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For Americans and their pups, there’s no better family vacation than visiting a dog-friendly national park. Unfortunately, finding national parks where our furry travel companions can have fun too is ruff!
Many of our national parks have strict pet policies, limiting pets to the most developed areas. But there are a few that make it easy to bring Fido. Below you’ll find our country’s best dog-friendly national parks.
Acadia National Park
Acadia is a dog friendly national park on the coast of Maine, and it’s an absolute gem! Acadia welcomes dogs on all 120 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads within the park – with the exception of a few trails that require climbs using iron rungs or ladders.
Dogs are also allowed in all the public areas, except Duck Harbor Campground, Wild Gardens of Acadia, and on Echo Lake Beach and Sand Beach during high season (mid-May to mid-Sept). Everywhere else you can go in the park, your dog can go with you!
Ty and Buster on Cadillac Mountain – Dog-Friendly Acadia National Park, Maine
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Arched Bridge in Dog-Friendly Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
A more recent addition to the national park collection, the dog-friendly Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Cleveland, Ohio was designated in 2000. Following the Cuyahoga River, dogs are welcome to join you on all of the 125 miles of trails though woodlands, wetlands, and old fields.
Some trails require stream crossings with stepping stones or log bridges, while others, including the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, are nearly level and easily accessible to all visitors. Check with the rangers to determine which trails best suit your hiking style.
For the best scenery, head for Bradford Reservation. This five-mile all-purpose trail crosses the Tinkers Creek Gorge area, Ohio’s most magnificent canyon, known for its hemlock forests. Short spurs off the main trail will also take you to Bridal Veil Falls and the Hemlock Creek Loop Trail.
Grand Canyon National Park
Buster and Ty – Dog-Friendly Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
By any measure, the Grand Canyon is a dog friendly national park! Located in northern Arizona, you and your pup are welcome to enjoy all 13 miles of the South Rim Trail trail at the Grand Canyon.
Skirting the edge of the canyon, the path is easy to navigate, but remember that the high elevation and dry climate can quickly lead to dehydration. Even if you’re only planning a short stroll, bring plenty of water and a collapsible bowl.
Find out which national parks invite your dog to become a Bark Ranger!
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Dog-Friendly Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
If we were giving awards for dog friendly national parks, Great Sand Dunes in southern Colorado would definitely be in the running! These are the tallest dunes in North America, set in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, conifer and aspen forests, alpine lakes, and tundra.
Dogs are welcome up to the top of the first tall ridge of dunes, between High Dune and the Castle Creek Picnic Area, and throughout the adjoining Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. Remember that the sand here can be hot, so remember to pack an old towel to dry off and enjoy a splash in Medano Creek with your pal!
Hot Springs National Park
Buster, Rod, and Ty – Dog-Friendly Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Dog friendly Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas may not be on your radar, but if you’re looking for a gorgeous setting with a plenty of places to enjoy with your pooch, it should be! Popular for the steaming water that seeps from the lower west slope of Hot Springs Mountain, people have been visiting this location for centuries.
Bath houses sprung up to allow visitors to take advantage of the “healing waters,” and this unique national park protects the geothermic spring water and historic structures of the early resort town.
Your dog is welcome to join you for a half-mile stroll down Bathhouse Row and along the Grand Promenade. Once you’re warmed up, hit the 26-miles of inter-connected trails flanking the city, many of which were originally created for spa guests who were encouraged to exercise daily to maximize the health benefits of the baths.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Buster and Ty – Dog-Friendly Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Naturally, the attraction at dog-friendly Mammoth Cave National Park is the 336 miles of underground passages … but with over 70 miles of pet friendly trails, we consider it to be quite pet-friendly!
Though dogs aren’t allowed below ground, you’ll find several short trails around the Visitors Center – including the Green River Bluffs Trail, which winds through the hardwood forest to a nice overlook of the Green River. If you’re looking for a longer trek, the North Side Trails provide some good options that meander past waterfalls and cut through one of the last remaining old growth forests in Kentucky.
