Ruffing it in Yosemite

Winter in Yosemite National Park means quiet landscapes and five-star fun for four-pawed travelers and their human companions. Leashed dogs are welcome on most fully paved roads and paths within the park (at many park campgrounds, too), so there’s lots of room to roam. After a day spent snowshoeing or snapping frosty photos, fuel up in one of Yosemite Mariposa County’s small towns. Or, check into a pup-friendly hotel property and curl up by the fire.

In Yosemite, playing in the snow is simply amazing. Hit the slopes or plan a snowboarding adventure at one of the region’s ski stops – Badger Pass Ski Area is a DogTrekker favorite. Feeling more mellow? Take in the sights on a snowshoeing adventure. Paved paths in the national park are famously dog-friendly, and some of the area’s lower-elevation trails are plowed for easier exploration, as well. Rolling hills are great for sledding or zooming along on a snow tube, and local ice rinks welcome skaters eager to take a lap. (We love the skating rink at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite.)

Make the most of your Yosemite Mariposa County experience with an extended hotel stay. The full-service Tenaya Lodge, near Wawona and the national park’s south entrance, has unbeatable nature access, dog-friendly cottages and amenities galore. Specials like the Fido Friendly Rooms and Deluxe Pampered Pet Package bundle some of the best treats. DogTrekkers also dig the Redwoods at Yosemite, a Wawona-area collection of individually owned vacation rentals with more than two dozen pet-friendly options, including both rustic cabins and lavish homes. Along Highway 140 at Yosemite View Lodge, you’ll find mountain views and direct access to a dog-friendly Merced River walking path. The family-owned property has rooms with spa tubs, guest laundry facilities, an on-site cocktail lounge, and a small grocery market.