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Dog Lake is an accessible, short, backcountry hike to a beautiful lake with views of the mountains.


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Map Key

1.8

Miles

2.9

KM

Point to Point

9,181' 2,798 m

High

8,595' 2,620 m

Low

603' 184 m

Up

23' 7 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

24%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly This is a beautiful, short trail that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It is best suited for kids who are comfortable hiking for a few hours and can carry their own water.

Closed from approximately early Nov. through mid-May or when Tioga Road closes due to snow for the season.

Description

Dog Lake is a scenic lake nestled 1.7 miles off of Tioga Road in Tuolumne Meadows. The trail is easily accessed via two nearby trailheads and is often combined with a trip up the Lember Dome Trail or as a short detour for hikers heading out to the Young Lakes area. There is ample parking available in the nearby lots and it can also be reached via the park shuttle.

The majority of the elevation gain comes at the beginning of the trail as you ascend from the parking lot towards the trail junction. From the trail junction it is a relatively easy hike out to the western shore of the lake.

The lake itself is shallow and relatively warm by alpine lake standards, which makes it perfect for wading in or for a refreshing swim. It is surrounded by pines and reflections of the nearby peaks can often be seen in the lake. During the summer, nesting birds can be spotted along the shore and deer often graze nearby.

Flora & Fauna

You will find alpine wildflowers, lots of lodgepole pines, birds, and maybe even a deer or two along the way!

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Yosemite

Shared By:

Supriya Limaye with improvements by Tilman Giese

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 8 votes

#8595

Overall
  4.3 from 8 votes
5 Star
38%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#755

in California

#8,595

Overall
2 Views Last Month
1,020 Since Sep 24, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

14%
14%
71%
0%
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0%

Photos

Dog Lake
Feb 25, 2024 near Yosemit…, CA
Dog Lake with other high sierra peaks in the background.
Jan 27, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
Dog Lake
Nov 19, 2015 near Yosemit…, CA
Dog Lake as seen from the Dog Lake Trail.
Nov 19, 2015 near Yosemit…, CA
Views of Dog Lake from the trail.
Nov 19, 2015 near Yosemit…, CA
Trail leading from the parking lot to Dog Lake, Lembert Dome, and Young Lakes. The trails break off the further you walk along the sandy, gravel path seen here.
Jan 27, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA

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Check-Ins

Oct 8, 2022
Tilman Giese
Sep 22, 2022
Johnny Addison
Connected to Lembert Dome. 2mi
Jul 2, 2022
David Hitchcock
Hiked as part of the Young Lakes Loop. Lake was pretty in the morning.
Aug 10, 2021
Pete Maher
1.5mi
Nov 5, 2020
Jim Stratman
1.6mi — 0h 45m
Aug 28, 2019
Daniel Marcus
Beautiful trail.
Jul 14, 2019
Sophia Barwegen
Jul 12, 2019
Olivia Lynn
Quick 2 mile hike
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