Groveland basecamp · rules checked September 20, 2026
The honest version: most Yosemite trails are off-limits to pets. But a great trip is still possible when you build it around the park’s scenic paved walks, one lovely meadow exception, and a dog-friendly day outside the gates.
Before the first paw hits the trail
Yosemite’s pet rules are simple once you stop thinking “trail” and start thinking “developed + paved.” Signs on the ground always win.
Four walks worth planning around
These pair iconic views with clear pet access. Distances are round trip; conditions can change, so check posted signs when you arrive.
Start with the one-mile paved Lower Yosemite Fall loop, then connect to the paved and boardwalk sections through Cook’s Meadow for open views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls.
Dog note: Stay on pavement and boardwalk. The meadow itself is off-limits. Falls are strongest in spring and may be dry by late summer.
NPS trail details
A short, paved walk with a gentle climb to one of Yosemite Valley’s classic waterfalls. It is a smart first stop before the day heats up or the parking area fills.
Dog note: Leashed pets are allowed on the paved route. Bring water—there is no drinking water at the trailhead—and never scramble onto the slick boulders.
NPS trail details
The park’s standout exception: an unpaved fire road where leashed pets are explicitly permitted. The mostly gentle loop passes pines, oaks and meadow-edge views.
Dog note: Share the route with horses and bicycles, keep your dog close, and stay on the road rather than stepping into the meadow.
NPS trail details
A quieter Stanislaus National Forest option near Groveland, following the Tuolumne River through a granite canyon. This is the day for dirt under paws—not just pavement.
Dog note: Keep dogs leashed around equestrians and wildlife. Access is via Forest Service roads; verify road, fire and seasonal conditions before leaving town.
Trail overviewDogs may join you on the paved road to Mirror Lake, but not on the unpaved loop around it. Turn back where the pavement ends. Also remember that Yosemite shuttles do not carry pets, so plan your parking and route before you set out.
A calm, realistic long weekend
This plan alternates iconic park scenery with a freer forest day, leaving room for hot pavement, crowds and a dog who may need more rest than you do.
Drive in before the busiest stretch and walk Lower Yosemite Fall.
Continue only on Cook’s Meadow’s paved and boardwalk sections.
Take the short Bridalveil Fall walk if paws and pavement are cool.
Give the Wawona Meadow Loop 1.5–2 unhurried hours.
Picnic only in a developed area where pets are allowed; keep food attended.
Choose a scenic drive or paved viewpoint rather than another restricted trail.
Head toward Preston Falls after checking road and fire conditions.
Carry all water and keep the leash on near horses and wildlife.
Return to Groveland for deck time while the humans take the hot tub.
Pack for paws, heat and bears
A Highway 120 base for the whole pack
The Grinning Simmba’s Yosemite Cabin in Groveland keeps the dog-friendly part of the trip easy: a spacious home near the Big Oak Flat approach, with plenty for the humans after the leashes come off.
Rules and route details were checked against National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service sources on September 20, 2026. Closures, fire restrictions, weather and road access can change quickly in the Sierra.
Photo sources: National Park Service (dogs in Yosemite Valley); Hikespeak (Lower Yosemite Fall and Wawona Meadow); YosemiteHikes.com (Bridalveil Fall); Evergreen Lodge (Granite Gorge / Preston Falls area).