Many Mendocino visitors stay glued to the coast during their visits, but to do so is to miss out on star canine attractions such as Cow Mountain Recreation Area, 27,000 acres of rugged terrain administered by the Bureau of Land Management near Ukiah; the Snow Mountain Wilderness in the Mendocino National Forest; and Stornetta Public Lands, a 1,132-acre coastal haven near Point Arena. Dogs are allowed to run free under voice control at all three places—a privilege that could be revoked should too many canines collide with the bovines sharing the landscape.
Another great find for outdoorsy types: Lake Mendocino Recreation Area, offering 300 campsites, boat-in camping, a 700-acre wilderness area and 15 miles of hiking trails operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
If you’re traveling by RV or prefer a camping cabin with more amenities, a great place to settle in with your pet is the KOA Kampground just outside Willits, where amenities include a Frisbee Golf course where Fido can play, too.
