Dog-friendly National Parks in the United States

Exploring the USA’s National Parks with Your Dog: What You Need to Know

The United States is home to 63 breathtaking national parks, but many are not dog-friendly. However, it is still possible to visit many of them and enjoy a unique landscape, wildlife, and opportunities for adventure. From towering mountains to deep canyons, these parks are designed to preserve America’s natural beauty. However, while they attract millions of visitors yearly, they are not all as welcoming to our four-legged friends.

National parks aim to protect delicate ecosystems, so many have strict pet policies. If you’re planning a trip with your dog, it’s essential to know which parks are worth visiting. We’ve divided the parks into three groups: those with mostly dog-friendly trails, those with limited options but still worth a day trip, and those best avoided due to restrictions.

So, grab your leash, pack your hiking boots, and explore the national parks you and your pup can enjoy together!

Dog-friendly National Parks

For multi-day trips where you want to explore with your dog on several trails, here are the national parks that allow dogs on the majority of their trails, making them great for extended stays:

1. Acadia National Park (Maine)
   • Dogs are allowed on most trails. Leash required.
2. Congaree National Park (South Carolina)
   • Dogs are allowed on most trails. Leash required.
3. Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio)
   • Dogs are allowed on all trails. Leash required.
4. Gateway Arch National Park (Missouri)
   • Dogs are allowed in all outdoor areas. Leash required.
5. Great Sand Dunes National Park (Colorado)
   • Dogs are allowed on 11 trails, including the dunes. Leash required.
6. Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)
   • Dogs are allowed on all trails. Leash required.
7. Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana)
   • Dogs are allowed on most beaches and trails. Leash required.
8. Lake Clark National Park (Alaska)
   • All eight trails are dog-friendly
9. Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky)
   • Dogs are allowed on most trails but not permitted in caves.  Leash required.
10. New River Gorge National Park (West Virginia)
    • Dogs are allowed on all trails. Leash required.
11. Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona)
    • Dogs are allowed on most trails. Leash required.
12. Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
    • Dogs are allowed on most trails. Leash required.
13. White Sands National Park (New Mexico)
    • Dogs are allowed on trails and dunes. Leash required.

Parks With Limited Dog Access

For national parks that are mostly not dog-friendly but do offer a couple of dog-friendly trails or areas, making them suitable for a one-day stop, here’s a list:

1. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Colorado)
   • Dogs are allowed on 5 of 31 trails.
2. Capitol Reef National Park (Utah)
   • Dogs are allowed on 1 of 55 trails
3. Carter Lake National Park (Oregon)
   • Dogs are allowed on 7 of 29 trails
4. Death Valley National Park (California/Nevada)
   • Dogs are allowed on 4 of 119 trails.
5. Denali National Park (Alaska)
   • Dog allowed on 3 of 38 trails
6. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
   • Dogs allowed on 16 of 35 trails
7. Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
   • Dogs are allowed on 4 of 130 trails.
8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina)
   • Dogs are allowed on three trails.
9. Haleakalā National Park (Hawaii)
   • Dogs are allowed on 2 of 20 trails.
10. Joshua Tree National Park (California)
    • Dogs are allowed on 21 of 142  trails.
11. Kings Canyon National Park (California)
    • Dogs are allowed on 5 of 98 trails.
12. Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado)
    • Dogs are allowed on 3 of 21 trails.
13. Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)
    • Dogs are allowed only on one trail.
14. North Cascades National Park (Washington)
    • Dogs are allowed on 7 of 43 trails.
15. Olympic National Park (Washington)
    • Dogs are allowed on 12 of 184 trails.
16. Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
    • Dogs are allowed on 3 of 227 trails.
17. Saguaro National Park (Arizona)
    • Dogs are allowed on 5 of 79 trails.
18. Sequoia National Parks (California)
    • Dogs are allowed only on one trail.
19. Virgin Islands National Park (U.S. Virgin Islands)
    • Dogs are allowed on 15 of 31 trails.
20. Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota)
    • Dogs are allowed only on one trail.
21. Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota)
    • Dogs are allowed on 3 of 12 trails.
22. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (Alaska)
    • Dogs are allowed on 5 of 16 trails.
23. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)
    • Dogs are allowed only on 4 of 288 trails.
24. Yosemite National Park (California)
    • Dogs allowed on 9 of 297 trails
25. Zion National Park (Utah)
    • Dogs are allowed on one trail, Pa’rus Trail. Leash required.

National Parks with Minimal or No Dog Access

These parks are mostly non dog-friendly and are better to avoid if you’re planning a trip with your dog. While you can drive through with your dog and stop in a few developed areas, dogs have little access to trails or wilderness. The restrictions make exploring with your furry friend impractical, so unless you’re passing through or simply doing a scenic drive, there’s not much reason to visit these parks with a dog.

1. American Samoa National Park (American Samoa)
   • No dogs allowed.
2. Arches National Park (Utah)
   • No dogs are allowed on trails.
3. Badlands National Park (South Dakota)
   • No dogs are allowed on trails.
4. Big Bend National Park (Texas)
   • No dogs are allowed on trails or backcountry.
5. Biscayne National Park (Florida)
   • Dogs are allowed only on one paved trail along Southwest 87^th Avenue
6. Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)
   • Dogs are allowed on 2 (primarily multipurpose paved) of 41 trails.
7. Canyonlands National Park (Utah)
   • Dogs are not allowed on trails, only on scenic drive
8. Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico)
   • No dogs are allowed in caves or on trails.
9. Channel Islands National Park (California)
   • No dogs are allowed on the islands.
10. Dry Tortugas National Park (Florida)
    • No dogs are allowed except in certain dock areas.
11. Everglades National Park (Florida)
    • Dogs are not allowed on trails
12. Gates of the Arctic National Park (Alaska)
    • No access for dogs
13. Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska)
    • No dogs are allowed in most areas.
14. Glacier National Park (Montana)
    • Dogs are not allowed on trails.
15. Great Basin National Park (Nevada)
    • No dogs are allowed on trails.
16. Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Texas)
    • Dogs are allowed only on one short trail.
17. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park (Hawai’i)
    • No dogs are allowed on trails.
18. Isle Royale National Park (Michigan)
    • No dogs are allowed on the island
19. Katmai National Park (Alaska)
    • No dogs allowed on trails
20. Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska)
    • No dogs are allowed on trails or boats.
21. Kobuk Valley National Park (Alaska)
    • No access for dogs in most areas.
22. Lassen Volcanic National Park (California)
    • No dogs are allowed on trails.
23. Pinnacles National Park (California)
    • No dogs are allowed on trails.
24. Redwood National Park (California)
    • Dogs are allowed only on one short trail, Crescent Beach Loop Walk
25. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota)
    • Dogs are allowed only on one paved trail.

Please visit the National Park Service for the most accurate information about all national parks.

This was an overview of all U.S. national parks and their dog-friendliness. For more ideas beyond national parks, check out our DESTINATIONS section!