The only thing better than taking in the beauty of the outdoors is doing it with your dog. If you’re itching for an outdoor adventure or scenic road trip with your dog, you might be wondering which national parks are dog-friendly?
We reviewed and compiled the pet policies for all 62 national parks and listed those areas that are dog-friendly and those areas that are not plus a link to each park’s pet policy page. Bookmark this page as your go-to resource for all dog-friendly national parks.
Complete Guide to Dog-Friendly National Parks
Image by Patrick Hendry via Unsplash
Each National Park has its own pet policy. Only a handful allow dogs to have full access to trails, campgrounds, and major attractions. There are also only a few parks that do not allow dogs. Overall, most parks give dogs some access to their lands usually in developed areas but not on all trails or in backcountry areas.
Why Aren’t Dogs Allowed in Some Parks?
Dogs are granted limited access in many parks because their presence disturbs wildlife. While there are many reasons for this, two reasons stand out:
Changes in Wildlife Behavior
One scientific study showed that native animals were more likely to avoid trails and areas that allowed dogs, and in some cases, abandoned areas entirely if a dog’s presence was detected. This is mostly due to animals sensing dogs as potential predators. For this reason, many parks do not allow dogs on trails or outside of developed areas, and every park requires you to keep your dog on a leash to minimize wildlife disturbance. (Source: nps.gov)
Spread of Diseases
According to experts from the World Wildlife Foundation, the spread of diseases from unrestrained or feral dogs to other wild animals is a major threat to wildlife. Particularly, the transfer of rabies and parvovirus from dogs preying on wildlife has become a notable problem. (Source: BBC)
Become a B.A.R.K. Ranger
Although parks strictly regulate where pets are permitted, many of them are still happy to welcome your furry family members during your visit. All dog-friendly national parks ask parents to follow the B.A.R.K. Ranger code:
B.A.R.K. Rangers are pets and their people who have pledged to protect themselves and park resources through for simple steps.
Bag your pet’s waste.
Always use a leash.
Respect wildlife.
Know where you can go.
Each dog-friendly national park has its own version of the B.A.R.K Ranger program, which can be found on the pages listed below.
List of National Parks and Pet Policies
After combing through all of the national parks pet policies, we created three categories based on dog accessibility – Full Access, Limited Access, and No Access. Click the links below to be re-directed or scroll to view all 62 national parks by accessibility.
FULL ACCESS
These are the most dog-friendly national parks. Dogs can explore all or most of the park with you.
LIMITED ACCESS
Dogs are only allowed in specific areas of the parks.
NO ACCESS
No dog are allowed anywhere in the park.
American Samoa (AS)
Carlsbad Caverns (NM)
Channel Islands (CA)
Gates of the Arctic (AK)
Isle Royal (MI)
Kobuk Valley (AK)
FULL ACCESS – LIST OF DOG-FRIENDLY NATIONAL PARKS
The following parks give dogs the widest range of places to explore, and are conclusively the most-dog friendly National Parks.
White Sands in New Mexico is one of the most dog-friendly national parks. Image by JP Popham via Unsplash.
Acadia National Park – Maine
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- 100 miles of hiking trails
- 45 miles of carriage roads
- Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods campgrounds
- Isle au Haut (day hiking only)
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Most lakes (closed to people and pets)
- Sand Beach (June 15 – September 8)
- Echo Lake (May 15 – September 15)
- Public buildings
- Ranger-led programs
- Wild Gardens of Acadia (Sieur de Monts)
- Duck Harbor Campground
- The following trails are closed to pets: Precipice, Beehive, Ladder Trail to Dorr Mountain, Beech Clidds Trail, Perpendicular Trail (Mansell Mountain), Jordan CliffsTrail between Penobscot East Trail and the carriage road
Acadia Pet Policy Page
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Crater Lake – Oregon
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Along established roads and within 50 feet of the paved surfaces
- On parking areas and paved walkways
- In Mazama and Lost Creek Campgrounds
- All picnic areas
- Lady of the Woods Trail (as long as the trail is free of significant snow)
- Godfrey Glen Trail (as long as the trail is free of significant snow)
- Annie Spur Trail (connects PCT hikers to Mazama Village)
- Greyback Road (accessible when East Rim Drive is open)
- Pacific Crest Trail
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Dogs are prohibited from entering Crater Lake
- All streams
- Any body of water within the park
- Public buildings
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- All trails (including the boardwalk)
- Campgrounds
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Over 100 miles of hiking trails
- Towpath Trail
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Park buildings
- Cuyahoga Valley Scenic railroad
- East Rim mountain bike trails
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- On the grounds of Gateway Arch National Park
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Gateway Arch Visitor Center
- The Historic Old Courthouse
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- In the Preserve (including Mosca Pass Trail)
- Main use areas of the park, including:
- Piñon Flats Campground
- Dunes Overlook Trail
- Along the Medano Pass Primitive Road)
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Inside the visitor center and bathrooms
- In the backcountry of the dunes
- North of Castle Creek Picnic Area, except along Medan Pass Primitive Road
