Idyllwild Park sits on the outskirts of the mountain village of Idyllwild in Riverside County, and it’s genuinely one of the most refreshing places to bring a dog in Southern California. The 202-acre park is wrapped in mature forest with the kind of clean air you notice immediately—this area is actually recognized as one of America’s cleanest forests, and you’ll feel the difference when you’re walking under the tall pines.

The network of hiking trails here ranges from easy strolls to more demanding walks, so you can pick based on what your dog is up for that day. Leashed dogs are welcome throughout, and the forest floor is soft underfoot, which is nice if your dog has any joint issues. The trails wind through genuinely quiet areas—you won’t feel like you’re fighting crowds even on weekends. Bring water though, as the elevation keeps things cool enough that dogs don’t overheat, but the trails don’t have water stations along the way.

There’s also a Nature Center at the park if you want to break up the hiking with something different. It’s a good spot to grab shade and let your dog rest while you learn about the local ecosystem. The surrounding village of Idyllwild has restaurants and shops, though you’ll want to leave your dog in your car or at lodging since most places don’t allow them inside.

The park itself doesn’t have amenities like dog parks or designated pet areas—it’s really just trails and open forest—so this works best if your dog is reasonably well-behaved on leash. The elevation is around 5,400 feet, so if you’re coming from sea level, give yourself and your dog a day or two to adjust. The cooler mountain temperatures mean you can hike comfortably even in summer months when it’s too hot everywhere else in Southern California. Plan for at least half a day here if you want to really explore the different trail options.