sierra Nevada, most of them in the Tahoe Basin. Some lots are merely places to ditch your vehicle while you bushwhack into the woods, but many offer access to groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, snowmobile trails, and sledding hills for families. Daily permits, $5, or seasonal permits, $25, are available online, and you can also buy them from vendors in the Bay Area, at Tahoe and along the Interstate 80 and Highway 50 corridors. Rover is allowed to romp at any Sno-Park area, although officially, he must be on a leash.
Dogs love clambering over the reconstructed wooden flumes that make the South Yuba River Independence Trail in Nevada County so unique. And it's OK for their people to go slow, as this is truly a trail for all, from wheelchair users to hard-body hikers who use it as a jumping-off point for more strenuous pursuits. Go west from the trailhead for about a mile to encounter the highlight, a 520-foot-long switchback ramp leading to a scenic swimming hole where Rover can splash while you dip your feet. The east branch of the trail features ravine-bridging flumes and dizzying views.