Situated 4,200 feet above sea level in Julian, San Diego County, William Heise County Park spans 929 acres of pine and oak forest along the northern extremity of the Laguna Mountain Range. The elevation alone makes this place feel like you’ve stepped into a different region entirely—you’ll actually see snow here most winters, which is rare enough in San Diego County to feel special. The cool mountain air and towering trees create a completely different experience from the coastal areas most Southern California visitors know.

The park has a solid range of accommodations depending on what kind of trip you’re planning. There are cabins if you want walls and a roof, trailer sites with hookups, individual tent sites scattered throughout, and a caravan camping area. All the basics are here—restrooms with showers, picnic areas, and enough space that you won’t feel cramped even during busier weekends.

Dogs are welcome throughout the park on leashes, which means you can bring yours along for hiking trails and nature walks without any complications. The trails wind through the forest with plenty of shade, and the cooler temperatures up here are actually easier on dogs than the heat you’d deal with lower in the county. If you’re camping, your dog can stay right in your site with you and experience the whole trip together—early morning walks through the pine trees feel significantly different than what you’d get at coastal parks.

The park fills up during summer weekends and especially around the rare snow events, so calling ahead to check availability for cabin or trailer site reservations is worth doing if you have specific dates in mind. If you’re coming just for a day hike, you can usually find parking without too much trouble, even on moderately busy days.