The Merced River Trail and Recreation Area sits about 12 miles north of Mariposa and offers something different if you’re visiting the Yosemite area with your dog but want to skip the national park crowds. The 18-mile trail follows the historic Yosemite Railroad grade along the north side of the Merced River, giving you constant water views without the polished, heavily managed feel of park trails. Spring and summer are ideal times to visit when the weather cooperates for longer days outside.

The trail itself varies quite a bit—some sections are relatively smooth while others get rough and ungroomed, which means your dog will get a genuine hiking experience rather than a stroll. Mountain bikers and horseback riders use it too, so you might encounter other trail users. The river runs alongside the whole route, and you’ll see it from different vantage points as you walk. Because the trail doesn’t have shade everywhere and water access isn’t always obvious, bring more water than you’d think necessary for both of you. Pack waste bags too; keeping the trail clean is important when dogs are around.

If you want to make this an overnight trip, three campgrounds are situated along the trail. Each has different pet policies, so contact them directly before booking. Dogs need to stay on leash in the developed camping areas. One thing to note: McCabe Beach swimming area doesn’t allow dogs, so if your dog loves a river splash, you’ll need to find other spots along the trail to let them cool off.

The drive out here from Mariposa takes you through some quiet country before you reach the recreation area. It’s less crowded than most Yosemite-area destinations, which means you might have stretches of trail mostly to yourself. Bring a detailed map or download the trail info beforehand since cell service can be spotty in the canyon.