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National Parks: Going To The Dogs!

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Eastern National has a line of dog-friendly products for your pooch that reflect your love for national parks. A "Bark Service" collapsible bowl is just one item. Eastern National photo.

What dog doesn’t like going for a W-A-L-K?

According to the American Pet Products Association, approximately 62 percent of households in the United States have pets, which include about 78 million dogs. Many people include their dogs in their travel plans, since placing a dog in a kennel for an extended period of time can be quite expensive, as well as stressful for the dog.

Many national park sites allow dogs on specified trails, and some national park concessioners allow dogs in some lodging facilities, like Xanterra Parks and Resorts at Yellowstone National Park and Delaware North Companies at Shenandoah National Park.

If you plan to bring your dog with you on a visit to a national park, you should be prepared. An important thing to remember is that heat can kill. Be sure to carry enough water for you and your pet. If you travel to a park where dogs are allowed only in specific areas, don’t leave your dog in a hot vehicle or RV while you explore parts of the park that restrict dogs. This practice is generally prohibited at national park sites, and your pet could be impounded.

Hot sand and rocky terrain can injure the sensitive pads on a dog’s feet, so be sure that Fido’s precious paws are protected. Hiking through wooded areas in parks can pose a danger of ticks, which can spread diseases to you and your pet. Wear appropriate clothing to protect yourself, and check your dog thoroughly after a visit to a park to prevent any ticks from latching on to your dog. Don’t deviate from trails while visiting a park with your dog, since harmful insects and reptiles such as poisonous snakes and spiders can hide in tall grasses and shrubbery.

Some national park sites do not allow dogs, and there are very good reasons for these restrictions:

* Dogs can potentially carry diseases that could affect the park’s wildlife. Unvaccinated dogs could spread diseases to park wildlife. Unfortunately, not all pet owners are responsible about keeping their dog’s vaccinations up to date.

* Dogs can unknowingly threaten wildlife, scaring birds and other animals away from nesting, feeding, and resting sites. The scent left by a dog can signal the presence of a predator, disrupting or altering the behavior of park wildlife. Small animals may hide in their burrow the entire day after smelling a dog and may not venture out to feed.

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Clover showing off her Bark Service bandana.

* Unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells can disturb even the calmest, friendliest, and best-trained dogs, causing them to behave unpredictably or bark excessively. Domesticated dogs are descended from wolves, and their instincts can take over in a situation where they feel threatened or frightened.

* Pets may become prey for larger predators such as coyotes, mountain lions, and bears in some of the larger wilderness parks. Additionally, if a dog disturbs and enrages a bear, it may lead the angry bear directly to the owner. Dogs can also encounter insects that bite and transmit disease, and plants that are poisonous or full of thorns and burrs.

* Historic structures, archaeological sites, and sacred grounds are no places for dogs. Fido could unknowingly damage historic buildings or artifacts, disturb important archaeological sites, and walk over or relieve themselves in places that are sacred to Native Americans and other groups.

* Not everyone is a “dog person.” In fact, some people are afraid of dogs, and it is the responsibility of park officials to provide a safe, enjoyable environment for all visitors, even if they aren’t “dog people.” These rules are in place not only to protect your dog, but to protect you and other visitors as well as the environs of the park.

Failure to adhere to a park’s pet policy may result in a citation (minimum fine is $75). 36 CFR 2.15 (Code of Federal Regulations) provides more details concerning pets in National Park Service areas.

Here is a list of a few national park sites that allow dogs, and their specific rules. Check the National Park Service’s website or contact a park directly for individual rules regarding dogs in parks before visiting-- each park may have different stipulations based on the location, resources, and environment of the park.

Saratoga National Historical Park, with its rolling hills and gorgeous scenery of the Hudson Valley in New York, is a wonderful place for leashed dogs and their owners to explore. Although dogs are not allowed in the visitor center or inside park buildings, the park offers a tie-up area adjacent to the visitor center entrance, and provides water and waste bags in certain areas.

Dogs are welcome at Cape Hatteras National Seashore! Horses are allowed at Cape Hatteras as well, and can travel anywhere vehicles are permitted to drive except in campgrounds. Horses are required to use ORV (Off Road Vehicle) ramps when crossing dunes. There are some understandable restrictions at Cape Hatteras: Pets are not allowed on designated swim beaches or in buildings, nor are they allowed in protected resource areas such as sea bird and sea turtle nesting areas.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, situated between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, is a great place to take your dog. It has more than 100 miles of multi-use trails! Dogs must be restrained on a leash that is six feet or shorter in length on park lands at all times, and they are not permitted in park buildings or on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (exception for service animals).

