Dogs & pets
Dog-friendly national parks, park by park
Last verified 62 park units · nps.gov pets pages
12 parks let dogs hike most trails, 22 allow a few, and 20 keep them off the trails altogether. Every rule below is read from the park’s own pets page and quoted on its page here — no hearsay, no “dog-friendly” listicle guesses.
- Most trails
- 12
- parks
- A few trails
- 22
- parks
- No trails
- 20
- parks
- B.A.R.K. Ranger
- 18
- parks with a program
12 parks
Dogs welcome on most trails
Parks where leashed dogs can hike with you on most or all trails. Expect a few named exceptions.
| Park | Where dogs can go | Leash | B.A.R.K. | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acadia Maine | Leashed pets are allowed on most trails, carriage roads and three campgrounds; barred from Sand Beach and Echo Lake in season, public buildings, ranger programs and six named trails. | 6 ft | Yes | September 10, 2026 |
| Congaree South Carolina | Leashed pets are welcome on all trails, including the Boardwalk Trail, and in the campgrounds; the page lists no prohibited areas. Leash 6 ft max; never leave pets unattended. | 6 ft | Yes | October 3, 2026 |
| Cuyahoga Valley Ohio | With a few exceptions, leashed pets are welcome, including on 100+ miles of hiking trails and the Towpath Trail; not in park buildings, on the scenic railroad or on East Rim mountain bike trails. | 6 ft | — | May 27, 2026 |
| Gates of the Arctic Alaska | The page states there are no closed areas to pets; pets must be restrained on a leash of no more than six feet (or crated, caged or otherwise physically confined) at all times. | 6 ft | — | July 21, 2017 |
| Gateway Arch Missouri | Pets are allowed in all outdoor areas if properly restrained (leash 6 ft max); only service animals may go inside buildings, and dogs may not swim in the reflecting pools or dig in garden beds. | 6 ft | Yes | September 19, 2026 |
| Hot Springs Arkansas | Dogs are welcome on all 26 miles of park trails and on Bathhouse Row, on a leash of 6 feet or less; pets are not allowed inside federal buildings such as the visitor center. | 6 ft | Yes | August 18, 2024 |
| Mammoth Cave Kentucky | Leashed pets (6 feet or less) are allowed on all surface trails; pets are not permitted in caves or park buildings. Day-boarding kennel and pet-friendly cottages are available. | 6 ft | Yes | May 26, 2026 |
| New River Gorge West Virginia | Leashed pets (6 ft max) are allowed on all trails at New River Gorge; they are not allowed in park buildings or visitor centers or at ranger-led programs. | 6 ft | Yes | June 17, 2023 |
| Petrified Forest Arizona | Leashed pets (6 ft) are allowed on any paved road or trail and in all designated wilderness; only service animals may enter buildings. A fenced Bark Park is by the Painted Desert Visitor Center. | 6 ft | Yes | September 19, 2024 |
| Shenandoah Virginia | Leashed pets (6 ft max) are allowed on most trails and in campgrounds; a short list of named trails is off-limits to pets, and pets are not allowed on Ranger Programs. | 6 ft | — | June 25, 2025 |
| Virgin Islands US Virgin Islands | Leashed dogs (6 ft max) are allowed on trails, but pets are not allowed on beaches; the page is dated 2017 and cites 36 CFR 2.15. | 6 ft | — | August 11, 2017 |
| Wrangell–St. Elias Alaska | Leashed dogs (6 ft max) are allowed on trails and in the backcountry; pets are barred from public buildings such as visitor centers and ranger stations except guide dogs for impaired visitors. | 6 ft | Yes | May 6, 2024 |
22 parks
A few dog-friendly trails
Parks that allow dogs on specific trails or paved paths — usually near the visitor center — and nowhere else on the trail network.
