Just east of Sacramento, Gold Country towns roll out the red carpet for pups. Spring brings larkspur, lupine and other wildflowers to Auburn State Recreation Area, which has river access and miles of dog-friendly trails. In Placerville, antique shops and shaded cafe patios line Main Street. After hiking the Hirschman Trail near Nevada City, sample wine at a local tasting room.
Follow Gold Country’s scenic byways to find rugged parks with picnic spots and lots of room to run. Look for the Dave Moore Nature Area along Highway 49 in the Coloma-Lotus Valley. A dog-friendly, wheelchair-friendly loop spotlights natural habitats here, along the south fork of the American River. The path also passes two stacked granite boulders known as Mushroom Rock, along with ponderosa pines and magnificent California madrones.
Head down the road to walk through history on old gold mining trails. Leashed dogs are welcome on the paths at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, and they can cool off with a dip in the American River. An on-site visitor center explores the park’s rich past.
The El Dorado Trail stretches about 35 miles between Placerville and Camino, passing the historic El Dorado train depot along the way. Dogs must be leashed as they walk, and you’ll find dog waste bag dispensers along some segments of the trail. Keep an eye out for roadside fruit stands selling fresh snacks for hungry hikers.
