Glen Canyon Park
Glen Park
Photo: 2007
2007
2007Photos taken in 2007 on our original visits. Tap a photo to see it full size.
In a city known for hilltop parks that drive home their urban surroundings with spectacular views, Glen Canyon Park is one of those rare places where you can leave the city behind and lose yourself on wooded canyon trails. With a creek running its length, rock outcroppings framing its sides and a wide variety of native plants, it's an excellent place to bring your dog back to nature without leaving town.
From the main entrance off Diamond Heights Boulevard you'll pass athletic fields and the Glen Park Recreation Center on the way to the first open area. Follow the main trails on either side of the creek up the canyon and past a series of impressive rock lookouts with views of the canyon. As you climb, the trail narrows, becoming almost hobbit-like in places, before looping back down. There are side trails to explore, but it's mainly an out-and-back that takes about half an hour, if your dog doesn't get distracted by the gophers in the grass.
Note that Glen Canyon is not an off-leash park: dogs are welcome, but they must be on a leash.
- Where
- Bosworth St & Diamond Heights Blvd
- Neighborhood
- Glen Park
- Fenced
- Not an off-leash area
- Hours
- Most SF parks are open 5 a.m. to midnight; confirm on the official page
- Managed by
- SF Recreation & Park Department
- Official page
- sfrecpark.org
Getting there
Glen Canyon Park is the anchor and namesake of the Glen Park neighborhood, south and west of the Mission and Bernal Heights. Follow Bosworth Street up the hill from Glen Park and turn right on Diamond Heights Boulevard to reach the main entrance. There's no lot, but street parking on and around Diamond Heights Boulevard is usually easy to find, and there are many smaller entrances from Bosworth and other streets.
Bring your own bags.
Rules here
- Dogs must be on a leash throughout the park.
- No dogs on athletic fields, courts or children's play areas.
- Pick up and remove waste.
Closures for turf recovery, repairs and wildlife happen often. Check the official page or posted signs before you go.
What to bring
- Long training leash (15 to 30 ft): Practice recall before you trust a big open space.
- Collapsible water bowl: Fountains aren't always working. Clips to a leash.
- Poop bag dispenser: Park dispensers are often empty. Bring your own.
- LED collar light: Fog and early sunsets make dogs hard to spot.
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Nearby dog parks
- Bernal Heights (Bernal Heights)
- Balboa Park (Outer Mission / Ingleside)
- Crocker Amazon (Crocker-Amazon / Excelsior)
- McLaren Park (Shelley & Geneva) (Excelsior / Visitacion Valley)