The Ultimate Guide to Bringing Your Dog to a National Park
National Parks and dogs seem like a match made in heaven. After all, most fun-loving Fidos love romping around in the woods just as much as we do! However, dogs can have a really big environmental impact, whether we intend it or not. Leave no trace includes our beloved pups. Dogs are animals, too, and respecting the wild animals of the national parks is natural husbandry 101.
Because of this, some national parks are more dog-friendly than others. I’ve separated every national park into one of three categories:
The Most Dog-Friendly (dogs allowed in most areas)
Somewhat Dog-Friendly (partial doggy access)
Only Slightly Dog-Friendly (very limited doggy access)
Leave Your Dog at Home (self-explanatory)
Read on for a full list of every national park, ranked by how dog-friendly they are.
What to Keep in Mind Before Bringing Your Dog to a National Park
Common Rules at National Parks
Even at the most dog-friendly national parks, there are still restrictions for dogs. This helps protect both your dogs and the unspoiled nature of the backcountry. While specific rules vary by each park, in general, they are as follows (from Glacier National Park and New River Gorge National Park):
Pets are not allowed inside any park buildings or visitor centers in compliance with federal regulations.
Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet (1.8 m), under physical restraint, or caged at all times, including while in open-bed pickup trucks.
Pets are not to be left tied to an object when unattended.
Pet owners must pick up after their pets and dispose of waste in a trash receptacle.
Owners must not allow a pet to make noise that is unreasonable.
Most national parks allow properly trained and registered service dogs on back country trails, regardless of their pet policies. At some parks with very dangerous trails, such as the Precipice Loop at Acadia National Park, taking a service dog is not legally restricted, but you are strongly encouraged to avoid those trails with a dog. At ecologically sensitive parks where dogs are banned, such as Channel Islands National Park, you will need to present a clean bill of health for your service dog in order to visit.
What is the B.A.R.K. Ranger Program?
Just like young visitors can become junior rangers and learn about responsibly enjoying the outdoors, some parks now have a B.A.R.K. (Bag your waste, Always wear a leash, Respect wildlife, Know where to go) program at ranger stations. While all parks encourage this behavior, some will offer your dog a badge or certificate for participation in a program! By participating, not only are you making sure you and your dog are totally prepared, you’re also creating good relationships with park staff.
The following parks offer a B.A.R.K. Ranger program:
National Parks That are the Most Dog-Friendly
White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Though dogs are limited to the rules listed above (they must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet, you must pick up after them, etc), they are otherwise allowed in most areas of the park! If these parks have restrictions, it’s often with the safety of both you and your pup in mind. Keep in mind that any road or trail closures apply to your four-legged friends, too.
Acadia National Park, Maine - Dogs are allowed on over 100 miles of trails! Some cliffside trails are too dangerous to allow dogs, and some areas are restricted due to health regulations. Visit their website for a full list of restricted areas.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio - Dogs are allowed on over 100 miles of trails throughout the park, including the park’s busiest trail (the Towpath Trail). Sadly, dogs are not allowed on the historic railway, or trails designated for mountain biking.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska - Dogs are allowed throughout the park, and may even be used for hunting (check local hunting regulations for full details). Be aware of high bear activity in the park.
Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri - Dogs are allowed in all outdoor areas!
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas - Dogs are allowed on all park trails!
Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana - Dogs are available everywhere except very specific areas of the park (West Beach, Glenwood Dune Trail, Pinhook Bog Trail, nature play areas). Dogs must be leashed at beaches, even while swimming.
New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia - Dogs are allowed on all park trails!
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona - Dogs are allowed on all paved trails and in all wilderness areas!
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia - Dogs are allowed on over 500 miles of trails in the park, and they have pet-friendly lodging! Check their website for specific trail restrictions.
White Sands National Park, New Mexico - Dogs are allowed on all park trails and in all wilderness areas! There are two designated dog-walking areas in the park.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska - Dogs are allowed on all trails and throughout the backcountry, but be aware that trapping is permitted within the park.
