Can dogs go on trails in Joshua Tree?

Only on Oasis of Mara (paved) and Keys View (paved). All other trails are off-limits to pets.

Can I take my dog backpacking in Joshua Tree?

No. Pets are not allowed in Joshua Tree's backcountry.

Is there a kennel near Joshua Tree?

No specific kennel named; page says boarding information can be found online by searching the local communities of Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley, with options possibly also in Palm Springs and Palm Desert.

Does Joshua Tree 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 Joshua Tree: where they can go

Last verified October 5, 2026A few trails6 ft leash max

Yes, but only in a few places. Leashed pets must stay within 100 feet of roads, parking areas and campgrounds; no hiking trails (except paved Oasis of Mara and Keys View), backcountry or buildings.

The sky turns hues of pink and purple over a field of Joshua trees. — Photo: NPS / Emily Hassell

Where pets are allowed

Trails

• Oasis of Mara (paved)
• Keys View (paved)

Areas

• Within 100 feet of roads, picnic areas, and campgrounds
• Parking areas (within 100 feet)
• Paved Oasis of Mara and Keys View trails
• Unpaved roads (anywhere you can drive your vehicle, with a leashed pet)
• Climbing areas within 100 feet of a road, parking area, or campground (e.g. Belle Campground: Castle Rock; Indian Cove: Billboard Buttress, King Otto's Castle, Pixie Rock, Short Wall; Quail Springs: Trash Can; many but not all Hidden Valley climbs)

Off-limits

• Hiking trails
• The backcountry
• Park buildings
• More than 100 feet from roads, parking areas, and campgrounds
• Hiking trails, backcountry and buildings, even if the pet is in a backpack or carried

Backcountry: no pets

Rules & services

Leash: 6 ft or shorter, at all times
Kennels: No specific kennel named; page says boarding information can be found online by searching the local communities of Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley, with options possibly also in Palm Springs and Palm Desert.
B.A.R.K. Ranger: Principles listed; no program described
Service animals: Service animals in training and pets follow the park's pet regulations; animals providing comfort or emotional support (e.g. therapy animals) are considered pets, not service animals.

In the park's own words

What Joshua Tree says about pets

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

“The following areas are within 100 feet of a road, parking area, or campground. Belle Campground: Castle Rock Hidden Valley Campground: Many (but not all) of the climbs are within 100 feet of a road, parking area, or campsite. Indian Cove Area: Billboard Buttress, King Otto's Castle, Pixie Rock, and Short Wall Quail Springs Area: Trash Can” nps.gov

“Boarding information can be found online by searching in the local communities: Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, and Yucca Valley.” nps.gov

“Leashed pets are allowed as long as they remain within 100 feet (30.5 m) of roads, picnic areas, and campgrounds.” nps.gov

“Even if they are in a backpack or carried, they are still not allowed in these areas.” nps.gov

“Pets must remain within 100 feet (30.5 m) of roads, parking areas, and campgrounds.” nps.gov

“Pets are not allowed on hiking trails, in the backcountry, or in park buildings.” nps.gov

Worth knowing

Page says pets must stay within 100 feet of roads, parking areas, and campgrounds (the video transcript says roads, picnic areas, or campground); a pet carried in a backpack is still not allowed on trails or in the backcountry.
Page says 'Please note we no longer sell B.A.R.K. ranger tags in our visitor centers' and asks visitors to follow the B.A.R.K. ranger principles; it does not say the park currently runs a B.A.R.K. Ranger program, so barkRanger is null.
Page warns not to rely on pet trackers, and says violators are subject to fine.
Page lists one-way distances for roads open to all vehicles and 4-wheel drive roads.

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.Joshua Tree National Park — Pets (nps.gov), last updated April 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

Joshua Tree pet questions

Are dogs allowed in Joshua Tree National Park?: Leashed pets must stay within 100 feet of roads, parking areas and campgrounds; no hiking trails (except paved Oasis of Mara and Keys View), backcountry or buildings. Leashes must be 6 feet or shorter. (From the park's nps.gov pets page, updated April 18, 2024.)
Can dogs go on trails in Joshua Tree?: Only on Oasis of Mara (paved) and Keys View (paved). All other trails are off-limits to pets.
Can I take my dog backpacking in Joshua Tree?: No. Pets are not allowed in Joshua Tree's backcountry.
Is there a kennel near Joshua Tree?: No specific kennel named; page says boarding information can be found online by searching the local communities of Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley, with options possibly also in Palm Springs and Palm Desert.
Does Joshua Tree 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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