Pet-friendly overnights in So Cal?

Taya,
have you checked out Forks of the Kern area in Goldent Trout wilderness. Pets are welcome and there seem to be alot of areas where one can follow the stream off trail and have the place to yourself. I havent been but from what I'm reading, it sounds like a good option for you. I might be going there in a couple weeks if the Sierras get too cold for my family by then.

good luck!!

The national parks still allow campfires at set elevations. They do not allow dogs on trails however, and all of the national Forest wilderness areas ban fires completely, stoves only.

This weekend there are forecasts all over the sierra for 20% chance of rain and/or snow showers. I suspect it's going to be chilly this weekend at elevation. I had plans to go up into Dinkey wilderness myself, but will likely stick to paved roads and put in the snow chains.

Adan is right about the GTW it's some great hiking, but beware, the last time I was there I seen and heard lots of coyotes, so keep your animals close and on a leash, but really beautiful country.

Taya PM me sometime me and my friend also live in Bakersfield.

"all of the national Forest wilderness areas ban fires completely, stoves only."

Fires are still allowed in the eastern part of Emigrant Wilderness.

Last time I checked, Emigrant wasn't SoCal. I don't really consider Dinkey or Jennie Lakes SoCal either – more like Central Sierra – but they were specifically mentioned.

Golden Trout or Forks of the Kern are a better fit for SoCal… sounds hot to me tho. As does Sespe (probably no water other than the mineral springs). At least the Kern River is flowing….

A lot of the lakes in Dinkey are a couple feet lower than usual, and the streams are dry. It's like that most places.

Ok, thought you meant every nat forest wilderness area in California.

This time of year, I'd say your best bet is the southern Sierra (until it gets too cold or we get our first real snow). Golden Trout Wilderness, as others have mentioned has some nice areas (and dogs are welcome). You can enter from the west side off Hwy 190 behind Porterville/Springville or from the east side around Olancha.

I wouldn't expect much water on the west side of the Golden Trout right now except for the main rivers (Kern/Little Kern) and some of the larger named creeks. I'd assume most smaller tributaries and springs are dried out.

Lots of areas in the 6,000'- 7,000' elevation range that should be fairly mild (not too hot during the day, not too cold at night).

Beware of coyotes as others said. You're also in rattlesnake territory still at the lower elevations in the Golden Trout, particularly on the west side.

Other options closer to home…
Mt. Pinos area of Chumash Wilderness in Los Padres NF.
Reyes Creek/Beartrap Creek area of Sespe Wilderness in Los Padres NF.

In a typical year, both of these locations would have (some) water. This year is not very typical and water may not be easily available. Fires are outlawed throughout LPNF at the moment. Both of these areas are in the 5,000'+ elevation range where snakes, poison oak, etc. (while still present) become less common.

Thanks everybody for the comments! Still pretty new at this (backpacking and the whole forum thing too). I probably should have mentioned I was looking for places within reasonable distance from SoCal. I realize the areas I mentioned are a few hours away and not really considered southern Cal.

We went up to car camp and test some packing/equipment at Courtright Reservoir last weekend and were hoping to do a Jennie Lake overnight backpack in a couple weeks, but were a little concerned about the elevation and resulting nighttime temperature… not so much for us, but we'd rather the 4-legged girl not freeze.

I appreciate the tips for GTW, since that is closest to us and probably where we will end up going for this next trip, since it's likely to be more comfortable for the dog. We did get started with this new hobby pretty late in the season. Will definitely keep the presence of coyotes and rattlesnakes in mind.

I didn't realize fires were banned always in the majority of Wilderness areas. I thought it was just during the fire season/summer. That, too, is good to know.

Taya – if you haven't found it yet, get a hold of "Hiking California's Golden Trout Wilderness" by Suzanne Swedo. It's a great guide book to the trails thru out the Golden Trout Wilderness. Lots of good hikes with an hour to 90 minutes from Bakersfield. I'll be on a Forks of the Kern backpacking trip this weekend enjoying the start of the Fall season in the Southern Sierra.

Thanks!! I will look that up right now. I had a friend who did the Forks of the Kern trip a few weeks ago. He posted some great photos to facebook. It looks like a pretty area. Enjoy!