- North of Point of No Return, including Sand Ramp Trail
- In any backpacking campsites located inside the park
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- All 26 miles of the Hot Springs National Park trails
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Inside any park buildings
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- All trails at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Public ranger programs
- Park buildings
- Visitor center
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Drive-in campgrounds
- Picnic Areas
- Paved or dirt roads (no digging or rolling on plants allowed)
- Peabody Creek Trail (Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles)
- Rialto Beach parking lot to Ellen Creek (1/2 mile)
- The beaches between the Hoh and Quinault Reservations (Kalaloch area)
- Madison Falls Trail (Elwha)
- Spruce Railroad Trail (North shore of Lake Crescent)
- July Creek Loop Trail (North shore of Lake Quinault)
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Any trails not listed above
- Public trails
- Interpretive walks
- In the wilderness
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Any paved road or trail
- Official Wilderness Areas in the park
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Park buildings
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- In campgrounds
- Leashed pets are allowed on most trails
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Fox Hollow Trail (mile 4.6)
- Stony Man Trail (mile 41.7) except for the portion that follows the Appalachian Trail
- Limberlost Trail (mile 43)
- Post Office Junction to Old Rag Shelter
- Old Rag Ridge Trail
- Old Rag Saddle Trail
- Ridge Access Trail (Old Rag area)
- Dark Hollow Falls Trail (mile 50.7)
- Story of the Forest Trail (mile 51)
- Bearfence Mountain Trail (mile 56.4)
- Frazier Discovery Trail (mile 79.5)
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Pets are allowed in White Sands National Park. For your added convenience, White Sands National Park has two designated pet walking stations complete with pet poop pick-up bags to help facilitate the removal of pet excrement. Both are located outside the visitor center; one is adjacent to the women’s restroom and the other is behind the picnic tables.
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- In the visitor center
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- On trails within the park and in the backcountry
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Public buildings, including visitor centers or ranger stations
Wrangell- St. Elias Pet Policy
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LIMITED ACCESS – LIST OF DOG-FRIENDLY NATIONAL PARKS
The following parks allow dogs in limited areas.
Joshua Tree National Park allows dogs with limited access. Photo by Kevin Turcios via Unsplash.
Arches National Park – Utah
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Along established roads
- Parking areas
- Campgrounds
- Picnic areas
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Overlooks
- Hiking trails
- Anywhere off-trail
- Visitor Center and other buildings
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Campgrounds
- Picnic areas
- Areas open to motor vehicles such as gravel, paved roads, roadway corridors, and parking lots
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Hiking trails
- Public buildings
- Backcountry areas (including Badlands Wilderness Area)
- Areas with prairie dog colonies
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Anywhere cars can go
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Trails
- River
- Off-Road
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Grounds at Convoy Point
- Elliot Key
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Boca Chita Key (including on boats docked in the harbor)
- The Dante Fascell Visitor Center
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Roads
- Campgrounds
- Overlooks
- Cedar Point Nature Trail
- North Rim Chasm View Nature Trail
- Rim Rock Trail
Dog-Prohibited Areas
- Any hiking trails besides those listed above
- Cross country ski trails
- Inner canyon wilderness
- Ranger-led geology walks
- Evening programs in the campground amphitheater
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Campgrounds
- Parking lots
- Paved roads
- Paved viewpoint areas (except Piracy Point)
- On the paved section of the Rim Trail between Sunset Point and Sunrise Point
- On the paved Shared Use Path between the park entrance and Inspiration Point
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Trails
- Unpaved viewpoints (Piracy Point)
- Public buildings
- Public transportation vehicles
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Front-country roads
- Parking areas
- Established front-country campgrounds and picnic areas
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Hiking trails
- Off-trail
- Overlooks
- Visitor Center
- Public buildings
- In the backcountry (including vehicles on backcountry roads, and on any river trips)
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- On the trail from the visitor center to the Fruita Campground
- On the Fremont River Trail from the campground to the south end of Hattie’s field (where there is a gate)
- Unfenced and/or unlocked orchards
- In the Chestnut and Doc Inglesby picnic areas
- Campgrounds
- Within 50 feet of the center line of roads (paved and dirt) open to public vehicle travel
- Parking areas open to public vehicle travel
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Any hiking trails besides those listed above
- Public buildings
- In the backcountry
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Along roads
- Campgrounds
- Picnic areas
- Other developed areas
Pet-Restricted Areas:
- On trails
- Into the wilderness
- Most buildings
- Out of developed areas
