San Francisco Presidio Bans Dogs From Trails During Coyote Pupping Season

Coyote pups are in the dens along two of the Presidio's most-used trail corridors, and the Presidio Trust has acted accordingly: starting March 27, 2026, no dogs, on- or off-leash, are permitted on the Park Trail from Mountain Lake to the Presidio Promenade near the Cavalry Stables or on the Bay Area Ridge Trail from Rob Hill Campground to the Presidio Golf Course. The closures run through early October 2026.

The Trust announced the measure on March 23, citing the need to reduce conflicts between dogs, coyotes, and people during a stretch of the calendar when parent coyotes escort pups and exhibit defensive behavior near den sites. Coyotes have been a stable part of the Presidio's urban ecosystem since returning to San Francisco in the early 2000s, and this seasonal closure is not new: the Trust has implemented the same restriction in previous years as a standard part of its urban wildlife management strategy.

The two affected segments are not a parkwide shutdown. Visitors without dogs may still walk the closed stretches, and the Presidio's broader trail network remains open to dog owners willing to reroute. When using those open sections, keep your dog on a short leash; the Trust specifically recommends short leashes, not just leashed, because coyotes can appear quickly from the brush and close control is the difference between a clean exit and an incident. Small dogs should not be walked off-leash anywhere in the Presidio given the heightened risk of wildlife encounters during pupping season.

A high-drive dog accustomed to running the Ridge Trail has energy that needs to go somewhere. Reinforcing a solid recall before your next Presidio visit is the most practical preparation: a dog that responds reliably gives you a real option when a coyote appears on an open stretch with no warning. The closures also create a real opening for local trainers and community groups to build structured off-site outings and enrichment programming through October, when demand for alternatives will be at its peak.

Anyone who observes a coyote or a concerning encounter can report it to the Trust's wildlife ecologists at (415) 561-4270. The Trust's own position on direct contact is unequivocal: "coyotes are wild animals and should never be fed or approached."

Current trail maps, conditions, and coyote safety guidance are available on the Presidio Trust's website. The Trust also runs the B.A.R.K. Ranger pledge, a community program reminding visitors to bag poop, always leash up, respect wildlife, and know where they can go. With two trails off-limits for the next six months, that last one is doing more work than usual.