You want to travel with your dog. You want to see Yosemite National Park, but you’ve heard of the restrictions on pets. Do you do it?

Visions of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Rocks and El Capitan tug at you. You load the pooches in the car and become one of the nearly 30 million adults in the United States who have traveled more than 50 miles away from home with their pets in the past three years (78 percent of which are dogs). You hope your dog will enjoy it as much as you.

Most of the park’s grand features can be seen with dog in tow — and always onleash. From viewpoints in the park, you can see Yosemite Valley, Bridalveil Fall, Merced River Canyon, Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, Tuolumne Meadows and more. Just park in a turnout and enjoy the view.

In Yosemite Valley, a major attraction for tourists, you and your four-pawed companions can walk miles of roads and trails. It may not be a backcountry experience, but you’ll still have breathtaking views of waterfalls and rock formations. Dogs cannot go on most unpaved or poorly paved trails, in wilderness areas, on shuttle buses, in concessioner lodging areas, in any group or horse camps, and in Tamarack Flat, Porcupine Flat and all walk-in campgrounds.

Although pets generally are only allowed on paved trails and roads, in developed areas and in designated campgrounds, there are some exceptions: They can go on the Old Big Oak Flat Road between Hodgdon Meadow and Hazel Green Creek, on the Carlon Road and on the Meadow Loop and Four Mile fire roads in Wawona.

The National Park Service, in prohibiting pets on trails for many years, says these regulations are designed to protect pets and wildlife from disease and each other. NPS states, “In particular, dogs chase wildlife, pollute water sources, and can become defensive and dangerous in unfamiliar surroundings. Pet owners have the burden to assure their pet does not damage the park values for others in those areas where pets are allowed.”

For those who would like to get off the beaten path, they can take their pooch to a dog kennel in Yosemite Valley that’s open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Written proof of current registration and immunizations for rabies, parvovirus, distemper and Bordetella must be provided. Only dogs weighing at least 10 pounds and at least 6 months old can check in. Call (209) 372-8348 for more information about the kennel.

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Humans must never leave dogs unattended, for their own safety, and must clean up after their dogs.

For more information about the park, visit www.nps.gov/yose.

Many places welcome well-behaved dogs outside of the park. Dog Friendly publishes a City Guide at www.dogfriendly.com to help travelers locate places to stay. Of those places, most allow dogs of all sizes, but it is best to double check if you have a large dog.

If you’re staying in Coulterville, you might try Yosemite Gold Country Motel; in El Portal, try Yosemite View Lodge. At Fish Camp, there are Apple Tree Inn, Narrow Gauge Inn and Tenaya Lodge. Accomodations in Groveland include Historic Groveland Hotel, Hotel Charlotte, Sunset Inn and Yosemite Westgate Motel. Mariposa hosts the Comfort Inn and the Mariposa Lodge. In Oakhurst, you can find A Bed of Roses, a Comfort Inn, High Sierra RV & Mobile Park, and Pine Rose Inn Bed and Breakfast.

Vacation home rentals are also available in Mariposa’s Indian Peak Ranch Mountain Top Hideaway. RV parks and campgrounds outside Yosemite include Lupine/Cedar Bluff Campground on the south side of Bass Lake, and the Yosemite/Mariposa KOA in Midpines.

Nearby attractions that accept pets are the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad in Fish Camp, and the Millers Landing Resort in Bass Lake/Wishon.

The Mount Bullion Vineyard in Mariposa will welcome your pet, as will parks at The Way of the Mono Trail in Bass Lake, and Shadow of the Giants Trail in Oakhurst.

For pet-friendly eateries, try Round-Up BBQ in Groveland or the Pizza Factory in Oakhurst. Veterinary care and kennels in Oakhurst include Hoof and Paw Veterinary Hospital and Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital.

Contact Jeanne Sparks at 739-1836; or e-mail Jeanne@JeanneSparks.com.