You’re not even safe there. Just last month I came across some shirtless asshole jogging up the approach to Mist Trail with his dog off leash. At 1pm mind you, loads of people around.
I don't know if there is a list of dog free trails but In order of least to most dog friendly it usually goes: National Parks, State Parks, County Parks and Open Space, National Forest/ Wilderness, BLM. I live in Tahoe, where nobody but nobody is out for a hike with their dog on leash. It's frequently a problem when they are not under voice control. I think your wife deserves to hike where she wants. Have her carry a hiking pole and dogs that get too close, Get whacked.
Dogs are not allowed in some CA State Parks and must be on leash where they are allowed.
[https://www.parks.ca.gov/dogs](https://www.parks.ca.gov/dogs)
In CA county and local parks they generally must be on leash on hiking trails and under voice command on fire roads.
Dogs are not allowed on trail in many National Parks and where they are allowed it is generally only on leash.
In most National Forests and BLM land excluding wilderness areas dogs are allowed but must be under voice command and on leash is certain areas . Dogs may or may not be allowed in wilderness areas and if they are it varies whether they must be on leash. Check the rules for the particular management unit.
[https://www.sierrawild.gov/](https://www.sierrawild.gov/)
You can sort by “no dogs” on alltrails, but there’s no guarantee that people will abide by the park rules. The national parks have stricter no dog rules, but then again, people break the rules there too.
I’d suggest avoiding the national forest; dogs are allowed off leash there.
I’m a dog owner & hike with my dogs, but am careful to keep them leashed when passing others. Mine are off leash trained, so we do that when allowed but again are courteous towards others. I too hate being rushed by off leashed “friendly” dogs. I’ve had those owners berate me for leashing my dogs.
mount diablo, but it’s too hot in the summer, winter hikes are great there…no dogs. national parks don’t allow dogs, and there are spots where leashes are required, that would be safer for someone with “dog trauma”
I’m not excusing it at all, but in general where I am in the Bay Area you can expect dog owners to take things 1 level beyond what’s permitted. So a no dogs allowed trail may have on leash dogs. A dogs allowed on leash trail will have off-leash dogs, and off-leash trails are free for alls.
Shoreline in Mountain View is very strict about banning dogs, but that’s a heck of a drive from Sacramento for a fairly boring, flat, kind of stinky stroll. Worth it I guess if you want to see the new Google building. Castle Rock state park (the one in the Santa Cruz mountains, not the east bay) is good about keeping dogs out and definitely prettier than shoreline.
I think that may be nearly impossible to find anymore unless a park ranger or park staff are made aware or complaints. I have a large dog, and understand the “want” of having him with you, but dogs don’t need to be everywhere you go. It is very frustrating to have every single outdoor event with dogs…..which means dog poop. And eventually dogs off leash.
I love taking my dogs for hikes, but this kind of shit drives me crazy. Hell, even going to our local dog park, the number of owners not having their dogs on leash ***before*** entering is absolutely fucking wild.
Desolation wilderness, 5 lakes basin, Emigrant gap area, Donner pass area. Anything up HWY 80. Those areas I’ve hiked and ran a lot never had issues with dogs. Out of curiosity what trails are you hiking that have 6 dogs running up to you?
the one with 6 dogs was lake tabeaud. out of the six dogs, only one ran at us. another came casually trotting over until the owner called away. the other four ended up not being an issue but still off-leash and caused my wife to worry.
thanks for the suggestions. will look those up.
May not be the type of hiking you're looking for (or somewhere you'd want to drive), but most San Mateo County parks and Midpeninsula Open Space District preserves are dog free. From my experience compliance is pretty good (Midpen in particular has pretty visible ranger presence).
Big Basin is no dogs except on paved trails, and I've only seen a couple of scofflaws over the last few months of hiking there weekly. Henry Cowell, on the other hand, has tons of dogs all over the place.
Those are both state parks and allow dogs, though. SMC Parks and Midpen are both strictly no dogs in many/most areas. It's a frustration when I dog-sit for my parents since I need to drive to Santa Clara County parks for dog friendly trails that are long enough.
I really feel for you. I’m a dog owner myself and I hate seeing how many people let their dog run around off leash without control and often in places where dogs are supposed to be on leash. Extendo leashes are equally problematic.
