A Dog-Friendly Adventure to Lake Spaulding
Lake Spaulding is one of our favorite dog-friendly destinations in the Sierra Nevada for a summer or fall day trip or weekend getaway. Surrounded by towering granite boulders, pine forests, and crystal-clear water, this scenic mountain lake is perfect for hiking, camping, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, and relaxing by the shore. Less crowded than Donner Lake or Lake Tahoe and only about three hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, Lake Spaulding is a peaceful escape where dogs and their people can enjoy the beauty of the Sierra together.
📍 Location: Tahoe National Forest
🚗 Drive from San Francisco: ~3 hours
🐕 Dogs allowed: Yes (leash required in developed areas)
🥾 Best for: Hiking, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, camping
🚻 Restrooms: Vault toilets
💲 Day-use fee: Boat launch/day-use area
📅 Best season: July through October
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-Although Linus hasn't visited Lake Spaulding yet, one reason we're excited to bring him is how peaceful the area feels. Even on a summer weekend, we only encountered a few other dogs while hiking and had the lakeshore almost entirely to ourselves. For reactive dogs, visiting early in the morning or on a weekday could make this an especially enjoyable adventure.
Lake Spaulding. Can’t wait to go back!
Whether you're looking for a peaceful paddle with your dog, a scenic hike through granite landscapes, or a relaxing weekend of camping, Lake Spaulding is one of the Sierra Nevada's best-kept secrets. Every visit leaves us wanting to come back to this beautiful mountain escape.
