Best dog-friendly national parks – Dogster

Do you love the great outdoors, hiking, camping and traveling with your pet dog? Talk about different ways to enjoy America’s most beautiful places and natural spaces with your dog. National parks are managed by the federal government. There are more than 400 parks in National Park System, preserves some of the most beloved, treasured, and famous natural wonders of the United States across the country. Examples include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is the country’s most visited national park, Yellowstone National Park, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and other monuments along the National Mall in Washington, DC

State parks, administered by the state government, are equally stunning in their landscapes and natural areas. Local parks are also fun green spaces owned and operated by cities, counties or towns. One of the most famous examples might be New York City Central ParkDogs are allowed in most areas, as long as they’re on a leash, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m

Why embark on a visit to a dog-friendly national park?

People are drawn to parks for many reasons – travel and vacations, love of nature and the great outdoors, plus fun recreational activities like hiking, swimming, camping and more. And according to TripAdvisor, 53% of pet parents worldwide bring their pets with them when traveling!

But before burning any traces with Buster, do your research. Before going to a national or state park, make sure you can answer the following questions:

• Does this park allow dogs?
• What rules are in place for dogs and dog owners must follow?
• Do I have the necessary equipment and supplies to make sure my dog ​​stays safe?
• What kind of wildlife can I see and how does that affect my dog?

Your dog can become a BARK Ranger

Many national parks have a BARK Ranger program. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/pets/bark-rangers.htm It’s a pretty simple concept that welcomes pets into the park. Essentially, when families commit to four rules, then complete park activities like pet-friendly hiking, they often earn a certificate or memento from the park. that capsule and some pretty cool stuff to boot.

BARK stands for four key concepts:

Your pet’s poop bag.
Always keep your pet on a leash.
Respect wildlife.
Know where you can go.

Even if a national park is mostly pet-friendly, there are bound to be trails, beaches, waterways, and other areas that aren’t limited to dogs. This is usually for your own pet’s safety to avoid dangerous areas like hot springs and dangerous rocks, or to avoid dangerous areas like hot springs and dangerous rocks, says Kathy Grant, supervisory ranger at Acadia National Park in Maine. protect wildlife or water supply waterways.

Dog-friendly National Parks in Maine: Acadia National Park

According to Kathy, Acadia was one of the first to accept the NPS BARK Ranger program, and since launching the program in 2016, it has advised many other national parks on how to supplement BARK programs. Ranger.

Kathy recommends that visitors with dogs choose Acadia’s visitor center as their first stop because a ranger can explain which areas of the park are the most pet-friendly. That information is also on Acadia’s website. Is anyone there? Camping with dogs is allowed at Acadia. And with 150 miles of trails, hiking in Acadia is one of the most popular dog-friendly activities.

Specific dog-friendly paths, suggested by Kathy, include:

There are two national parks that stand out in Amy Burkert’s memory as being particularly dog-friendly—Acadia and Grand Canyon. And she should know, as the founder GoPetFriendly.com and author of “The Greatest Pet-Friendly Trip: A Guide to the #1 Pet Attraction in the 48 States and Washington DC“

Amy recommends Acadia for its many trails, along with Maine’s breathtaking ocean views.

Top 10 dog-friendly national parks

Amy also has fond memories of exploring the entire 13-mile South Rim Trail of the Grand Canyon with her dogs. It’s a fun experience best shared with those you love – whether they’re walking on two or four legs.

Nine out of 10 dog-friendly national park proposals come from Amy’s travel experience. We’ve linked to specific park-specific BARK Ranger or dog policies.

The 10 most dog-friendly national parks:

1. Acadia National Park, Maine
2. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
3. National Mall, Washington, DC
4. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
5. Congaree National Park, South Carolina
6. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
7. Padre Island National Seashore, Texas
8. Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
9. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Reserve, Alaska
10. Gettysburg National Military Park (GNMP), Pennsylvania

Dog-friendly National Park in Pennsylvania

The reasons we include Gettysburg? In addition to its significance in US history, its 33 miles of dog-friendly trails and more than 1,300 monuments and markers make it the largest collection of outdoor sculptures in the world – including two very special dog related sculptures!

Jason Martz of the GNMP says the Irish Brigade Memorial is considered one of the most beautiful at Gettysburg. It is topped with a large and life-sized Celtic cross of the Irish Wolfhound sculpted at its base.

11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment consisting of Sallie, a bronze Terrier – one cover Staffordshire Bull Terrier to be exact. Sallie was given to the regiment as a puppy, and she participated in every battle of the regiment’s Civil War. Jason said she was such a good girl that after the Battle of Gettysburg, as the story goes, Sallie was found with some dead and dying soldiers of the regiment until the living discovered her. Two days later.

I also have to plug in my home state and outstanding state park system – one of the largest schools in the country offering free admission to everyone. Although I have camped and hiked in many places, one of our recent favorites is Black Moshannon State Parknear Penn State University where we enjoyed some very unique hikes including the boardwalk of the Bog Trail with Luna.

Dog-friendly hiking in South Dakota

During her cross-country travels, Amy said one of the most dog-friendly state parks she’s visited is Custer State Park in South Dakota. There are miles of trails, and she describes lovely pine-covered paths along the creek. Wildlife is abundant, including buffalo, so Amy recommends checking at the visitor center to ask where the herd is active before hiking with your dog. Buffaloes generally don’t like dogs, and a dog’s behavior can be unpredictable when meeting one – or more – for the first time, even from a distance. So Amy recommends attaching a bear bell to your dog’s collar. Putting that jingle into your puppy’s walk is sure to provide smiles, as well as safety, for miles.

Dog-friendly hiking in Tennessee

I recently traveled to Tennessee with my husband and our Alaskan Malamute, Luna. We all loved the hiking adventure to the base and the countless beautiful views of Fall Creek Falls, the tallest free-flowing waterfall east of the Rockies. From a dog-friendly campsite that made our home base, we hiked to all four major waterfalls in the area. Fall Creek Falls State Parkand Luna even trotted across two suspension bridges with us.

Hiking in the national forest

Visiting national parks during high season can take longer than expected and can leave you and your dog feeling frustrated, says Amy. However, many national forests, often located adjacent to national parks, are very pet-friendly! And many places offer the same setting and setting, but without the traffic and crowds.

Amy recommends hiking in Dixie National Forest, located between Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park in Utah. Ultimately, she says, national forests offer an unusual nature experience. And what could be better than a little solitude with your furry soulmate?