Lower Pines sits right in Yosemite Valley near Curry Village, making it one of the most accessible campgrounds in the park if you’re coming with your dog. The elevation sits at 4,000 feet, so you’re getting that high-country feel without extreme altitude. The campground runs from March through October, and you’ll need to book reservations online about five months in advance—they fill up fast. There are 60 sites available, and each one accommodates up to six people for $20 per night.

The dog situation here requires some planning. Your dog can join you on fully paved roads, walkways, and bicycle pathways throughout the park, but in Yosemite Valley specifically, pets are restricted to paved paths on the Valley Floor. That means while you’re camping at Lower Pines, you’re limited in where you can actually hike or explore with your dog. Trails are completely off-limits. Your dog must stay on leash at all times, and leaving them unattended—even tied to something at your campsite—is against park rules and can result in removal and impounding. It’s worth taking seriously.

You’ll need to bring your own waste bags since the park doesn’t provide them. Make sure you’re stocked up before arriving, as supplies can be limited in the valley. If you download the campground map ahead of time, you can identify which paved routes near your site will work best for your dog’s daily walks.

Lower Pines works as a base camp for Yosemite if you want to split your time between dog-friendly paved areas and hiking trails you’d do without your dog. Just go in knowing your dog’s territory will be limited, and plan accordingly for their exercise and enrichment during your stay.