Within Henry Cowell Redwood State Park near Felton, the Graham Hill Trail offers a moderate hike that works well for dogs who can handle some elevation change. The route starts through oak scrub before opening into the kind of dense redwood forest where the temperature drops noticeably even on warm days—something your dog will appreciate on a summer afternoon.

The trail follows Powder Mill Creek for a stretch, then descends steeply down the Buckeye Trail to reach the San Lorenzo River bottom. During dry months the river may be minimal, but the shaded canopy keeps things cool regardless. The sandy single track holds up reasonably well after rain, so this isn’t a muddy mess even when conditions are wet. Your dog will navigate the terrain fine, though the descent is real and the climb back out requires effort from both of you.

Bring more water than you think you’ll need. There’s no reliable water source along the way, and even in cooler months the combination of elevation gain and the effort of hiking with a dog adds up. The park requires dogs to stay leashed throughout, which is enforced and worth respecting—you’ll encounter other hikers and the ecosystem here has enough going on without unleashed dogs affecting it.

Watch for poison oak, particularly on the lower sections near the river. It’s less aggressive here than in many other Bay Area parks, but it’s present enough to be worth noting. Grab a trail map at the park entrance where you’ll pay a small day-use fee. The redwoods themselves are genuinely impressive—tall and old enough that you stop thinking about time for a while, which is probably the whole point of coming out here anyway.