Mission Trails Regional Park sprawls across more than 7,200 acres of rugged hills, valleys, and open terrain just eight miles northeast of downtown San Diego. It’s one of the largest urban parks in the country, and walking its trails with your dog feels like stepping back into San Diego before European settlement. The landscape the Kumeyaay tribe knew for centuries is still here, largely unchanged.

With over 65 miles of trails to choose from, you can spend an afternoon on a quick loop near the Visitor and Interpretive Center or dedicate a full day to exploring deeper sections. The park’s location makes it an easy escape when downtown feels too crowded. Many trails offer different difficulty levels, so whether your dog is a seasoned hiker or prefers gentler walks, there’s something that works. Some routes take you past the Old Mission Dam, a historical structure built to supply water to Mission San Diego de Alcala. It’s the kind of detail that makes a walk feel like more than just exercise.

Dogs must stay on leash throughout the park, which keeps things manageable when you’re sharing trails with other visitors and hikers. The terrain itself is varied enough that even familiar routes feel different depending on which direction you approach them or what time of year you visit. Lake Murray sits within the park boundaries if you want a slightly different setting for a walk, though swimming options depend on current water conditions.

The Visitor and Interpretive Center provides good context for what you’re seeing, and staff there can recommend specific trails based on what you and your dog are looking for. Parking is accessible, and you won’t have trouble finding a spot even on weekends, unlike some more crowded San Diego hiking spots. Bring water for both of you—the exposed areas can get hot, and there aren’t many shaded stretches on the main trails.