Traveling with Pets: Parks
- Kerrin McMurdie
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
National Parks
Here’s the deal with National Parks and pets, generally, your furry sidekick is welcome in developed areas like campgrounds, paved roads, parking lots, and picnic spots—but not on trails, in buildings, or deep into the wilderness. It’s not personal—parks have a job to do protecting native wildlife and delicate ecosystems (and honestly, your dog might have very strong opinions about elk).
That said, there are some awesome exceptions—parks that roll out the red carpet for your four-legged explorer on most trails (but not typically in the backcountry).
These include:
Great Sand Dunes, CO
Petrified Forest, AZ
Acadia, ME
Shenandoah, VA
New River Gorge, WV
Cuyahoga Valley, OH
Big Bend, TX
Congaree, SC
Want bonus points (and the cutest photo op ever)?
Check out the B.A.R.K. Ranger program. Our pup graduated at Petrified Forest National Park and wore the badge like he meant it.
It’s a fun way to learn how to be a responsible pet visitor.
B.A.R.K. stands for:
Bag your pet’s waste
Always leash your pet
Respect wildlife
Know where you can go
State and Local Parks
If you love the great outdoors but want a little more freedom for your furry hiking buddy, state and local parks are where it’s at. Think of them as the laid-back cousin to the National Park System—still stunning, but usually a little more relaxed when it comes to pet policies.
In fact, many state parks are way more pet-friendly. Top dog-loving states include Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, New Mexico, Maine, Texas, and Vermont. You’ll often find trails, campgrounds, and even pet-welcoming cabins.
That said, there are still a few basics you should always follow:
Keep your pet on a 6-foot leash.
Scoop the poop (no one likes a trail surprise).
Keep pets out of buildings and off most beaches—unless it’s a designated dog beach (yes, those exist, and they’re awesome).
Always check the park’s specific website before you go—rules can vary and some spots even have off-leash zones or pet-friendly programs that make exploring together even more fun.
Final Thought
With the right park and a little planning, you can enjoy National, State, or Local Parks with your dog by your side—just make sure to check the pet policies for each park before you go. This is totally our wheelhouse. We've explored parks across the country with our own pups in tow, and we can tell you: it makes for a fantastic vacation, especially for outdoorsy families who want to include their four-legged adventurers.
Stay tuned for an upcoming post featuring a sample road trip through the Southwest with some of our favorite dog-friendly stops.
Ready to plan your own? We’d love to help build a custom itinerary tailored to your family—fur babies included.
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