Get your dog-friendly kicks on route 395 in the eastern sierra

2 mixed breed dogs standing on granite boulder

Frankie & Storm hiking in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. Photo by Stephanie Clemens.

Looking for a road trip that will have your dog wagging her tail the whole way? Free up four or more days for a leisurely junket on the federally designated Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway (Highway 395). It runs 150 miles between Topaz, just over the state line in Nevada, and Bishop in Southern California, skirting the Eastern flank of the Sierra Nevada, including our friends at Mammoth Lakes.

Onward to Mammoth, Bishop and Lone Pine in the Eastern Sierra

woman tosses stick to black lab at edge of alpine lake

Dogs love to play in the Eastern Sierra. Photo by Visit Mammoth.

It’s just 30-minute drive from Lee Vining to Mammoth Lakes, the major tourism hub in the Eastern Sierra. There’s giant ski resort here (dogs welcome on the Panoramic Gondola to the summit, but you’ll have to hike down) and tons of dog-friendly hotels, resorts and amenities, but the big attraction is the great outdoors.

Moving south in the Eastern Sierra

Bailey & Maddie swimming in the Eastern Sierra. Photo by Genessa Hager.

Keep your eyes on the road, because the next major attraction is Mono Lake, a geological anomaly preserved as a natural reserve to protect its tufa towers, calcium carbonate knobs and spires formed by the interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water. The lake has no outlet and is said to be twice as salty as the ocean.

To Bridgeport and beyond in the Eastern Sierra

red and white spaniel sits in front of tufas and Mono Lake

Bodie at Mono Lake. Photo by Cathy Crnkovich.

Oh, so many dog-friendly overnight choices! The town of Bridgeport, about 100 miles south of Carson City in Mono County, offers multiple options: The historic Bridgeport Inn (dog-friendly rooms are in a motel-style building out back, but you can both enjoy dinner on the porch); the Ruby Inn, Big Meadow Lodge and Walker River Lodge.

When and where to go in the Eastern Sierra

View of mountain lake surrounded by trees with vibrant red, orange and yellow leaves

Fall color in the the Eastern Sierra. Photo by Jennifer Chen.

Summers are glorious for dogs in the Eastern Sierra while winters are devoted to snow sports,but the best time of year, especially if you’re into photography, is late September into mid-October.