Your dog may not be able to paddle her own canoe, but you’ll have a blast paddling for her with an assist from an outfitter who knows how to help water-loving dogs and their people have fun. Among our favorite DogTrekker activities is paddling a languidly flowing, 8.5-mile stretch of the Russian River around the dog-friendly, wine-centric town of Healdsburg in Sonoma County.
Russian River Adventures is the go-to outfitter here, providing stable and dog-friendly inflatable canoes for full-day trips on which paddlers can enjoy clear, clean swimming holes and a picnic lunch before catching the shuttle back to town. The canoes are wide and flat-bottomed, so even a big dog can shift around without tipping you over. Most dogs figure out the routine quickly: hop in, settle down, and enjoy the ride between swimming stops. Pack a towel and a spare leash, because your pup will want to jump in at every bend.
On the Mendocino County coast, Catch-A-Canoe & Bicycles Too rents “canine cruisers”—outrigger canoes outfitted with a raised dog deck—for floats on Mendocino County‘s Big River estuary. The estuary is calm and protected, making it a great option for dogs who are new to boating. You can paddle several miles upstream through a quiet redwood canyon, stopping to explore sandy banks along the way. The dog deck keeps your pup elevated and dry between swims, which most dogs seem to appreciate.
On the Truckee River, sole outlet for flows from Lake Tahoe, your dog can join you on a two- to three-hour, self-guided float aboard a raft procured from Truckee River Raft Rentals in Tahoe City. The gentle Class I rapids add just enough excitement to keep things interesting without being scary for most dogs. Life jackets for dogs are a good idea here, as even calm stretches can have swift currents.
Looking for a simple swimming hole where you can dog-paddle alongside your pup? Head for South Yuba River State Park in Nevada County, where you’ll find scenic swim spots set off by granite boulders perfect for lounging in the sun. The river pools vary in depth, so you can find shallow wading spots for tentative swimmers and deeper holes for dogs who love to plunge in. The covered bridge near the main parking area is worth a visit, and the trail along the river offers miles of shaded walking between swims.
