Pets

 
A couple walking two leashed dogs on a beach.
Two visitors walking their dogs at North Beach.

NPS Photo

Enjoying Point Reyes with Your Pet

Leashed pets are welcome at Point Reyes on sections of specific beaches and trails and in a few areas. Visiting a National Park with a pet poses unique challenges. Please take a moment to review these guidelines to keep your pet, visitors, and wildlife safe. Pet owners are responsible for knowing park rules and regulations. Those not adhering to the regulations will be cited.

 

Locations Where Pets are Permitted

Pets are allowed in parking lots, along public roads, and along with the trails and beaches described below. All other trails, beaches, and off-trail lands within Point Reyes National Seashore and the Northern District of Golden Gate National Recreation Area are closed to the possession of pets. Always keep your pets on a leash.

 
A man wearing a green jacket and black pants walks a medium-sized white dog along an asphalt path through the woods.
A man walks his dog on the Cross Marin Trail.

NPS / Anela Kopshever.

Trails

Warning: Many of these trails pass through cattle pasture.

Please Note: Sections of the trails listed below may temporarily be closed to dogs due to unexpected circumstances. Please check our Current Conditions page for information about temporary closures of the following trails.

Within Point Reyes National Seashore

Pets are permitted on:

  • Kehoe Beach Trail.
  • the paths and roads within the Niman Ranch/Commonweal area south of the Commonweal entrance road and west of Mesa road. This does not include RCA Beach.

All other trails within Point Reyes National Seashore are closed to pets.

Within the Northern District of Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Pets are permitted on the :

  • Tomales Bay Trail*
  • Bolinas Ridge Trail
  • Cross Marin Trail
  • Jewell Trail
  • McCurdy Trail
  • Randall Trail
  • trails within the Giacomini Wetlands

* Please note that the Tomales Bay Trail on the east side of Tomales Bay is not the same as the Tomales Point Trail at the north end of the Point Reyes Peninsula. Pets are not permitted on the Tomales Point Trail.

Download a map showing the trails within the Northern District of Golden Gate National Recreation Area where pets are permitted. (4,592 KB PDF)

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A woman walks with her leashed white dog along a sandy beach. Steep cliffs rise in the background.
A woman walks her dog on Kehoe Beach.

NPS / Anela Kopshever.

Beaches

Please Note: Sections of the beaches listed below may temporarily be closed to dogs due to unexpected circumstances. Please check our Current Conditions page for information about temporary closures of the following beaches.

Ocean-facing Beaches

Pets are allowed on the following ocean-facing beaches throughout the year:

  • Kehoe Beach - north of the Kehoe Beach trail
  • Limantour Beach - southeast of the parking lot to the beach adjacent to Coast Camp
  • Point Reyes/Great Beach - from the North Beach parking lot south to the historic Navy installation/lifeboat station located approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the South Beach parking lot.

Download a map showing the ocean-facing beaches within Point Reyes National Seashore where pets are permitted throughout the year. (3,197 KB PDF)

Tomales Bay Beaches

As of May 30, 2023, pets are no longer permitted on National Seashore beaches on the west side of Tomales Bay.

In addition to the National Seashore beaches on the west side of Tomales Bay, pets are not permitted on:

  • Hog Island, Duck Island, or Pelican Point.,
  • beaches within Tomales Bay State Park.

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Additional Information about Some of the Trails Where Pets Are Welcome. Always Keep Your Pets on a Leash.

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    Ocean-facing Beaches Where Pets Are Welcome (at least on certain sections of the beach). Always Keep Your Pets on a Leash.

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      Maps showing locations where pets are usually permitted year-round*:

      Full park map (8,316 KB PDF)
      Beaches map (3,197 KB PDF)
      Bolinas Ridge map (4,592 KB PDF)

      * Notice: Sections of the beaches or trails highlighted in the above maps may temporarily be closed to dogs due to unexpected circumstances. Please check our Current Conditions page for information about temporary closures of the highlighted beaches and trails.


      Adobe® Acrobat Reader® may be needed to view the maps.

       

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      Additional Information

       

       

      Last updated: June 27, 2024

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      Contact Info

      Mailing Address:

      1 Bear Valley Road
      Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

      Phone:

      415-464-5100
      This number will initially be answered by an automated attendant, from which one can opt to access a name directory, listen to recorded information about the park (e.g., directions to the park; visitor center hours of operation; fire danger information; wildlife updates; ranger-led programs; seasonal events; etc.), or speak with a ranger. Please note that if you are calling between 4:30 pm and 10 am, park staff may not be available to answer your call.

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