Where to hike with a dog in Humboldt County: Elk River Trail

The dog and I loved this trail. For me it was a green oasis with a floor of ferns, walls of moss and a ceiling of tree branches. For her, it was off-leash roaming in a dense forest full of tantalizing new smells.

Photo by Nathan DeHart

The Elk River Trail is located in the Headwaters Forest Reserve near Eureka. And its free parking lot is reached after a few miles on Elk River Road, a lovely adventure of its own featuring barns and rolling pastures full of grazing horses and cows. 

Covered bridge on Zanes Road

And if you love covered bridges, keep your eyes peeled for one on Zanes Road that is definitely worth a stop before or after your hike. I read there were two in the area, but we only found the one.

The first mile of the Elk River Trail is paved and very flat, but little spur trails can take you off the pavement and closer to the water. Dogs are allowed to hike with you and can even be off-leash, but you are asked to keep them out of the river so they don't disturb the spawning fish.

Photo by Nathan DeHart

If you like dense forest canopies, I can't recommend this hike enough, and I can't wait to return.

Bathrooms & water: There were pit toilets at the trailhead, but I didn't find any drinking water. I also never would have found this trail if it weren't for the book "Best Dog Hikes in Northern California" by Linda Mullally.



Videos below of the forest and the bridge: