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10 Dog-Friendly Trails in Yosemite to Visit in 2024 (With Pictures)

Adam Mann

By Adam Mann

woman hiking with a dog

If you’re traveling to Yosemite with your dog, you want to get out and explore nature. The good news is that Yosemite allows dogs on all paved paths and trails. This means there are plenty of places you can bring them in the park, but it also means you can’t take them everywhere.

If you’re looking for some great dog-friendly trails in Yosemite, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve highlighted some of the top options in the park for you to consider down below.

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The 10 Dog-Friendly Trails in Yosemite

1. Bridal Veil Fall Trail

🗺️Address: Bridal Veil Falls Trail, Yosemite Village, CA
🕐Open Times: Dawn to dusk
💲Cost: $35 for a 7-day pass to Yosemite or $70 for a Yosemite annual pass
🐕Off-leash allowed?: No
  • The trail is open year-round
  • 0.9-mile out-and-back trail (roundtrip)
  • 200-foot total elevation

2. Mirror Lake Trail

🗺️Address: Mirror Lake Trail, Yosemite Valley, CA
🕐Open Times: Dawn to dusk
💲Cost: $35 for a 7-day pass to Yosemite or $70 for a Yosemite annual pass
🐕Off-leash allowed?: No
  • 1-mile trail to Mirror Lake
  • Do not go past the paved trail with dogs
  • Mirror Lake fluctuates in size depending on the season
  • You cannot go into the basin with your dog

3. Lower Yosemite Fall Loop

🗺️Address: Lower Yosemite Fall Trl, Yosemite Valley, CA
🕐Open Times: Dawn to dusk
💲Cost: $35 for a 7-day pass to Yosemite or $70 for a Yosemite annual pass
🐕Off-leash allowed?: No
  • You can see North America’s tallest waterfall
  • The trail takes you to the lower section–a 320-foot waterfall
  • Peak waterfall volume is from spring to early summer
  • 1-mile loop trail

4. Chowchilla Mountain Road

🗺️Address: Chowchilla Mountain Road, Mariposa, CA
🕐Open Times: Dawn to dusk
💲Cost: $35 for a 7-day pass to Yosemite or $70 for a Yosemite annual pass
🐕Off-leash allowed?: No
  • Hidden hiking trail
  • 12-mile out-and-back trail
  • Parking can be challenging to find
  • Unique trail without much foot traffic

5. Wawona Meadow Loop

🗺️Address: Wawona Meadow Loop Trailhead, Wawona, CA
🕐Open Times: Dawn to dusk
💲Cost: $35 for a 7-day pass to Yosemite or $70 for a Yosemite annual pass
🐕Off-leash allowed?: No
  • 3.6-mile loop hike
  • The trail is near a 9-hole golf course
  • Great trail to see wildflowers in early spring
  • Gentle rolling hills throughout the trail

6. Tuolumne Trailhead

🗺️Address: Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Rd, Yosemite National Park, CA
🕐Open Times: Dawn to dusk
💲Cost: $35 for a 7-day pass to Yosemite or $70 for a Yosemite annual pass
🐕Off-leash allowed?: No
  • 5.8-mile hike (one way)
  • Downhill from the trailhead to the campground
  • You get to see giant sequoia trees throughout the hike

7. Tunnel View

🗺️Address: Wawona Rd, CA
🕐Open Times: Dawn to dusk
💲Cost: $35 for a 7-day pass to Yosemite or $70 for a Yosemite annual pass
🐕Off-leash allowed?: No
  • Not a full hike but very pet friendly
  • Pets cannot go on the artist point trail
  • Outstanding scenic spot
  • Very easy to access

8. Glacier Point

🗺️Address: 5202 Glacier Point Rd, Yosemite Village, CA
🕐Open Times: Dawn to dusk
💲Cost: $35 for a 7-day pass to Yosemite or $70 for a Yosemite annual pass
🐕Off-leash allowed?: No
  • 0.6-mile out-and-back trail
  • Only open from May to November
  • Outstanding views from the trail
  • It gets very crowded

9. Cook’s Meadow Loop

🗺️Address: Yosemite Valley, CA
🕐Open Times: Dawn to dusk
💲Cost: $35 for a 7-day pass to Yosemite or $70 for a Yosemite annual pass
🐕Off-leash allowed?: No
  • 2.25-mile hike
  • Great views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome
  • Very close to Lower Yosemite Fall Trailhead
  • Tons of parking available

10. Half Dome

🗺️Address: Happy Isle Loop Rd, Yosemite Valley, CA
🕐Open Times: Dawn to dusk
💲Cost: $35 for a 7-day pass to Yosemite or $70 for a Yosemite annual pass
🐕Off-leash allowed?: No
  • Not an actual trail but great views!
  • Dogs cannot trek to the actual dome
  • Yosemite Park staple landmark

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Conclusion

Now that you know about some of the best dog-friendly trails in Yosemite, all that’s left is for you to start planning your next trip to the park. There are tons of outstanding trails and places for you to visit with your pup, and it’s sure to be a trip that both you and your dog won’t forget any time soon!


Featured Image Credit: Viktoriia Bu, Shutterstock

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