15 Dog-Friendly State Parks in California Worth Exploring
California is packed with stunning state parks, and the best news is that many of them welcome your four-legged best friend. Picture your pup nose-deep in pine-scented air, paws splashing along a river, or tail wagging furiously as you round a mountain bend together.
From the snowy Sierra Nevada to the sun-drenched coast, there is a perfect trail waiting for both of you. Grab the leash, pack the water bowl, and get ready to explore some of the most beautiful corners of the Golden State with your favorite adventure buddy by your side.
1. Donner Memorial State Park
Standing at 6,000 feet above sea level, Donner Memorial State Park in Truckee carries history in every pine-scented breeze. Your dog is welcome on the Lakeside Interpretive Trail, the Zig Zag Trail, fire roads, and much of Donner Lake’s shoreline.
Keep your pup on a six-foot leash and skip China Cove Beach and the Nature Trail. In winter, snowshoeing paths are open, but designated ski trails are off-limits when snow covers the ground.
2. Empire Mine State Historic Park
Grass Valley’s Empire Mine State Historic Park is one of the coolest places to walk a dog in California. Your pup can sniff along 14 miles of forested trails, paved roads, and the historic zone grounds at 10791 East Empire Street.
Dogs are not allowed inside historic buildings or mine shafts, but the 856 acres of backcountry give you plenty to explore. Keep your dog leashed and bring bags, because this park takes cleanliness seriously.
3. Russian Gulch State Park
Just two miles north of the charming village of Mendocino, Russian Gulch State Park delivers dramatic coastal scenery that makes every walk feel like a postcard. Dogs on a six-foot leash are welcome on the beach and on trails west of Highway 1.
The Fern Canyon Trail is off-limits to dogs, so plan your route west of the highway. Overnight stays are easy here, as long as your pup stays in your tent or vehicle after dark.
4. South Yuba River State Park
Cool granite swimming holes and Gold Rush history make South Yuba River State Park a genuinely exciting destination. Leashed dogs can roam all trails and shoreline areas, making this 20-mile river canyon stretch near Penn Valley and Nevada City a true treat.
Skip the Family Beach at Bridgeport, which is the only restricted spot for pets. Gold panning is permitted with a metal pan, so you and your dog can channel your inner prospector together.
5. Montana de Oro State Park
Few names suit a park as perfectly as Montana de Oro, Spanish for Mountain of Gold, named for the golden wildflowers that blanket its 8,000-plus acres each spring. Located in Los Osos at 3550 Pecho Valley Road, this park stretches across seven miles of rugged coastline.
Dogs are welcome at Spooner’s Cove Beach, Islay Creek Campground, and park roadways on a six-foot leash. Trails are off-limits, but the beach and campground scenery alone make the trip completely worthwhile.
6. Hearst San Simeon State Park
The Moonstone Beach Boardwalk in Cambria is one of California’s most scenic dog walks, and Hearst San Simeon State Park puts it right at your feet. Leashed dogs are welcome on the boardwalk, at William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach, on the Junge Ranch Trail, and in all campgrounds.
Several areas including the San Simeon Pier and Washburn Day Use Beach are off-limits to pets. The San Simeon Creek Campground at 500 San Simeon Creek Road sits conveniently close to the shore.
7. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Walking beneath ancient coastal redwoods with your dog at your side is one of those experiences you simply never forget. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton lets leashed dogs explore Meadow Trail, Pipeline Road, Graham Hill Trail, and Powder Mill Fire Road.
The Redwood Grove Loop and the Fall Creek Unit are off-limits to dogs. The park protects four distinct habitats, and the San Lorenzo River winds through the property, adding a lovely soundtrack to every outing.
8. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Often called a mini Yosemite, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park sits about 26 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1 and delivers scenery that genuinely earns that nickname. Dogs on a six-foot leash are welcome on the Warden’s Path, the River Path, and in campgrounds.
Most other trails are off-limits to pets, so stick to the two designated dog-friendly paths and developed areas. Towering redwoods, oaks, sycamores, and maples line the paths, making even the permitted dog routes feel absolutely breathtaking.
9. Samuel P. Taylor State Park
The Cross Marin Trail at Samuel P. Taylor State Park is one of Marin County’s most dog-friendly paths, following an old railroad right-of-way through gorgeous redwood forest.
Located at 8889 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Lagunitas, this 2,700-acre park blends old-growth forest with open grassland beautifully.
Dogs are allowed on the Cross Marin Trail, in the picnic area, and in the campground. Keep your pup leashed and out of the creek, and you are set for a wonderful afternoon.
10. Palomar Mountain State Park
High atop the west side of Palomar Mountain in northern San Diego County, this park feels like a secret Sierra Nevada tucked into Southern California. Towering pines, firs, and cedars shade the campgrounds and paved roads where leashed dogs are welcome.
Dogs may also walk Myers Fire Road but are not permitted on other trails. Doane Pond is a highlight, offering calm water and a peaceful meadow setting.
At around 5,000 feet elevation, the air here feels noticeably cooler and fresher.
11. Sonoma Coast State Park
Stretching along Highway 1 near Jenner and Bodega Bay, Sonoma Coast State Park is a wild, dramatic string of beaches and coves that dogs absolutely love. Leashed pups are welcome at spots like Portuguese Beach, Carmet Beach, Schoolhouse Beach, Wright’s Beach, Shell Beach, and several others.
Goat Rock Beach is off-limits due to protected harbor seals and snowy plovers. With crashing waves, sea stacks, and tide pools at every turn, this coastline offers a new discovery around every corner.
12. Plumas-Eureka State Park
At the foot of Eureka Peak in Plumas County, Plumas-Eureka State Park blends Gold Rush heritage with High Sierra splendor in a way that feels almost magical. Located at 310 Johnsville Road near Blairsden, this park features a miner’s bunkhouse museum and the historic Mohawk Stamp Mill.
Leashed dogs are welcome on fire roads, paved roads, and in campgrounds. Nordic ski courses are closed to dogs from November through May when snow is present.
Crystal-clear lakes and waterfalls make every visit memorable.
13. Dos Rios State Park
California’s newest state park opened in 2024 and already has dog owners talking. Dos Rios State Park sits at 3559 Shiloh Road in Modesto, right where the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers meet, and the setting is genuinely spectacular.
Leashed dogs are welcome in the base camp day-use area and on the Pond Loop and Confluence Trails. Bring water for your pup and pack out all waste.
The park is open Fridays through Sundays, so plan your visit accordingly.
14. Auburn State Recreation Area
With over 100 miles of multi-use trails winding through 40 miles of canyon wilderness, Auburn State Recreation Area in Auburn is a dream destination for active dogs and their humans. Leashed pups can hit the trails, explore the American River canyons, and walk sections of the famous Western States Trail.
Dogs are not allowed on Lake Clementine Road near the dam or in the lake itself. Mutt Mitts are provided at key spots, which is a thoughtful touch that makes the whole experience smoother.
15. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
In 1848, a discovery at Coloma changed California forever. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park preserves the very spot where gold was found, and leashed dogs are welcome on the trails and in the American River alongside you.
Historic buildings, mining exhibits, a replica sawmill, and the Marshall Monument make this park as educational as it is scenic. Dogs cannot enter any historic buildings, but the riparian oak woodlands and riverside paths offer plenty of room to roam and explore together.
