The Most Dog Friendly National Parks

If you’ve traveled to many National Parks with your pups, then you know that in general, they are not very dog-friendly. Most have a few trails within park boundaries that are dog-friendly, while others have none at all. Of course, service dogs are the exception and all National Parks allow service animals on all trails. They just highly recommend that you check with a park ranger before hiking in certain areas (ahem, bear country). While they are the exception to the rule, there are some incredibly dog friendly National Parks…

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Why Aren’t National Parks Dog Friendly?

So, why are National Parks in general not dog-friendly? While it sucks, it is for good reason! It’s for the protection of both your pets and the wild animals that live within park boundaries. Parks like Great Smoky Mountains have a few trails within park boundaries that are dog-friendly, read more on that here. It’s because of the massive black bear population in that region. 

National Parks such as Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Theodore Roosevelt allow dogs in campground and lookout stops but not in buildings or on any trails. All of these parks have abundant wildlife such as elk, bear, moose, bison, and wolves. A run-in with any of these animals, while you have a pup with you, could prove deadly. And no one wants that. 

New to traveling with your dogs? Check out 16 Tips For Traveling With Dogs

Keep In Mind: 

• Ticks are prevalent in many National Parks and are the worst during spring and fall. Mosquitos are also horrible in the summer so make sure to bring pet-friendly bug spray and tick repellent. And treat your dogs for heartworm, yes, they get heartworm from mosquitoes (I had no idea). You can find our favorite pet friendly tick & bug spray. 
• Make sure to bring plenty of water with you if you are hiking on trails. Particularly longer trails. Loki always gets insanely thirsty while hiking. I always make sure to carry plenty of water in my backpack. I always carry this insulated bottle with me and this collapsible bowl. 
  • Bring treats or a snack for the pups if the trails are long. My pups love these and these.
• Don’t forget biodegradable poop bags, and this handy dandy little thing so you don’t have to carry the bags!

General National Park Dog Rules: 

• Dogs should be kept on a leash (6 ft max) at all times 
• Dogs should never be left unattended 
• Clean up after your pup 
• Dogs are never permitted in Federal Building (service dogs are the exception)
• Plan ahead – bring enough water, food, and anything else your pup may need  

**After some recent stories coming from NPS lately on dogs inside the parks, I feel like I should say, if you choose to take your dogs to a National Park…please be responsible. 

Tips To Keep Your Pups Safe In National Parks: 

• Don’t let there be an “escape option” for your dog
• Don’t leave vehicle windows down while driving through wildlife areas 
• Respect the wildlife
• Only walk your dog in safe areas (example – don’t walk your dog past elk in the Mammoth Hot Springs area of Yellowstone) 
• Please, always keep your dog leashed
• Be aware of what areas are off-limits to your dog within park boundaries 
• These restricted areas apply to all dogs (do not carry your dogs, or push them in strollers in these areas) 
• Always clean up after your dog

B.A.R.K. Ranger Program

Many of the dog friendly parks (and some of the not-so dog friendly parks) offer the Bark Ranger program. You may be thinking, what in the world is a Bark Ranger? Well, the program teaches dog owners about the importance of following the Rules of B.A.R.K. while visiting National Parks. Dogs completing the short program can be sworn in as Bark Rangers and their owners will be eligible to purchase a special Bark Ranger collar tag, find out more here. 

B.A.R.K. stands for 

• B = Bag Your Poop 
• A = Always Wear a Leash
• R = Respect Wildlife 
• K = Know Where To Go

This initiative is important among these dog-friendly National Parks and everyone wants to keep these amazing places as dog friendly as possible! I know I do! 

The good news is several National Parks are considered to be pet-friendly! 

The Most Pet Friendly National Parks

Acadia National Park – Maine 

One of the most dog friendly National Parks in the United States! Your dogs are allowed on over 100 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads within the park. And there are only a handful of trails that are completely off limits including: 

• Precipice Trail 
• Beehive Trail 
• Ladder Trail to Dorr Mountain 
• Beech Cliffs Trail 
• Perpendicular Trail 
• Jordan Cliffs Trail (between Penobscot East Trail and the carriage road)

For More On Acadia Check Out: Is Acadia National Park Dog Friendly?,  One Day At Acadia National Park With Dogs, 10 Dog Friendly Hikes You Can’t Miss At Acadia

Grand Canyon National Park – Arizona 

While not all trials are dogs friendly at the Grand Canyon, anything above the rim is fair game! This includes all 13 miles of the popular South Rim Trail (this is one of my dream trips with the huskies). 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Ohio 

Cuyahoga was only established in 2000, but it boasts 110 miles of hiking trails and 20 of the Towpath Trail in the park where pets are permitted. 

New River Gorge – West Virginia 

As the newest National Park, New River Gorge is also one of the most dog friendly! Dogs are allowed on ALL trails at this National Park, but there are some rules. They are the same as above, pets must be kept on 6ft leash at all times, clean up after pets, and pets are not allowed on any ranger-led programs. 

Shenandoah National Park – Virginia 

This beautiful park features 500 miles of trails and only 20 of those miles are off-limits to your pups. Although it’s a bummer that some of the more famous trails are on this list there are still plenty of places for you to explore with your pups. 

For More Check Out: 11 Fun Dog Friendly Adventures At Shenandoah National Park

Congaree National Park – South Carolina

This is another amazingly dog-friendly national park and it’s located in South Carolina. In Congaree National Park, dogs are welcome basically anywhere. Pets are allowed on all trails, including the boardwalks, and in all campgrounds.

Mammoth Cave National Park – Kentucky 

Mammoth Cave allows pets on its 70 miles of trails but not in caves or at its lodges. They also offer a pet boarding option, you can find more about that here.

Hot Springs National Park – Arkansas 

Hot Springs is  another great pet-friendly option as pets are welcomed on all 26 miles of trails within the park! They also have pet washing stations on both ends of Bathhouse Row and at the campgrounds. However, pets are not permitted in any federal buildings (Visitors Centers, ect).

Great Sand Dunes – Colorado

At Great Sand Dunes National Park dogs are permitted in all of the main use areas of the park but not in the backcountry. There are a few trails that are off-limits but in general, anywhere you can go your dog can follow! Keep those sand temperatures in mind! 

Petrified Forest National Park – Arizona 

In Petrified Forest leashed dogs are welcomed on all trails! 

White Sands National Park – New Mexico

White Sands offers you the opportunity to go on virtually unlimited adventures in the dunes with your pups. Chances are if you can go, your pet can, too. As in other dog-friendly national parks, White Sands National Park does require that pets are on a leash no longer than six feet and are under your physical control at all times. 

The Least Dog Friendly National Parks 

In these National Parks pets are only permitted in developed areas including: in your cars while driving park roads, front country campgrounds, picnic areas, along roads when you are stopped. They are also permitted in parking areas, and in boats on lakes where motorized watercraft are permitted.

Pets are not permitted on any trails inside of these parks, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take your pets with you. You just have to be willing to do things that your pet can do with you. 

My general rule of thumb: If the National Park you are visiting isn’t dog friendly, chances are there is a National Forest nearby that is!

Glacier National Park – Montana

Where To Go Instead: For pet friendly hiking, check out Flathead, Kootenai,  and Lewis and Clark National Forests. 

Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming, Montana, Idaho

Where To Go Instead: Custer-Gallatin and Caribou-Targhee National Forests. 

Check Out: Is Yellowstone National Park Dog Friendly?

Grand Teton National Park – Wyoming 

Where To Go Instead: Bridger-Teton National Forest & Jacksonhole Community Pathway

Rocky Mountain National Park – Colorado

Where To Go Instead: Estes Park, Boulder, Fort Collins, Garden Of The Gods

Check Out: Is Rocky Mountain National Park Dog Friendly?

Zion National Park – Utah

There is one dog friendly trail at Zion National Park, the Pa’rus trail, a 3.4 mile paved trail that runs along the valley floor. 

Where To Go Instead: Snow Canyon State Park, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, and the Red Canyon section of Dixie National Forest

Big Bend National Park – Texas

Where To Go Instead: Big Bend Ranch State Park (2 dog friendly trails here)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Tennessee/North Carolina 

There are two dog friendly trails within the park, the Gatlinburg Trail and the Oconaluftee River Trail. These are both great options!

Where To Go Instead: Nantahala National Forest, Pisgah National Forest 

Check Out: Is Great Smoky Mountains National Park Dog Friendly? & The Best Dog Friendly Hikes In The Smokies

Exploring these beautiful nationally protected places with your dogs is special. I love taking Loki & Freya to explore new National Parks each year. They seem to love them just as much as I do! Do you take your dogs to National Parks with you? What’s your favorite National Park to explore with your dog(s)?

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