Finding dog-friendly national parks in the US can be a challenge since there are very few of them.
But don’t let that discourage you from trying. Some of the best US national parks are actually pet-friendly.
This list features all of the best dog-friendly US national parks, from Acadia National Park in Maine to Yosemite National Park in California.
As full-time RVers, one of our goals is to visit all of the US national parks, so it’s been a huge plus when we can bring our dogs, Cap and Marvel, with us.
Please note that this post relates only to dogs that are pets, not service dogs. Service animals are able to visit any national park with their owners, but not all pets can.
Alright, let’s jump right in!
1. Acadia National Park – Maine
It’s a well-known fact that Acadia National Park is one of the most pet-friendly US national parks.
In fact, there are over 100 miles of pet-friendly trails that dogs are permitted to hike, as well as 45 miles of carriage roads they are allowed. on.
Although most of the hiking trails allow dogs, some of them do not, and others are not recommended for dogs, even though it’s allowed.
While dogs are permitted in most areas, they aren’t allowed in any lakes, and Sand Beach and Echo Lake are off-limits to pets during certain summer months.
The best time of year to visit Acadia National Park with your furry friend is late spring through early fall, avoiding the peak of summer due to heat and high tourist traffic.
Although, if you don’t mind the higher crowds, Acadia is stunning in the fall during peak fall foliage!
You can find more information about taking your pets to Acadia National Park on their official pet page here.
Acadia National Park does participate in the Bark Ranger Program.
2. Indiana Dunes National Park – Indiana
Another really fun dog-friendly national park is Indiana Dunes National Park, located in northern Indiana.
Our dogs had an absolute blast at this park!
This park has a little bit of everything…hiking, sand dunes, beaches, swimming, and camping, just to name a few!
We only had one evening to spend at this park when we were passing through, but we plan to return when we can spend even more time here.
Our dogs really enjoyed hiking through the sand dunes with us, and they even enjoyed spending time on the beach of Lake Michigan.
There are only a few hiking trails that don’t allow dogs, and the only beach with pet restrictions is in the lifeguard swimming area at West Beach from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.
This is definitely one of the most dog-friendly things to do when you’re RVing.
You can find more information about taking your pets to Indiana Dunes National Park on their official pet page here.
Indiana Dunes National Park does participate in the Bark Ranger Program.
3. Great Sand Dunes National Park – Colorado
If I had to pick our all-time favorite dog-friendly national park, it would have to be Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado!
We’ve visited here multiple times over the past several years with our dogs, and it’s always a good time.
While pets are not permitted in all areas of the park (for their own safety), there are many places where they can go with you.
Pets are allowed in the Preserve (including Mosca Pass Trail) and the park’s main use areas (including Piñon Flats Campground, Dunes Overlook Trail, and along the Medano Pass Primitive Road).
Our favorite place to hang out with our dogs is Medano Creek, which is at its best in early summer and gradually disappears as summer progresses.
We’ve spent multiple July 4ths here at Medano Creek with our dogs, as it’s a great way to cool off from the summer heat.
There are a few hazards to keep in mind that could affect your pets.
First, the sand can get very hot in the summer months, starting in the late morning and extending into the evening.
In fact, it can reach temperatures of over 150ºF!
So, if you plan to take your dogs here in the summer, make sure that they have proper paw protection.
Another thing to be aware of is the cactus spines in the grassland area.
If you plan to walk your dogs here, walk slowly and carefully to keep an eye out for any spines they might step on.
You can find more information about taking your pets to Great Sand Dunes National Park on their official pet page here.
Great Sand Dunes National Park does not participate in the Bark Ranger Program.
4. New River Gorge National Park – West Virginia
New River Gorge National Park is one of our nation’s newest parks, becoming an official NP in December 2020.
One really great thing about this park is that pets are allowed on all trails, which means they can go anywhere in the entire park!
The hiking trails here range from easy walks to more challenging hikes, providing options for dogs (and owners) of all fitness levels.
In addition to hiking, the park is great for other pet-friendly activities, such as camping and picnicking.
Many areas within the park are accessible to pets, allowing them to join in on nearly all outdoor adventures.
Out of respect to other visitors, and to avoid conflicts with wildlife, pets are not permitted at any of the park’s ranger-led programs.
You can find more information about taking your pets to New River Gorge National Park on their official pet page here.
New River Gorge National Park does participate in the Bark Ranger Program.
5. Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Ohio
Although it was not one of our favorite national parks, Cuyahoga Valley National Park was a nice stop for us in Ohio.
