Walking the wilds of Mendocino

By: DogTrekker Staff
A vibrant dog park bathed in sunlight features abundant greenery with mature trees, offering ample shade for leisurely outdoor activities. In the distance is a well-equipped playground that presents an additional activity area. An inviting picnic table spreads out nearby, ideal for enjoying meals al fresco or taking relaxing breaks from play. A neatly-placed trash bin aids in maintaining the park's cleanliness for everyone's enjoyment. Dominating the scene is a generously wide dirt path gracefully curving through the expanse of grass, promising exploratory walks and lively fetch games.

A big part of Mendocino County’s appeal is its hundreds of thousands of acres of dog-friendly public lands, which range from sprawling, 913,300-acre Mendocino National Forest and Snow Mountain Wilderness to coastal preserves like the newly designated Point Arena-Stornetta National Monument, consisting of 1,665 spectacular acres on the wild and windswept coast.

Often overlooked but with much to offer DogTrekkers is Jackson Demonstration State Forest just east of Fort Bragg. At 50,000 acres, it’s the largest of eight forests used by Cal Fire to demonstrate sustained production of timber while maintaining soil, water, scenic, wildlife, and recreational values. Recreational amenities include campgrounds and about a dozen dog-friendly trails and logging roads leading through a variety of forested terrain. Standouts include the Chamberlain Creek Waterfall Trail, leading to a cascade tucked away in an old-growth redwood grove; and the Forest History Trail, a rigorous, 4.5-mile loop with a steep climb to a ridge-top cloaked in mixed redwood forest. An interpretive brochure explains how Native Americans harvested materials from the forest, how logging methods used between 1850 and 1900 changed the landscape, and how experimental restoration practices in use today are changing it again.

 

Adoptable Dog Near Fort Bragg

Adopt Peaches

Adopt Peaches!

  • Breed: Australian Shepherd
  • Age: Adult
  • Gender: Female
  • Location: Fort Bragg
View Full Profile and Adopt

© 2025 DogTrekker.com