Want to make your next national park adventure even more magical? Consider bringing your dog! While some national parks don’t allow pets for safety and preservation reasons, several sites welcome animals. Here’s what pet owners need to know.
At many National Park Service (NPS) sites, pets like dogs and cats can accompany park visitors. Each park has its own rules, but the NPS makes it easy to understand these guidelines. Before visiting a park, explore its official NPS website for pet-related regulations.
Even at the most permissive parks, pet owners will have to follow a few important rules. The NPS outlines the most important of these rules using the BARK acronym. BARK principles include bagging your pet’s waste, always leashing your pet, respecting wildlife, and keeping a respectful distance away from all wildlife.
Now that you know the rules, explore the list below for a round-up of the most dog-friendly national parks. Find even more NPS sites to visit with this map of pet-friendly parks.