Hot Trails, Hot Paws: Keeping Dogs Safe at Mission Trails

Hot summer days can turn a routine hike into a dangerous one for dogs.

Dogs often keep going because they want to stay with their people, even when they are uncomfortable. By the time a dog refuses to walk, searches for shade or starts panting heavily, their paws may already be hurting or they may be experiencing heat stress.

Before heading out, check the temperature and the trail surface. Hold the back of your hand against the ground for seven to 10 seconds. If it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your dog’s paws. Ground temperatures above 125 degrees can burn paw pads within minutes, and the air near a hot trail can be significantly warmer than the temperature higher off the ground.

Bring plenty of fresh water for both you and your dog, take frequent breaks and hike early in the morning or later in the evening. Puppies, senior dogs, short-nosed breeds and dogs that are overweight, ill or have long coats may be especially vulnerable to overheating.

Watch for excessive or noisy panting, bright red or pale gums, restlessness, difficulty breathing, drooling, vomiting, sluggishness or a staggering gait. Severe symptoms require immediate veterinary care.

Heat is not the only concern. Dogs can also encounter ticks, snakes, poison oak and foxtails. Do not allow dogs to drink or swim in river water, where organisms including leptospirosis and giardia may be present.
And on the hottest days, the safest choice may be the simplest one: leave your dog at home.

The trail will still be there when it cools down.

Nature-Loving Teens: Apply to the Eco Ambassadors Program

Applications for the free Fall 2026 program are open through August 14. Apply now!

Created and operated by the nonprofit Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation (MTRP Foundation), Eco Ambassadors gives local teens the chance to learn at Mission Trails Regional Park while exploring environmental stewardship, local ecosystems and careers related to nature and conservation.

“Eco Ambassadors is about connecting students to nature through Mission Trails Regional Park and connecting them to professionals in nature-related careers,” said Jonathan Serna, Education and Outreach Coordinator for the MTRP Foundation. “Students get out in the wild and learn directly from people working in the environment while building friendships with other teens who care about nature.”

Know a high school student who is passionate about the outdoors and would benefit from hands-on learning with environmental professionals? Encourage them to apply.

Questions about the program? Contact Jonathan Serna at jserna@mtrp.org.

Eco Ambassadors is a Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation program, made possible with support from SDG&E, the Ackerman Foundation, Boys and Girls Foundation, James Hughes Foundation, Pratt Memorial Fund and other donors to the MTRP Foundation. The MTRP Foundation is the independent nonprofit that helps fund and support programs, projects and improvements at the City-owned Mission Trails Regional Park.

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