Featured hikes
Bighorn Overlook to Jack
Rancho Mirage
Bighorn Overlook to Jack Rabbit Trail is a moderate 1.4-mile loop in Rancho Mirage with steady elevation and desert views.
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Butler/Abrams Trail
Rancho Mirage
The Butler/Abrams Trail in Rancho Mirage, Riverside County, offers a delightful 1.1-mile urban path that connects Frank Sinatra and Country Club drives through Michael S. Wolfson Park.
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Cactus Spring Trail
Mountain Center
This is a high desert trail. It begins in Pinyon Flat at 4,000 feet descending 2.5 miles to Horsethief Creek then continues 2 miles to the spring. The trail is fairly easy to follow to this point.
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Cross Loop Trail
Palm Desert
The Cross Loop Trail in Palm Desert has become a local landmark.
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Devil’s Slide Trail
Mountain Center
The Devil's Slide Trail is a strenuous trail ascends from Humber Park to Saddle Junction with many switchbacks and far reaching views. Starting at 6,400 ft. the elevation gain is 1,700 ft.
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Dripping Springs Trail
Temecula
Southeast of Temecula Valley Wine Country in the scenic Agua Tibia Wilderness, the dog friendly Dripping Springs Trail offers a challenging yet rewarding experience for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Homestead Trail
Palm Springs
The Homestead Trail, also known as The Cross Hike, is a moderate three-mile hike up to the Palm Desert Cross features beautiful views of Coachella Valley.
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Homme/Adams Park Loop
Palm Desert
Homme/Adams Park Loop near Palm Desert is a straightforward 2.2-mile flat loop with an off-leash area at the base for dog runs.
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Hurkey Creek Trail
Mountain Center
Hurkey Creek Trail, located near Mountain Center in Riverside County, Southern California, offers a delightful outdoor experience for hikers and mountain bikers alike.
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McCall Memorial Equestrian
Mountain Center
McCall Memorial Equestrian Park, located 4 miles south of Idyllwild, CA, and one-quarter mile west of Mountain Center off Highway 74, is a a unique 88-acre mountain park designated specifically for equestrian camping and trail riding.
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Pacific Crest National Scenic
Mountain Center
Level: Strenuous Directions: Take Highway 74 out of Palm Desert (south at the Highway 111 junction) and proceed 23 miles. Or, from Hemet, drive .5 miles east of the highway 371 junction.
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Ramona Trail
Mountain Center
The Ramona Trail, located in Mountain Center, Riverside County, Inland Empire, is a moderate 3-mile one-way trail that climbs 1,500 feet, providing breathtaking views of Garner Valley.
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Sawmill Trail
Palm Desert
Sawmill Trail is a dog-friendly 14 mile strenuous hike within the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
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Other hikes
Bear Creek Canyon Trail
La Quinta
Bear Creek Canyon Trail in La Quinta is a challenging loop with heart-pumping climbs and panoramic views of the Coachella Valley.
Read moreBogart Park
Beaumont
In the tranquil foothills beneath the majestic Mt. San Gorgonio, Bogart Park in Beaumont, Riverside County, Southern California, is a haven for nature enthusiasts and their four-legged companions.
Read moreChuckwalla Trail
Desert Hot Springs
Chuckwalla Trail in Desert Hot Springs is a 1.58-mile loop with 200 feet of elevation gain through foothills with valley views.
Read moreCleveland National Forest
Corona
On July 1st, 1908 President Theodore Roosevelt signed a declaration that created the Cleveland National Forest.
Read moreEl Cariso Nature Trail
Lake Elsinore
Discover the El Cariso Nature Trail in Cleveland National Forest, near Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, Southern California.
Read moreErnie Maxwell Scenic Trail
Idyllwild
Level: easy Elevation Gain: 300 ft. Hiking Time: 3 hours Trail Length: 5 miles Parking Permit: not needed This easy, scenic, 2.6 mile hike begins at 6,400 ft. and crosses seasonal streams along the way.
Read moreGodwin Trail
Mecca
Level: Strenuous Elevation Gain: 200 Feet Trail Length: 14 Miles Hiking Time: 6 Hours Directions: Take I-10 several miles past Indio, heading east. Take the 86 Expressway exit towards Brawley. After turning right onto the 86 Expressway, travel nearly 10 miles to 62nd Ave.
