Dogs & pets
Dogs in Grand Canyon: where they can go
Last verified A few trails6 ft leash max
Yes, but only in a few places. 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.
Where pets are allowed
Trails
- • South Rim: trails above the canyon rim
- • North Rim: the bridle trail (greenway) that connects the North Kaibab Trail, and the portion of the Arizona Trail north to the park entrance station
Areas
- • South Rim trails above the rim
- • Mather Campground
- • Desert View Campground
- • Trailer Village
- • Throughout developed areas (South Rim)
- • Pet friendly rooms at Yavapai Lodge (the only in-park lodge with them)
- • Tuweep: established roads and the campground
Off-limits
- • Below the rim (on inner canyon trails)
- • Park shuttle buses
- • Park lodging, except a pet friendly room for guests staying with their owners
Backcountry: not stated
Rules & services
- Leash
- 6 ft or shorter, at all times
- Kennels
- Grand Canyon Kennel (South Rim, near Maswik Lodge, 928-638-0534) boards dogs and cats for the day or overnight with proof of up-to-date vaccinations; reservations highly recommended. There is no kennel on the North Rim.
- B.A.R.K. Ranger
- No
- Service animals
- Service animals are permitted below the rim if assisting people with disabilities; the page recommends checking in with the Backcountry Information Center first.
In the park's own words
What Grand Canyon says about pets
Sentences quoted from the park’s nps.gov pets page, last updated September 25, 2025, captured 2026-10-05.
“Pets are not permitted: Below the rim (on inner canyon trails). On park shuttle buses. In park lodging, with the exception of those staying with their owners in a pet friendly room.” nps.gov
“Leashed pets are only allowed on the bridle trail (greenway) that connects the North Kaibab Trail, and the portion of the Arizona Trail north to the park entrance station.” nps.gov
“*Special note: While pets are never allowed below the rim of Grand Canyon, service animals are permitted if they are assisting their humans who have disabilities.” nps.gov
“Leashed pets are allowed on trails above the rim, Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, Trailer Village, and throughout developed areas.” nps.gov
“Pets will be accepted for day or overnight boarding, but must have proof of up-to-date vaccinations.” nps.gov
“At this time Grand Canyon National Park does not have a B.A.R.K program - or B.A.R.K tags.” nps.gov
Worth knowing
- Page says pets are never allowed below the rim; it does not separately state a backcountry rule, so backcountry is unknown.
- North Rim section is headed 'Current Status and Closures (Due to the Dragon Bravo fire)' and says the North Rim season is between May 15 and October 15.
- Page notes rules differ on neighboring national forest, state, and tribal lands.
- Trails rated limited: South Rim above-rim trails plus one named North Rim route; none below the rim.
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.Grand Canyon National Park — Pets (nps.gov), last updated September 25, 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
Grand Canyon pet questions
- Are dogs allowed in Grand Canyon National Park?
- 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. Leashes must be 6 feet or shorter. (From the park's nps.gov pets page, updated September 25, 2025.)
- Can dogs go on trails in Grand Canyon?
- Only on South Rim: trails above the canyon rim and North Rim: the bridle trail (greenway) that connects the North Kaibab Trail, and the portion of the Arizona Trail north to the park entrance station. All other trails are off-limits to pets.
- Is there a kennel near Grand Canyon?
- Grand Canyon Kennel (South Rim, near Maswik Lodge, 928-638-0534) boards dogs and cats for the day or overnight with proof of up-to-date vaccinations; reservations highly recommended. There is no kennel on the North Rim.
- Does Grand Canyon have a B.A.R.K. Ranger program?
- No, the park's pets page does not offer a B.A.R.K. Ranger program.
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