SMC OKs Dog Camping Area In Memorial Park

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — The Board of Supervisors this week approved a proposal from San Mateo County Parks that will create the county's first campsite allowing dogs, starting this September.

The county has worked for several years to evaluate areas to expand dog recreation, including commissioning a recently-completed study on off-leash dog walking on certain trails in Quarry Park.

The proposal approved Tuesday will permit on-leash dogs at eight tent campsites in the Huckleberry area of Memorial Park. Officials said seven of the family-size sites can accommodate up to a dozen people and three dogs. Each campsite has a barbecue, fire pit, two tables, and a hitching post for furry friends. The eighth site has space for up to 30 campers.

The new dog campsites are also situated near dog-walking trails in the Loma Mar area of the park.

The campsites include a new $5 nightly dog camping fee, so reservations will run $45 per night for residents and $50 for non-residents. Officials said the fee will help cover the cost of dog waste supplies and washing stations.