National Mall and Memorial Gardens
Buster & Ty at the U.S. Capitol – Dog-Friendly National Mall and Memorial Gardens, Washington, D.C.
There are few places in the United States more inspiring than the dog-friendly National Mall and Memorial Gardens in Washington, D.C. Our country’s history and future hang in the air, monuments commemorate celebrated visionaries, and memorials stand in silent remembrance of the many who’ve given their lives to preserve our freedom.
The National Mall and Memorial Gardens stretch from the the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial and, while pets are not allowed inside most of the monuments, they will enjoy admiring some of the most famous structures in the world with you!
Wondering where to stay? We’ve assembled a guide to Pet-Friendly Campgrounds at America’s National Parks!
Natchez Trace National Parkway
Dog-Friendly Natchez Trace National Parkway, Alabama & Mississippi
Before highways were constructed, trails marked the passage between places, and few were as well-traveled as the Natchez Trace. Now the dog-friendly Natchez Trace National Parkway preserves sites of archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic significance along its 444-mile route.
The Trace is the perfect pet friendly road trip, because there’s something to sniff around every bend! Pet are welcome at the more than 100 exhibits, but not inside the buildings – and when it’s time to really stretch your legs, 28 different hiking and self-guided trails are just steps away.
Padre Island National Seashore
Dog-Friendly Padre Island National Seashore, Texas
Protecting 70 miles of coastline, prairies, dunes, and tidal pools along the Gulf of Mexico in southern Texas, Padre Island National Seashore is also very dog-friendly. Leashed pets are welcome almost everywhere in the park – including 60 miles of beaches!
Padre is the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world, and the diversity of wildlife found here is stunning. A number of rare, threatened, and endangered species make their homes here, so it’s extremely important that pets remain on leash at all times.
Padre Island provides two established campgrounds and more than 64 miles of beaches open to primitive camping, so pack your bags and plan to spend a few days exploring this incredible setting.
Petrified Forest National Park
Dog-Friendly Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
From the deposits of petrified wood that give this park its name, to the colorful badlands, the dog-friendly Petrified Forest National Park is truly a wonder to behold. Located in eastern Arizona, Route 66 runs through the park, and the northern border extends into the fabulous Painted Desert.
Dogs on leash are welcome on all the parks trails, but the Petrified Forest is well-known for its fossil deposits – so don’t let your pooch gnaw on any bones he finds!
Shenandoah National Park
View from Skyline Drive – Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Skyline Drive may be the most famous attraction at dog-friendly Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, but you’ll definitely want to stop the car and get out for hike!
Of the more than 500 miles of trails in the park, only 20 miles are off-limits to dogs because they require rock climbs or have difficult passages. The stunning views, peaceful wilderness, and cascading waterfalls are all accessible to your pup. It’s the picture of serenity, just 75 miles from Washington, DC!
Other National Parks
We’ve visited a number of other national parks, monuments, and seashores on our travels that we consider less pet-friendly than those listed above. Still, we found a way to enjoy each one with Buster and Ty!
If you’re planning a trip to one of these parks and are curious to see what we thought of it, click the name below.
Assateague Island National Seashore – Maryland
Badlands National Park – South Dakota
Big Bend National Park – Texas
Bryce Canyon National Park – Utah
Buffalo National River – Arkansas
Carlsbad Caverns National Park – New Mexico
Colorado National Monument – Colorado
Crater Lake National Park – Oregon
Effigy Mounds National Monument – Iowa
Glacier National Park – Montana
Grand Tetons National Park – Wyoming
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore – Indiana
Joshua Tree National Park – California
Northern Cascades National Park – Washington
Olympic National Park – Washington
San Juan Islands – Washington
Theodore Roosevelt National Park – North Dakota
White Sands National Monument – New Mexico
Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming
Zion National Park – Utah
Looking for more pet friendly adventures? The national grasslands in the U.S. are now managed by the Forest Service – which means they’re all pet friendly! While national and state park campgrounds fill up fast, there are 20 national grasslands offering incredible views, quiet camping options, and lots of pet friendly room to explore!
Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? We’ll make it easy:
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