This park is very dog-friendly and pets are allowed on over 100 miles of hiking trails here.
We really enjoyed the Brandywine Falls Loop trail with our dogs.
It is a short 2.6-mile loop that takes you past the beautiful 65-foot-tall Brandywine Falls.
Part of the trail is a boardwalk, while most of it is a more typical dirt/rock trail.
I think this park would be even more enjoyable in the fall months when the leaves are changing colors!
You can find more information about taking your pets to Cuyahoga Valley National Park on their official pet page here.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park does not participate in the Bark Ranger Program.
6. Congaree National Park – South Carolina
Another pet-friendly national park with lots of boardwalk trails is Congaree National Park in South Carolina.
Pets are allowed on all of the trails here, including the boardwalk trails, and they are allowed in all of the campgrounds as well.
Please keep in mind, though, that many of the boardwalk trails are elevated, so if your dog is not suited to boardwalk-only trails with no bathroom breaks, you might want to pick your trails wisely.
Ticks, snakes, and alligators are some hazards you might encounter in this park with your dogs.
You can find more information about taking your pets to Congaree National Park on their official pet page here.
Congaree National Park does not participate in the Bark Ranger Program.
7. Grand Canyon National Park – Arizona
Did you know that Grand Canyon National Park is actually quite dog-friendly?
Leashed pets are allowed anywhere above the rim, but they are not permitted anywhere below the rim.
Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, and Trailer Village are all pet-friendly, and Yavapai Lodge has pet-friendly rooms as well.
If you want to go on a long hike below the rim, you can board your pets are the Grand Canyon Kennel.
When we visited the Grand Canyon with Cap, we didn’t do any hiking, but rather just drove around and enjoyed the scenic overlooks.
He also enjoyed watching the elk from the truck! (Pictured below)
You can find more information about taking your pets to Grand Canyon National Park on their official pet page here.
Grand Canyon National Park does not participate in the Bark Ranger Program.
8. Hot Springs National Park – Arkansas
Another dog-friendly national park that made our list is Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas.
There are 26 miles of trails at Hot Springs National Park, and dogs are permitted on all of them!
Keep in mind that while dogs are allowed in most places, they are not permitted in any federal buildings, which means that they aren’t allowed in any of the park’s public buildings.
That being said, though, they are welcome in the Superior Bathhouse Restaurant & Brewery, where we enjoyed a delicious meal.
You’ll find designated pet waste stations on both ends of Bathhouse Row as well as in the campground.
Dogs can make a trip to Hot Springs National Park slightly less enjoyable since you’ll have to skip most of the Bathhouse Row buildings, but there is still plenty to do with them.
You can find more information about taking your pets to Hot Springs National Park on their official pet page here.
Hot Springs National Park does participate in the Bark Ranger Program.
9. Mammoth Cave National Park – Kentucky
Mammoth Cave National Park is very dog-friendly, but only above ground.
Pets are not allowed in the cave itself, but they are permitted on all above-ground hiking trails.
You can also stay at the Woodland Cottages which is the only in-park lodging that has pet-friendly rooms available.
The Lodge at Mammoth Cave also has a kennel where you can safely board your dogs and cats while you explore the cave.
They have both day-boarding options as well as self-service outdoor kennels with covered shelters available.
These options, along with the plenty of dog-friendly hiking trails, make this a great national park destination for pet families!
You can find more information about taking your pets to Mammoth Cave National Park on their official pet page here.
Mammoth Cave National Park does not participate in the Bark Ranger Program.
10. Petrified Forest National Park – Arizona
Petrified Forest National Park is a pet-friendly park that really surprised us.
We stopped here on our tent camping trip out west in 2022, and it is actually very dog-friendly.
In fact, they joke that the park name even starts with “pet,” lol!
Leashed pets are allowed everywhere in the park except inside any buildings.
This is also one of the few parks that permit dogs on overnight backpacking adventures.
When we visited, it was very hot and windy, so we didn’t do a ton with our dogs, but they did enjoy getting out at some of the shorter overlooks with us.
You can find more information about taking your pets to Petrified Forest National Park on their official pet page here.
Petrified Forest National Park does participate in the Bark Ranger Program.
11. Shenandoah National Park – Virginia
If you’re looking to do a lot of national park hiking with your dogs, then Shenandoah National Park in Virginia might be a great option for you!
There are close to 500 miles of hiking trails at this beautiful park that allow on-leash dogs. That’s incredible!
If hiking along the Appalachian Trail with your dogs is on your bucket list, you can do it here.