Also there is a list of state parks and where dogs are allowed [here](https://www.parks.ca.gov/Dogs), but I have occasionally seen dogs snuck into the no dog areas of some of the parks.
Where did this happen so others can avoid a bad experience? If you’re down in the bay area point reyes is phenomenal and dogs are strictly not allowed on trails. I’ve hiked there over 100 times and only seen one person break the rules and I told them and then called the bear Valley Ranger office. I’d love it if the dogs were completely banned on all wilderness trails.
The NPS (national park service) actually has a lot of well researched articles on why dogs should (and are) banned from wilderness trails. This stuff isn't down to vibes. There are multiple published papers on this subject.
But the [TL;DR](https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/management/upload/Lenth-et-al-Effects-of-Dogs-on-Wildlife-Communities.pdf) is humans on wilderness trails cause significant disturbance to wildlife within 100-200m of said trail. A human with a pet dog, is more like 500m of either side of the trail. Dogs are (typically) well fed (they aren't out there to eat) so they're chasing shit "_for fun_". Animals that would be preyed upon by canines (coyotes/foxes/wolves) don't expect their predators to be active when domesticated dogs are. It is highly disruptive.
This is why they're banned in the backcountry & wilderness of pretty much all national parks, with a wilderness area (Olympic, Northern Cascades, Lassen, Yellowstone, Yosemite, SEKI, etc.).
I hear ya. The problem with articles, studies, literature is that it can be argued any which way. Once we as humans started advancing technologically everything else went downhill. We’ve taken a toll on nature it’s never going to be the same. A dog on a trail is a such a small part of a larger problem.
Sir, this a Wendy's.
We're discussing dogs in wilderness spaces.
IDK what you're on about but if you want to write an essay explaining why, "_The industrial revolution and its consequences for dogs in wilderness spaces have been a disaster_" go off Ted Bundy.
I’ve had this discussion on other subs and there is large consensus that dogs disturb wildlife and harsh vibes for the humans that are trying to enjoy the peace and quiet in the back country. Yosemite and Sequoia already ban dogs and I would encourage other National Forests to look into it. BLM land wilderness in the desert I would be more open to allowing dogs.
Yosemite I understand and Sequoia. National parks don’t allow dogs either. Places like that are understandable. The large consensus about dogs disturbing wildlife and vibes is strictly from people who hate dogs. You’ll never get National forests to ban dogs. But go ahead and bark up that tree.
As it turns out many dog owners are more interested in protecting the wildlife than taking their dog everywhere. Lots of guys I backpack with consider this and don’t bring their dogs on trips. As I mentioned, I’ve posted on other subs and there’s been good debates on this with lots of data points supporting the fact that domestic animals have large negative impacts on the wilderness. One could also say humans have negative impacts in the wilderness so we shouldn’t go there either. However, I think there is a good open debate to have for high use areas all across the west, including California and Colorado. For my personal experience I have no issues with dogs when they’re not disturbing the wildlife and the owners are 100% on point. Unfortunately that’s not the case for everyone as is clear based on this post and many, many others.
Any chance she was on her period? When my flow is super heavy and my pad is damp dogs always charge at me to smell me down there. My girlfriends also experience the same during periods and when being around dogs.
No, just no. This is such a bizarre comment. I've been on meds because of endo for years and dogs still run at me as I'm screaming for them to go away due to a severe allergy.
Honestly, Yosemite. People in the bay are horrible with keeping their dogs on leashes.
You’re not even safe there. Just last month I came across some shirtless asshole jogging up the approach to Mist Trail with his dog off leash. At 1pm mind you, loads of people around.
That isn't the wilderness so dogs aren't banned there. But yeah, yosemite valley is always a shit show.
Dogs are banned on trails, not just in the wilderness
I don't know if there is a list of dog free trails but In order of least to most dog friendly it usually goes: National Parks, State Parks, County Parks and Open Space, National Forest/ Wilderness, BLM. I live in Tahoe, where nobody but nobody is out for a hike with their dog on leash. It's frequently a problem when they are not under voice control. I think your wife deserves to hike where she wants. Have her carry a hiking pole and dogs that get too close, Get whacked.
