Lodging and camping Blog

The DogTrekker.com research and editorial teams are experts at California dog travel, with great stories about the best lodging and camping places across the state to stay where your dogs are as welcome as you are. Get the scoop on dog-friendly hotels and lodging, from luxury resorts to economical motels, rustic cabins to campgrounds, vacation rentals to B&B’s.

Slivers of silver

South of Lake Tahoe along the Carson Pass corridor, Silver Lake, Caples Lake, and Bear River Reservoir offer fall hiking through golden aspens and forest campgrounds. Pet-friendly cabins at Sorensen's Resort in Hope Valley make a great base for exploring…

Tips and tricks for reserving a dog-friendly campsite

California's best campgrounds book up months ahead, but persistence pays off. From working cancellation windows and first-come sites to trying midweek stays and lesser-known campgrounds run by utility companies, these strategies can land you a summer spot.

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.

What it’s all about, Ralphie?

Wild Blue funds canine cancer research and provides treatment grants to dog owners who can't afford care. Their week-long dog camps at Lake Tahoe raise money while giving you and your pup an unforgettable vacation for a meaningful cause.

Image from Paradise for water dogs on DogTrekker

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.

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…

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.

Dog hike in the lake tahoe woods in fall --ar 169

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

American staffordshire terrier puppy posing outside. — Adobe Images

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.

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…

Cartoon map of california humor. points of doggie

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.

Golden at Midtown Der Biergarten Sacramento.

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.

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.

Cappuccino the Dog is a beloved statue located at the intersection of Alcatraz Avenue and Racine Street in North Oakland. The statue was created by artist Devyon Harrison and represents Cappuccino, a terrier-lab mix.

Discover dog-friendly Oakland: A canine paradise

Oakland is one of the Bay Area's most dog-welcoming cities, with 73 regional parks, off-leash trails in the hills, sunny weather when San Francisco is socked in with fog, and walkable neighborhoods like Rockridge and Temescal lined with dog-friendly patios…

Dog-friendly California destination, photo courtesy of Tahoe Keys Resort

Dog-friendly Tahoe Keys Resort

Tahoe Keys Resort offers dog-friendly cabins, condos, and homes in a 740-acre private marina community with easy lake access. The dog-passionate staff greets canine guests with treats and insider tips on the best hikes and restaurants around South Lake Tahoe.

Dogs, costumes, kids and fun at DogFest Northwest, Jack London Square, Oakland.

You’ll fall for this season’s dog-friendly events

Fall in California brings a wave of dog-friendly events, from the Pismo Beach Corgi Getaway and Berkeley Humane's adopt-a-thon to DogFest Northwest in Oakland, Bark in the Park in San Jose, and Halloween costume contests in Big Bear Village.

AdobeStock_331560756_b_regions-2048x1366 — Adobe Images

Lake Tahoe is a winter wonderland

South Lake Tahoe in winter means cross-country skiing, lakeside walks, and cozy fireplaces shared with your dog. Pet-friendly properties like the Beach Retreat, Fireside Lodge, and Desolation Hotel make the south shore an ideal cold-weather base for snow-season adventures.

Lake Tahoe’s best-in-show dog camp

Wild Blue Dogs hosts an all-inclusive dog camp on Lake Tahoe's Nevada shore, featuring agility classes, nose work, kayaking, and more led by certified trainers. Proceeds support canine cancer research, making this a vacation with real purpose.

Cabins in the woods: Tahoma Meadows and Desolation Hotel

Tahoma Meadows B&B Cottages on Lake Tahoe's West Shore and Desolation Hotel in Hope Valley both welcome dogs warmly and serve as great base camps for winter adventures. Cross-country ski or snowshoe nearby at Meeks Bay, Blackwood Canyon, or the…

Lodging and camping

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Lodging and camping

Lodging and camping

Lodging and camping Blog