Featured parks
Buttermilk Bend Trail
Penn Valley
The Buttermilk Bend Trail is an easy, 1.5-mile hike along bluffs above the South Yuba River. It's especially popular in March, April and May, when wildflowers frame views of the churning river below.
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Point Defiance Trail
Penn Valley
The Point Defiance Trail in Truckee, Nevada County, offers a picturesque escape for outdoor enthusiasts and their furry companions.
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South Yuba River State Park
Penn Valley
South Yuba River State Park is not a contiguous park, but rather a patchwork of lands spread along a 20-mile section of river from Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park on the east to the Bridgeport covered bridge in the west.
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Western Gateway Dog Park
Penn Valley
Western Gateway Dog Park in Truckee, Nevada County, is a premier destination for dog owners seeking a dog-friendly outdoor experience in the Gold Country region.
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17 dog-friendly vacation rentals in the Gold Country
17 dog-friendly vacation rentals across the Gold Country, from Arnold to Twain Harte, drawn from DogTrekker's directory of vetted pet-welcoming properties.
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Dog-friendly Highway 20 preserves beckon in spring
The Sierra foothills along Highway 20 between Marysville and Nevada City burst with wildflowers and waterfalls each spring. South Yuba River State Park and the vast Spenceville Wildlife Area both offer gorgeous, dog-friendly trails worth a weekend trip.
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Exceptions to California State Parks rules
Most California state parks keep dogs off dirt trails, but a few welcome leashed pups on paths beyond the pavement. Samuel P Taylor, South Yuba River and MacKerricher state parks stand out as happy exceptions worth a visit.
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South Yuba River State Park
South Yuba River State Park in Nevada County strings together swimming holes, hiking trails, and gold-panning spots along the scenic Yuba River. Dogs are welcome nearly everywhere, making it a perfect weekend pairing with Grass Valley.
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Truckee with your dog: the mountain town locals prefer
South Lake Tahoe gets the traffic, but the dog-owning locals in the northern Sierra keep coming back to Truckee: a historic rail town with outdoor tables, woodsy trails and a fraction of the crowds.
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Dog-friendly Father’s Day: 5 California trips dads will want
Five honest California Father's Day trips, all dog-friendly: McCloud and the Shasta Cascade, Paso Robles ranch country, Trinidad on the Humboldt coast, Mammoth Lakes at full stretch, and Nevada City in the Gold Country. Muddy dogs, cabin porches, no infusions.
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