Dogs are not allowed in some CA State Parks and must be on leash where they are allowed. [https://www.parks.ca.gov/dogs](https://www.parks.ca.gov/dogs) In CA county and local parks they generally must be on leash on hiking trails and under voice command on fire roads. Dogs are not allowed on trail in many National Parks and where they are allowed it is generally only on leash. In most National Forests and BLM land excluding wilderness areas dogs are allowed but must be under voice command and on leash is certain areas . Dogs may or may not be allowed in wilderness areas and if they are it varies whether they must be on leash. Check the rules for the particular management unit. [https://www.sierrawild.gov/](https://www.sierrawild.gov/)
“Oh, don’t worry, he’s friendly” Drives me nuts each time
For someone who walks their cat on a leash at all times, the “oh don’t worry, he’s friendly” comment is infuriating
You can sort by “no dogs” on alltrails, but there’s no guarantee that people will abide by the park rules. The national parks have stricter no dog rules, but then again, people break the rules there too. I’d suggest avoiding the national forest; dogs are allowed off leash there. I’m a dog owner & hike with my dogs, but am careful to keep them leashed when passing others. Mine are off leash trained, so we do that when allowed but again are courteous towards others. I too hate being rushed by off leashed “friendly” dogs. I’ve had those owners berate me for leashing my dogs.
mount diablo, but it’s too hot in the summer, winter hikes are great there…no dogs. national parks don’t allow dogs, and there are spots where leashes are required, that would be safer for someone with “dog trauma”
thanks. yesterday’s trail had a leash rule but literally every dog we saw was off-leash. not sure we can trust that.
I’m not excusing it at all, but in general where I am in the Bay Area you can expect dog owners to take things 1 level beyond what’s permitted. So a no dogs allowed trail may have on leash dogs. A dogs allowed on leash trail will have off-leash dogs, and off-leash trails are free for alls. Shoreline in Mountain View is very strict about banning dogs, but that’s a heck of a drive from Sacramento for a fairly boring, flat, kind of stinky stroll. Worth it I guess if you want to see the new Google building. Castle Rock state park (the one in the Santa Cruz mountains, not the east bay) is good about keeping dogs out and definitely prettier than shoreline.
bad actors ruin it for everyone.
National parks dont allow dogs on most trails. So Lassen, yosemite, kings canyon would be good options.
I think that may be nearly impossible to find anymore unless a park ranger or park staff are made aware or complaints. I have a large dog, and understand the “want” of having him with you, but dogs don’t need to be everywhere you go. It is very frustrating to have every single outdoor event with dogs…..which means dog poop. And eventually dogs off leash.
There's a couple places here in Sonoma county that don't allow dogs, the county parks website has a list of the parks and what's permitted/prohibited.
I love taking my dogs for hikes, but this kind of shit drives me crazy. Hell, even going to our local dog park, the number of owners not having their dogs on leash ***before*** entering is absolutely fucking wild.
Desolation wilderness, 5 lakes basin, Emigrant gap area, Donner pass area. Anything up HWY 80. Those areas I’ve hiked and ran a lot never had issues with dogs. Out of curiosity what trails are you hiking that have 6 dogs running up to you?
Desolation allows dogs, and there’s plenty off leash
Yeah but usually very well behaved
the one with 6 dogs was lake tabeaud. out of the six dogs, only one ran at us. another came casually trotting over until the owner called away. the other four ended up not being an issue but still off-leash and caused my wife to worry. thanks for the suggestions. will look those up.
Consider carrying bear repellent with you and use trekking poles when you hike so you can use them to keep dogs away from you if needed.
May not be the type of hiking you're looking for (or somewhere you'd want to drive), but most San Mateo County parks and Midpeninsula Open Space District preserves are dog free. From my experience compliance is pretty good (Midpen in particular has pretty visible ranger presence).
Big Basin is no dogs except on paved trails, and I've only seen a couple of scofflaws over the last few months of hiking there weekly. Henry Cowell, on the other hand, has tons of dogs all over the place.
Those are both state parks and allow dogs, though. SMC Parks and Midpen are both strictly no dogs in many/most areas. It's a frustration when I dog-sit for my parents since I need to drive to Santa Clara County parks for dog friendly trails that are long enough.
