Traveling to Yosemite with a Dog
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How to travel to Yosemite with your pets! Plus, some very helpful tips including dog-friendly trails at the park!
Yes, you can bring your dog to Yosemite! We brought Butters all the way from Los Angeles, and it was the most amazing experience. However, we weren’t fully prepared for this trip so I hope some of our tips will be helpful for you guys!
Be prepared to drive. A lot.
First and foremost, I should tell you that a lot of driving is involved.
We flew from LA to SF, then drove from SF to Yosemite, hitting the road at 3:45am.
It took about 3-4 hours to get to the entrance of the park, which isn’t too bad. Except what we didn’t know was that it took 1-2 hours just to get to Glacier Point!
So again, be prepared for a lot of driving, time and patience as you will run into some beautiful sights unexpectedly where you may want to pull over and take pictures.
The early bird gets the worm.
Start your day early! We got to the park around 7-8am so parking was very easy and there weren’t too many people around. But as we were leaving the park around 11-12 pm, it was so packed, it was impossible to get any pictures at certain places!
Dogs are not allowed everywhere.
There are only a handful of trails that are dog-friendly.
- Bridalveil Fall
- Cook’s Meadow Loop
- Glacier Point
- Lower Yosemite Fall
- Mirror Lake Trail
- Tunnel View
Dogs must be on a leash (or you will be cited) and must be cleaned up after. They are not allowed on shuttles, lodging areas, unpaved trails and undeveloped areas (such as wilderness areas).
Don’t forget snacks and water for both yourself and your dog.
There are certainly shops in the park for water/snacks but I prefer to pack all of my own water and nuts/trail mix/PB&J sandwiches as well as other various snacks for Butters.
But most importantly, be prepared to invest in a travel water bowl for your dog. We always carry this one around and it is a God-send! Especially with the elevation, everyone should stay hydrated at all times.
Get that Christmas card shot.
Take as many pictures as you can because you never know – that shot just may end up on your Christmas card for 2018.
Great pictures! We are planning a trip to Yosemite in September with our 2 French bulldogs dogs. I have a few questions- Do you remember what areas of the park that your took these gorgeous pictures. Is the last photo tunnel view? Is the order on your blog what you would recommend in order of sights to see from first to last? We were thinking of staying the night but it seems like 4 hours would be just enough time to see some great spots before heading back to the Bay Area. Thanks for all your help!
was about to cancel our plans to Yosemite because of our dog and your article changed my mind. We too have a corgi. Thank you posting.
Can I ask how you fly with your dog? I have never flown, and I think my first time will have to be with my small dog!
Butters flies as an emotional support animal.
What beautiful pictures! I’ve never been to Yosemite but it’s on my list. Thanks for sharing. So Fun! 🙂
Thank you for sharing, what a wonderful trip and with beautiful pictures. Thank you for the important traveling tips with pets too. I truly love following your stories.
thank for the beautiful picture you guy took on your vacation to Yosemite and cute little butter
What Beautiful Photos.. 🙂
Delighted that you had this experience. I thought Yosemite was very very special. Cool dog. Follow you and appreciate your inspiration.
Oh wow.. those views! Beautiful…thanks for sharing.
I had a home in Oakhurst, very close to Yosemite. It is a very dog friendly place! I now live in a RV with the hubby and 2 German shepherd dogs, love traveling. So many places to see! And cooking on the road is another challenge, would love to see some recipes for that!
Thank you for the wonderful photos with Butters. It is hard to travel with dogs; alot of thought and prep should be taken. We have a golden retriever and a red fox labrador, both girls, and very sweet. Every summer we make the trek to Summerland Key in the Florida Keys (6 hours + or -) to a waterfront house we rent for a month. Lots of places to walk. And many establishments in the Keys are dog friendly.
I loved the mountain photos, living in such a flat state, I am always in awe of mountains, terrain so different to mine. Oh, I also must compliment you on your recipes, they are so wonderful, thank you for sharing.
Oh, your recipes are totally wonderful and thank you for sharing.
Great pictures, but I don’t see your other Corgi?
I actually only have one corgi, Butters. 🙂
So glad you got to have this experience! Butters is too cute (as always) and that really is the perfect Christmas card shot!
Aww I so want to give Butters a big hug! He’s such a precious little guy! What an adorable family you all are!! I love your photos!
Oh my gosh, all of these photos are so beautiful! I’ve always wanted to go to Yosemite. It looks like your corgi had a great time! 🙂
Glad you guys had fun! We took our dog there and she was so tired in the evening that she peed in her sleep all over the hotel bathroom floor 🙁
We love the Water Rover for our dog water bottle – the water just goes right back into the bottle so there’s no waste. We have one dog and we own 3 of them because I’m afraid the company will go out of business
Once again I’m completely blown away by your amazing photographs!
I’m so glad Butters got to go along – it looks like he had fun, too.
Yay, Butters!
I love your recipes! I am an OR nurse lots of hrs. Then I see you have a Corgi. Miss Melody will be 8 on 10-10-18. She is sorta a rescue. We live her so much. I then figured I definitely had to try your recipes. With delightful results. Thanks
Aw, happy early birthday to Miss Melody!
Your dog is precious! This article was very helpful thanks for sharing ⭐️✨
Thank you for the info! That is a perfect Christmas card shot.
We purchased a vintage Airstream specifically to take our 4 Corgis camping. I LOVE your photos and camping tips. Butters is simply adorable!!!
I love that you have 4 corgis!
Oh my gosh, you were in my backyard! (We have a corgi also) Dudley could have shown Butters all the sights! I love Yosemite and it’s great to see others enjoying this beautiful national park. Living in Fresno, we visit it often as there is so much to see. Glad you enjoyed your trip!
Next time we need a doggie date with Dudley! 🙂