Best Dog Friendly Hikes Yosemite – National Parks in the US This is correct! Yosemite National Park is unique in its ability to offer you spectacular views without ever leaving the valley. That means you (and your best furry friend) can enjoy America’s best national parks together!
Yosemite is known for its lush and powerful waterfalls, historic granite rock formations, giant sequoias and some of the best camping in California. There are so many epic trails in Yosemite (see our recommendations here) that you can get out of your car and enjoy the amazing views without ever setting foot on a trail that doesn’t exist! Read on for everything you need to know about visiting Yosemite with a dog (or pet)!
Best Dog Friendly Hikes Yosemite
Yosemite National Park is located in eastern California and is known as one of the best parks in the United States. Yosemite attracts tourists from all over the world!
Visiting National Parks With Your Dog
If you are coming from San Francisco, it takes 3-4 hours to drive to Yosemite. Your drive from Los Angeles will take 5-6 hours. You can also fly into a nearby airport and rent a car at Fresno Yosemite International Airport, just an hour away. In our case, we left Reno, Nevada after visiting Lake Tahoe on a 7-day trip to Northern California. No matter which route you take, you’ll have a beautiful and scenic drive to Yosemite National Park!
I may be biased, but I think everyone should go camping in Yosemite National Park! Yosemite has some of the best campgrounds in California, and reservations tend to sell out. If you’re as lucky as I am, you’ll find last-minute information on the Recreation.gov website. Campsites are available 5 months in advance on the 15th of each month. You can find more information on the Recreation.gov website. We stayed at Lower Pines and North Pines Campgrounds and loved them both!
During Yosemite’s peak season, a day reservation is required for 1-car park use between 5:00 and 4:00 p.m. This means that between April 13 and October 27, you will need to make a peak time reservation if you are going to visit the park. Read more about Yosemite National Park entrance times here. Pro tip, come before 5:00!
Additionally, you should make sure that you have a Great Parks of America pass. You can also purchase a 3-day or 12-month Yosemite National Park pass at the park gate.
6 Best Dog Friendly Hikes Yosemite National Park
It is very important to remember that not all US it. National parks are dog friendly! As for pets, we do our best to follow National Park regulations when we bring our pets to Yosemite. The general rule is that pets are only allowed on paved areas, most campgrounds do, and they must be on a leash.
The above list may seem like a lot of places where dogs are not allowed in Yosemite, but remember that it is still one of the best national parks in the US. it. To bring your dog. You can camp in Yosemite with your dog and look for pet-friendly accommodations. I have recommended some of the best dog-friendly hikes and sights in Yosemite that you can bring your dog to share with you after our first trip in May 2024!
Tunnel View is the most famous view in Yosemite National Park. Made famous by artist Ansel Adams, this spectacular overlook offers a spectacular view of Yosemite Valley, including El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridleval Falls. This place is unusual for a reason and easy to get to just a few steps away from a large parking lot.
My favorite part of Yosemite is the over an hour drive from Yosemite Valley to Glacier. This is one of the best sunset spots where the hemispherical mountain ranges are spectacular at sunset. It’s a popular spot, so we went twice for sunset and sunrise, but it was worth it! Be sure to check out the Geology Hut and walk the trail around Glacier with your dog.Â
Dogs In Yosemite: Best Things To Do In Yosemite With Dogs
Another favorite part of Yosemite is in the valley! Cooks Meadow is a 2 mile trail that takes you through meadows and along beautiful boardwalks. The magnificent view of Yosemite is like paradise behind you. You can continue the loop trail up to the Lookout Bridge.
Lower Yosemite Falls is a short 1.25-mile trail that offers one of the park’s most spectacular views. The trail is dog-friendly, so you can bring your dog up close and personal with the falls! It is amazing to see Yosemite Falls and see how powerful the falls are.
Lookout Bridge is part of the Cox Meadow Trail, where we saw the alpine glow as the sun set over Half Dome. You should know that dogs are not allowed to swim in Yosemite, neither is Sentinel Beach. Tip: On a hot day, ask your camp ranger if your dog can cool off in the river – safety comes first on a hot day!
We watched the sun rise over the valley and can you believe the photo was taken from the parking lot?! Valley View is one of the most accessible, beautiful and dog-friendly places to visit.
Dog-friendly Guide To Yosemite National Park — Hellorubydoodle
Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to visit the above places, but we know they are all dog friendly! Mirror Lake is a 5-mile loop trail that gives you beautiful views of the still and reflective waters of the lake. Dogs can go with you to the lake, but not around the lake. Wawona Meadows is a 3 mile, wooded trail that takes you to the beautiful valley meadows. El Capitan Meadows is a great stop along the way.
Yosemite National Park is truly one of the most dog-friendly national parks in the United States, with some of the most spectacular views and some of the best camping in California. You don’t have to leave your dog at home when you’re planning a visit to Yosemite, and we encourage you to bring your furry friend along for the adventure! Our dog Rosie had a blast and we made some great memories!
We hope we have inspired you to take this adventure of self-discovery in the amazing Yosemite National Park! Check out our road trip story highlights on Instagram and TikTok, and watch us on YouTube from this amazing California adventure!
Looking for more of our travel reviews? Check out our blog for the best 7-day itineraries for adventure travel in Northern California. Check out our popular 8 Day Utah Tour or our 10 Day Washington and Oregon Coast Tour! Many people associate Yosemite National Park with towering waterfalls and majestic granite cliffs, but this magnificent park provided a comfortable environment for our foursome. . Friends with legs. Today, I am excited to partner with Visit Yosemite | To highlight the best places to experience the natural wonders of Madeira with your beloved canine companion while exploring the dog-friendly side of Yosemite. From scenic trails to pet-friendly accommodations, embark on an adventure that showcases Yosemite’s natural beauty and the joy of meeting your furry friends.
Canine Companions: Understanding The Rules For Dogs In Yosemite National Park
Now I’m sure you know Yosemite is my happy place. Our beloved dog, Grandma Thumper, lives (and enjoys visiting) here while Nate and I go on great adventures in the backcountry…but we love it too. Plan a special trip with Thumper and visit our favorite places with us.
So where are pets allowed in the park? First of all, service dogs are allowed by law wherever tourists are… However, family pets (like Thumper) are allowed on developed areas, fully paved roads, sidewalks, and bike paths ((sign no pets allowed they are mostly allowed. Campgrounds except for campgrounds and group campsites.
Allowed on Wawona Meadow Loop). Our furry friends are prohibited from driving on dirt roads covered with snow, as well as in unknown and deserted areas. In addition, public buildings, buses and hotels are prohibited in the park. Pets are not allowed in areas of the park where pets are not allowed (strollers, carts, carts, etc.). Respecting these rules is important because they help protect pets and wildlife from disease and from each other.
Lower Yosemite Falls Trail: This is an easy, flat, paved 1-mile loop that’s perfect for dogs and families, and overlooks the final 320-foot drop of North America’s largest waterfall.
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Sentinel & Cook’s Meadow Loop: This easy 2.25-mile hike features great views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Rock, along with a paved trail and boardwalk.
Bridalveil Fall Trail: A paved trail leads 1/2 mile from the parking lot to a spectacular lookout near the base of the waterfall.
Mirror Lake Trail: 2 miles
