We recently brought our dog Flik to Yosemite National Park, and since then, we've received numerous inquiries about our activities and itinerary when visiting the park with our dog.
We are thrilled to offer some of our tips and tricks for visiting Yosemite with your dog. This National Park holds a special place in our hearts because my husband and I visit it every year for Christmas, and now including Flik in this tradition has been amazing.
So where do you start? The first thing you want to do before even visiting the park is check the Yosemite National Park website. Specifically, their pets page to see all the policies and rules that they have when bringing your dog.
In general, dogs are only allowed on paved surfaces when visiting National Parks. This includes fully paved roads, sidewalks, and bicycle paths. They are also allowed in campgrounds so long as it is not a walk-in campground.
Some other important things to note are that your dog must remain on a leash at all times. (Flik's leash has been edited out of all photographs but he was on leash for the entire trip while in the park.) Dogs are also not allowed in any of the buildings so be sure to have someone with you to hold your pup if you need to go inside at any point.
Make sure to plan your route. Dogs are also not allowed on the shuttles so be prepared to drive to where you need to go.
So now the fun part! Where to hike in Yosemite with your dog! Here are a few hikes we took Flik on that are dog-friendly and offer great views! We hiked during the winter season, so there are other pet-friendly hikes to do but they were just not accessible during our visit.
Tunnel View
Tunnel view isn't a hike per se, but it is a stunning view of Yosemite Valley when you enter the park and is a recommended stop on your way to the valley floor. You get a wonderful view of several famous mountains in Yosemite and some waterfalls as well! Parking can be limited and fills up quickly so we suggest getting there early or later in the day to beat the crowds.
Lower Yosemite Falls
Lower Yosemite Falls is always one of our favorite go-to spots to see some beautiful views and take Flik. It's an easy, one-mile loop with only 50 feet of elevation gain. You can walk through a beautiful forest to get to the waterfall. Keep in mind it may be busy as this is a very easily accessible location and is quite popular. However, it's worth it in our opinion, especially if this is your first time in Yosemite.
Mirror Lake Loop
Mirror Lake is another great option if you are looking for a nice hike in the woods. While you are not able to make it all the way to view the lake (The last section is not paved.), it is still a good hike in the forest and is a bit longer with more of an incline. For the section that dogs are allowed, it's about two miles out and back with 100 feet of elevation gain. This trail is not as crowded, so it's a great option if you want a bit of space for you and your dog.
Yosemite Valley Loop Trail
Yosemite Valley Loop trail is the perfect trail to get a good hike in, with tons of views! This hike is 11.5 miles for the full loop, or you can do half the loop at 7.2 miles. One reason we love this hike is that you can make it as long or short as you want, and it's also full of iconic Yosemite views! This hike is also listed as moderate but is relatively flat.
Overall, we are always huge fans of bringing your dog along with you to your National Park adventures! Always be respectful of the park rules and do your research. I also would only recommend bringing your dog if you are prepared to make this trip as pet-friendly as possible and not hike any non-dog-friendly trails. Dogs are not allowed to be left unattended at anytime so if you want to explore more of the park where dogs are not allowed, it might be best to plan another trip without the pups.
Be sure to use the hashtag #hikingdogsofinstagram on Instagram to share your Yosemite adventures and possibly get featured on our Social Media platforms!
Happy hiking!
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