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!
Paradise in the park: The Redwoods in Yosemite
The Redwoods In Yosemite offers over 110 vacation rentals inside the national park, with more than two dozen welcoming dogs. Each cabin features a full kitchen, outdoor deck, and easy access to pup-friendly trails right outside your door.
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Relax on the river: Yosemite View Lodge
Family-owned Yosemite View Lodge sits along the Merced River just two miles from the park entrance. With pet-friendly rooms, river-view balconies, dog-friendly walking paths, indoor pools, and an on-site cocktail lounge, it makes an ideal base for any season.
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Ruffing it in Yosemite
Winter in Yosemite means quiet trails, frosty landscapes, and pup-friendly fun around every bend. Leashed dogs are welcome on paved roads and paths throughout the valley, and nearby lodges offer dog-friendly rooms perfect for warming up after a day of…
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What to do near Wawona and The Redwoods
Wawona is a quieter side of Yosemite with dog-friendly trails, giant sequoias, and the historic Yosemite History Center. The Redwoods In Yosemite offers pet-friendly vacation rentals just five miles from the south gate, surrounded by towering trees.
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Spring in Yosemite: Spectacular waterfalls!
Spring brings spectacular waterfalls to Yosemite, and several of the best are accessible to leashed dogs. Bridalveil Fall and Lower Yosemite Falls offer easy paved paths with stunning views, while nearby Mariposa County has plenty of dog-friendly places to stay.
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Four-day Yosemite Mariposa County dog-friendly itinerary
This four-day itinerary covers the best of dog-friendly Yosemite Mariposa County, from historic Mariposa town strolls and paved valley hikes to hidden gems like the Wawona Meadow Loop Trail and the dramatic granite-walled reservoir at Hetch Hetchy.
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Bone appétit: Dog-friendly dining in Yosemite Mariposa County
After a day exploring Yosemite Mariposa County, you and your dog will have earned a good meal. Pup-friendly restaurants along the way serve everything from craft beer and burgers to farm-to-table plates and steaming bowls of ramen.
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Your dog’s California bucket list!
Five California towns every dog should visit at least once: Carmel-by-the-Sea for off-leash beach bliss, Mendocino for coastal trails, South Lake Tahoe for mountain adventures, Santa Barbara for elegant seaside strolls, and one more surprise.
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Dip into Tahoe’s lake lifestyle
Lake Tahoe's summer scene includes dog-friendly beaches on the north shore, scenic waterfront paths and seasonal camps by Wild Blue Dogs that combine canine activities with nonprofit fundraising. Pups can swim, hike and socialize all season long.
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High Sierra escapes from Sacramento
From Sacramento, you can reach Lake Tahoe's alpine beaches and mountain parks in about two hours. Let pups splash at Kiva Beach, hike Van Sickle Bi-State Park, paddle Echo Lakes or grab a post-hike pint at FiftyFifty Brewing in Truckee.
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Canine cool: Wild Blue Dogs summer camp
Wild Blue Dogs Summer Camp at Lake Tahoe offers a week of activities, training, and beach time with your dog while supporting canine cancer research. Private beach access and pup-friendly lodging round out the experience.
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Dog-friendly Lake Tahoe: Why your dog will thank you
Lake Tahoe is a dream for dogs and their people, with pristine beaches, mountain trails and pet-friendly lodging from South Lake to quieter spots like Tahoma. Here's how to plan the perfect Tahoe trip with your pup.
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Sno much fun, on a shoestring budget
California's SNO-Parks offer budget-friendly winter fun for you and your dog. For as little as $15 a day, enjoy skiing, sledding, snowshoeing and romping through snowdrifts at 18 sites scattered across the Sierra from Sierra County to Mammoth Lakes.
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Peak fun for pups and people in Plumas County
Plumas County sits between Mount Lassen and Lake Tahoe, with national forest covering over 75% of the land. Dogs can hike canyons and ridges, splash in Lake Almanor, explore charming Quincy and enjoy pet-friendly lodges and breweries throughout the county.
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Top dog-friendly beaches in California
California's coastline is full of amazing dog-friendly beaches. Fort Funston and Baker Beach in San Francisco, Montara State Beach, Kiva Beach at Lake Tahoe, and Carmel Beach are favorites where pups can run and play.
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Moving south in the Eastern Sierra
Mono Lake's otherworldly tufa towers and Lee Vining's gateway to Yosemite's Tioga Road highlight this stretch of the Eastern Sierra. Don't miss the Saddlebag Lake Loop Trail or the famous Whoa Nellie Deli, where road food reaches gourmet heights.
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When and where to go in the Eastern Sierra
The Eastern Sierra is a year-round playground for dogs, but fall steals the show. Late September through mid-October brings California's best foliage, with golden aspens lining streams beneath granite peaks along Highway 395.
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And SNO it goes
California's 19 Sno-Parks offer affordable plowed parking and trail access for skiing, snowshoeing and sledding with your dog. At just five dollars a day, these snow-zone playgrounds stretch from Sierra County to Mammoth Lakes, with favorites clustered around Lake Tahoe.
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Dog-friendly adventures along Highway 395 to Mammoth Lakes
Highway 395 along the Eastern Sierra serves up stunning scenery, dog-friendly trails around Convict Lake and Mono Lake, cross-country skiing near Mammoth Lakes and even a genuine ghost town at Bodie State Historic Park.
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Winter wanderings in Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe in winter offers dogs and their people cross-country skiing on groomed trails, snowshoeing through meadows and lakeside hikes when the snow line is high. Here are our favorite ways to play with your pup at the lake.
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DogTrekker® 15th anniversary
DogTrekker.com celebrates 15 years of helping California dog lovers travel together, supporting animal welfare groups and inspiring millions of readers since launching in June 2011. DogTrekker.com launched 15 years ago, guided by a mission to leave no dog behind --…
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Dog-friendly Lake Tahoe beaches: Your ultimate summer guide
From Carnelian Bay coffee shops to secluded coves on the Nevada side, here is your guide to the best dog-friendly beaches at Lake Tahoe. Both shores offer sandy spots where your pup can splash all summer long.
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Reserving a camp spot for Spot
Planning a camping trip with your dog? Here are key resources for reserving sites in California, plus tips for snagging last-minute spots at popular coastal and mountain campgrounds that often book out six months in advance.
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On the way to Yosemite: East entrance
The drive to Yosemite through the east entrance via Highway 120 and scenic Highway 395 is a destination in itself. Mono Lake, Lee Vining, and the off-leash trails around Saddlebag Lake offer stunning Sierra scenery your dog can actually enjoy.
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