Yosemite Dog Policy

Name: Yosemite National Park
Address: CA

Yosemite National Park is Somewhat Dog Friendly

Trails

Dogs Limited

^[]

Campground

Dogs Allowed

with 6' Leash & Exceptions ^[]

Roads

Dogs Allowed

with 6' Leash & Exceptions ^[]

Yosemite features sheer granite cliffs, exceptionally tall waterfalls, and old-growth forests at a unique intersection of geology and hydrology. Half Dome and El Capitan rise from the park's centerpiece, the glacier-carved Yosemite Valley, and from its vertical walls drop Yosemite Falls, one of North America's tallest waterfalls at 2,425 feet (739 m) high. Three giant sequoia groves, along with a pristine wilderness in the heart of the Sierra Nevada, are home to a wide variety of rare plant and animal species.^[1]

Yosemite National Park is a somewhat dog friendly national park. Dogs are only allowed on one trail, but are allowed along paved roads and paths, as well as most campgrounds. Visitors with dogs won't get to experience the entire park, but there are some things to do with dogs.

Yosemite also runs a BARK Ranger program where you can get a special Yosemite dog tag for your dog by following good practices (see the BARK Ranger section below).

Website: https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm
Pet Policy Details: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/pets.htm
BARK Ranger: Yes ^[]
Area: 1190 mi²
Annual Visitors: 2,268,313

Trail Policy

Dogs are allowed on paved sidewalks, bike paths, and the following trails (while on a leash no longer than 6'):

Wawona Meadow Loop

Dogs are not allowed on any other trails.

Campground Policy

Dogs are allowed at most campgrounds while on a leash:

Road Policy

Dogs are allowed along paved roads, sidewalks, and parking areas while on a 6' leash.

BARK Ranger

Bark Ranger is a really great program that some National Park Service destinations run. The Bark Ranger program teaches dog owners responsible behaviors with their dogs, and in return you get a special dog tag that’s different for each park (note: some parks require you to purchase the tag at the end). You start the program by going to a park office and picking up a checklist. When you complete the checklist (see the link below for more details), you can get your special dog tag.

B.A.R.K. is an acronym for:

B: Bag your poop: Help keep the park clean by bagging and picking up your dog poop, and properly disposing of it. Don’t leave your bagged poop on the side of the trail, hanging from branches, or throw it into the woods. Please note dog poop is not a natural fertilizer — it can carry disease that can spread to wildlife or other dogs.
A: Always wear a leash: Dogs must be restrained on a leash no longer than 6'. Retractable leashes that extend beyond 6' are not allowed. Not everyone appreciates a dog running up to them, and many people are scared or allergic to dogs — a leash prevents uncomfortable situations between your dog and others. Leashes also help protect your dog from running off if anything spooks them.
R: Respect wildlife: Dogs can chase or scare wildlife such as birds and turtles. They can also damage nesting areas. Some parks have wildlife, such as bears, coyotes, or wolves, that can threaten your dog. Please be respectful of wildlife with your dog, and if you do encounter wildlife, keep dog at distance to protect both your dog and the wildlife.
K: Know where to go: Know which trails allow dogs, and which don’t. Don’t leave dogs unattended in vehicles while you go off to hike. See the link below for more details.

For more information on the Bark Ranger program, please see: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/yosemitebarkranger.htm

We also have a list of all parks that run the BARK Ranger program.

Location & Map

State

California

Have a photo of your dog here?

Note: Policies can change -- please make sure to check official dog/pet policies prior to making plans or booking travel.

Please tell us if you think there’s anything we should add or change on this page.

Credits

[1] Overview text from the Wikipedia article List of national parks of the United States, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.