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- On the park road
- Parking lots
- Campground roads
- Roadside Trail
- Bike path
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Park trails
- Off-trail in the wilderness
- Buses
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Garden Key
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Inside Fort Jefferson
- Any other keys in the park
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Roadways open to vehicle traffic
- Roadside campground and picnic areas
- Maintained grounds surrounding public facilities and residential areas
- Private boats
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- All trails, boardwalk, paved and unpaved
- Unpaved roads
- Shark Valley Tram Trail/Road
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Frontcountry campgrounds
- Picnic areas
- Roads
- Parking areas
- In boats on lakes where motorized watercraft are permitted
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Trails
- Along lake shores outside of developed locations
- In the backcountry
- Buildings
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- On the Barlett Cove Public Use Dock
- On the beach between the Barlett Cove Public Use Dock and the National Park Service Administrative Dock
- Within 100 feet of Barlett Cove Developed Area par roads or parking areas unless otherwise posted
- On a vessel on the water
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Trails
- Beaches
- Anywhere in the backcountry
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Trails above the rim
- Mather Campground
- Desert View Campground
- Trailer Village
- Throughout Developed Areas
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Below the rim (or inner canyon trails)
- On park shuttle buses
- In park lodging, except for those staying with their owners in a pet-friendly room
Dog-Friendly Areas
- Developed campgrounds
- Turnouts
- Picnic areas
- Along any roads that cars are permitted on
- Bridger-Teton National Forest trails and backcountry unless otherwise posted
Dog-Prohibited Areas
- Trails
- Pathways
- Beaches
- Buildings
- Swimming in any park waters
Dog-Friendly Areas
- Lexington Arch Trail
- The trail between Baker and the Great Basin Visitor Center
- Campgrounds
- In front of the visitor centers
- Along roads
Dog-Prohibited Areas
- Lehman Caves
- At evening programs
- On trails
- In the backcountry of the park
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Campgrounds
- Picnic areas
- Along roads
- The Gatlinburg Trail
- Oconaluftee River Trail
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Dogs are not allowed on any other park trails
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Established roadsides
- Parking areas
- Picnic areas
- Campgrounds
- Pine Springs Campground Connector Trail
- Along the Pinery Trail from the visitor center to the Butterfield Stage Station
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Park buildings
- Restrooms
- Public programs in the backcountry
- ALL park trails except the Pinery Trail and the Pine Springs Campground connector trail.
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Parking lots
- Drive-up campgrounds
- On roadways and paved pathways
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- On trails
- In park buildings
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Parking areas and surrounding curbs (excluding Hilina Pali Road and Kulanaokuaiki Campground)
- On Crater Rim Drive in areas open to vehicles
- On the Chain of Craters Road down to Pu’uloa Petroglyphs
- At Nāmakanipaio Campground
- On Mauna Load Road (“The Strip Road”)
- On Highway 11
- At Kilauea Military Camp: on paved roads and parking areas, and at the picnic area, up to the park ball field gate, not including the ball field
Dog-Prohibited Areas
- All undeveloped areas of the park, including:
- Designated wilderness
- All front country and backcountry trails
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Pinhook Upland Trail
- All beaches year-round with the following exception: Pets are not allowed in the lifeguard swimming area at West Beach from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- West Beach
- Glenwood Dunes Trail System
- Nature Play Areas
- Pinhook Bog Trail
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Within 100 feet (30.5 m) of roads
- Picnic areas
- Campgrounds
- Paved Oasis of Mara
- Keys View trails
- Backcountry roads
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- On hiking trails
- In the backcountry
- In park buildings
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- In the backcountry (dogs must be under physical control at all times)
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Brooks Camp Developed Area (BCDA), which is defined as a 1.5-mile radius from the Brooks Falls Platform, between May 1 and October 31
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- On the road to Exit Glacier (the Herman Leirer Road)
- In the parking lot of the Exit Glacier Nature Center
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- On trails, such as the trails of the Exit Glacier area or the Harding Icefield Trail
- In the coastal backcountry
- Along the coast in an area extending from the mean high tide line to ¼ mile inland from 5/30 – 11/1
- In any building, regardless of the season
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Parking lots
- Paved roads
- Campgrounds
- Picnic Areas
Dog-Prohibited Areas
- All trails (including paved trails, such as the General Sherman Tree Trail, Big Trees Trail, Grant TreeTrail, and others.)
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- In the park
- In the preserve
Although they do allow dogs, Lake Clark has a note on their website stating they “strongly encourage you to leave your pets at home, for your safety, their safety, and the health of the ecosystem.”
