Acorn Creek Trailhead - Pilot Hill, CA
Acorn Creek Trailhead in Pilot Hill, CA, offers a fantastic dog park experience with pet-friendly trails perfect for hiking, biking, and enjoying nature with your furry friend. This dog-friendly hiking spot features moderate trail difficulty with scenic views of valleys and rivers, making it ideal for dog owners looking for an active outdoor adventure. The trail is well-suited for kids and families, with amenities including public restrooms and a large gravel parking lot for convenience.
The park is known for its natural beauty, including wildflowers, diverse plants, and multiple streams to cross, providing a refreshing environment for dogs and their owners. Visitors should be cautious of natural wildlife like rattlesnakes and ticks, and the trail can be rocky and technical in some areas, so proper footwear is recommended. Whether you’re mountain biking or hiking, Acorn Creek Trailhead is a top choice for a dog park in Pilot Hill, CA, offering a blend of nature, exercise, and pet-friendly fun.
FAQ for Acorn Creek Trailhead in Pilot Hill California:
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Dogs are allowed, but only on leash due to the presence of bikers and potential hazards.
- What are the park’s leash requirements? Dogs must be kept on a leash while on the trails because there are many bikers and other trail users.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there is shaded area especially at the beginning of the trail.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, there is a public restroom available at the trailhead.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? There is a parking fee of $5.
- Where is the best place to park? There is a sizable gravel parking lot at the trailhead with ample parking space.
- How busy does the park get on weekends? The trail can be busy on weekends, especially with many people riding bikes.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the park offers multiple hiking, biking, and horse trails with moderate difficulty and scenic views.
- Are ticks or other pests common in the area? Yes, there are ticks and rattlesnakes in the area, so caution is advised including using repellent and checking pets after the walk.
- Are there picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, there is a large beach area perfect for picnics at the trail end.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? The area is kid-friendly with hikes that are good for children.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? There are benches available at some resting spots along the trail.
Reviews
Really cool hike with amazing views. There is a sizable gravel parking lot and there was a port-a-pottie at the entrance. You go uphill but it’s not terrible. The first part of the hike is pretty well shaded. When you get to the top, there are really cool views of the valleys and rivers below. I read reviews about needing to be careful of rattlesnakes so keep that in mind (though we did not encounter any). Definitely check for ticks after the walk before getting in the care and bring repellent. Dogs are allowed on a leash. Will definitely be coming back to do this hike again.
Watch out for rattlesnakes. Multiple streams to cross. Great views at the top of the Chapparal trail, which I recommend. You can also go to Cronan’s ranch from here. One of the best places to hike and bike in the area. Beware of the heat in the summer though.
It’s a flat mountain road, and it’s about 30% uphill, but it’s not a steep uphill, it’s a zigzag uphill.The road is also flat, so I don’t think there will be much effort for regular sneakers and running shoes.Just when you cross the place connected to the South Fork American riverrail, the cobbled road continues, so if you’re not ready, I recommend you to go back the whole road without going that way.I went to the top where I could see the river in the other trail room connected and came back, and in this case it will be a 3 mile course.
Beautiful park. For the most part the owners are responsible and friendly. We’re so lucky to have such a beautiful resource for our dogs. Well shaded, very clean. Lots of seating. Space for big and little dogs. Love it.
Nice trail to see different plants. There was flowers throughout the trail as well. There is a sign when you start the trail that there are ticks, rattlesnakes, and poison oak. I did not encounter any ticks or rattlesnakes but I stayed very cautious. In the beginning of the trail there are some white signs labeling different plants which was cool to know. There was a lot of horse poop on the trail. Once you get to the spot where the trail splits 2 ways, I went left. The right trail has a sign that states “No horses” so I am not sure what that right trail leads to. Once you keep going on the left trail, It gets a little intense. It goes uphill and its a lot more rocky with little shade. I personally wish I did not keep going cause my legs were sore the next day. Then you’ll reach a spot where it opens up a bit and you will see benches. That is where I decided to turn around and head back. It is a nice view of the hills but I stopped there because the trail looked like it wasn’t kept up, and considering there are ticks and snakes, I wasn’t going to risk anything.
It seems this is a dog park within a park. There is a nice grassy area outside of the dog park and walking trails alongside the dog park fence.The dog park itself is nice – 2 separate areas for large and small dogs, lots of oak trees for shade but a large enough area for dogs to chase balls.In addition to the usual dog poop bags, this park provides tools to pick up after your dog.Love this location as it’s not too far off 50 so makes it a great rest stop for the dogs en route from Sacramento to Tahoe.
Very nice dog park with a well maintained fence in good condition. Ground is dirt but it’s good dirt. And many many trees. Plus adequate water for people and dogs. Like a dog park in the forest with a creek next door and lots of birds.
Nice new trailhead with wide open trails in the shade. Lots of parking which is NULL. Had the place to myself on a weekend afternoon!!
I would like to say the dog park is NOT small it’s very large and very nice. Perfect spot for my little dog because they have a small dog section. The big dog section is much larger. Love all the trees as well