Carlton

Perched on the banks of the North Yuba River in the majestic Tahoe National Forest, Carlton Campground might just be the pawfect spot for you and your pup to pitch your tent! Despite being quite close to a main road, the campground offers a true wilderness experience -- you won’t have access to electricity, showers, or water hookups -- but the spectacular scenery and proximity to recreation options might just be worth sacrificing your creature comforts for. You’re also quite close to a general store, so there’s no need to stuff your backpack with supplies! And at an elevation of 2,200 feet, you and your pooch will have no trouble keeping cool even in the hot California summer. Just be sure to wrap up warm at night!

Hound dog hikers will be glad to know that the campground is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Indian Valley entrance to the North Yuba Trail, a fantastically Fido-friendly route that runs for sixteen whole miles through the strikingly beautiful river canyon. The trail is well-shaded by ponderosa pine and tall cedar trees and crosses gently burbling creeks, passing some interesting rock formations along the way. For a taste of the area’s mining history, you two could try your luck panning for gold in the river. Not only that, but the river itself is quite pawpular as a fishing spot.

Carlton Campground has access to drinking water, so be sure to fill up those bottles if you’re heading out for a hike! Campfires are permitted, but only in designated rings, and like most camping areas in this part of California, fire regulations can change with the weather. The campground doesn’t have access to wifi, and many cellphone users will struggle with finding a signal -- if you really need to make a call, there’s a payphone across the road at the Indian Valley Outpost. Remember to bring waste bags for your furry friend, and have a pawesome vacation!