Millions of Americans visit the U.S. national park system every year. As they should, since national parks make great places to take a vacation! But, of course, no vacation can be perfect if our fur family members are back home. Enter dog-friendly national parks.
It’s great that you are allowed to bring your dog with you to almost all of the 63 national parks, however, they all have rules. Depending on the park, your dog may be able to accompany you only in certain areas, according to Kathy Kupper, public affairs specialist for the National Park Service. “Pets are like family, so it’s great to share these experiences just like you want to share with other loved ones,” Kupper, a former park ranger, says.
Camping and hiking with your dog at a national park can make for magical memories, but you want to make sure you do it right so you and your pet stay safe. With that in mind, be sure to check your specific park’s website and plan accordingly before you hit the road. You don’t want to arrive at your destination and learn that you need to find a new plan for your furry travel partner.
Follow the Four Core Principles of the NPS BARK Ranger Program
If you arrive at one of the best national parks for dogs, there are some general rules you’ll want to follow, as outlined in the NPS’s BARK Ranger program, which follows four core principles:
- Bag your pet’s waste. Ideally this would go without saying, but here we are. Dog poop is gross, and it spreads disease and pollutes the parks’ water, Kupper says. It can also attract wildlife, and not in a good way.
- Always leash your pet, and on a 6-foot leash, too. Nothing retractable. Your dog will want to smell all the smells and could get carried away or even become lost, Kupper says. Sometimes, a lack of leash can lead to a tragic incident, like when a dog was burned in a Yellowstone National Park hot spring earlier this month.
- Respect wildlife. This goes along with the first two rules, but perhaps the best thing to remember is that you’re a guest in other animals’ homes. “Don’t leave anything behind other than your footprints when you visit a park,” Kupper says.
- Know where you can go. If there is a sign telling you your dog isn’t allowed, don’t take your dog there. It could be fragile terrain, or the dogs could threaten the wildlife (or vice-versa). “We try to make parks as accessible as possible to pets with their people, but when you see that restriction on a trail or an area, there’s a reason behind it,” Kupper says.
Honestly, just follow those rules. Kupper has heard many stories of lost dogs never reuniting with their owners. Don’t let that be you!
Do All National Parks Allow Dogs?
Of the 63 national parks, there are only two where dogs are entirely prohibited, Kupper says. They’re both islands: Channel Islands and Isle Royale. Several others, like Alaska’s Lake Clark, advise against bringing dogs with you. Keep in mind, that if the park you’re visiting doesn’t allow dogs, there might be a kennel or boarding facility near the park where you can relocate your dog for a day or two so you can explore. Qualified service dogs, however, are allowed in areas where pet dogs are banned.
While there are 63 “national parks,” there are more than 420 national park sites that the National Park Service oversees. They’re in all 50 states—battlefields, monuments, historic places—so one is probably within driving distance for you. These local options are great short getaways for you and your pet if a national park is too far to travel with (or without) your best furry friend. It’s always important to plan ahead, so both you and your pup will have the best vacation possible.
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Photo Credit: Jaromir Chalabala / Shutterstock.com