Point Reyes National Seashore is a 71,000-acre preserve on a distinctive, triangle-shaped peninsula north of San Francisco in Marin County. With a wild coastline, lush grasslands, and rolling foothills, Point Reyes is home to 300 miles of trails and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. The park encompasses miles of beaches, rocky headlands, and estuaries, and you’ll see dozens of species of birds and one of the last remaining herds of tule elk in Northern California.

Leashed dogs are welcome at Point Reyes, but only in specific areas—the rules here are strict, and park rangers do enforce them. Visiting a National Park with a dog poses real challenges since the park needs to protect wildlife and other visitors, so it’s worth understanding the regulations before you go.

Dogs are allowed in parking lots, along public roads, and on certain trails and beaches. Everything else within Point Reyes National Seashore and the Northern District of Golden Gate National Recreation Area is off-limits to dogs. It’s one of those places where you need to know the boundaries ahead of time.

For beaches, your options on-leash include Kehoe Beach—specifically the northern section beyond the Kehoe Beach trail. Limantour Beach also allows dogs on-leash in the southeast section near the parking lot extending toward the beach adjacent to Coast Camp. Point Reyes/Great Beach permits dogs on-leash from the North Beach parking lot heading south, though there are some exceptions to that rule that are worth clarifying before you visit.

The landscape here really is striking—you get sweeping ocean views, dramatic cliffs, and enough open grassland to give you a real sense of why this peninsula juts out so distinctively into the Pacific. Even with the dog restrictions limiting where you can explore, the permitted beaches and trails offer genuine coastal beauty. Just make sure you check the park’s website or call ahead to confirm current pet policies, since these regulations can shift.