| Park | Where dogs can go | Leash | B.A.R.K. | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Canyon of the Gunnison Colorado | Leashed pets are allowed only on the Rim Rock Trail and North Rim Chasm View Nature Trail, plus picnic areas, campgrounds, parking lots, overlook paths and open roads; banned on all other trails. | 6 ft | — | April 24, 2025 |
| Bryce Canyon Utah | Pets are only allowed on paved surfaces: campgrounds, parking lots, paved roads, paved viewpoints (not Piracy Point), the Sunset-Sunrise Rim Trail section and the paved Shared Use Path. | 6 ft | Yes | December 7, 2024 |
| Capitol Reef Utah | Leashed pets are allowed on two short trails (visitor center to Fruita Campground, Fremont River Trail to Hattie's Field gate), campgrounds, picnic areas, orchards and near roads; not elsewhere. | 6 ft | — | January 28, 2026 |
| Crater Lake Oregon | Leashed pets are allowed at Mazama Campground, picnic areas, roads and paved areas, and only on five named trails; not on Cleetwood Cove Trail, other trails, in water, or in buildings. | 6 ft | — | July 27, 2026 |
| Denali Alaska | Leashed pets may be walked on the park road, in parking lots and campground roads, plus the Roadside Hiking Trail and Roadside Bike Trail; generally not on other trails, off-trail, or on buses. | 6 ft | — | October 24, 2024 |
| Glacier Montana | Leashed pets are allowed in developed areas (roads, campgrounds, picnic areas, parking areas), not on trails, undeveloped lake shores, the backcountry or in buildings. | 6 ft | — | September 24, 2024 |
| Grand Canyon Arizona | Leashed pets are allowed on South Rim trails above the rim, in campgrounds and developed areas; never below the rim or on shuttle buses. North Rim and Tuweep access is very limited. | 6 ft | No | September 25, 2025 |
| Great Basin Nevada | Leashed pets are allowed only on the Lexington Arch and Baker-to-visitor-center trails, in campgrounds, at visitor center fronts and along roads; not on other trails, the backcountry or Lehman Caves. | 6 ft | — | September 20, 2025 |
| Great Sand Dunes Colorado | Leashed pets are permitted in the Preserve (including Mosca Pass Trail) and the main day-use areas of the Park, but not past the first high dune ridge, on Sand Ramp Trail, or in the visitor center. | 6 ft | — | February 17, 2026 |
| Great Smoky Mountains North Carolina, Tennessee | Leashed pets are welcome only in frontcountry campgrounds, picnic areas, along roads and on two trails (Gatlinburg and Oconaluftee River); all other trails and the backcountry are off-limits. | 6 ft | — | August 17, 2026 |
| Guadalupe Mountains Texas | Leashed pets are allowed only where vehicles go (roadsides, parking, picnic areas, campgrounds) and on the Pinery Trail and Pine Springs Campground connector trail; all other trails are closed. | 6 ft | — | September 19, 2022 |
| Haleakalā Hawaii | Dogs are permitted only in parking lots, on roadways and on paved pathways; they are not permitted on trails, at Hosmer Grove Campground, or in park buildings. | — | — | December 28, 2023 |
| Joshua Tree California | Leashed pets must stay within 100 feet of roads, parking areas and campgrounds; no hiking trails (except paved Oasis of Mara and Keys View), backcountry or buildings. | 6 ft | — | April 18, 2024 |
| Mesa Verde Colorado | Leashed pets are allowed on roads, parking lots and paved areas at Mesa Top Loop and Park Point, and Wetherill Mesa trails except Step House and Long House; not other trails or ancestral sites. | 6 ft | — | April 21, 2025 |
| Mount Rainier Washington | Pets are banned on all trails and in wilderness except leashed dogs on the Pacific Crest Trail; they may be in parking lots, campgrounds and on paved roads open to vehicles. | 6 ft | — | January 24, 2025 |
| North Cascades Washington | Pets are not allowed in the national park except leashed on the Pacific Crest Trail and on Cascade River and Stehekin Valley roads (to mile 12.9); leashed pets are allowed in the two recreation areas. | 6 ft | Yes | April 14, 2026 |
| Olympic Washington | Leashed pets (6 ft max) are allowed only on six named trails or beach stretches, in drive-in campgrounds and picnic areas and on roads; not on other trails, in public buildings or in wilderness. | 6 ft | Yes | September 7, 2020 |
| Saguaro Arizona | Leashed dogs (6 ft) are allowed only on a short list of named trails and scenic roads; pets are prohibited on all other trails. | 6 ft | — | May 22, 2025 |
| Voyageurs Minnesota | Leashed pets (6 ft) may go to frontcountry sites, developed and day-use areas, walkways, boat ramps and motorboat lake surfaces, and only on the Rainy Lake VC Recreation Trail; no other trails. | 6 ft | — | April 28, 2026 |
| Wind Cave South Dakota | Leashed pets (6 ft) are allowed only on the Prairie Vista and Elk Mountain Campground trails, at Elk Mountain Campground and grassy areas by the visitor center; not in backcountry or buildings. | 6 ft | — | October 4, 2026 |
| Yosemite California | Leashed pets (6 ft) are allowed on paved roads, sidewalks, bike paths (incl. Bridalveil and Lower Yosemite Fall trails) and most campgrounds; not on other trails, in wilderness, meadows or buildings. | 6 ft | Yes | June 24, 2026 |
| Zion Utah | Leashed pets (6 ft max) are allowed on public roads, parking areas, developed campgrounds, picnic areas, Zion Lodge grounds and the Pa'rus Trail only; no other trails, wilderness or buildings. | 6 ft | Yes | September 14, 2026 |
20 parks
No dogs on trails
Dogs can come along for the drive, the campground and the picnic area, but not onto any trail.
