Escape the Heat: A Dog-Friendly Adventure to Lake Spaulding
We've been experiencing triple-digit temperatures in the Bay Area lately, so we decided to escape the heat and head to Lake Spaulding. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains and surrounded by granite boulders, Lake Spaulding is the perfect getaway for camping, hiking, and various water activities. Less crowded and closer to the Bay Area than Donner or Tahoe, Lake Spaulding is a refreshing retreat for dogs and people alike.
Luna at Lake Spaulding
HIKING-There are miles of dog friendly trails for both day hikes and back packing trips in the Lake Spaulding area. A couple trails we enjoy are the Pioneer Trail and Spaulding Lake Trail. Both trails offer river and waterfall views, as well as access to the lake. These 2 trails intersect and are mostly shaded with wildflowers and butterflies coloring the landscape. Both trails can be accessed from Bowman Lake Road. Parking is free along the road as well as in the small parking lot by the Emerald Pools (a popular and often crowded swimming hole along the Yuba River).
WATER ACTIVITIES-All types of boats are allowed on Lake Spaulding from jet skis to paddle boards as long as you stay under 35 mph. The lake’s blue tranquil waters are great for dogs and people to cool off. Don't forget to bring a doggy life jacket if your pup isn't a strong swimmer. A day use parking lot and boat ramp can be accessed for a small fee.
Additionally, there are several other small lakes in the area along Bowman Lake Road, including Fuller, Rucker, and one of our favorites-Blue Lake which also allows dispersed camping. The road to Blue Lake is not paved, so a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended.
CAMPING-There is a campground at Lake Spaulding with spacious sites, potable water and vault toilets as well as several other campgrounds and dispersed camping areas near Lake Spaulding. Most of these sites are PG&E recreational facilities. Some require reservations and some are first come first serve. Here’s our packing list of things we like to bring for our dogs when camping.
REACTIVE NOTE-Linus has not been to Lake Spaulding yet, however, hiking on a summer weekend, we encountered only 2 other dogs on the trail, and once we hiked to the lake, we did not see any other people or dogs. So hopefully we will get the chance to take Linus paddle boarding, hiking or swimming at Lake Spaulding this summer.
Lake Spaulding. Can’t wait to go back!