Read moreHoly Jim Trail
Corona
In Corona, Riverside County, Southern California, the Holy Jim Trail within Cleveland National Forest offers a diverse range of hiking paths for outdoor enthusiasts.
Read moreIdyllwild Preserve Thousand
Idyllwild
Idyllwild Preserve Thousand Trails, located in Riverside County, Southern California, offers a picturesque setting in the rugged, pine-covered mountains, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a tranquil escape.
Read moreIndian Oaks Trailer Ranch
Temecula
Indian Oaks Trailer Ranch is in the famous Temecula Wine Country in an Oak/Pine studded paradise. Wine tours and tasting. Shop in Old Town. Dine at many...
Read moreLa Quinta Cove Oasis
La Quinta
The La Quinta Cove Oasis Trailhead is a 114 acre natural open space area that is located at the southernmost part of the Cove.
Read moreLake Cahuilla Recreation Area
La Quinta
Lake Cahuilla Recreation Area is a captivating 710-acre park with 96 individual and group campsites located at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, just 6 miles Southeast of Old Town La Quinta.
Read moreLake Perris State Recreation Area
Perris
A 2,200-acre reservoir in Riverside County with 9 miles of paved perimeter trail — leashed dogs welcome on the path, campgrounds, and picnic areas.
Read moreMission Creek Preserve
Desert Hot Springs
The Mission Creek Preserve trails lead to the Pacific Crest Trail that is four miles from the Trailhead Parking Area. Be sure to keep your dog onleash in this area.
Read moreMount Rubidoux
Riverside
Mount Rubidoux is just west of downtown in the city of Riverside, California, United States. It has been designated as a city park and landmark.
Read morePacific Crest Trail
Mountain Center
Hike a portion of the famed Pacific Crest Trail on this challenging route set against the backdrop of Mount San Jacinto.
Read moreSouth Ridge Trail
Idyllwild
Level: Strenuous Elevation Gain: 2000 ft. Hiking Time: 4 hours Trail Length: 7 miles This moderate trail proceeds to Tahquitz Peak Lookout. From both the trail and peak are spectacular views of the Desert Divide, Strawberry Valley and beyond.
Read moreSylvan Meadows Multi-Use
Murrieta
Sylvan Meadows Multi-Use Trails, located in Murrieta, Riverside County, within the Inland Empire region, offers a picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts and their furry companions.
Read moreWhitewater Canyon View Loop
Whitewater
Whitewater Canyon Loop Trail is a moderate, lightly trafficked loop trail featuring beautiful views of the Whitewater Preserve's valley. This hike starts...
Read moreWhitewater Preserve
Whitewater
The moderate-strenuous walk from Whitewater to the Cottonwood trailhead off the Haugen-Lehmann I-10 exit traverses the eastern boundary of the coastal...
Read moreMore Adventures in Riverside County
Splash hits: Summer delights for water-loving dogs
The dog days of summer are here! Got a pup who loves the water? California's rivers, lakes and coastal landscapes welcome four-legged family members with paw-some adventures.
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14 dog-friendly vacation rentals in Greater Palm Springs
14 dog-friendly vacation rentals across Greater Palm Springs, from Desert Hot Springs to Rancho Mirage, drawn from DogTrekker's directory of vetted pet-welcoming properties.
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Paws, heat, and the fragile crust beneath
California desert dog travel: why surface heat, fragile cryptobiotic soil, and trail etiquette matter more in Palm Springs than a Sierra meadow.
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Idyllwild with your dog: a complete mountain-town weekend guide
Idyllwild is the rare California mountain town where the entire community operates as if dogs are part of the deal. The lodging is dog-friendly, the restaurants have proper dog-friendly patios instead of one bench out back, the trails out of…
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Dog-friendly Temecula wine country: wineries, restaurants, and hotels
Temecula Valley welcomes dogs across more than 30 wineries, 16 patio restaurants in Old Town, and 13 pet-friendly hotels and resorts. Tucked between San Diego and Los Angeles, it is Southern California's most dog-friendly wine country weekend.
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Temecula wine country: wineries that actually welcome dogs
Temecula’s wine country has over 40 wineries, but “dog-friendly” can mean anything from “we’ll tolerate it” to “we have a water bowl with your dog’s name on it.” The wineries below actually welcome dogs — not as an afterthought, but…
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