Located in Winchester in Riverside County’s wine country, Lake Skinner Recreational Area spreads across 1,200 acres with a 1,350-acre lake at its center. This is the kind of place where you can spend a full day or several days without running out of things to do with your dog.

The park has multiple campgrounds if you want to stay overnight—some sites are right near the water, others tucked into hillier terrain. During the day, you can hike the various trails that wind through oak woodlands and open grassland. The landscape changes throughout the year, so spring wildflowers and cooler fall temperatures make different visits feel pretty distinct. A few trails offer partial shade, which matters when you’re out with a dog. Horseback riding is popular here too if you’re into that, and the lake itself sees sailors, fishermen, and paddleboarders.

Dogs are allowed throughout most of the park, including on the trails and in the campgrounds. They do need to be leashed in developed areas, but there’s enough open space that you won’t feel cramped. The lake’s shoreline gives you places to let your dog cool off on warm days, though swimming isn’t the main activity here—this is more about fishing and boating.

The park has picnic areas scattered around, some with grills and shade structures. There’s also a visitor center with information about what’s happening seasonally. Because it’s a larger regional park rather than a small neighborhood spot, it handles crowds reasonably well even on busy weekends, though early mornings are always quieter.

Bring plenty of water for both you and your dog, especially in summer months when the sun exposure is significant. The nearest town with supplies is Winchester, just a few miles away.