Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest is open year-round for public recreation and is frequently used for camping, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The forest is nearly 3,500 acres in southern Lake County, California, about 50 miles inland from the Pacific shoreline. CAL FIRE acquired the forest in 1949 after most of the merchantable timber had already been harvested.

The terrain here is gently rolling, bordered by two mountain peaks, with geologically complex exposures of various volcanic rock formations that create an interesting landscape as you move through different elevation zones. The forest is also home to hardwood species such as canyon live oak, black oak, dogwood, and madrone, along with manzanita at lower elevations and mixed conifer forest at upper elevations.

In 2015, the Valley Fire burned through 99% of the forest, killing about 80% of mature trees and 95% of the understory regeneration. What you see today reflects the active recovery happening across the landscape. Reforestation efforts have included salvage logging operations and planting of over 700,000 tree seedlings of species such as Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir. The newer growth is creating different hiking conditions than you might expect in an established forest—more open sightlines in some areas, younger trees establishing themselves in others.

Dogs need to stay leashed and under control throughout your visit. This is important not just for other visitors and wildlife, but because hunting is permitted here under state game laws, especially during hunting season. The mixed terrain means you could encounter hunters in various parts of the forest, so wearing bright colors and keeping your dog close is essential for safety.

The gently rolling character makes this accessible for dogs of varying fitness levels, though the volcanic rock terrain can be tough on paws, so check conditions before heading out and consider bringing water for longer outings.