There are a wide variety of hikes to choose from, including waterfalls, woods, and breathtaking mountain views.
Shenandoah National Park is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers a cooler, more temperate climate, especially at higher elevations.
This makes it especially appealing during the warmer months when lower elevations might be too hot for hiking with your pets.
Pets are also allowed in all of the campgrounds and there is also pet-friendly lodging available in the park.
You can find more information about taking your pets to Shenandoah National Park on their official pet page here.
Shenandoah National Park does not participate in the Bark Ranger Program.
12. White Sands National Park – New Mexico
If you haven’t already noticed, a lot of the national parks that allow dogs are the sandy ones.
And White Sands National Park in New Mexico is yet another one!
We’ve only been to White Sands once without our dogs, but I’m planning another trip to go back and take them with us, hopefully soon.
We chose to purchase sand discs and spend an afternoon playing on the dunes.
It was so much fun, and I’m sure it would be even more fun with doggos!
As always, monitor the temperatures and ensure that your dog is not only having fun but also staying safe.
You can find more information about taking your pets to White Sands National Park on their official pet page here.
White Sands National Park does not participate in the Bark Ranger Program.
13. Yosemite National Park – California
Last but certainly not least is Yosemite National Park.
Now, this national park isn’t as dog-friendly as some of the other parks on this list.
In fact, pets are only allowed in developed areas, on sidewalks, in campgrounds, and on bicycle paths.
However, there are still enough places that your dog can go with you, so I decided to add it to this list.
Just make sure that you do plenty of research to determine if Yosemite National Park would be a good option for you and your dog, or if you should stick to one of the other options on this list.
You can find more information about taking your pets to Yosemite National Park on their official pet page here.
Yosemite National Park does participate in the Bark Ranger Program.
Rules for taking your pets to national parks
Even the US national parks that are pet-friendly have strict rules that you have to follow. Here are just a few of them!
- Dogs must remain leashed at all times on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
- You must always pick up after your dog and properly dispose of dog waste. Do not leave it on trails.
- Pets are never allowed in buildings, including any visitor center or restroom.
- Never let your pets engage wildlife.
- Don’t ever leave your pets unattended, whether in or out of a vehicle in parking lots.
- Respect the park, visitors, and all rules.
Please always be a responsible pet owner and be respectful of the National Park Service.
If a trail does not allow pets, you still cannot carry your dog on the trail, just like it cannot hike with you.
In addition, if you will be hiking with your dogs in summer, make sure you are well prepared for the heat and how it will affect your pets.
The BARK Ranger Program
Did you know about the National Park’s BARK Ranger Program?
The BARK Ranger program is an initiative by some national parks across the United States to promote responsible pet ownership and enhance the experience of visiting parks with dogs.
BARK is an acronym that stands for:
- B – Bag your pet’s waste: This principle encourages visitors to always clean up after their pets and dispose of the waste in appropriate containers to maintain the park’s cleanliness and protect the natural environment.
- A – Always leash your pet: Keeping pets on a leash, typically no longer than 6 feet, ensures they are under control at all times. This protects wildlife, other park visitors, and the pets themselves from potential hazards.
- R—Respect wildlife: Owners should keep pets at a safe distance from wildlife to prevent disturbances and potential conflicts. This respects the natural behaviors and habitats of park wildlife.
- K – Know where you can go: The program informs visitors about specific areas within the park that are pet-friendly. Not all areas of national parks are open to pets, often due to safety concerns or the potential for environmental impact. The BARK Ranger program helps visitors understand and adhere to these restrictions.
Participation in the BARK Ranger program can vary by park, but typically, pet owners can attend a ranger-led session or talk to a ranger to learn about the program’s guidelines.
In some parks, pets that follow these principles during their visit can be officially designated as “BARK Rangers,” complete with a special tag, patch, or bandana that signifies their status.
This fun initiative encourages pet owners to follow best practices while enjoying the great outdoors with their furry friends!
This is a great way to make national park visits enjoyable and safe for everyone—pets, owners, wildlife, and other visitors alike.
You can learn more about the BARK Ranger Program here.
While this is not a full list, here are some of the national parks that have a BARK Ranger Program:
- Gateway Arch National Park
- Biscayne National Park
- Acadia National Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Zion National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Yosemite National Park
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Olympic National Park
- Indiana Dunes National Park
- Redwood National Park
In Closing: 13 Dog-Friendly National Parks in the US
I hope that you’ve found this post helpful in planning your next RV trip with your dogs!
Looking for more tips for RVing with dogs?
Safe travels!
