Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Yosemite National Park
Upper Pines Campground and Wawona Campground accommodate pets within Yosemite National Park boundaries, with dedicated bear-proof food storage lockers at each site and fire rings for evening comfort. Both campgrounds enforce standard national park pet policies requiring dogs to remain leashed at all times. North Pines Campground provides riverside sites where pets can cool off in designated areas of the Merced River during hot summer months. ['North Pines campers report needing to be vigilant about wildlife, as ground squirrels show little fear of humans or dogs.'] Dogs are strictly prohibited on most hiking trails within the park, limited to paved roads, developed areas, and campgrounds only.
Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes, located just outside the park boundary, offers more extensive amenities for pet owners including full hookup RV sites, tent camping, and pet-friendly cabin options. The campground features dedicated pet exercise areas away from wildlife concerns that dominate in-park camping locations. Pet owners camping in Yosemite must remain particularly attentive to proper food storage regulations, as the smell of pet food can attract bears just as readily as human food. Goat Meadow dispersed camping area provides a free alternative for pet owners seeking more flexibility, though without amenities like drinking water or toilets. When temperatures rise during summer months, pets require constant access to shade and fresh water, with the Merced River serving as a popular cooling spot for dogs at designated swimming areas near North Pines and Lower Pines campgrounds.
