Photo Credit: Petra Jagodic (CC)
The Ferguson fire in Yosemite National Park that shut off the scenic Yosemite Valley for three weeks was fully contained on Aug. 19, and all entry roads through Tuolumne County (Highway 120), Mariposa County (Highway 140) and Madera County (Highway 41) are now open. Early fall is a great time to visit this iconic California attraction—and yes, there’s plenty for you and your dog to do together. #yosemitenow
Park rules restrict canine companions almost exclusively to roads and trails, so you’ll want to read up on the rules regarding pets before you go. In Yosemite Valley, leashed pets can accompany you on the half-mile paved trail to Lower Yosemite Fall, which will be surrounded by a fringe of fall foliage come October. The half-mile path to Bridalveil Fall and the bike trails looping around Yosemite Valley and hugging the banks of the scenic Merced River are dog-friendly, too.
Leashed dogs can also accompany you on paved roads and trails and on a few dirt fire roads, including:
Cook’s Meadow Loop
Mirror Lake Trail
Wawona Meadow Loop
Carlon Road
Hazel Green Creek trailhead
Dogs are not allowed in Yosemite lodging, however Tenaya Lodge, two miles from the southern park entrance, is uber dog-friendly; and up the road in Wawona, privately owned vacation rentals are available at the Redwoods in Yosemite, a 130-home development sequestered within park boundaries. Thousands of additional rooms, some of them dog-friendly, can be found elsewhere in the Yosemite Region.
While most park restaurants ban dogs, canine visitors are welcome to join you at outdoor tables at the Village Grill in the commercial heart of the park.
Photo Credit: Petra Jagodic (CC)