National Parks That are Somewhat Dog-Friendly
A river waterfall in Great Smoky Mountain National Park | via unsplash.com
At these national parks, dogs are allowed in some areas, but not all. Most commonly at these parks, dogs are allowed in front country (the most accessible) campgrounds, picnic areas, and along paved roads and parking areas. They’re typically not allowed in back country areas or along longer trails. I’ve included the specific trails on which dogs are allowed.
Biscayne National Park, Florida - Dogs are allowed at Convoy Point, Elliott Key, and in private watercraft. Dogs are not allowed at Boca Chita Key, including in docked boats.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado - Dogs are allowed on paths to scenic overlooks, the Rim Rock Trail, and the North Rim Chasm View Nature Trail.
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah - Dogs are allowed on the Fremont River Trail and in the publicly accessible orchards.
Congaree National Park, South Carolina - Dogs are allowed on all boardwalks, but elevated boardwalks may distress some dogs. Life jackets for dogs are advised.
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon - Dogs are allowed on the following trails as long as there isn’t significant snow: Lady of the Woods, Godfrey Glen, Annie Spur Trail, Grayback Drive, Pacific Crest Trail.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona - Dogs are allowed in most places above the canyon rim. Please take special care to ensure pets are protected from the heat.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado - Dogs are allowed throughout the preserve and in the majority of the main use area, but not in the majority of the park. Specific use maps are available through the park.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee - Dogs are allowed on the Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail.
Joshua Tree National Park, California - While dogs are not allowed on any trails, they’re allowed at all picnic areas and on unpaved roads.
Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska - Dogs are allowed throughout the back country, but not within the Brooks Camp Developed Area in the summer. Be aware of high bear activity in the park.
Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska - While dogs are technically allowed in the backcountry, the park has no official language governing dogs other than federal leashing and waste disposal regulations.
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska - While dogs are technically allowed in the backcountry, the language from the park strongly discourages visitors from bringing their dogs.
Mammoth Caves National Park, Kentucky - Dogs are allowed on all surface trails, but not in any of the caves.
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado - Dogs are allowed on the following trails: Park Point and the Mesa Top Loop sites, some paved trails in the park headquarters area, and most Wetherill Mesa trails, except the Step House Trail.
Olympic National Park, Washington - Pets are allowed on Peabody Creek Trail, Rialto Beach parking lot to Ellen Creek, the beaches between the Hoh and Quinault Reservations, Madison Falls Trail, Spruce Railroad Trail, and July Creek Loop Trail. Pets are not allowed on tidal rocks as the rocks can injure their paws.
Redwoods National Park, California - Dogs are not permitted on wilderness trails in the park, but they are allowed on beaches and gravel roads/trails.
Virgin Islands National Park, St. John, USVI - Dogs are allowed on all trails, but not the beach.
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota - Dogs are permitted on the Recreation Trail and on private watercraft.
Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota - Dogs are allowed on the Prairie Vista Trail, Elk Mountain Campground Trail, and the grassland near the visitor’s center.
Yosemite National Park, California - Dogs are allowed on the Wawona Meadow Loop, but restricted from some public campgrounds.
National Parks That Are Only Slightly Dog Friendly
Glacier National Park, Montana
At some parks, dogs can accompany their owners only under very strict conditions. These parks have designated very specific areas to bring your dogs. Some of these rules seem similar on paper to more dog-friendly parks. So why do they have a different designation?
For starters, the conditions and climate of the area make a big difference. In high desert parks in Arizona and Nevada, your dog can easily get overheated, dehydrated, or a bad case of burned paws. Additionally, logistics play a part. For example, though dogs are allowed in some areas at Dry Tortugas National Park, they aren’t allowed on any of the major commercial transportation to the park. Don’t even think about driving yourself - Dry Tortugas is only accessible via seaplane or ferry. Finally, some parks allow dogs only under such specific conditions that it’s up to you to determine whether or not you’d like to visit the park with so many restrictions.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico - Dogs are not allowed on unpaved trails or in the caverns, but they are allowed on paved, surface-level trails.
Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska - Dogs are allowed on the Roadside Trail and Bike Path. Park language gently discourages visitors from bringing their dogs.