| Park | Where dogs can go | Leash | B.A.R.K. | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Samoa American Samoa | Pets (cats, dogs, other domesticated animals) are not allowed on hiking trails, in park buildings, in public transportation vehicles or on swimming beaches; the page names no allowed areas. | — | — | July 9, 2017 |
| Arches Utah | Leashed pets are allowed only along established roads, in parking areas, campgrounds and picnic areas; not on any trail, off-trail, at overlooks, or in the visitor center or any building. | 6 ft | — | April 18, 2025 |
| Badlands South Dakota | Leashed pets are limited to developed areas, roads open to vehicles and parking lots; banned on hiking trails, in public buildings, in the backcountry and in prairie dog colonies. | 6 ft | — | June 21, 2023 |
| Big Bend Texas | Pets are limited to where a car can go; not allowed on trails, off roads, on the river, or into Mexico at the Boquillas Port of Entry. Leash 6 ft max (or a cage). | 6 ft | — | September 15, 2026 |
| Canyonlands Utah | Leashed pets are allowed only on established front-country roads, parking areas, campgrounds and picnic areas; not on trails, off-trail, at overlooks, in buildings, or in the backcountry. | 6 ft | — | July 5, 2025 |
| Channel Islands California | Pets are not allowed in the park; service animals are welcome in the mainland visitor center and allowed on the islands only after a vaccination, parasite-prevention and health protocol. | — | — | May 25, 2021 |
| Death Valley California, Nevada | Leashed pets are allowed in developed areas (paved and unpaved roads, parking lots, campgrounds); not on trails, in designated wilderness, or inside federal buildings, even when carried. | 6 ft | Yes | July 10, 2025 |
| Everglades Florida | Leashed pets are allowed on public roadways, roadside campgrounds and picnic areas, maintained grounds and private boats; not on any trail, unpaved road or the Shark Valley Tram Road. | 6 ft | — | October 4, 2021 |
| Glacier Bay Alaska | Pets are allowed on land in only a few Bartlett Cove spots (public use dock, one beach, within 100 ft of roads and parking) and on vessels; not on trails, other beaches or in the backcountry. | — | — | December 20, 2019 |
| Grand Teton Wyoming | Leashed pets may go where cars go (roads, campgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots) within 30 feet of the roadway; pets are banned from park trails, the backcountry, pathways, beaches and buildings. | 6 ft | — | March 15, 2023 |
| Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Hawaii | Leashed dogs are allowed in listed developed areas (parking areas, certain roads, Nāmakanipaio Campground and others); all undeveloped areas, wilderness and every trail are off-limits. | 6 ft | Yes | October 15, 2024 |
| Isle Royale Michigan | Pets are not allowed on Isle Royale or on boats within park waters; only permitted service dogs. Leashed pets are allowed outdoors at the Houghton Visitor Center and Headquarters complex. | — | — | August 14, 2024 |
| Kenai Fjords Alaska | Pets are allowed only on the road to Exit Glacier and in the Exit Glacier Nature Center parking lot; not on trails, in the campground or cabins, the coastal backcountry or buildings. | — | — | March 26, 2025 |
| Lassen Volcanic California | Pets may go where cars go (roads and shoulders not snow-covered, campgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots) on a leash; no hiking trails, backcountry, water or visitor centers. | 6 ft | — | April 21, 2023 |
| Pinnacles California | Leashed pets (6 ft) are allowed in picnic areas, the campground, parking lots and on paved roads; they are prohibited on all park trails, on shuttle buses and in park buildings. | 6 ft | — | November 23, 2024 |
| Redwood California | Pets are not permitted on park trails or at ranger-led programs; leashed pets (6 ft) are allowed in developed campgrounds, on beaches, in picnic areas, on roads and at listed parking areas. | 6 ft | Yes | November 6, 2024 |
| Rocky Mountain Colorado | Pets are prohibited on all trails, tundra and meadows; leashed pets (6 ft max) are allowed only along established roads, in parking areas, and in established campgrounds and picnic areas. | 6 ft | — | September 24, 2018 |
| Sequoia & Kings Canyon California | Pets are limited to parking lots, paved roads, campgrounds and picnic areas, on a leash of 6 feet or less; they are prohibited on all trails, including paved ones like the General Sherman Tree Trail. | 6 ft | — | September 30, 2025 |
| Theodore Roosevelt North Dakota | Dogs are not permitted on trails inside the park; leashed pets (6 ft or shorter) may be walked along roads and shoulders, sidewalks, parking areas, campgrounds and picnic areas. | 6 ft | — | September 4, 2024 |
| Yellowstone Idaho, Montana, Wyoming | Pets are allowed only in developed areas within 100 ft of roads, parking areas and campgrounds (leash 6 ft, or in a car or crate); not on boardwalks, trails, in the backcountry or thermal areas. | 6 ft | — | July 29, 2026 |
8 parks
Trail rule not spelled out
The park's pets page lists where dogs may go without stating a general trail rule. Ask at the visitor center.
