Santa Clara Valley's Best Dog-friendly Hikes
Dogs are fun hiking partners. Their curiosity and the unique ways they experience the world with their noses (and other actions) help us notice and appreciate more of the natural world around us. Responsible dog owners know that the safety of your furry companion should always take top priority, and part of that responsibility is knowing which locations permit or restrict dogs.
Where can I take my dog?
With the primary goal of protecting habitat for wildlife, (more information below) the Open Space Preserves of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority have a no-dog/pet policy, except for service animals.
Luckily, many Open Space Authority staff have dogs, so we have identified some amazing urban and regional parks and trails within the Santa Clara Valley, a number of them created with grants from the Open Space Authority, where you can enjoy the outdoors with your fur baby.
Here are our top staff recommended dog-friendly trails so you can start planning your next pup-friendly adventure:
★ = Park / Trail funded by the Open Space Authority
1. Santa Teresa County Park (over 17 miles of unpaved trails)
This park in San José’s Santa Teresa neighborhood has over 19 trails spanning over 17 miles to explore and is one of our favorite spots to see wildflowers in the spring!
2. Martial Cottle Park ★ (3 miles of paved trails)
Enjoy the 3 miles of paved trails at this park which combines the features of an urban park (lawns, picnic areas) with the location’s rich ranching history.
3. Ed R. Levin County Park (20.6 miles of trails and a dog park)
Not only can you enjoy 20.6 miles of trails at this park, but if you want to let your dog off-leash after your hike (or instead of your hike) Ed R. Levin County Park has a dog park for dogs of all sizes.
4. Joseph D Grant County Park (51 mile trail system)
This park has 51 miles of trails to explore with your dogs, as well as picnic areas and campgrounds that are dog friendly. Look out for cattle while on the trails; grazing is allowed on parts of the property.
5. Rancho San Vincente (5.4 miles of trails)
Rancho San Vincente is a part of Calero County Park with wildflower viewing in the spring and a 5.4-mile round-trip hike to a lookout over the Calero Reservoir.
6. Sanborn County Park (over 15 miles of trails and a part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail!)
This park has over 22 miles of trails within the Santa Cruz Mountains, including the lake ranch trail to enjoy Lake Ranch! And, as a bonus, this park has trails that are a part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail!
7. Ulistac Nature Area ★ (open space with a mile of trails)
If you want a short trail in an urban Santa Clara open space, Ulistac Nature Area is a great option with a mile of paved trails! Warning: there is foxtail grass found at Ulistac, which can be harmful for dogs.
8. Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (over 4 miles of trails)
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve has 26 miles of trails going through a variety of habitat-types in the rugged terrain in the Sierra Azul Range of the Santa Cruz Mountains. However, dog access is limited to certain trails within the preserve, so make sure to check the trail guides before bringing your dog here.
9. Almaden Quicksilver County Park (37 miles of trails)
This park has 37 miles of trails, all of which are open to on-leash dogs. While visiting, you can see the remnants of the park’s mining history and enjoy wildflower displays in the spring.
Tips for hiking with dogs
When you plan a hiking trip with your dog, make sure you pack everything you need to keep your pup safe. This includes:
- A 6-foot leash. This is required for most trails unless there are specifically designated off-leash areas.
- Extra water and a bowl for your pup to drink from.
- Compostable waste bags to collect their poop and carry it back with you. *
- A camera or your phone to take pictures of your pup on the trail, so you can show off your hiking buddy!
*Removing pet waste is important for being a responsible dog owner on the trails, because dog poop can carry bacteria that upsets the natural ecosystem. Dog feces can be toxic to baby cows, which are often present for conservation grazing. Not all parks have garbage bins at the trail heads, so expect to continue practicing leave no trace principles and pack your trash (including the poop)!
Pet safety tips
- Share the trail - To avoid conflicts on the trail, never assume that it is okay for your dog to approach other dogs or people without verbal permission.
- Vaccinate – Dogs are susceptible to infection by drinking from contaminated water puddles, which is why it’s important to pack water for them and make sure your pup is up to date on vaccinations. Infected carriers like raccoons, opossums, squirrels, livestock, and rodents can contaminate water with diseases like leptospirosis through their urine.
- Fox tails - To keep your furry friend safe, steer clear of areas with foxtails or overgrown fields of tall grass. If you do venture into such an area, be sure to thoroughly inspect your dog for any visible seeds, paying special attention to the spaces between their toes.
- Wildlife
- Predators: All parks and open spaces are home to predators, including larger raptors, coyotes, and mountain lions. Animal attacks might not be the norm, but your pet (especially small dogs) could look like prey to a hungry predator. So, like small children, keep your pups close!
- Snakes: Be aware of snakes during the warmer months. You may see them on the trail when walking with your furry friend. Keeping your pup on a leash can help prevent them from getting bitten.
- Ticks: These pesky creatures often reside in tall grasses, so it is advisable to stay on designated trails and keep your furry companion on a leash.
Why doesn’t the Open Space Authority allow dogs at open space preserves ?
At the Open Space Authority’s open space preserves, we work to protect and restore the dwindling natural areas of our region that provide homes to rare, native, and threatened wildlife, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Keeping dogs off the trails reduces disturbance of sensitive habitat and gives native species a better chance at survival.
The reality is that even the best-behaved dogs (and responsible dog owners) can have a negative impact on local wildlife in places with sensitive ecosystems. Of course, some behaviors are more harmful, like barking, or chasing prey animals (like deer and squirrels) but dogs can affect wildlife even if we cannot see it happening.
“Their scent, and feces (poop), dogs leave a big impact that other animals react to negatively,” Aaron Hébert, Open Space Authority Natural Resources Manager, explains.
More resources:
Thank you for helping protect and respect wildlife. If you want to learn about more dog-friendly trails, please check out these resources from our partners: