Best Dog Friendly National Parks – With spring just around the corner, it’s time to get outside and get active with your furry best friend. Check out this list of the 15 most dog-friendly national parks.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Americans are traveling less by plane and turning to traditional car and RV trips to explore the US’s natural environment. We are lucky to have such wonderful national parks. However, if you’re traveling with a child, you’ll definitely want to know which national parks are the most dog-friendly.
Best Dog Friendly National Parks
Take your dog to all national parks. Due to wildlife activity, some parks do not allow dogs at all. Others allow them organized camping and picnics, but no more. Fear not, there are still plenty of beautiful national parks for dogs to visit this summer. And if you’re worried about your dog getting lost in parks, try the Fi GPS Smart Collar. But before we get into the list, let’s talk about the essentials when visiting national parks with your dog.
Great Sand Dunes National Park Ringer Tee
Many national parks allow your pet to accompany you, but they have a few rules about pet etiquette. This is their B.A.R.K. Dog politics.
Not only does this help keep the trails clean, but your dog’s waste is a “non-native element” in the park’s ecosystem.
Sorry, pets must be on a leash at all times, maximum length 6 feet. This is to protect anyone and everyone, including your pet.
Don’t let your dog near wild animals – it’s too dangerous. Make sure your dog is well behaved and obeys you. Depending on the park, grizzlies, mountain lions or rattlesnakes can be found.
Pets. Please Follow The Rules Of Bark!
Before you start, stop by the visitor center and ask where dogs are and if they are not allowed. And be sure to get a map of the route.
We’ve compiled a list of the 15 best dog-friendly national parks to visit this summer. Check out what they have to offer, where they are located, and get ready to start your adventure.
Acadia has over 100 miles of dog-friendly trails and most of the campgrounds are dog-friendly. Also, Bar Harbor is a neat little town with close proximity to pet friendly areas.
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Congaree allows dogs at all campgrounds and on any of the park’s trails. You can see wetlands and floodplains in the largest old-growth hardwood forest in the Southeast.
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The Cuyahoga Valley was added to the National Parks in 2000. Dogs are allowed anywhere in the park and enjoy splashing in the Cuyahoga River.
This popular park accepts dogs on all 13 miles of the South Rim Trail, at campgrounds, all built-up areas, and even at the Yavapai Lodge.
Dogs are welcome on trails, sand dunes, campsites and Medano Creek. You can even catch a view of the Sangre de Cristo mountain near the sand dunes.
Hot Springs is one of the few urban national parks. Dogs are welcome on forest trails, campsites, and walks along the historic bathhouse downtown.
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Lake Michigan beaches, trails and campgrounds are dog-friendly. You can even see ponds, wetlands, rivers and forests.
Mammoth Cave offers more than 70 miles of dog-friendly trails, some through hardwood forest with views of the Green River. However, pets are not allowed underground in the caves.
Although pets are not allowed in the buildings, they are allowed on the 28 hiking trails of this historic national park.
The North Cascades is located on mile 28 of the pet-friendly Pacific Crest Trail. All PCT goes from Mexico to Canada. And you can both enjoy the outdoors in the Cascade Mountains at this park.
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Both you and your dog can enjoy the many fossils found in the Petrified Forest, named after the petrified wood found here. All of this park is pet friendly.
Suitable for dogs due to difficulty and climbing. But your dog can enjoy the rest of the beautiful scenery with you.
Enjoy the beach, lakes and forests along Lake Michigan. Dogs are allowed everywhere in this park, except for a small area where endangered birds live.
You and your dog can explore all the trails in this park. You can even try going down the hills!
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Parks like Yosemite, Rockies, Zion, and Badlands are less dog-friendly. They have certain areas where dogs are allowed, such as camping and picnic areas. But you don’t need to make a special trip to these parks with your pup.
Washington’s Olympic National Park is dog-free, but offers several trails for you and your dog.
Now that you know which parks to visit, it’s time to plan your trip, grab your pup, and head out to explore nature together! Check out Off Leash s at TriFi.com for other dog-friendly parks and trails near your city. Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you decide to buy something, a small portion of the proceeds will go to support me and Juno. Thank you!
I cried the first time I drove through Zion National Park. (Don’t worry, they were tears of joy.)
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“It looks like red Yosemite!” I saw a fat head sitting on those high crimson walls, yelling out the rental car window, screaming into my neck.
I didn’t know Junuo when I first visited, but we visit Zion together many times. At least once a year from 2016 to 2020. Here are some of the best things to do in and around Zion National Park.
Like many national parks, Zion does not allow dogs. However, they are allowed in campgrounds, on trails, and on paved observation decks.
The only exception to the “no dogs” rule is the partially paved Pa’rus Trail near the visitor center.
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As I first posted on Instagram, Pa’rus Tilsi is the least scenic of Zion’s hiking trails, crossing the Virgin River and past busy rest areas and camp bathrooms. But really, it’s like saying “Worst beach in Hawaii” or “Sunday is the worst day of the weekend”: even “worst” is still pretty impressive.
If you live near Zion National Park and need a quality boarding or doggy daycare, I highly recommend Doggy Dude Ranch. As their website says, “it’s 30,000 feet of fun for your best friend!”
I have left Juno in their care twice, once for dog walking and once for an overnight stay, both times I had a great experience. As of October 2020, doggy daycare costs $30 per day and dog boarding costs $40 per night.
Be sure to make reservations as early as possible, especially in the summer, as Doggy Dude Ranch books up fast!
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Although the Pa’rus Trail is the only dog-friendly trail in Zion National Park itself, there are plenty of dog-friendly events nearby.
Nearby dog-friendly areas include Snow Canyon State Park, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, and the Red Canyon section of the Dixie National Forest. Stay tuned for longer posts in each of these areas, and check them out on AllTrails in the meantime!
The last time I was in Juno near Zion, we stayed at these wonderful Airbnb cottages. They are dog friendly at no extra charge and less than a mile from the park!
Hoping to travel Utah with your dog and make an adventure out of it? Check out my dog guide to Bryce Canyon National Park!
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I’m a writer who travels to the wild, wild west with my dog, Juno. When I’m not telling stories by the fire, sometimes I tell them here.
When you shop through the links below, a small percentage will support Becky and Juno at no additional cost. Thank you for your support! With over 100 miles of trails to sniff, buggy trails to explore, and free pet-friendly shuttles, visiting Acadia National Park with dogs is fun for the whole family!
Access to Acadia National Park requires commitment. Located in the most northeastern corner of America, this is not a place you just stumble upon. Boston is the nearest large city, 250 miles away!
But like most things that require a little effort, Acadia’s return far outweighs the investment. And for people traveling with their pets, this is a national park guaranteed not to disappoint!
A Dog-friendly National Park
Glaciers carved this beautiful landscape over thousands of years. The rest are rounded mountain peaks and deep valleys that now contain freshwater lakes and ponds. The advance and retreat of the ice has removed the surface layers, revealing the pink granite that makes this area so unique.
Now you and your dogs can enjoy the incredible beauty of Acadia and view these monumental forces.
Regardless of your preference or ability level, you’ll find fun ways to explore Acadia National Park with your dog. For those who enjoy hiking, there are over 100 miles of pet-friendly trails, from flat roads to mountain hikes.
If hiking or biking is more your speed, 45 miles of historic trails await you and your pup.
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And if you’re up for the hike, there’s a scenic 17-mile loop
