Planning a day in Yosemite National Park with your Dog

Most National Parks aren’t very dog friendly, but of the handful we’ve visited along the West Coast, Yosemite is one of the best.

Julianna sits with Chase and Rado, two tan and white labradoodles. Behind them are views of Yosemite National Park.

Being a California Native, I can’t believe my first time visiting the Park was last Fall (2021). It’s quickly become one of my favorites and I’ve looked for any excuse to go back – like signing up for my first half-marathon because it was just miles from the Park!

Before I go on about all the things you can do, I should mention that some of our visits to the Park were during COVID-19 and weather/fire restrictions that limited some of our experience. Oh, and if it isn’t already obvious, I’m focusing on the dog-friendly options here!

Have additional dog-friendly recommendations? Leave them in the comments below!

One of the great things about this list is if you are short on time you can still experience many of the recommendations below in one day.

Before your visit

Be sure to double check if a reservation is required to visit the Park. Although we did not need them during our visits, as of late May 2022 and seasonally, reservations are required. It’s also important to note that depending on the time of year, some entrances and roads might be closed. You can find more information on reservations, road closures, and general Park alerts HERE.

Visiting Yosemite

Now that you’re in the Park you might be wondering, where can I go with my dog?

Here comes the good stuff!

Visit Yosemite Valley and Plan Your Hikes Early

Whether you’re visiting in the summer or a random long weekend, you’ll want to beat the heat and crowds.

Chase, a tan and white labradoodle, stands tall and looks off into the distance. Behind him is a view of Lower Yosemite Falls.

Leashed dogs are welcome on most fully paved roads, sidewalks, and paths, and most of Yosemite’s most popular points are within view from these trails.

Short and popular dog-friendly hikes

Bridalveil Fall – 1.2 miles and 200 ft of elevation gain
Bridalveil Falls is often the first waterfall you see when entering the Park. It’s not as tall as Yosemite Falls, but it is still very impressive. It’s famous for the mist that wafts off in the breeze that make it look much like a bridalveil.

Lower Yosemite Falls – .5 miles from trailhead, or 1.5 miles round trip from Yosemite village and very little elevation gain
Yosemite Falls is the tallest in North America and fifth tallest in the solar system. The 2,425 foot waterfall is broken up in two parts called upper and lower falls. Lower Falls is the shortest section of the waterfall at 320 feet.

Cooks Meadow – 2.25 miles and no elevation gain
This flat, easy hike takes you around the Yosemite Valley Meadows and includes views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome.

Glacier Point – 1 mile round trip and no elevation gain
Some of the best views in Yosemite and California.

Mirror Lake/Mirror Meadow – 2.4-4 miles and approximately 100 feet of elevation gain
One of the closest points to Half Dome, and a popular swimming pool. You can often see the crown of Half Dome reflected in the lake’s water in some locations.

Not sure what to pack when hiking with your dog? Find a list of essentials here.

All of these hikes are central to Yosemite Valley, where you can also find the village and Visitor Center.

We always make a stop at the Visitor Center to pick up souvenirs. Recently our “thing” has been collecting National Park multitools with one of our names engraved in them. What sets Yosemite’s Visitor Center apart from many other National Parks, however, is that they offer a BARK Ranger program!

Become a Bark Ranger

Rado, a tan and white labradoodle, sits smiling in front of views of Yosemite National Park.

A hand holds up a gold Yosemite BARK ranger tag in front of views of Yosemite National Park.

With Yosemite being one of the most dog-friendly National Parks, it’s only fitting that they offer the Bark Ranger program. Chase and Rado earned their first Bark Ranger tags here by following the BARK Rangers pledge to always:

Bag your pet’s waste
Always leash your pet
Respect wildlife
Know where you can go

We were sworn in and picked up our official BARK Ranger tags at the Visitor Center in Yosemite Village. Find more information about becoming a BARK Ranger HERE.

Picture Worthy Stops

Pictures or it didn’t happen, right?

After you take your obligatory “Yosemite National Park” sign selfie, there are a number of stops just off the main roads that make for a great scenic tour on hot summer days when you don’t want to spend too much time walking in the heat.

Tenaya Lake

Take a scenic drive along HWY 120. Bring a snack and enjoy the views at Tenaya Lake. We saw people out on kayaks and families having picnics. There’s plenty of shade around the lake to sit and relax.

Tunnel View

A very popular stop, and rightfully so, is Tunnel View. Don’t pass it up! The point offers views of El Capitan, Cathedral Rocks, and Half Dome. In the Spring you can also see Bridalveil Falls flowing.

We actually passed on stopping at Tunnel View the first time we drove by because it was crowded, but went out of our way to drive back because the views are so unique.

Doing more without your dog

Of course there is much more to do in the park, but to protect the Park and wildlife, they aren’t all dog friendly.

If you’re looking for some time to explore those options, you might consider Yosemite’s Dog Kennel in Yosemite Valley. Owners must provide vaccination records, and the daily rate of $10 per dog (or $20 overnight). The kennel closed in 2020 during the pandemic. It is unclear if they have fully reopened since then.