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida - Dogs are allowed on Garden Key. Dogs are only allowed on private transportation (no commercial ferries or seaplanes).
Everglades National Park, Florida - Dogs are prohibited on all trails and wilderness areas, though they are allowed on private watercraft.
Glacier National Park, Montana - Dogs are only allowed on the bike path between Apgar and West Glacier when it’s free of snow.
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska - Dogs are prohibited on all trails and wilderness areas, though they are allowed on private watercraft and on the Bartlett Cove dock and beach.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming - Dogs are allowed in the nearby Bridger-Teton National Forest, but not on the trails in the national park.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada - While dogs are allowed on the Lexington Arch Trail, the poor road quality to the road means it’s frequently inaccessible.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas - While dogs are allowed on the Pinery Trail, the language from the park strongly discourages visitors from bringing their dogs.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai’i - Dogs are not allowed on any trails and only in specifically designated campgrounds and public areas. However, they have a robust B.A.R.K. Ranger program, and the website’s language has a dog-friendly tone.
North Cascades National Park, Washington - While dogs are permitted on the Pacific Crest Trail, they are not permitted elsewhere and the area has a high volume of grizzly bear activity.
Saguaro National Park, Arizona - While dogs are permitted on paved trails, the high heat and abundance of cacti make this park especially hazardous for dogs.
Sequoia and Kings National Park, California - Dogs are prohibited on all trails and wilderness areas. Dogs are allowed on some of the main roads with the best views of the trees.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota - Dogs are not permitted on wilderness trails in the park. However, there are quite a few trails in the area (not in the park) where dogs are allowed.
Zion National Park, Utah - Pets are allowed on the Pa’rus trail. Take care to check for a Toxic Cyanobacteria Bloom, and don’t let your pet drink unfiltered water.
National Parks Where You Should Leave Your Dogs at Home
Sunrise Arch at Canyonlands National Park, Utah
The main argument against taking your dog to a national park? Wildlife. The question of a dog’s relationship to wild animals cut both ways. On the one hand, dogs can kill, seriously injure, or bring disease to sensitive local animal populations. The mere smell of a dog, a predator, can seriously disrupt local ecosystems. On the other hand, many national parks are home to large, dangerous animals such as moose, bison, and grizzly bears. Your dog (or its scent) could easily antagonize the wild animals, placing you and your family in danger.
Traveling to these parks with a dog can be a logistical nightmare, depending on where you live. Even if you can get there easily, many of these parks go by the guideline that dogs are only allowed in places a car can go - roads, front country campgrounds, parking lots, and front country picnic areas. If you leave a dog unattended at a campsite or picnic area or in a car, you’re opening yourself up to potential fines or legal action. Don’t waste precious time and energy working to get your dog to the park only to leave it unattended.
Arches National Park, Utah - Dogs are prohibited on all trails and wilderness areas.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota - Dogs are prohibited on all trails and wilderness areas.
Big Bend National Park, Texas - Dogs are prohibited on all trails and wilderness areas.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah - While dogs are allowed on portions of the Rim Trail, the language from the park strongly discourages visitors from bringing their dogs.
Canyonlands National Park, Utah - Dogs are prohibited on all trails and wilderness areas.
Channel Islands National Park, California - Pets of all kinds are prohibited. Service animals must pass a health exam.
Death Valley National Park, Nevada - Dogs are prohibited on all trails and wilderness areas.
Haleakalā National Park, Hawai’i - Dogs are only permitted on roadways (not in any campgrounds, picnic areas, or trails).
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan - Pets of all kinds are prohibited. Service animals must pass a health exam.
Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska - Dogs are prohibited on all trails and wilderness areas.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California - Dogs are prohibited on all trails and wilderness areas.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington - Dogs are prohibited on all trails and wilderness areas.
National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa - Dogs are prohibited on all trails, beaches, and wilderness areas.
Pinnacles National Park, California - Dogs are prohibited on all trails and wilderness areas. Park language strongly discourages visitors from bringing their dogs.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado - Dogs are prohibited on all trails and wilderness areas.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming - Dogs are prohibited on all trails and wilderness areas.
