Can dogs go on trails in Arches?

No. Arches does not allow pets on its hiking trails; they can go in along established roads or in parking areas and established campgrounds and picnic areas.

Can I take my dog backpacking in Arches?

No. Pets are not allowed in Arches's backcountry.

Does Arches have a B.A.R.K. Ranger program?

The park's pets page repeats the B.A.R.K. principles but does not describe a tag program; ask at the visitor center.

Dogs & pets

Dogs in Arches: where they can go

Last verified October 5, 2026No trails6 ft leash max

Not on the trails. 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.

a broad, red arch with rock pinnacles in the background — Photo: NPS Photo

Where pets are allowed

Areas

• Along established roads or in parking areas
• Established campgrounds and picnic areas

Off-limits

• Any hiking trail
• Anywhere off-trail, even while in a carrier
• Overlooks
• The visitor center or any building

Backcountry: no pets

Rules & services

Leash: 6 ft or shorter, at all times
Kennels: The page names no kennel; it points to discovermoab.com for a listing of nearby kennels, veterinarians, and other pet services.
B.A.R.K. Ranger: Principles listed; no program described
Service animals: Service animals trained for tasks tied to a disability are allowed in the park; therapy, companion or comfort animals are not service animals and may not access visitor centers, trails or other non-motorized areas.

In the park's own words

What Arches says about pets

Sentences quoted from the park’s nps.gov pets page, last updated April 18, 2025, captured 2026-10-05.

“Therapy, companion, or comfort animals are not service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act and may not access visitor centers, trails or other non-motorized areas.” nps.gov

“Pets are not allowed: on any hiking trails, or anywhere off-trail, even while in a carrier at any overlooks in the visitor center or any building” nps.gov

“Leashed pets may accompany you in the following areas: Along established roads or in parking areas In established campgrounds and picnic areas” nps.gov

“Cache Valley Road and Willow Springs are two great options for walking your pet on designated roads within the park.” nps.gov

“Visit discovermoab.com for a listing of nearby kennels, veterinarians, and other pet services.” nps.gov

“Leashes must be 6 feet (1.8 meters) long or less.” nps.gov

Worth knowing

Backcountry is marked prohibited because the page bars pets 'anywhere off-trail'; the page does not use the word backcountry.
The page suggests Cache Valley Road and Willow Springs for walking a pet on designated roads.
Pets may not be led by a leash from a bicycle or vehicle, and may not be left unattended and tied to an object other than your own parked vehicle.
Violations may bring a citation, a fine, and/or a mandatory appearance before the United States Magistrate Court.
Pet-friendly hiking alternatives named on the page: Dead Horse Point State Park, Bureau of Land Management land, La Sal National Forest.

How we read the rules

Every statement on this page was taken from the park’s own pets page on nps.gov and the quoted sentences are re-checked against our saved copy of that page each time the site is built. Parks change pet rules for wildlife, heat and trail conditions, and superintendents can close areas at short notice, so treat the park’s pets page and the ranger at the entrance as the final word. Service animals are covered by different rules. Compare all 63 parks.

Sources · 2

1.Arches National Park — Pets (nps.gov), last updated April 18, 2025 · National Park Service
2.Pets pages of each park on nps.gov (62 park units), read and quoted · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)

FAQ

Arches pet questions

Are dogs allowed in Arches National Park?: 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. Leashes must be 6 feet or shorter. (From the park's nps.gov pets page, updated April 18, 2025.)
Can dogs go on trails in Arches?: No. Arches does not allow pets on its hiking trails; they can go in along established roads or in parking areas and established campgrounds and picnic areas.
Can I take my dog backpacking in Arches?: No. Pets are not allowed in Arches's backcountry.
Is there a kennel near Arches?: The page names no kennel; it points to discovermoab.com for a listing of nearby kennels, veterinarians, and other pet services.
Does Arches have a B.A.R.K. Ranger program?: The park's pets page repeats the B.A.R.K. principles but does not describe a tag program; ask at the visitor center.

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