Lake Clark Pet Policy
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Lassen Volcanic National Park – California
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Roads and road shoulders (not snow-covered)
- Campgrounds
- Picnic areas
- Parking lots
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Hiking trails
- Park backcountry (including snow-covered roads or trails)
- Any body of water
- Inside visitor centers/park facilities
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Leashed pets are allowed on all surface trails in the park
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Caves
- Park buildings
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Paved roads and parking lots
- Campground
- Leashed pets are allowed on some of the trails on Wetherill Mesa when it is open in the spring, summer, and fall. Pet-friendly trails are marked and include the 5-mile Long House Loop. Please check signs at trailheads before taking your pet on any trail.
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- On trails
- In archeological sites
- Buildings
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Campgrounds
- Parking lots
- Paved roads that are open to public vehicles and no more than six feet from paved roads
- Dogs on leashes 6’ and shorter are allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail
- Carbon River Road and Westside Road are closed to vehicles and pets.
- In winter, it is unsafe to walk on any park road due to snowplows being in operation.
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- All Mount Rainier National Park trails and wilderness areas
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Dogs are allowed on-leash within the Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas
- Most surrounding National Forest lands
- Dogs are allowed on-leash on the Pacific Crest Trail and within 50 feet of roads
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Dogs and other pets are not allowed within the national park except on a leash on the Pacific Crest Trail, and within 50 feet of roads. Service animals are allowed for those with disabilities.
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Picnic Areas
- Campgrounds
- Parking lots
- Paved roads
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- All park trails
- On the shuttle
- Buildings, including visitor centers or the Bear Gulch Nature Center
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Parking areas: Fern Canyon, Lady Bird Johnson, Tall Trees Trail, and Stout Grove parking lots only. Elk Meadow Day Use Area parking lot.
- Scenic View Points: Klamath River Overlook, Redwood Creek Overlook.
- Developed Campgrounds: Elk Prairie Campground, Gold Bluffs Beach, Mill Creek Campground, and Jedediah Smith Campground.
- Beaches: Freshwater Beach, Gold Bluffs Beach, and Crescent Beach.
- Gravel Roads: Cal Barrel Road and Walker Road.
- Rangers’ Tip: If you want to walk through old-growth redwoods with your leashed pet – then try CAL BARREL ROAD (Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park), or WALKER ROAD (Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park).
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Any park trails
- Ranger-led programs
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Along established roads
- In parking areas
- Established campgrounds
- Picnic areas
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- All Rocky Mountain National Park trails, tundra, and meadows
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Roadways
- Picnic areas (except Mam-A-Gah picnic area in the Tucson Mountain District – west)
- Paved trails (Desert Ecology Trail & Desert Discovery Trail)
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- On trails
- Off-road
- Inside both visitor centers
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Along roads and road shoulders
- Sidewalks
- Parking areas
- Campgrounds
- Picnic areas
- Mah Daah Hey Trail
- Long X Trail
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- All trails within the park
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Leashed dogs are allowed on trails
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- On beaches
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Frontcountry campsites
- Recreation Trail (follows Country Road 96 from Hwy 11 to the Rainy Lake Visitor Center)
- Immediate visitor center areas and parking lots
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Backcountry sites located within the Kabetogama Penninsula
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Grassy areas near the visitor center
- The Elk Mountain Campgrounds
- Both the Prairie Vista Trail and Elk Mountain Campground Trail
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- Ranger-led programs and Cave Tours
- Public buildings including the visitor center
- The backcountry or any trails except those listed above
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- In developed areas
- Within 100 feet of roads, parking areas, and campgrounds
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- On boardwalks
- Hiking trails
- In the backcountry
- In thermal areas
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- In developed areas
- Fully paved roads, sidewalks, and bicycle paths (except when signed as not allowing pets)
- In all campgrounds except walk-in campgrounds and in group campsites
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- On trails, including the trail to Vernal Fall (however, pets are allowed on the Wawona Meadow Loop)
- On unplowed roads covered in snow
- In undeveloped and wilderness areas
- In public buildings
- On shuttle buses
- In lodging areas
- In all walk-in and group campgrounds/campsites, including Camp 4
- In any other areas, as indicated by posted signs
Dog-Friendly Areas:
- Pa’rus Trail, which begins at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center
- Leashed dogs are welcome along public roads and parking areas, in the developed campgrounds and picnic areas, in developed campgrounds and picnic areas, and on the grounds of the Zion Lodge
Dog-Prohibited Areas:
- On any trails not listed above
- Wilderness areas
- On shuttle buses
- In public buildings in Zion
Now that you know where to go for the best dog-friendly national parks experience, explore these related articles to prepare for your greatest trip ever: