East Bay Regional Park District

Hike your tails off

Oakland's surrounding hills are laced with trails managed by the East Bay Regional Park District, where dogs can go off-leash in open areas under voice control. Sibley Volcanic Preserve, Anthony Chabot and Redwood Regional Park are all close to downtown.

What and where is Tri-Valley?

Straddling Alameda and Contra Costa counties, the Tri-Valley region offers dog-friendly wineries, craft breweries, restaurants and miles of trails just an hour from San Francisco. The Iron Horse Trail alone stretches 32 miles through charming towns.

Tri-Valley: Eat, drink and chill after the hike

After a hike in the East Bay Regional Parks, the Tri-Valley region is the perfect place to refuel. Three dozen dog-friendly wineries, 14 craft breweries and two dozen pet-welcoming hotels make it easy to extend your adventure.

East Bay Regional Park District

The East Bay Regional Park District manages 65 parks spanning 114,000 acres with 1,200 miles of dog-friendly trails. Well-trained dogs can hike off-leash in many areas, from popular Point Isabel shoreline to the remote Ohlone Wilderness.

The lowdown on dog-friendly public lands

Dogs are allowed at most California campgrounds, but trail access varies widely depending on who manages the land. National forests, BLM lands and regional parks tend to offer the most freedom for you and your four-legged hiking partner.

Woof it up at little Yosemite

Sunol Regional Wilderness in the East Bay comes alive in spring with wildflowers and rushing waterfalls in the Little Yosemite gorge. The Canyon View Trail offers a scenic 3-mile round trip along Alameda Creek.

East Bay Regional wonders

The East Bay Regional Park District spans 65 parks across Alameda and Contra Costa counties, with over 1,200 miles of trails where dogs can hike off-leash in undeveloped areas. Del Valle and the Ohlone Wilderness are standout picks.

Rules and regs regarding Rover

Dogs are welcome at most California campgrounds, but trail and beach access varies widely by land manager. National forests and BLM lands tend to offer more freedom, while state and national parks often restrict dogs to campgrounds and paved surfaces.

East Bay hikes for fresh-air fiends

The East Bay and Tri-Valley offer outstanding hiking for you and your dog, from the compact Acalanes Ridge to the 5,000-acre Del Valle Regional Park. East Bay Regional Park District properties welcome off-leash dogs with reliable recall.

Put these hiking havens on your radar

Bay Area regional park districts offer incredible hiking with your dog. East Bay Regional Parks has 1,200 miles of trails, Marin County Parks manages 34 preserves, and Monterey County welcomes off-leash dogs at Garland Ranch in Carmel Valley.

Reserving a camping spot for Spot

Booking a dog-friendly campsite in California takes planning, especially at popular coastal and mountain spots that fill up months ahead. Here is a guide to reservation resources, strategies for snagging last-minute cancellations, and tips for scoring first-come sites on weekends.

Reserve summer campsites now

Summer campsites at California's coast and mountain hotspots fill up fast, so book early. Here is a roundup of reservation resources, from Reserve America and Recreation.gov to utility-district campgrounds, dog-friendly KOA cabins, and tips for snagging last-minute spots.