Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in California

Discover the best dog-friendly campgrounds across California. Verified pet policies with trails, swimming, and welcoming sites.

20+ Campgrounds4.8★ AverageBest: Year-round (weather dependent)

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Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

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5.0

(100)

Doran Regional Park Campground

Bodega Bay
Doran Regional Park

Your leashed pup can roam two miles of sandy Pacific coastline, explore tide pools teeming with marine life, and join you on beach walks with sweeping Bodega Bay views. Dogs accompany you throughout all camping zones and trails, making every sunrise stroll and sunset adventure a shared experience.

Gualala Point Regional Park Campground

Gualala
Gualala Point Regional Park

Your leashed pup can explore miles of coastal bluff trails and romp along sandy beaches where the Gualala River meets the Pacific. The intimate redwood-shaded campground welcomes dogs on every path, from ADA-accessible routes through bay laurel groves to dramatic oceanfront trails teeming...

South Lake Tahoe
Emerald Bay SP

Your adventure-loving pup can explore miles of scenic trails leading to and from this boat-access-only haven, where the journey becomes part of the experience.

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About Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in California

Pet-friendly camping in California opens up a world of outdoor adventures where your four-legged companions can explore alongside you, from misty coastal redwood groves to alpine lake shores and sun-drenched beach campsites. The Golden State offers exceptional diversity for travelers with dogs, featuring campgrounds that welcome pets with open arms and provide access to trails, beaches, and natural areas where leashed dogs can experience California's legendary landscapes.

Best Time

Spring and fall offer the most comfortable conditions for pet-friendly camping in California, with mild temperatures that keep dogs happy and reduce heat stress concerns. April through June brings wildflower blooms in mountain meadows and comfortable coastal weather, though Sierra campgrounds may not open until late May or June depending on snowmelt.

What to Expect

Verified pet-friendly policies
Hiking trails for dogs
Spacious campsites
Swimming access at many locations

More Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in California

Discover 17 additional top-rated pet-friendly campgrounds in California

4.7

(152)

Lower Billy Creek

Lakeshore
Sierra National Forest

Your four-legged companion can explore miles of wilderness trails leading into the Kaiser Wilderness, where pine-shaded paths and lakeside routes provide endless sniffing adventures.

Bishop Park Campground (Ca)

Bishop
Inyo National Forest

Your leashed pup can explore rushing creek banks and sprawl across grassy meadows beneath towering Sierra pines, with wilderness trailheads launching directly into pristine alpine terrain.

Huckleberry Campground

Garberville
Richardson Grove SP

Your dog will explore trails winding through ancient redwood groves and cool off with refreshing swims in the nearby Eel River. Leashed pups can join you on forest hikes and participate in ranger-led programs that bring the old-growth ecosystem to life.

Kangaroo Lake Campground

Etna
Klamath National Forest

Your dog can plunge into the crystalline 25-acre mountain lake after hiking the paved quarter-mile forest trail, where leashed adventures begin at 6,100 feet elevation.

Upper Soda Springs Campground

Mammoth Lakes
Inyo National Forest

Dogs thrive along the San Joaquin River's banks, where they can splash in cool waters between hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail and forest paths threading through Reds Meadow Valley.

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5.0

(34)

Canyon View Group Sites

Three Rivers
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Dogs can explore miles of riverside trails along the Kings River and splash in crystal-clear swimming holes just steps from your campsite. The spacious group sites provide plenty of room for multiple pups to roam while staying close to water bowls and shaded rest spots beneath towering pines.

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4.8

(46)

Juanita Lake Group Campsite

Macdoel
Klamath National Forest

Your pup can roam freely along the barrier-free 1.5-mile lakeside trail, where pine-shaded paths and swimming access keep tails wagging all day. The spacious group format means dogs have plenty of room to socialize while families gather around the communal fire ring under towering ponderosas.

Big Pine
Inyo National Forest

Your dog can explore miles of Eastern Sierra trails right from your campsite, with Big Pine Creek offering cool splashing spots after mountain hikes through Jeffrey pine forests.

Dogs stay close at your campsite among the redwoods, as pets aren't permitted on the trails or beaches that surround this coastal retreat. Your four-legged companion can enjoy the forest atmosphere from camp while you explore the Rim Trail and tide pools solo.

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Campground Locations

Showing top 20 campgrounds near Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in California

Map of campgrounds near Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in California

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Map Key

Doran Regional Park Campground

Gualala Point Regional Park Campground

Boat-In Campground

Lower Billy Creek

Bishop Park Campground (Ca)

Huckleberry Campground

Kangaroo Lake Campground

Upper Soda Springs Campground

Canyon View Group Sites

Juanita Lake Group Campsite

Sage Flat Campground

Abalone Campground

Big Bend Campground

Pine City Campground

Alder Creek Campground

Madrone Campground

Logger Flat Group

Los Vaqueros Group Horse Campground

Wheeler Campground

Bear Harbor Campground

View all 20 campgrounds on interactive map

Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Hiking dog-friendly trails through diverse terrainBeach walks and coastal exploration with leashed dogsSwimming in lakes, rivers, and designated beach areasWildlife viewing from safe distancesPhotography of pets in scenic California landscapesTide pooling along the coast during low tide

Tips & Recommendations

1Always verify current pet policies before arrival, as regulations can change and some campgrounds limit the number or size of dogs permitted per site.
2Bring proof of current vaccinations, particularly rabies certification, as rangers may request documentation.
3Pack a complete pet kit including extra water, collapsible bowls, a long tie-out cable for campsite use, first aid supplies, tick removal tools, and waste bags—always pack out what your dog leaves behind.
4Research nearby veterinary clinics before your trip and save emergency contact numbers in your phone.

20 campgrounds ranked

Based on real camper reviews

Curated for Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in California

Pet-Friendly Campgrounds in California FAQ

We've curated 20+ pet-friendly campgrounds in California based on verified pet policies, user reviews, and trail access. Each campground welcomes dogs and many offer hiking trails, swimming areas, and spacious sites.

Not all campgrounds allow pets. Our California pet-friendly list only includes campgrounds with verified dog-friendly policies. Always check specific leash requirements and pet fees before booking.

Essential items include: leash and harness, food and water bowls, dog bed or blanket, waste bags, current vaccination records, flea/tick prevention, and a first aid kit. Also bring familiar toys to keep your pup comfortable.