Which National Parks Allow Dogs on Hiking Trails?

Exploring the great outdoors with your pup is one of life’s great joys. But some national parks don’t allow dogs on hiking trails due to safety and conservation reasons.

Fortunately, there are several parks that do permit dogs, provided that they are kept on a leash and not allowed to disturb wildlife or other visitors.

The Grand Canyon National Park allows dogs on some trails as long as they are leashed and not left unattended. Dogs are allowed on the South Rim trails, such as Bright Angel Trail and South Kaibab Trail, as well as in developed areas such as campgrounds and picnic areas. However, they are not allowed on the North Rim or below the rim in the Inner Canyon.

In California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite National Park permits leashed dogs in developed sites like campgrounds and picnic areas but not on most trails or in the backcountry. The only exceptions are certain paved roads such as those leading to Glacier Point and Tuolumne Meadows Lodge.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park allows leashed pets throughout its 800-plus miles of trails throughout Tennessee and North Carolina—just make sure you have a hard copy of your pet’s vaccination records with you (as well as a way to clean up after them).

Rocky Mountain National Park permits leashed pets on most of its park trails, including the popular Bear Lake Road corridor. Dogs must be leashed at all times, however, so make sure you have a sturdy leash that won’t accidentally snag tree roots or get caught in undergrowth.

Conclusion:

For those looking to explore nature with their pup in tow, these national parks offer plenty of options for safe and enjoyable hikes. Just remember to always keep your dog leashed and avoid disturbing wildlife or other park visitors during your adventure!

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Chris Powell