Top Dog-Friendly Hikes in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a great place to have a dog! We are lucky to have dog-friendly restaurants, shops, parks, and more throughout Los Angeles County. Today, I want to take the opportunity to highlight three of my favorite dog-friendly hikes in Los Angeles. As part of National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, I’ll also share some tips for keeping your dogs safe on your hiking adventures.

Check out my most recent post to learn more about Pet First Aid & CPR for pet parents.

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Runyon Canyon Park

Runyon Canyon Park in Los Angeles, CA

Runyon Canyon Park in the City of Los Angeles is open from sunrise to sunset, Monday through Sunday. The park boasts 160 acres of “urban wilderness” at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains and is managed by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.

Dogs are only allowed off-leash in designated areas including a 90-acre dog park, making Runyon Canyon Park a common spot for LA dog lovers.

For hikes, dogs parents are encouraged to keep their dogs on leashes because the trails can be crowded. Pet parents are also expected to clean up after their pets, which the park facilitates by providing poop bag stations around the park.

I love spending an early morning or summer evening at Runyon Canyon Park. I try to avoid crowds and parking delays by choosing my visit times carefully.

Corral Canyon Park

Corral Canyon Park in Malibu, CA

Corral Canyon Park in Malibu is a beautiful place to spend a day with friends, furbaby besties included. I particularly enjoy the park’s Sara Wan Trailhead because it allows for easy trail access to the 1000-acre Corral Canyon Park and the 700-acre Cameron Nature Preserve at Puerco Canyon.

Dogs must remain on a leash while exploring the magnificent trees, sage bushes, and other native greenery. As a human, the spectacular views of the water are my favorite reason to visit.

Corral Canyon Park’s Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile moderately challenging route that takes an average of 1.25 hours to complete. The loop is a well-loved area for birding, hiking, and running, therefore plan to encounter other people and pets while exploring. The trail is open year-round and popular seven days a week.

Reservoir Loop

Reservoir Loop is right in Beverly Hills’ backyard

Part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and was included in the opening for “The Andy Griffith Show”

Famously included in the opening of “The Andy Griffith Show,” Franklin Canyon Park’s Reservoir Loop is located near the center of Los Angeles between the San Fernando Valley and Beverly Hills. Among its 600+ acres, the park boasts a three-acre lake, an ADA-accessible duck pond, expansive picnic grounds, and over five miles of hiking trails. BringFido.com rates this park 5.0 out of 5 bones with a community review that states this place is great for humans and pups!

While there are several trails, I am particularly fond of Reservoir Loop because it’s a relatively easy, level trail that is mostly shaded, making it a perfect place to bring leashed dogs.

Hiking with Dogs in LA

Plan Your Dog-Friendly Hikes

The best way to hike with your dog is to plan for the unexpected, bring lots of water and snacks, and stay safe.

No matter what trail or park you choose for your dog hiking adventures, please keep in mind that Los Angeles is quite populated while simultaneously quite wild. Our parks can be very busy, putting reactive and anxious dogs at risk. They can also expose our dogs to bacterial infections from wildlife droppings and carcasses. It’s important to plan your visit during off-peak heat hours, bring along lots of fresh water, and prevent injury and illness.

Allowing your dogs off-leash, even when it’s allowed, can pose a risk, especially if your dog is highly food motivated. It’s best to keep dogs on a standard 6-foot leash to easily access them as needed. I also worry that reactive dogs may run into another dog or stranger face-to-face and lead to an incident, which is why I encourage the parents of reactive dogs to keep their dogs on a short leash and consider gentle muzzle training for everyone’s safety. Muzzle training is also great for dogs that like to turn dog walks into buffets.

I highly recommend you bring along a pet first aid kit on all pet adventures. When hiking, a pet can easily get a foxtail, bug bite, or leg or paw injury. Having a pet first aid kit that includes ice packs, tweezers, etc. can make things much easier until you can get your pet to the veterinarian for assessment.

Before making your way to a hiking trail, take a look at this great resource from Pet Sitters International so that you are prepared for anything. As a PSI Certified Professional Pet Sitter®, I will always share their educational resources because they have helped me become the expert dog walker and pet sitter I am today.

Have fun on your dog-friendly hikes! And, learn more about my premier pet care services including dog walking and hiking by contacting me at info@furbabybestie.com.

All the bestie, Steph