Can dogs go on trails in New River Gorge?

Yes — pets are allowed on most trails, with exceptions such as Park buildings and visitor centers and Ranger-led programs.

Does New River Gorge have a B.A.R.K. Ranger program?

Yes. New River Gorge 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 New River Gorge: where they can go

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

Yes — on most trails. Leashed pets (6 ft max) are allowed on all trails at New River Gorge; they are not allowed in park buildings or visitor centers or at ranger-led programs.

bend in the river — Photo: NPS photo/Louise McLaughlin

Where pets are allowed

Areas

• All park trails

Off-limits

• Park buildings and visitor centers
• Ranger-led programs

Backcountry: not stated

Rules & services

Leash: 6 ft or shorter, at all times
Kennels: Not mentioned
B.A.R.K. Ranger: Yes
Service animals: ADA service animals are permitted throughout the park, including visitor centers, park buildings and ranger-led programs; emotional-support animals are not service animals.

In the park's own words

What New River Gorge says about pets

Sentences quoted from the park’s nps.gov pets page, last updated June 17, 2023, captured 2026-10-05.

“Qualified service animals as defined by the ADA are permitted throughout the park including in visitor centers, in park buildings, and on ranger led programs.” nps.gov

“Pets are not allowed in any park buildings or visitor centers in compliance with federal regulations.” nps.gov

“Pets are allowed on all trails at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.” nps.gov

“Take the B.A.R.K. Ranger Pledge! Become a New River B.A.R.K. Ranger” nps.gov

“Pets must always be on a physical leash no longer than 6 feet.” nps.gov

“Pets are not allowed at ranger led programs.” nps.gov

Worth knowing

The page states pets are allowed on ALL trails, so trails is 'most' (the schema's top value) and allowedTrails is empty because no individual trail is named.
Water: the page warns that streams may contain harmful bacteria or parasites such as Giardia and that there is no drinking water at trailheads.
B.A.R.K. Ranger evidence is the page's 'Take the B.A.R.K. Ranger Pledge! Become a New River B.A.R.K. Ranger' prompt; the page gives no further program detail.

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.New River Gorge National Park & Preserve — Pets (nps.gov), last updated June 17, 2023 · 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

New River Gorge pet questions

Are dogs allowed in New River Gorge National Park & Preserve?: Leashed pets (6 ft max) are allowed on all trails at New River Gorge; they are not allowed in park buildings or visitor centers or at ranger-led programs. Leashes must be 6 feet or shorter. (From the park's nps.gov pets page, updated June 17, 2023.)
Can dogs go on trails in New River Gorge?: Yes — pets are allowed on most trails, with exceptions such as Park buildings and visitor centers and Ranger-led programs.
Does New River Gorge have a B.A.R.K. Ranger program?: Yes. New River Gorge 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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