Dogs & pets
Dogs in Zion: where they can go
Last verified A few trails6 ft leash maxB.A.R.K. Ranger park
Yes, but only in a few places. Leashed pets (6 ft max) are allowed on public roads, parking areas, developed campgrounds, picnic areas, Zion Lodge grounds and the Pa'rus Trail only; no other trails, wilderness or buildings.
Where pets are allowed
Trails
- • Pa'rus Trail (flat, paved; begins at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center)
Areas
- • Public roads and parking areas
- • Developed campgrounds and picnic areas
- • Grounds of the Zion Lodge
- • Pa'rus Trail
Off-limits
- • Every trail other than the Pa'rus Trail
- • Wilderness areas
- • Shuttle buses
- • Public buildings
Backcountry: no pets
Rules & services
- Leash
- 6 ft or shorter, at all times
- Kennels
- The page says boarding kennels are available in Hurricane, St. George, Kanab, Cedar City and Rockville.
- B.A.R.K. Ranger
- Yes
- Service animals
- Service animals may accompany their owner to all park locations.
In the park's own words
What Zion says about pets
Sentences quoted from the park’s nps.gov pets page, last updated September 14, 2026, captured 2026-10-05.
“Veterinarian services are available in the nearby towns of Hurricane, St. George, Kanab, and Cedar City. Boarding kennels are available in those locations as well as Rockville.” nps.gov
“Properly restrained pets are welcome along public roads and parking areas, in developed campgrounds and picnic areas, and on the grounds of the Zion Lodge.” nps.gov
“Pets are not permitted on any other trails, wilderness areas, on shuttle buses, or in public buildings in Zion.” nps.gov
“The only trail that allows pets is the Pa’rus Trail , which begins at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.” nps.gov
“The B.A.R.K. Ranger program is a great way to learn about how you and your pet can enjoy the park.” nps.gov
“Service Animals may accompany their owner to all park locations.” nps.gov
Worth knowing
- Retractable leashes that extend further than 6 feet are not allowed.
- Pet owners who do not follow the regulations may be cited; the page gives a minimum fine of $100.
- The page tells visitors to keep dogs out of the water and on a leash because of harmful cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in the Virgin River.
- Properly restrained pets may be left unattended in developed campgrounds only when conditions are safe and the pet is not making unreasonable noise; leaving a pet in a vehicle in conditions that pose a health risk is prohibited.
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.Zion National Park — Pets (nps.gov), last updated September 14, 2026 · 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
Zion pet questions
- Are dogs allowed in Zion National Park?
- Leashed pets (6 ft max) are allowed on public roads, parking areas, developed campgrounds, picnic areas, Zion Lodge grounds and the Pa'rus Trail only; no other trails, wilderness or buildings. Leashes must be 6 feet or shorter. (From the park's nps.gov pets page, updated September 14, 2026.)
- Can dogs go on trails in Zion?
- Only on Pa'rus Trail (flat, paved; begins at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center). All other trails are off-limits to pets.
- Can I take my dog backpacking in Zion?
- No. Pets are not allowed in Zion's backcountry.
- Is there a kennel near Zion?
- The page says boarding kennels are available in Hurricane, St. George, Kanab, Cedar City and Rockville.
- Does Zion have a B.A.R.K. Ranger program?
- Yes. Zion 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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