Dog friendly day in Yosemite
There are a lot of rules around bringing pets to national parks and Yosemite is no different. That being said, Yosemite has been one of the better parks I have brought a pet to because there are many short pet friendly walks with great views.
When bringing your pet (I brought Milo, a dog I was babysitting), always make sure to double check the rules. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind, is that dogs should stay on paved pathways — so don’t go planning any major objectives!
We got to the parking lot early to avoid crowds which meant breakfast at the car! You can tell Milo wanted a bite of my breakfast sandwich!
Here is how to make the most of a day in Yosemite with your lovely fur (or furless!) friend!
Milo was getting a bit distracted with such a crowded view point! We can’t blame him, he can barely see the view over the stone wall!
1. Tunnel view
The Tunnel view is a great place to stop with or without a pet. However, I don’t usually recommend it unless you are 1. waking up super duper early, 2. biking there, 3. visiting Yosemite for the first time because the traffic getting a parking spot is usually quite a big deterrent. When you have a pet with you though, the number of hikes you can go on is limited, so it’s okay to spend a little extra time to get in a really nice view
King of the rock! king of the rock!
2. Bridalveil Falls
Coming from Tunnel View to the valley, you will pass the parking area for Bridalveil falls on the right. Bringing Mr. Milo to Yosemite was actually the first time I have done this walk to the waterfall and wow! It was awesome! The walk to the falls is a little more than a quarter mile. The walkway past the falls was closed off when I visited, but that would extend your walk as well
2.A: Glacier Point
I add this as a sub bullet because glacier point was closed when I brought Milo to Yosemite, but definitely stop by if it is open!
Another beautiful stop on the road!
3. Head to Curry Village
Stop by Curry Village for lunch! There are many places to eat that offer outdoor ordering and seating. Pooch not tired yet? You can stop at a few of the parking areas on your way to to Curry Village and walk on the protected sidewalk instead
Getting playful at Yosemite Falls!
4. Yosemite Falls
Finish off your day by taking a stroll to Yosemite Falls. Take the long way around to go over a bunch of bridges, swing through the meadow, and get panaromic views of the valley
Things to keep in mind:
Some campsites allow dogs. My favorites are upper / lower pines, Hogdon, and Wawona (Crane Flats, Diamond O, and Tuolumne Meadows also allow pets though I have not visited those campgrounds). Camp 4 does NOT allow dogs and if you walk to Yosemite falls from the Camp 4 parking area, you will need to walk on the outside by Yosemite village rather than through the campground
Damp and tired boy on our way to camp!
Bring a towel! Half of your time will be spent near waterfalls so bring a towel (maybe a few extras too) in order to dry off y our pup after your adventures
Dogs must remain ON leash while at Yosemite. This is for their safety as well as others. There is a lot of wildlife in Yosemite, and a run in with something unwanted may not end up well. Further, a lot of work goes into preserving trails so please respect the Park when a trail is closed to pets!
