Featured hikes
Buttermilk Bend Trail
Truckee
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.
Read more
Point Defiance Trail
Truckee
The Point Defiance Trail in Truckee, Nevada County, offers a picturesque escape for outdoor enthusiasts and their furry companions.
Read moreOther hikes
Kneebone Beach trail
Penn Valley
Kneebone Beach Trail at South Yuba River State Park. 0.3 miles.
Read moreMore Adventures in Penn Valley
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more