July 26, 2010
By Suzie Rodriguez

Have a yen to pitch a tent and get close to nature (with your favorite canine, of course)? If so, consider the large number of Northern California campgrounds overseen by three state and national agencies: California State Parks (CSP), National Park Service (NPS), and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). They offer dog-friendly camps along the state’s stunning coastline; at major outdoor playgrounds like Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park; and at countless other forests, lakes, and natural wonders.

Pet regulations vary, so research a specific destination’s rules before you go; you’ll typically need to keep Fido on a leash during the day and inside your tent or car at night. As for trail hiking, some CSP and NPS destinations allow dogs, but most don’t. Most BLM recreational areas permit leashed dogs on trails.

Here’s a look at “pooch camping” through these agencies and a few of their campground options.

California State Parks

Dogs are allowed in most state campgrounds (but not in those designated as “environmental”). For details, visit this page at California State Parks. To find a campground and make an online reservation, visit the official CSP site.

Easy-Access Coastal: MacKerricher State Park, on the coast three miles north of Fort Bragg, offers 148 campsites. Cost: $35/night.

Lake Tahoe: D. L. Bliss State Park near Emerald Bay offers 268 family campsites. Cost: $35/night.

National Park Service

Can you camp with your dog in a National Park? That depends on the Park. For example, Yosemite allows pets in many campgrounds and on fully-paved Valley trails (unless a sign says otherwise). But many other NPS Parks simply don’t allow dogs. To determine the rules for a specific Park and make reservations, visit the official NPS site.

Get Away-From-It-All: Yosemite’s Hodgdon Meadow Campground, 25 miles from Yosemite Valley, has 105 sites. Read Yosemite’s rules about Pets. Cost: $20/night.

Bureau of Land Management

The BLM oversees more than 250 million acres (much of it in California). As a general rule leashed dogs are welcome, including on trails. Campgrounds range from well-developed to wild country (overseen by 15 California field offices).

River-Camping: Northeastern California’s isolated Pit River Campground, near Fall River Mills, is gorgeous, surrounded by pine, ash and oak trees. It’s right on the river, so great for fishing. Reservoirs and lakes nearby, lots of hiking trails. Cost: $12/night on a first-come basis.

Another dog-friendly camping option: New Melones Lake in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. New Melones Lake is a reservoir operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and offers year-round camping at two locations near Angel’s Camp and Sonora.