Hiking, parks, gardens Blog
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!
The splashy side of Placer County
Placer County is full of dog-friendly water fun, from rafting the American River and fishing at French Meadows Reservoir to kayaking on Lake Tahoe. Folsom Lake and Sugar Pine Reservoir also welcome leashed pups for swimming, hiking, and boating.
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Here’s where to SNO-Park
California's 18 Sierra Nevada SNO-PARKs offer plowed parking and access to groomed trails for skiing, snowshoeing and hiking with your dog. Daily or seasonal permits are available online, and your pup is welcome to romp on every trail.
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Tails from Tahoe: The Tunnel Creek Cafe
DogTrekker Laura M. shares her experience at the Tunnel Creek Cafe near Lake Tahoe, where the staff welcomed her two dogs like family. After hiking up the hill, they enjoyed lunch at this genuinely dog-loving spot.
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Crystal blue perfection
Long Lake near Soda Springs is a crystal-clear swimming hole ringed by granite slabs with Devils Peak as a backdrop. A short hike from Cascade Lakes gets you there, and on weekdays you may have it to yourself.
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Romp ‘n’ roll at a SNO-park
California's 19 Sno-Park sites offer plowed parking and trails for skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking with your dog across the Sierra. Daily permits cost five dollars, and your California pass also works in Oregon and Idaho. Popular picks include Blackwood Canyon…
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Cooper loved to travel
Cooper the Lab mix lived ten adventure-packed years as an avid DogTrekker, from winery visits at Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma to Shirley Canyon hikes at Palisades Tahoe and beach romps at Fort Funston. His owner Niki shares how DogTrekker shaped…
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Kick and glide with Fido at your side
Several Lake Tahoe cross-country ski resorts welcome dogs on groomed trails. Tahoe Donner offers eight dog-friendly routes plus fire-pit relaxation after your run, while Tahoe Cross Country and Kirkwood sell doggy day passes for their own designated trail networks.
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Lake Tahoe fall fun
Fall in Tahoe means golden aspens, glassy lake mornings, and thinning crowds. Base yourself in Truckee for the best leaf color and trail access, chase reflections at Spooner Lake, and enjoy shoulder-season dining before the short window of peak color…
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Paw your way to High Camp
Palisades Tahoe's dog-friendly aerial tram whisks you and your pup 2,000 feet up to High Camp, where hiking trails wind through wildflower meadows and down Shirley Canyon. Four-legged hikers ride free, and food awaits at both ends.
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Strap on the snowshoes: Dog-friendly snowshoeing in Tahoe
Echo Lakes near Highway 50 is one of the best dog-friendly snowshoe spots in the Sierra, with flat frozen lakes, stunning mountain scenery, and trails for all levels. Other top Tahoe-area options include Page Meadow, Fallen Leaf Lake Trail, and…
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Spring forward at Lake Tahoe
Spring is Tahoe's overlooked shoulder season, and that's exactly why it works so well with a dog. Snow melts off the lower trails, crowds vanish, and the lake shifts through shades of blue while meltwater-fed rivers run fast through pine…
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Reserving a camping spot for Spot
Booking a dog-friendly campsite in California takes planning, especially at popular coastal and mountain spots that fill up months ahead. Here is a guide to reservation resources, strategies for snagging last-minute cancellations, and tips for scoring first-come sites on weekends.
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Lake Tahoe: Winter fun with your dog
Winter in North Lake Tahoe brings fewer crowds, deep snow, and a landscape made for long walks with your dog. From Truckee's gritty main street to Kings Beach's quiet shoreline and Tahoe City's groomed Nordic trails, each community offers its…
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Tails in Tahoe
Fall at Lake Tahoe means golden aspens, cooler trails, and thinner crowds. From easy lakeshore strolls at Kiva Beach and the Rainbow Trail at Taylor Creek to backcountry routes into Desolation Wilderness, the hiking options with your dog are practically…
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Visit California’s dog-friendly SNO-Parks
California's 18 SNO-Parks offer affordable winter access to stunning Forest Service lands for snowshoeing, sledding, cross-country skiing, and even skijoring with your dog. A season pass costs just $40 and covers all locations from November through May.
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This snow season, sample California’s best
From SNO-Parks and Big Bear Lake to Lake Tahoe and Mammoth, California delivers serious winter fun for dogs and their people. Snowshoe through national forest, sled powder-covered meadows, and retreat to pet-friendly cabins and lodges across the Sierra Nevada.
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Romantic retreats worth woofing about
February calls for a romantic alpine getaway for three. Lake Tahoe offers dog-friendly luxury at the Ritz-Carlton Northstar with plush dog beds and Yappy Hours, cozy rustic charm at Fireside Lodge, and stunning cabin retreats in Mammoth Lakes and nearby…
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California’s best dog-friendly sports bars
Catch the big game with your dog at these 10 California sports bars, from Riddick's in Redding to spots in Big Bear, Fort Bragg and South Lake Tahoe. Few things are better than catching the big game with good friends…
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Over hill and dale in El Dorado County
El Dorado County's Apple Hill region is more than orchards and pie. Seven dog-friendly wineries and a brewery line the Wine Trail, with tasting rooms that welcome pups and shaded picnic areas overlooking the rolling hills near the American River…
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California’s top tail-wagging destinations: Adventure awaits
A south-to-north road trip through California's best dog-friendly destinations, from Ocean Beach in San Diego and Runyon Canyon in LA to Big Bear Lake, Carmel Beach and beyond. Each stop pairs off-leash fun with pet-welcoming hotels and cafes.
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48 hours of tail-wagging fun in Sacramento
A weekend itinerary for Sacramento with your dog, from Saturday morning walks in Capitol Park and mural hopping in Midtown to Sunday brunch at dog-friendly patios, off-leash parks, and a River Fox Train ride that welcomes pups.
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Last call for Tahoe snowshoeing
Late March and early April bring ideal conditions for snowshoeing with your dog around Lake Tahoe. The Echo Lakes Sno-Park at 7,500 feet is a favorite starting point, with trails winding through pine forest and along frozen lakeshores toward the…
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Got some dog-gone good photos? You could win $500!
DogTrekker's Go California Photo Contest offers 12 prizes, including two $500 grand prizes. Snap your dog enjoying California's beaches, lakes, parks, and trails, then submit your best shots by September 30 and vote for your favorites to help them win.
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Wild Blue canine camp is calling!
Wild Blue Dogs hosts weeklong sleepaway camps on the shores of Lake Tahoe for you and your pup. The all-inclusive experience features hikes, swims, campfires and training, and every dollar raised goes toward canine cancer treatment and research.
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