Guest post by Kat Camplin
Shasta County is a wonderful area to venture out with our pets. Dogs enjoy the new smells and and sights as much as we do.
No matter which trailhead you hit, the Leave No Trace Principles still apply.
https://lnt.org/pet-principles-the-leave-no-trace-guide-to-including-your-pets/
This includes picking up poop, even in wilderness or open space areas. Dog viruses can pass to the local wildlife population through feces, which includes our adorable little foxes, raccoons, and bobcats.
Other than the exceptions listed below, the following rules apply when hiking or walking with your dogs:
- All Redding City Parks with “improvements” (even a picnic table counts) are off-limits to dogs.
- All local city walking trails require dogs to be on leash.
- All hiking trails in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area require dogs to be on leash.
- All hiking trails in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest require dogs to be on a leash or under voice control*.
- All BLM hiking trails require dogs to be at least under voice control*.
- All National Parks require dogs to be on leash and to remain on paved trails.
- Local California State Parks require dogs to be on leash and to remain on paved trails.
*A dog is considered under Voice Control when they can follow instructions immediately at the first command, even in the presence of high distractions such as running wildlife or other dogs. If dogs are not under voice control, they must be on a leash.
Safety concerns fluctuate throughout the year. Rains swell creeks and streams, which can cause currents strong enough to wash a dog away. Heat brings rattlesnakes, which can hide well enough until it’s too late. Summer brings wildfires, so be sure to plan an evacuation route before heading out on the trail. This is especially important for out and back hikes.
Activities should be safe for all species. Shorebird nests can be enticing in the spring, as can chasing deer, which can leave fawns orphaned. Many National Forest trails allow horses. Allowing dogs to bark and lunge at a horse and rider can have dire consequences.
A full list of local hiking trail maps is available at Healthy Shasta: https://healthyshasta.org/maps/
Off-Leash Open Areas:
The City of Redding has two off-leash open space areas:
-Turtle Bay East Open Space at the end of Bechelli: 1600 Bechelli Lane Redding, CA 96001
-Nur Pon Open Space (formerly Henderson Open Space): 2502 Henderson Road, Redding.
Redding also has two improved parks that allow dogs on leash:
-Caldwell Park: 3 Quartz Hill Rd, Redding, CA 96003
-The Vietnam War Memorial: 702 Auditorium Dr Redding, CA 96001
BLM controls the Clear Creek Greenway, Mule Ridge, and Swasey recreation areas.
Trail maps and locations are available at the Healthy Shasta
Did you know your dog can become a B.A.R.K. Ranger at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area? Stop at the Whiskeytown Visitor Center and pick up your Whiskeytown BARK Ranger Activity Book.
https://www.nps.gov/whis/planyourvisit/pets.htm