Yosemite National Park has strict pet rules, but leashed dogs can still enjoy paved trails to Lower Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls and Mirror Lake. Dog-friendly campgrounds and vacation rentals inside the park make overnight stays possible.
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Yosemite in winter is spectacular and uncrowded. Tenaya Lodge near the south entrance offers a pampered pet package, while vacation rentals inside the park put you steps from Lower Yosemite Fall, roaring at full force after heavy rains.
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Gold Country lakes offer cool relief for dogs and their people all summer long. From Folsom Lake's miles of shoreline to hidden Long Lake near Soda Springs and Bass Lake's pontoon boat rentals, there's a splash spot for every pup.
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A dog-friendly road trip through the High Sierra follows the Golden Chain Highway through Gold Country, crosses Yosemite via Tioga Pass and heads south on Highway 395 past Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes and the ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest near Bishop.
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Most giant sequoia groves sit inside national parks where dogs aren't welcome on trails. But Nelder Grove near Oakhurst and Converse Basin Grove in the Sequoia National Forest offer dog-friendly paths among these massive, awe-inspiring trees.
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No tent? No problem. From dog-friendly KOA cabins near Petaluma and Watsonville to Casini Ranch on the Russian River, these soft-camping options let you and your pup enjoy the outdoors without a full gear kit.
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Ranger at Yosemite National Park. Photo Credit: Lisa Hernandez Ranger, a handsome nine-month old chocolate Labrador, camped for the first time in Yosemite. Ranger's people let us know that he had a great time frolicking in the river and going…
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The Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite runs through rugged Tuolumne County, where dog-friendly lodging, dining and hikes line the route. Stop in historic Coulterville at the Hotel Jeffery or take the scenic John Muir Highway through Gold Country.
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The Highway 41 corridor through Madera County leads to Yosemite's south entrance, passing dog-friendly gems like Queen's Inn with its adjacent winery in Oakhurst, the quirky town of Coarsegold, Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp and recreation-rich Bass Lake.
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Mariposa County's Highway 140 corridor to Yosemite's west entrance offers dog-friendly wineries, charming cafes and a range of lodging from the rustic Yosemite Bug resort to riverside rooms at Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal.
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California’s best-known cataract is 2,425-foot Yosemite Falls, a voice-drowning, three-stage gusher that roars like a highway during the snow-melt season.
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Highway 140 through Mariposa County leads to Yosemite but deserves a day of its own. Sample wines at Butterfly Creek, hike the Merced River Trail, and stay at dog-friendly lodges from Yosemite Bug to Yosemite View Lodge.
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