| Park | Where dogs can go | Leash | B.A.R.K. | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biscayne Florida | Pets are allowed on the grounds at Convoy Point and on Elliott Key; not on Boca Chita Key (including boats docked in the harbor) or in the Dante Fascell Visitor Center. Leash 6 ft max. | 6 ft | Yes | May 14, 2021 |
| Carlsbad Caverns New Mexico | Pets are not allowed in the cavern, on unpaved surface trails, off road, at the Bat Flight Program or in the visitor center; a day-use concession kennel is available ($15/day). | 6 ft | — | September 9, 2025 |
| Dry Tortugas Florida | Leashed pets are permitted on Garden Key but not inside Fort Jefferson or on any other key; the commercial ferry and the seaplane do not allow pets onboard. | — | — | April 15, 2025 |
| Indiana Dunes Indiana | Leashed pets are allowed on all beaches (except West Beach's lifeguarded area in summer) and the Pinhook Upland Trail; not on Pinhook Bog Trail, Glenwood Dunes equestrian trails or nature play areas. | 6 ft | Yes | August 27, 2024 |
| Katmai Alaska | Pets are allowed in the backcountry under physical control, but not in the Brooks Camp Developed Area (1.5-mile radius of the Brooks Falls Platform) from May 1 to October 31. | — | — | October 14, 2022 |
| Kobuk Valley Alaska | The 2026 superintendent's compendium designates no areas closed to pets; pets must be leashed or physically restrained at all times. It does not address trails or the backcountry. | — | — | January 30, 2026 |
| Lake Clark Alaska | Leashed pets are permitted in the park and preserve, but the page strongly encourages leaving pets at home; pets must be leashed at all times. No trails or areas are named. | — | — | June 27, 2016 |
| White Sands New Mexico | Leashed pets (6 ft max) are welcome but not inside the visitor center or other federal buildings; the page does not say whether pets may use trails or backcountry. | 6 ft | — | April 26, 2022 |
How this list was built
We read the official pets page of all 62 national park units (Sequoia and Kings Canyon share one) and sorted each park by what its page says about trails: most trails, a few named trails or paved paths, or none. Each park’s own page here quotes the sentences the grouping rests on, with the date the NPS last updated its page. Where a page did not state a trail rule we say so rather than guess. “Updated” is the NPS page’s own date — older pages deserve a phone call before you rely on them.
Sources · 2
- 1.Pets pages of each park on nps.gov (62 park units), read and quoted · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 2.Pets in national parks (nps.gov) · National Park Service
FAQ
Dogs in national parks: common questions
- Which national parks allow dogs on trails?
- 12 of the 63 national parks allow leashed dogs on most of their trails: Acadia, Congaree, Cuyahoga Valley, Gates of the Arctic, Gateway Arch, Hot Springs, Mammoth Cave, New River Gorge, Petrified Forest, Shenandoah, Virgin Islands, Wrangell–St. Elias. Another 22 allow dogs on a few named trails or paved paths.
- Are dogs allowed in national parks at all?
- Yes. Nearly every national park allows leashed pets in developed areas — campgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots and along roads. The restriction is almost always on trails and in the backcountry, to protect wildlife and your dog. Leashes must be six feet or shorter.
- What is a B.A.R.K. Ranger?
- A National Park Service program for visiting dogs: Bag your waste, Always leash, Respect wildlife, Know where you can go. 18 parks on this page describe a B.A.R.K. Ranger program on their pets pages, usually with a tag you can collect at the visitor center.
- Do these rules apply to service animals?
- No. Service animals trained to help a person with a disability are allowed wherever visitors go, under the ADA. Emotional-support animals are treated as pets.
- How current is this?
- Each park's rule was read from its own nps.gov pets page, captured on 2026-10-05; the 489 quoted sentences are re-checked against those captures every time this site is built. Parks change rules seasonally, so confirm at the entrance.
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