5 Hikes to Do in Yosemite National Park With Dogs

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When JT and I first started visiting National Parks, we were honestly disappointed in the dog friendly options once inside the parks. When you think of National Parks, you think of the ‘great outdoors’, and the outdoors are generally very dog friendly. Unfortunately, that is not usually the case when it comes to National Parks, though.

In general, National Parks are not very “dog friendly.” Dogs are not allowed on trails in most of them, but there are some workarounds, even in the strictest parks, and Yosemite is no exception.

The first time JT and I went to Yosemite in 2020, we brought our dog Rizzo and were immediately disappointed when we learned he wasn’t allowed on any trail in the park. The signs on pretty much every trailhead made that painfully clear. It wasn’t until we sat down with a couple of park rangers that we found out the real story, and it turns out there are more exceptions than we realized.

Person and dog taking a break on a wooden bench along the Bridalveil Fall Trail in Yosemite National Park. This short, paved trail is one of the park's most accessible walks for visitors exploring Yosemite with a leashed dog.

According to the rangers, dogs are not allowed on any unpaved trails in the park. But dogs are allowed on any paved trail, which includes fully paved roads, sidewalks, and bicycle paths (except where signs specifically say otherwise). That is great news for dog owners! If you are planning a trip to Yosemite National Park with dogs, here are our favorite dog friendly hikes in the park.

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Wawona Meadow Loop – 3.7 miles

This lesser known trail is an absolute hidden gem for dog owners. It sees fairly low traffic compared to the more popular spots in the valley, so it is a great option if you are hoping for a quieter walk with more room to spread out. The full loop winds around a wide open meadow, giving you a totally different feel than the busier valley floor trails! If Rizzo could pick his favorite, this one might be it simply because it is so much easier to actually relax and enjoy the scenery without weaving around crowds.

Bridalveil Fall – .7 miles

Rizzo sitting in front of the Bridalveil Fall trailhead sign in Yosemite National Park. This short, paved walk is one of the easiest places to enjoy the park with a leashed dog while taking in views of the famous waterfall.

This was the first trail JT and I ever brought Rizzo on back in 2020. After being closed for a few years for renovations, we finally hiked it again with him in July of 2026, and we loved it just as much the second time around. The updates make it very accessible, it is super well maintained, there are plenty of shaded spots to stop and give Rizzo some water, and there is ample room on the trail to handle the higher foot traffic it gets.

The only downside to this one is the parking situation. We would strongly recommend getting to the lot early. We showed up at 9am on a Friday and still had a tough time finding a spot. If you are planning to visit on a weekend, get there even earlier than you think you need to.

Cooks Meadow Loop – 1.1 miles

Dog resting in Cook's Meadow with Yosemite Falls and towering granite cliffs in the background at Yosemite National Park. The Cook's Meadow Loop is one of the best dog-friendly trails in Yosemite National Park, offering scenic valley views and paved walking paths.

Cooks Meadow Loop is one of our absolute favorite trails in the entire park, dog friendly or not. You genuinely cannot beat the views of Lower Yosemite Falls and Half Dome from here, so we are thrilled it made the dog friendly list.

Here is an insider tip for you, especially if you are planning to stop by the welcome center or gift shop. Instead of parking at the lot for Lower Yosemite Falls, park at the smaller lot near Sentinel Bridge, then walk the Cooks Meadow Loop toward the Welcome Center. The stretch beyond Cooks Meadow is a paved bicycle path the entire way, which means your dog is welcome for the whole walk.

Lower Yosemite Falls – 1.2 miles

Person holding a dog near the base of Lower Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park. This paved, dog-friendly viewpoint offers a close-up look at one of Yosemite's most iconic waterfalls.

Lower Yosemite Falls is another great loop to bring your dog on. It can get a little busy during the summer months, but it is absolutely worth it if you are looking for a solid hike to do with your pet. Since it is a loop, you have the option to go up one direction and come back down the other, and no matter which way you choose, you will have plenty of tree cover for shade along the way.

The main viewing area and parking lot for Lower Yosemite Falls tend to get packed, especially on weekends, so plan to arrive early. Even with the crowds, it is still one of the best short hikes in the park and well worth working around the busy parking lot.

Glacier Point – .6 miles

The winding road to Glacier Point overlooks Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. This iconic viewpoint is accessible by car during the summer months and offers one of the park's most breathtaking panoramic views.

This one is more of a scenic path than a true hike, but Glacier Point offers one of the most incredible views in the entire park, and the best part is that it is dog friendly. We have visited for both sunrise and sunset, and honestly, both are absolutely worth it. Just like every other spot on this list, though, the parking here fills up fast, so build in extra time to find a spot before the view (or the sun) disappears on you.

