On land previously operated by the Air Force, Mather Regional Park has transformed into a sprawling recreation area that keeps adding new reasons to visit. The 1600-acre park sits east of Sacramento and welcomes leashed dogs throughout its grounds, making it easy to explore with yours in tow. You’ll find the golf course right away—168 acres with mature trees that provide actual shade, which matters when you’re walking a dog in the heat.

The group picnic area near the entrance works well if you want a straightforward lunch spot with your dog. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s functional and can be reserved ahead of time if you’re planning something bigger. Mather Lake is the main draw for a lot of visitors. The water gets stocked with bass or trout depending on the season, and it’s genuinely quieter than most of the region’s fishing spots. You’ll need a California Fishing License to cast a line, but the lake gives off that less-crowded vibe that makes it feel like a local secret.

What really stood out to me, though, were the vernal pools and wetlands scattered across the property. They’re small—almost like natural pockets of wild landscape—and they’re home to some genuinely rare species. Your dog will probably just want to sniff around, but if you pause and look, you can actually spot fish and frogs in these pools. The fairy shrimp that live here are tiny and strange-looking, which apparently explains the name once you see them up close. It’s one of those details that makes the park feel different from the typical regional recreation area.

The park opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, with daily parking fees collected at the entrance. Bring water for your dog since the walk between different areas can feel long on warm days.