🐾 Kids at the Dog Park: Real Stories, Safety Risks & Smarter Solutions
If you’ve spent time at an off-leash park, you’ve probably seen it:A parent strolls in with a stroller 🚼 or […]

Estrella County Park in Spring Valley, CA, is a charming dog park nestled at the base of Mount Helix, offering pet-friendly trails and a natural setting perfect for dog owners and families alike. This six-and-a-half-acre park features a unique suspension bridge, sturdy slides, and creative play areas made from natural elements like wood and rock, making it an exciting spot for children and dogs to explore. The park’s hiking trails provide a scenic loop with gorgeous views of Mt. Miguel and native plants, ideal for dog-friendly hiking and outdoor activities.
The park is well-equipped with amenities such as picnic tables, swings, and a playground, although it lacks restrooms and shaded areas, so visitors should plan accordingly. Parking is available on Estrella Drive with a charging station, and the park can also be accessed on foot from nearby streets. Estrella County Park is a great destination for those seeking a natural, pet-friendly outdoor experience in Spring Valley, combining hiking, play, and beautiful vistas in one location.
FAQ for Estrella County Park in Spring Valley California:
This is a fairly new park in Spring Valley at the base of Mount Helix. The park is just over six and a half acres. It was built into the surrounding land escape so as not to disturb the natural native land escape.In addition to the surrounding native plants, drought tolerant trees have been added for shade and that nice natural park appeal. There’s a durable play area for children and young adults made from natural elements such as wood and rock.When I visited, the park did need some TLC via some weeding and clean up, but as I was leaving, a county worker was arriving and he stated he was there to evaluate the park’s needs.The park has a small parking lot on Estrella with an available charging station. The park can also be accessed, on foot, from North Bonita and Sierra Madre Road. Oh yes, there’s a unique suspension bridge at the park and picnic tables, trash cans, but no restrooms.
Much improved. New walking paths, landscaping, and parking lot. Picnic tables, playground, and suspended plank bridge have been added. It has a beautiful beautiful view from the top. Sometimes, you’ll see a beautiful sunset. The only thing needed is a lawned area with trees.
It’s got a short trail you can spend about 20-30 minutes walking a sort of loop. Gorgeous views of Mt. Miguel and pots of native plants. Ther is no shade. So not good when it’s hot! Limited parking up top, but some street parking.
Playground: Newer playground. The flooring is tanbark and sand with virtually no shade and no benches. This is a ‘natural’ park where a lot of the equipment is stumps and logs. The kayaks and giant wooden bridge were a big hit with my toddler. It is located down a large hill that is not stroller friendly.Bathrooms: None available.Parking: Free street side parking up a large hill.Location: In a neighborhood.Safety: No unhoused, some trash as there were basically no trash cans, and many adults exercising or walking dogs.
This nature park is amazing, it’s a mini hike down the trail towards excitement, it’s not your normal playground, it has lots of activities for your little ones to explore, and cave into thier curiosity, and work on their motor skills. The suspension bridge is so much fun, the slides are sturdy, and fast, the steping logs, are creative. There is beach sand by the canoes, and the play area is cover with wood chips. There are no restrooms.