Our Favorite East Bay Hiking Trails For Dogs
It’s time to get out and enjoy the scenic views of the East Bay before the season changes! When your dog isn’t having a ball at Happy Hound, you and your four-legged friend can hit the trails to get out of the city for a short time and take pleasure in Oakland’s hidden gems. To help you get started, here is a list of some of Oakland’s best dog-friendly trails and parks.
Joaquin Miller Park
3450 Joaquin Miller Rd.
Oakland, CA 94602
Joaquin Miller Dog Park is a big park in the hills of Oakland that has many trails for you and your pup to explore. These trails are for the more experienced hikers. This is a popular place for hikers and cyclists as well so you and your dog can make friends. Most of the trails are shaded by the trees but there are some open spaces. Some of the trails are lengthy so it is advised to get a map at the ranger’s station. If the trails aren’t your thing then there is a designated dog park that is fenced in and has sections for big dogs and one for small dogs. There are great views of the city and waterfalls!
Redwood Regional Park
7867 Redwood Rd.
Oakland, CA 94618
Redwood Regional Park is great for the true nature lover. Just a quick drive from downtown, there are plenty of trails including Dunn trail where Suzanne and her Dalmatian Truly love to hike. This park is also located in the Oakland Hills and most of the paths are shaded by the trees. There are towering pines and streams by the trails with plenty of wildlife to enjoy. You and your pup can hike through the hills on leash or your pup can burn off their energy in the off-leash section of the park. Another bonus is free parking!
Robert Sibley Volcanic Preserve
6800 Skyline Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94611
If you like a more open park and happen to be a fan of geology then Robert Sibley Volcanic Reserve is the place for you. Here, pets can play off-leash in the underdeveloped areas or run on-leash on the paved paths through the canyons. There are not as many people that frequent here so you can explore the hills with your dog in piece. Also, our trainers like to train our Board & Train dogs here so you might get to see them in action!
Leona Canyon Trail
Campus Dr. and Keller Ave.
Oakland, CA 94620
Leona Canyon Trail boasts 290 acres of wooded canyons, creeks, waterfalls and climbing trails. The main tail is just under three miles so if you and your four-legged friend are just trying out on the trails this might be the best fit for you. If you want to get free parking then take the Keller exit and avoid parking by Merritt College. This park offers a mix of shaded paths and open paths but beware of the poison oak. The only downside to this tucked away treasure is it does not have bathrooms.
Lafayette Reservoir
3849 Mount Diablo Blvd.
Lafayette, CA 94549
An amazing place to take your pooch is Lafayette Reservoir. There are picnic areas to relax and enjoy the day after a good hike. The paved trail is about 2.7 miles around the lake with beautiful views of the water and nature. There is a playground nearby so the whole family can come and get a good work out.
It is advised that after each hike you should do a “body check” of your dog. To do this, start at the nose and check to make sure their nose is clean and look over their face for ticks or fox tails. Make sure to check each ear and their paws. Lastly, pet them all over to double-check for ticks. Avoid letting your dog drink from standing water and bring plenty of water for you and your pooch. It is also advised to bring sun screen for both you and your dog.
Many of these parks have areas where dogs can run off-leash; if you are concerned that your dog may have difficulty with that then check our training programs at Happy Hound. Off-leash recall is one of the behaviors that our trainers excel at. So, enjoy your outdoor adventures and if you have a favorite hiking spot that isn’t on our list, leave it in the comments below!
