The Jackson Hole trail in Fish Camp, located in Yosemite Madera County within the Gold Country region, offers a straightforward outdoor adventure for you and your dog. This trail is less crowded than many Yosemite-area hikes, and it leads you to three refreshing pools or swimming holes along the creek. The journey begins with a mostly-wooded half-mile trek to the lowest pool at Fish Camp Falls, where the water is clear and inviting. For those wanting to explore further, an unmaintained path runs alongside the creek, guiding you to the Arrowhead and Skinny Dip watering holes, each offering different character and swimming opportunities.

The trail itself is straightforward enough for a casual hike, and the main draw here is really the water access. Your dog can cool off and splash around in the pools along the way, which makes this a genuine relief on warmer days. The creek runs year-round, so there’s always water to see, and the surrounding forest provides plenty of shade. The wooded sections keep things pleasant even when it’s warm outside.

The lowest pool at Fish Camp Falls is probably the most accessible and has the nicest setup if you want to spend time there with your dog. If your dog is energetic and you don’t mind navigating an unmaintained path, pushing on to Arrowhead and Skinny Dip adds variety to the hike without being overly technical. Just watch your footing on the narrower sections — some parts are steep and rocky along the creek.

Since this trail sits outside the main Yosemite park boundaries, parking isn’t a major headache like it can be elsewhere in the area. The hike works well as a half-day outing, especially if you want to spend a good chunk of time at one of the pools letting your dog dry out before the drive home.