By We are delighted to share our next guest blog by Shelley Trupert at Outdoorsy! Dreaming about renting a cool RV and traveling with your four-legged friend by your side or love camping but cold winter nights aren’t your thing? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
California is a hiker’s dream come true for two-legged and four-legged friends alike and traveling by RV allows you to see more of it, at your pace. Still, it is always best to know your pup will be welcome before you get to your destination. Today we have a list of 10 RV parks, resorts, and campgrounds that not only offer a pet-friendly atmosphere but also have locations close to hiking trails and beaches to walk along with your furry best friend.
Park One: Big Bear Shores RV Resort
This park in Big Bear City, California offers hiking trails on site with up to two dogs allowed per campsite. Check-in is between 2 and 5 and the resort is open year-round. Full hook up is available in the spring and summer, whereas water is not available in the winter. RVs must be a minimum of 26 feet long and self-contained. Make sure to keep your dog on a six-foot leash when not in your RV and there is a $50 fee if you do not clean up after your pet.
Big Bear Shores is more than an RV Park with an abundance of activities, a guarded gate as well as a tennis courts, a swimming pool, and spa. Nightly rental varies depending on time and length of stay and the season. They also have lots for sale if you are looking for a more permanent pet-friendly hiking hub.
Park Two: Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort
This Santa Cruz hidden treasure is located right in the middle of a redwood forest by the mountains. Open year-round, fees vary although they do have a reduced monthly fee if you are looking to do some serious hiking in the area. They have pull-through sites and are minutes’ walk from trails for walking, biking, and horseback.
Paved roads, a spacious clubhouse and hot showers make this a go-to place to park the RV for an experience of hiking the Redwoods, with some comforts of home. They allow two dogs but have breed restrictions in place and all dogs must be leashed.
Park Three: Flying Flags RV Resort
In San Dimas, California you will find a park perfect for swimming and fishing. Also, minutes away is the Bonelli Regional State Park which offers horseback riding, hiking and golfing among other things. Leashed dogs of any kind are welcome in this park.
The resort itself is open year-round. On-site amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, pool and spas, playgrounds and Café restaurant among others. With early check-in (12:30 for RVs) you can be set up and out on a hike before mid-afternoon. With a fully-fenced, off-leash dog park, this pet-friendly RV resort has everything you need.
Park Four: Bodega Bay RV Park
Your next stop is in Buellton, California where you will find an award-winning RV park that features hiking, boating and golfing close by. The Bodega Bay RV Park comes with many amenities including full hookups, wifi, restaurant, putting green, and fenced dog run.
Open year round, they offer discounts in the off-season. Dogs are allowed for a fee of $50 per stay and a refundable $100 deposit. With the Bodega Head Trail right beside this RV park, you can hike this stunning trail with views of the Pacific Ocean and beach access along the way.
Park Five: Pelican Point RV Park
Another great beach hiking location is in Half Moon Bay, California where you can find a 75 site RV park with cable TV, a laundry room and spotless bathrooms. As is the same with many parks, your furry friend will need to say on a leash while out of your RV.
Front and center with access to many popular nearby beaches, this RV park is adjacent to the Pillar Point Harbor and Coastside Trails, as well as Gray Whale Cove Trail. Open year round they offer daily, weekly and long-term rates with an additional fee of $2 per night for pets.
Park Six: Dockweiler Beach RV Park
Perhaps the best beach located RV park is in Playa del Rey, California where the park is actually on the beach itself. The park is dog-friendly, however, they do not allow dogs to be left outside unattended and require proof of vaccination and a $3 per day fee.
Open year-round, this park offers incredible views and is attached to the beach bike path. If you are looking for a coastal setting with lots to offer, the Dockweiler Beach RV Park is an excellent option.
Park Seven: Riverside Campgrounds & Cabins
Located in the iconic town of Big Sur, California you and your two pets can hike along trails, beaches and even rivers that are all Fido-friendly. Make sure to let the park know ahead of time that you are bringing pets as they request advanced notice.
Hiking Big Sur is on many people’s bucket list, this RV park offers the unique combination of forest camping, surrounded by majestic Redwoods with some modern amenities, all steps away from some amazing hiking opportunities.
Park Eight: Escondido RV Resort
Last on our list is this RV resort located in Escondido, California. Perhaps, the most dog-friendly out of the whole list, this location features a large off-leash dog park as well as an entirely fenced in property in case your pet gets loose. Nearby you can find hiking at the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, Bernardo Mountain Summit Trail, and Daley Ranch Dixon Lake.
Escondido RV Resort is open year-round and caters to its canine guests. With a doggie park that includes features like a fire hydrant water feature, dog toys, shade trees and benches, a doggie water fountain, and incredible views; you can relax after a hike while your dog has a blast.
Overall, California is a great place to go RVing with your pets and the intention of hiking in the great outdoors. While there are many pet-friendly RV Parks in the state, these will provide you with close by hiking and great amenities to make sure your trip is the best it can be for you and your furry friend.
About the author: Shelley Trupert works for Outdoorsy, an RV marketplace for consumers and pros. She has been camping for almost 20 years and is always looking to find the next hike, off the beaten path. While she used to enjoy tenting in the wilderness, she prefers to camp in an RV now—whether it is a Class C or a teardrop trailer—to enjoy a little comfort after a long day outdoors and the ease of travel it provides. Her goal is to hike in all of the national parks in North America.
Hiking Girl with Dog 