Can dogs go on trails in Hot Springs?

Yes — pets are allowed on All of the park's trails (26 miles), with exceptions such as Federal buildings, including the visitor center and other park buildings (pets wait outside).

Does Hot Springs have a B.A.R.K. Ranger program?

Yes. Hot Springs takes part in the B.A.R.K. Ranger program (Bag your waste, Always leash, Respect wildlife, Know where you can go); ask at a visitor center about tags.

Dogs & pets

Dogs in Hot Springs: where they can go

Last verified October 5, 2026Most trails6 ft leash maxB.A.R.K. Ranger park

Yes — on most trails. 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.

Stone entrance pillars in front of a row of four bathouses — Photo: NPS photo

Where pets are allowed

Trails

• All of the park's trails (26 miles)

Areas

• All 26 miles of Hot Springs National Park trails
• Bathhouse Row
• Superior Bathhouse Restaurant and Brewery

Off-limits

• Federal buildings, including the visitor center and other park buildings (pets wait outside)

Backcountry: not stated

Rules & services

Leash: 6 ft or shorter, at all times
Kennels: Not mentioned
B.A.R.K. Ranger: Yes
Service animals: Service animals and Certified Guide animals are allowed in all federal buildings.

In the park's own words

What Hot Springs says about pets

Sentences quoted from the park’s nps.gov pets page, last updated August 18, 2024, captured 2026-10-05.

“Pets are not permitted inside of Federal Buildings but must wait outside the visitor center and other park buildings.” nps.gov

“Hot Springs National Park has a BARK Ranger program that your canine companion can complete!” nps.gov

“Service animals and Certified Guide animals are allowed in all federal buildings” nps.gov

“Dogs are welcome on all 26 miles of the Hot Springs National Park trails.” nps.gov

“Enjoy a walk with your dog on Bathhouse Row or any of the parks trails.” nps.gov

“Pets are allowed in the Superior Bathhouse Restaurant and Brewery.” nps.gov

Worth knowing

Page says all of the trails are dog friendly (26 miles), recorded as trails 'most' (the highest category).
Pet waste stations are located on both ends of Bathhouse Row and in the campground.
Page does not mention kennels or say whether backcountry camping with pets is allowed.

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.Hot Springs National Park — Pets (nps.gov), last updated August 18, 2024 · 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

Hot Springs pet questions

Are dogs allowed in Hot Springs National Park?: 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. Leashes must be 6 feet or shorter. (From the park's nps.gov pets page, updated August 18, 2024.)
Can dogs go on trails in Hot Springs?: Yes — pets are allowed on All of the park's trails (26 miles), with exceptions such as Federal buildings, including the visitor center and other park buildings (pets wait outside).
Does Hot Springs have a B.A.R.K. Ranger program?: Yes. Hot Springs takes part in the B.A.R.K. Ranger program (Bag your waste, Always leash, Respect wildlife, Know where you can go); ask at a visitor center about tags.

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