10 national parks your dog will love
Can’t imagine leaving your best furry friend behind on your next national park adventure? We’ve got you covered! Many national parks are pet-friendly, though some may offer just a little bit more fun for your pet. With trails, waters, campgrounds, hills, and more to explore, we’ve put together a list of just a few of the best national parks your dogs will love.
Remember! Always come prepared with the right gear (paw booties, life jackets, extra water, waste bags etc.) so that your pet can safely experience the outdoors. And follow the rules of the B.A.R.K. Rangers to make sure you leave no trace.
Be prepared and leave no trace
Before we get started, here are a few useful tips for a great park and pup trip:
Bring a collapsible water bowl, six feet (or shorter) leash, appropriate paw gear for cold or hot weather, food and snacks, and waste bags. Don’t leave waste (or waste bags) on the trail!
Do your research! National parks are awesome places for dogs to explore, but always check NPS for alerts as you make your plans.
The oath of the B.A.R.K. Rangers
Know and follow the principles of the B.A.R.K. Rangers when you visit any national park.
Bag your pet's waste
Always leash your pet
Respect wildlife
Know where you can go
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Big Thicket National Recreation Area
Introduce your dog to a wonderland of wildlife and fun at Big Thicket National Preserve in southeast Texas. There are hiking trails and waterways for your leashed companion to explore. Big Thicket protects multiple ecosystems and diverse habitats, so please make sure you protect your pup and the landscape by keeping them on a leash and cleaning up after them. Be aware that Big Thicket can get hot and humid, so please bring plenty of water and let your pup take breaks as needed! Remember the oath of the B.A.R.K. Ranger and be sure you leave no trace!
Check NPS.gov for the most recent alerts. And be sure to stop in nearby Beaumont as you are enjoying these beautiful trails.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Bring your leashed companion to this Oklahoma oasis. Chickasaw National Recreation Area has plenty of water fun—springs, streams, creeks, lakes, and more! While on a leash, your dog can splash to their heart’s content! There are also lots of trails to explore and, with many campgrounds open year-round, your dog can cuddle up next to you in your sleeping bag any time of year. Learn more about how to safely and responsibly explore Chickasaw with your B.A.R.K. Ranger and remember to leave no trace!
Check NPS.gov for the most recent alerts.
Curecanti National Recreation Area
Located in beautiful west-central Colorado, Curecanti National Recreation Area is a picture-perfect park for your pup to explore. Welcomed on all hiking trails, leashed dogs can hike any of the seven major trails, don a lifejacket and hop on a canoe or paddleboard with you, or trek along with you as you snowshoe in the winter (make sure they have paw booties on!). Learn more about the B.A.R.K. Ranger oath and remember to leave no trace!
Check NPS.gov for the most recent alerts. And don't forget to visit the city of Montrose, the perfect basecamp for your adventure in Curecanti.
El Morro National Monument
If you and your dog are into breathtaking views, intriguing history, hiking, camping, and more, El Morro National Monument in New Mexico should be on your list. You can appreciate inscriptions of the unique rock surfaces, left there by the many different peoples who inhabited or passed through this landscape. With inspiring trails and a fee-free campground, there’s plenty your furry companion will enjoy as you take in culture, geology, and a beautiful landscape. Remember the follow the B.A.R.K. Ranger code and leave no trace!
Check NPS.gov for the most recent alerts.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Let your dog play among the tallest dunes in North America at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Great for hiking, camping, splashing, and frolicking, this Colorado park should go on your dog’s bucket list. Leashed dogs are welcome in the preserve, including Mosca Pass Trail, and main use areas, including Piñon Flats Campground, Dunes Overlook Trail, and along the Medano Pass Primitive Road. The park is beautiful and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. Of course, it can get pretty cold in the winter months and the sand can get very hot in the summer months, so plan accordingly and pack the right paw gear! Remember the oath of the B.A.R.K. Ranger and be sure you leave no trace!
Check NPS.gov for the most recent alerts. Be sure to visit nearby Alamosa as well.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
On the border of Nevada and Arizona, Lake Mead National Recreation Area boasts beaches, trails, and campgrounds that your dog will love to sniff and discover. Dogs are welcome on hiking trails, many beaches, campgrounds, and some lodging facilities. The Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail and Owl Canyon Trail are favorites among pet owners. Summer temperatures can often reach over 100 degrees, so please bring plenty of water and protective gear, or, during the hottest times, you might let them stay home and relax in the air conditioning. Learn more about the B.A.R.K. Ranger oath and remember to leave no trace!
Check NPS.gov for the most recent alerts. And don't miss the activities and history in nearby Boulder City.
Mojave National Preserve
For you desert lovers out there, you’ll be happy to know that Mojave National Preserve in California is pet-friendly, with many trails and developed and undeveloped campgrounds. With thousands of ecosystems and unique geologic formations, Mojave is as intriguing as it is beautiful. During the summer, this park can reach over 100 degrees, so bring appropriate gear and plenty of water. Learn more about how your dog can become a B.A.R.K. Ranger and remember to leave no trace!
Check NPS.gov for the most recent alerts. Twentynine Palms is also a great city to visit on your trip.
Padre Island National Seashore
If you and your dog love the beach, Padre Island National Seashore in Texas is a must-visit. Protecting 66 miles of seashore, Padre Islands has pet-friendly beaches, boardwalks, and campgrounds. Your leashed friend can splash and play as the ocean mist delights and enthralls you. The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. While the waves help with warmer temperatures, make sure you gear up appropriately during the warmer months so that your pup doesn’t overheat.
Check NPS.gov for the most recent alerts. And the coastal city of Corpus Christi makes a perfect starting point for your Gulf Coast vacation.
Your pup can explore national parks in style! With leashes, tags, bowls, and more, your B.A.R.K. Ranger can help make sure you leave no trace and look great doing it.
A good boy gets petted at a Whiskeytown fall
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
The crystal-clear lake at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in California isn’t the only thing your dog will love. Your leashed loved one is welcome in all campgrounds and campsites, on all hiking trails, and on most of the lakeshore (with a few exceptions). While dogs are not allowed to swim in the lake for their safety and the safety of others, there is plenty of frolicking room for them to enjoy while everyone explores all that Whiskeytown has to offer. Learn more about the oath of the B.A.R.K. Ranger and how to plan your dog’s trip to Whiskeytown.
Check NPS.gov for the most recent alerts.
White Sands National Park
This New Mexico park will delight your dog (and anyone else you bring along with you!). White Sands National Park preserves the world’s largest gypsum dunefield. Gypsum makes for a cooler playground for paws, making it a great experience filled with new scents and sights. Leashed pets are welcome throughout the park. Just remember, though the sand is cooler, the park can reach high temperatures in the summer, so plan accordingly. Learn more about how to plan the best trip for your pup, including best times to visit and what gear to bring.
Check NPS.gov for the most recent alerts.
Hit the trails with your pet
