Dogs & pets
Dogs in Black Canyon of the Gunnison: where they can go
Last verified A few trails6 ft leash max
Yes, but only in a few places. 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.
Where pets are allowed
Trails
- • Rim Rock Trail
- • North Rim Chasm View Nature Trail
Areas
- • Picnic areas
- • Campgrounds
- • Parking lots
- • Paths to overlooks
- • Roads currently open to vehicles
Off-limits
- • All other hiking trails
- • Inner canyon routes
- • Within the wilderness
- • Snowshoe/cross country skiing trails
Backcountry: no pets
Rules & services
- Leash
- 6 ft or shorter, at all times
- Kennels
- There are no kennels in the park; the page says boarding services can be found in Montrose, Olathe, and Gunnison.
- B.A.R.K. Ranger
- Principles listed; no program described
- Service animals
- The page gives no rules and refers readers to the National Park Service's webpage on bringing service animals to NPS sites.
In the park's own words
What Black Canyon of the Gunnison says about pets
Sentences quoted from the park’s nps.gov pets page, last updated April 24, 2025, captured 2026-10-05.
“Leashed pets are permitted in picnic areas, campgrounds, and parking lots, on paths to overlooks, and along roads currently open to vehicles.” nps.gov
“Pets are prohibited on all other hiking trails, inner canyon routes, within the wilderness, or on snowshoe/cross country skiing trails.” nps.gov
“There are no kennels in the park. Boarding services can be found in the nearby communities of Montrose, Olathe, and Gunnison.” nps.gov
“Please visit the National Park Service's webpage for detailed information on bringing service animals to NPS sites.” nps.gov
“Leashed pets are only permitted on the Rim Rock Trail and on the North Rim Chasm View Nature Trail .” nps.gov
“Leashes must be a maximum of six feet (1.8 m) in length.” nps.gov
Worth knowing
- The standard URL /blca/planyourvisit/pets.htm returns 404; the pets page is /blca/planyourvisit/pets2.htm.
- Pets may not be left unattended or tied to an object; they may stay in vehicles briefly (e.g. at overlooks) but the page recommends someone stay with them.
- Fines may be given for pets that disturb wildlife or other visitors.
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.Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park — Pets (nps.gov), last updated April 24, 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
Black Canyon of the Gunnison pet questions
- Are dogs allowed in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?
- 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. Leashes must be 6 feet or shorter. (From the park's nps.gov pets page, updated April 24, 2025.)
- Can dogs go on trails in Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
- Only on Rim Rock Trail and North Rim Chasm View Nature Trail. All other trails are off-limits to pets.
- Can I take my dog backpacking in Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
- No. Pets are not allowed in Black Canyon of the Gunnison's backcountry.
- Is there a kennel near Black Canyon of the Gunnison?
- There are no kennels in the park; the page says boarding services can be found in Montrose, Olathe, and Gunnison.
- Does Black Canyon of the Gunnison 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.
Park'd · free on iPhone & Android
Plan the dog-friendly parks first.
Park'd keeps the parks you've done and the ones you're planning in one map — with notes for who's coming along.