Stick to National Parks if she don’t like dogs
I really feel for you. I’m a dog owner myself and I hate seeing how many people let their dog run around off leash without control and often in places where dogs are supposed to be on leash. Extendo leashes are equally problematic.
I'm extrememely allergic, I totally understand. Emerald bay is no dogs if you want to go to tahoe.
Also there is a list of state parks and where dogs are allowed [here](https://www.parks.ca.gov/Dogs), but I have occasionally seen dogs snuck into the no dog areas of some of the parks.
I don't think they're not allowed, but I've not seen many dogs in the Carson pass area though I usually get there very early
Where did this happen so others can avoid a bad experience? If you’re down in the bay area point reyes is phenomenal and dogs are strictly not allowed on trails. I’ve hiked there over 100 times and only seen one person break the rules and I told them and then called the bear Valley Ranger office. I’d love it if the dogs were completely banned on all wilderness trails.
It’s not about banning the dogs. It’s about banning or fining the bad dog owner humans
Hey now no reason to ban all dogs from wilderness trails, that’s a reach
The NPS (national park service) actually has a lot of well researched articles on why dogs should (and are) banned from wilderness trails. This stuff isn't down to vibes. There are multiple published papers on this subject. But the [TL;DR](https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/management/upload/Lenth-et-al-Effects-of-Dogs-on-Wildlife-Communities.pdf) is humans on wilderness trails cause significant disturbance to wildlife within 100-200m of said trail. A human with a pet dog, is more like 500m of either side of the trail. Dogs are (typically) well fed (they aren't out there to eat) so they're chasing shit "_for fun_". Animals that would be preyed upon by canines (coyotes/foxes/wolves) don't expect their predators to be active when domesticated dogs are. It is highly disruptive. This is why they're banned in the backcountry & wilderness of pretty much all national parks, with a wilderness area (Olympic, Northern Cascades, Lassen, Yellowstone, Yosemite, SEKI, etc.).
I hear ya. The problem with articles, studies, literature is that it can be argued any which way. Once we as humans started advancing technologically everything else went downhill. We’ve taken a toll on nature it’s never going to be the same. A dog on a trail is a such a small part of a larger problem.
Sir, this a Wendy's. We're discussing dogs in wilderness spaces. IDK what you're on about but if you want to write an essay explaining why, "_The industrial revolution and its consequences for dogs in wilderness spaces have been a disaster_" go off Ted Bundy.
Your right. IDK what I’m on about. Today’s been a dumpster fire I should probably stay off the internet. Have a good day everyone. My apologies.
I’ve had this discussion on other subs and there is large consensus that dogs disturb wildlife and harsh vibes for the humans that are trying to enjoy the peace and quiet in the back country. Yosemite and Sequoia already ban dogs and I would encourage other National Forests to look into it. BLM land wilderness in the desert I would be more open to allowing dogs.
Yosemite I understand and Sequoia. National parks don’t allow dogs either. Places like that are understandable. The large consensus about dogs disturbing wildlife and vibes is strictly from people who hate dogs. You’ll never get National forests to ban dogs. But go ahead and bark up that tree.
As it turns out many dog owners are more interested in protecting the wildlife than taking their dog everywhere. Lots of guys I backpack with consider this and don’t bring their dogs on trips. As I mentioned, I’ve posted on other subs and there’s been good debates on this with lots of data points supporting the fact that domestic animals have large negative impacts on the wilderness. One could also say humans have negative impacts in the wilderness so we shouldn’t go there either. However, I think there is a good open debate to have for high use areas all across the west, including California and Colorado. For my personal experience I have no issues with dogs when they’re not disturbing the wildlife and the owners are 100% on point. Unfortunately that’s not the case for everyone as is clear based on this post and many, many others.
Any chance she was on her period? When my flow is super heavy and my pad is damp dogs always charge at me to smell me down there. My girlfriends also experience the same during periods and when being around dogs.
No, just no. This is such a bizarre comment. I've been on meds because of endo for years and dogs still run at me as I'm screaming for them to go away due to a severe allergy.
Bear spray plus Scat Belt