Beyond the hikes

Trails are not the only place your pup is welcome in Yosemite. JT and I have brought Rizzo to all of the spots below more times than we can count, and it has been really nice having a few extra places where he could tag along.

Person walking a leashed dog along the wooden boardwalk on the Bridalveil Fall Trail in Yosemite National Park. The paved and accessible trail is one of the best places to enjoy Yosemite with your dog while surrounded by towering granite cliffs. — Bridalveil Fall Boardwalk

Leashed dog sitting along the Merced River at North Pines Campground in Yosemite National Park. This scenic campground offers beautiful river views, towering pine trees, and easy access to many of Yosemite Valley's dog-friendly paved trails. — North Pines Campground

Picnic Areas: Pets are allowed in any developed picnic area throughout Yosemite National Park, which makes these great spots for a midday pit stop or a quick lunch break. Our favorite picnic area in the park is Swinging Bridge, though there are several others scattered throughout that are just as good.

Tunnel View: Tunnel View offers another one of those postcard worthy views of Yosemite Valley, and it is a wonderful place to bring your pet along. It is really just a parking lot with a view, but it is a great spot to stop, stretch your legs, and take in the scenery, especially if you are already passing through on your way into the park.

Curry Village: Pets are not allowed inside the lodging at Curry Village, but they are welcome on all of the paved paths running through it. And if you are in the mood for a bite to eat, leashed and well behaved dogs are allowed in the outdoor seating area of the Curry Village Pizza Deck, which makes for a nice little reward after a day of exploring.

Campgrounds: Even though the lodging in Yosemite National Park is not pet-friendly, the campgrounds actually are! Pets are allowed to go anywhere that humans are allowed to go within the campgrounds (unless a sign prohibits them), except in the bathrooms and in the water if there is a river that goes through the campsite. We stayed in North Pines Campground with Rizzo in June of 2025 and loved it!

Tips for visiting Yosemite National Park with your dog

No matter which trail you choose, make sure to bring plenty of water for both you and your furry friend. If the weather is warm, consider picking up some booties for your dog’s paws. We saw quite a few dogs without any paw protection on our last trip, and the ground was scorching hot in mid-July. It is a small thing that can make a huge difference in how comfortable your dog is out there.

Also, get there early. Beyond the obvious perk of cooler morning temperatures, parking can fill up by 9am on weekends, and once that happens, you could end up circling the park with nowhere to go. We speak from experience here, and it is not fun.

On our most recent trip to Yosemite in July of 2026, we visited on a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. On Saturday we did not arrive until 9:30am, and it took us until 11am just to track down a single open parking spot in the entire park. Learn from our mistake and get there earlier than you think you need to.

Final Thoughts

Yosemite may not be the easiest park for dog owners at first glance, but once you know where to look, there is more room for your pup to join the adventure than most people realize. With a little planning around parking and trail choice, you can still soak in some of the most beautiful views in the country with your best friend by your side.

FAQ: Visiting Yosemite National Park With Dogs

Is it worth going to Yosemite with a dog?

Yes, absolutely! It does take a bit more planning than a typical trip, since your dog will be limited to paved trails and roads, but you will still get to experience some of the best views in the park together, including Glacier Point, Tunnel View, and Lower Yosemite Falls. As long as you know where you can and cannot go ahead of time, it is a great trip for you and your pup.

Can I drive through Yosemite with my dog?

Yes. Your dog is welcome in the car with you anywhere in the park, including scenic drives like Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road when they are open for the season. Just remember that once you park, your dog is restricted to paved surfaces like roads, sidewalks, and bicycle paths rather than the dirt trails.

What can you do with dogs in Yosemite?

Beyond the five hikes above, your dog can join you at developed picnic areas throughout the park, at scenic viewpoints like Tunnel View, on the paved paths through Curry Village, and even at the outdoor seating of the Curry Village Pizza Deck as long as they are leashed and well behaved.

Where are pets not allowed in Yosemite?

Pets are not allowed on unpaved trails, in the backcountry, on shuttle buses, inside any lodging (including Curry Village), or in the wilderness areas of the park. Basically, if it is dirt, it is off limits. If it is paved, you are likely in good shape.

Can dogs ride the shuttle in Yosemite?

No, dogs are not allowed on Yosemite’s shuttle buses, with the exception of service animals. This is one of the main reasons we recommend parking strategically and planning your day around trails you can walk to directly, rather than relying on the shuttle system to get around like you might on a trip without a dog.