Lower Yosemite Fall

Lower Yosemite Fall

Yosemite National Park, California
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Yosemite Falls, one of the world's tallest, is actually made up of three separate falls: Upper Yosemite Fall (1,430 feet), the middle cascades (675 feet), and Lower Yosemite Fall (320 feet). Peak flows are in April and May. The cascades are normally dry up by August and don't begin flowing again until the winter rains arrive.

You can see Yosemite Falls from numerous places around Yosemite Valley, especially around Yosemite Village and Yosemite Lodge. A one-mile paved loop trail leads to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall, where the views are extremely dramatic. Dogs must be on leash.

Help us keep this trail beautiful and dog-friendly:
• Always follow the posted rules as they may have changed
• Respect and protect wildlife and habitats
• Pack in and pack out, leaving only paw prints

dog friendly, pet friendly, dogtrekker.com, hike, waterfall, trail, paved, yosemite

Yosemite gushers
Dog at Lower Falls. Photo by Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau.
Dog at Lower Falls. Photo by Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau.
Late winter and early spring are great times to visit Yosemite National Park, but be sure to read up on the rules regarding pets before you go. Hotels inside park boundaries don’t allow pets, but pet-friendly places to curl up (click on lodging type and use the pet-friendly filter) are abundant elsewhere in Mariposa County. In Yosemite Valley, the premier winter/spring waterfall hike leads to Lower Yosemite Fall, the most accessible of three stair-stepped cascades that comprise America’s tallest cataract at 2,425 feet in total height. more »
Time to Revisit Yosemite With Your Dog
Photo Credit: Petra Jagodic (CC)
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 more »
Liquid Rewards In Our National Parks
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area <br/> Photo Credit: @bodhi_mastiff
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Photo Credit: @bodhi_mastiff
OK, you’ve just missed “fee-free” day at our nation’s 400-plus national park units (next one is Sept 22). But that doesn’t mean you’ve missed peak season for waterfalls roaring all over California as the snowmelt season gets underway. We can’t gush enough about the dog-friendly waterfall hikes and photo opportunities waiting for you and yours on federal lands. Here’s a trio of suggestions. more »
Yosemite Is Positively Pawsome for Dogs
Kylo
Kylo's Yosemite Adventure - Photo Credit: @kyloandkonacastro
Is Yosemite dog-friendly? Every DogTrekker headed in this direction wants to know. And the answer is…“Yes!”…with caveats. More than 4 million people visit Yosemite each year, and while no one counts the dogs, we know from experience that many visitors share the trip with four-legged companions. Here are the basics of what you need to know (but be sure to read up on the rules before you go): more »
Dogs in the Park
Marlowe & Boomie exploring Yosemite National Park.<br/> Photo Credit: @thenuggetbros
Marlowe & Boomie exploring Yosemite National Park.
Photo Credit: @thenuggetbros
Before you bring your dog to Yosemite National Park, read up on the rules so you won't be disappointed. While access to trails is restricted (see where you can hike below), there's still lots of scenery that can be enjoyed with your dog, especially in the spring when the waterfalls are running at maximum flow. more »
Winter Splendor at Yosemite
Yosemite view
Yosemite view
Yosemite National Park is spectacular (and uncrowded) in winter, whether or not there’s snow on the valley floor. At Tenaya Lodge, two miles from the park’s south entrance, you and your pup will get the royal treatment with a pampered pet package that includes a night’s lodging in a dog-friendly lodge room or cottage (not available in winter), two hours of pet-sitting and an array of treats and amenities. Don’t look for details online; you’ll need to call (888) 514-2167 and book directly with the property.

Another option for enjoying the park in winter with your four-legged companion is the Redwoods in Yosemite, a collection of vacation rental homes, many of them dog-friendly, located within park boundaries and convenient to all the iconic sights. more »
Dogs at Yosemite National Park
Simba in Yosemite. Photo Credit: James Oh
Simba in Yosemite. Photo Credit: James Oh
Yes, you can and should have your dog tag along on your next visit to Yosemite National Park, even though park rules restrict canine companions almost exclusively to campgrounds and paved roads and trails. There’s enough to see (and sniff) for both of you to stay engaged for least a couple of days—and this winter’s heavy precipitation brings the added advantage of budding greenery and gushing waterfalls. more »
Yes, You CAN Bring Your Dog To Yosemite
In the midst of the Civil War, a visionary President Lincoln signed the Yosemite Land Grant, setting aside the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias as a scenic wilderness for public use and preservation. It wasn’t until 25 years later, on Oct. 1, 1890, that Yosemite National Park officially was established by Congress. Today, about 4 million people visit every year. So far as we know, no one keeps track of the number of dogs entering Yosemite with their people, but here are some things DogTrekkers need to know. more »
DogCation® Getaway in Yosemite
Jessica with her dog in Yosemite
Jessica with her dog, Vera, hiking in Yosemite. Photo by: Jessica H.
Jessica H., the lucky winner of DogTrekker’s summer DogCation Giveaway to the Four Diamond Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, recently wrote to us about her trip. Here's what she had to say: more »
Our Yosemite Get-away
Dog looking at falls in Yosemite
Charles and his dad taking in the view
DogTrekker.com reader Lori O'Connor wrote to us about a recent weekend getaway to Yosemite for her family and their pup, Charles. more »
Yosemite in Winter
Yosemite Samoyed
Yosemite Samoyed. Photo Credit: Steve Jurvetson (CC)
Normally, waterfall season at Yosemite National Park doesn’t peak until May. But this year’s light snow pack and unusually warm weather have teased Mother Nature into an earlier schedule. more »
Hear the Roar
Photo: Outdoor PDK (CC)
Photo: Outdoor PDK (CC)
California’s best-known cataract is 2,425-foot Yosemite Falls, a voice-drowning, three-stage gusher that roars like a highway during snow-melt season. And yes, your leashed dog is welcome to enjoy views that will put a smile on your face, a crick in your neck and a wag in Fido’s tail. more »
Get Thee to Yosemite
Normally, waterfall season at Yosemite National Park doesn’t peak until May. But this year’s light snow pack and unusually warm weather have teased Mother Nature into an earlier schedule. This season’s gushers won’t compare in volume with last year’s, but sights in the gorgeous valley are nevertheless guaranteed to put a smile on your face, a crick in your neck and a wag in Rover’s tail. And now, before the summer hoards arrive, is a great time to go. more »
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