Dog Friendly Eastern Sierra!
The Eastern Sierra is RICH in geological and natural history and it is also where it all started for Scooby and Mom! It doesn’t get much better than packing up all your stuff and heading up the 395 highway to a doggy-loving cabin in the middle of nature! We’ve visited some of the most amazing places that the Eastern Sierra has to offer! Check out our links below so you can plan your Dog Friendly Eastern Sierra PawVenture too!
When to go? Summer through Fall (Early June – Early October) are the best times to head to the Eastern Sierra with your pup. Days can get warm and the nights can get super chilly so it makes for perfect PawVenture conditions! Have layers, lots of water and snacks handy. Walking and hiking in the high altitudes get you hungry!
Summer in the Eastern Sierra
Memorial Day weekend (May) through Late September gives you beautiful warm, sunny, long days (pack your sun screen so your nose doesn’t burn) to sit by a lake, stream or creek and relax. Nights are full of Stars and the Milky Way is in full form (especially from the Minaret Vista which has some of the best stargazing and star photography opportunities in the US)! It gets super chilly after Sunset (sometimes COLD) so have layers, pup and people coats and blankies at hand. One of Scooby and Mom’s favorite thing is sitting on the cabin porch and watching sunset together….AMAZING!
Fall in the Eastern Sierra
Very Late September to Mid October is a Special Time in the Eastern Sierra. During this 2 – 3 week period you can partake in leaf-peepin adventures during “Fall Foliage” Season. Aspen leaves turn beautiful colors which rival New England (so Mom says) PLUS, you get the beautiful backdrop of the gorgeous Mountains! The higher elevations (10,000 plus) make the season’s color transformation first. For the most up-to-date information each year download Mono County’s Fall Color Guide & Map.
Fall also means cooler, shorter days and COLD nights. We even had Snow the day we arrived the first week of October on one vacation! It was like Christmas in October!! We had beautiful warm day hikes and super chilly nights. Brrrr! But, sooooooo much fun! October is “low” Season in the mountains and is very peaceful. Be sure to book your cabin or campsite well in advance if possible so you get the best choices. Last minute get aways work too if you’re flexible for locations. So far, we’ve loved everywhere we’ve stayed and the views up and down Highway 395 do not disappoint for Fall Colors!
Scooby’s Eastern Sierra Map helps you get to ALL our FAVOWITE Places!
What is the Deepest Valley in the United States?
In addition to being home to the highest mountain peak at Mount Whitney, the Eastern Sierra is also home to the Deepest Valley in the US in Owens Valley! We LOVE driving throughout Owens Valley which is located in Inyo County. Digital Desert has a wonderful map of the Owens Valley complete with points of interest!
Other Points of Interest on our PawVenture Wish List in or near Owens Valley are Cerro Gordo Ghost Town and Death Valley! Cerro Gordo is an abandoned silver mining town recently purchased by Brent Underwood! If you haven’t heard of Brent, be sure to visit his award winning YouTube Channel, Ghost Town Living and you will bee hooked just like we are!
Death Valley is also home to the lowest point on Earth! Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America and known for its vast and picturesque salt flats. Visiting Death Valley need careful planning as it can also be one of the hottest places in the world as well as freezing. Plan Wisely to visit during moderate temperatures. Pack plenty of extra water – especially if visiting with your pups!
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in Inyo County
Bristlecone Pine Forest is home to the oldest trees in the world…bristlecone pines and is designated as a “Special Place” by the USDA Forest Service. Special indeed! Some of these living trees exceed 4000 years of age! As if this wasn’t Pawesome enough, Bristlecone Pine Forest is also dog friendly to dogs on leash! We just found out about Bristlecone Pine Forest from a friend this year and it’s at the top of our PawVenture Wish list for our next Eastern Sierra Mountain Pawcation!
Dog Friendly Cabins in the Eastern Sierra
Tamarack Lodge – Mammoth – We’ve stayed in Cabins 14, 26 & 11!
Parcher’s Resort Cabins – Bishop – We LOVE their Studio Cabins!
Rock Creek Lodge – Rock Creek – We stayed in Cabin 18.
Convict Lake Cabins – Convict Lake – We stayed in Minaret #29 Cabin.
Double Eagle Resort & Spa – June Lake – We stayed in Cabin 119 in front of the Pond with a BIG front porch.
Don’t forget to visit the Ghost Town of Bodie if you have a free day!
