Dogs & pets
Dogs in Great Basin: 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 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.
Where pets are allowed
Trails
- • Lexington Arch Trail (leashed)
- • The trail between Baker and the Great Basin Visitor Center (leashed)
Areas
- • Campgrounds
- • In front of the visitor centers
- • Along roads
- • Lexington Arch Trail
- • Trail between Baker and the Great Basin Visitor Center
Off-limits
- • Lehman Caves
- • Evening programs
- • Trails and the backcountry (except the two trails named)
- • Left unattended at campsites or tied to trees or other fixtures
Backcountry: no pets
Rules & services
- Leash
- 6 ft or shorter, at all times
- Kennels
- Kennel services are not currently available in Baker, NV; the nearest are in Ely, NV, about 60 miles from the park.
- B.A.R.K. Ranger
- Principles listed; no program described
- Service animals
- Any animal that is not a trained service animal is considered a pet and must follow the pet rules; the page links to a separate service animal page.
In the park's own words
What Great Basin says about pets
Sentences quoted from the park’s nps.gov pets page, last updated September 20, 2025, captured 2026-10-05.
“Pets are not permitted on trails or in the backcountry of the park, except leashed pets on the Lexington Arch Trail or the trail between Baker and the Great Basin Visitor Center.” nps.gov
“Kennel services are not currently available in the neigboring town of Baker, NV. The nearest kennel services are found in Ely, NV about 60 miles from the park.” nps.gov
“Any animal that is not a trained service animal is considered a pet and must abide by all of the following rules.” nps.gov
“except leashed pets on the Lexington Arch Trail or the trail between Baker and the Great Basin Visitor Center.” nps.gov
“Leashed pets can only be exercised in the campgrounds, in front of the visitor centers, and along roads.” nps.gov
“Pets must be kept on a leash 6 feet in length or shorter at all times.” nps.gov
Worth knowing
- Page says leashed pets can only be exercised in the campgrounds, in front of the visitor centers, and along roads, apart from the two named trails.
- Page does not mention a B.A.R.K. Ranger program.
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.Great Basin National Park — Pets (nps.gov), last updated September 20, 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
Great Basin pet questions
- Are dogs allowed in Great Basin National Park?
- 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. Leashes must be 6 feet or shorter. (From the park's nps.gov pets page, updated September 20, 2025.)
- Can dogs go on trails in Great Basin?
- Only on Lexington Arch Trail (leashed) and The trail between Baker and the Great Basin Visitor Center (leashed). All other trails are off-limits to pets.
- Can I take my dog backpacking in Great Basin?
- No. Pets are not allowed in Great Basin's backcountry.
- Is there a kennel near Great Basin?
- Kennel services are not currently available in Baker, NV; the nearest are in Ely, NV, about 60 miles from the park.
- Does Great Basin 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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