From the gateway town of Lee Vining, you’ll climb and crest the Sierra Nevada at 9,943-foot Tioga Pass, exiting the park 59 miles later at Big Oak Flat in Tuolumne County. Although dog-friendly options in Yosemite are largely limited to paved areas and roadside picnic spots, this is one scenic drive you don’t want to miss.
Our suggestion: pack a lunch and take a side-of-the-road break at Tenaya Lake, where you’ll likely be entertained by the sight of stand-up paddle-boarders practicing their sport against a snow-shrouded alpine backdrop. Unless you have a pass (senior or otherwise), you’ll have to pay an entrance fee to drive through the park. Considering it’s good for a week and there are few other routes over the mountains, the “toll,” in our dog-centric opinion, is hardly worth growling about.
Once you’ve exited the park, be patient: You have miles of winding road to navigate (and lots of sightseeing options) before hitting Highway 99 straightaway back to Sacramento.
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