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Dogs are allowed in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. © abardwell via Flickr

At Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in Kentucky, leashed dogs are welcomed throughout the park’s 24,000 acres. Horses are permitted on designated trails and at the Hensley Camp, White Rocks, and Martins Fork backcountry campsites.

Devils Postpile National Monument in California is so dog-friendly that it includes dogs in its volunteer program, called the “Paw Patrol.” Volunteers patrol the park with their canine companions to help keep visitors educated on the rules associated with dogs at the monument, and to serve as ambassadors on the trails, sharing information with visitors and answering questions.

Eastern National, a cooperating association at more than 150 national park sites, has introduced the “National Bark Ranger” product line for dogs, which will allow them to show their national park pride. There are several items available in multiple colors, including a leash, collars, bandanas, a poo bag dispenser, a pull toy, and a collapsible water bowl, all emblazoned with the fun “Bark Ranger” logo. These items are available at some national park sites and on eParks.com. Click here to see the full product line.

So get out there and take your dog for a W-A-L-K in a park—it will be great fun for both of you!

Comments

I was ready to buy my senior lifetme pass before the prices went up.  But, after reading this, I'm saving my money.  If my dog isn't welcome, you don't need my money.  I can understand not letting dogs on dangerious trails but, not trails?  I have a beagle who loves the woods, on her leash, of course.  We walk for hours in the woods.  What's a walk in the woods without my dog?  If the trails are suitable for dogs, what about kids?  There are far more irresponsible parents out there than dog owners, who would just love to sue if something happened to their kid.  There should be the same restrictions for kids up to a certain age, as pets.  One park I take my dog too has a stream running through it where ducks and geese swim and walk around.  I see parents laugh and encourage their kids to chase the ducks and geese.  My dog isn't allowed to chase the ducks and geese.  She walks up to them and watches them but is not allowed to chase them.  How would those parents like someone chasing their kid terriorizing them?  These people should not be allowed in the park but because they are irresponsible humans, that's ok.  Thanks for the lifetime discount offer but I'll stick with what I'm doing, taking my dog to local parks where she is accepted and enjoys her walks in the woods.


i should not be subjected to dogs off leash.  It us the dog owners responsibility to keep their dogs safe and ensure a persons safety.  My safety is more important than your animal.  I have a right to enjoy the national lands with out  anxiety if fear because of risks of being bitten by your dog.   I do not want your animal near me.  I do not want your animal to sniff my privates, jump on me or lick me.  Pick up your dog shit as required. The problem us you the dog owner is not responsible.  I do not love your dog.  If you have no consideration or courtesy stay at home with your animal

 

 

 


I love dogs, too and have 3, all of whom are walked, well cared for, etc. National Forests generally allow dogs on trails and so do BLM, FWS, and USB (the other 4 federal agencies that honor the Senior Pass). If you get your senior pass now, its still $10.00, but its scheduled to go up later this year, so it seems to me it would be worth it for a LIFETIME Senior pass for such a small amount.

And, dogs are still allowed on many of the "interpretive" trails in National Parks, at campgrounds and picnic areas, pullouts, etc. There are generally only a few trails plus backpacking trails that don't allow dogs. I don't think that's unreasonable. National Parks try to keep things in their natural state for future generations so keeping dogs, other pets and horses off of some trails is a way to fulfill part if their purpose. There are people who want to use mountain bikes and ATVS everywhere as well. Do you want them to have equal access, too? I dont.

Admittedly, there are parents who don't control their children well but if they really do things wrong, the parents can be cited for vandalusm, cruelty to animals, etc. And, I saw it done at Yosemite! Plus, some dog owners are not as responsible as you. I'm at Dinosaur National Monument today and on a "no dog" hiking trail, I met 5 groups of oeople. 2 of them had dogs with them. One lady had 3 dogs. When I pointed out the rule, (which was on several big signs at the trailhead) they both blew me off and said they were sure THEIR dogs were ok. Right after that, one dog pooped in the middle of the trail and the owner left it there. Gee, what can you do.

Plus, I understand the disease and predator scent aspects of taking dogs out on trails.

Anyway, you probably have a lot of good years left and I think you might be missing out by not spending $10.00 on that Senior Pass.


Not really. My dogs are just dogs, just animals. They have their places in our household but they are NOT family. Some people may treat their dogs like children or other people on their family, but we do not and know many other people who also say "people first, animals second". It's not that I don't like my dogs, but I agree that it's fine for dogs to not be allowed sometimes. So, if there are certain trails that don't allow dogs, horses, ATVs, mountain bikes, etc. I think that's fine.

I think that if you check with most national parks, you'll find that the "no dog" rule is only for some trails. I've yet to find a national park that doesn't allow dogs in campgrounds or on short, interpretive trails.


According to its own mission statement, "The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations."

Yes they can restrict uses, as they are trying to preserve resources (animals, trees, landforms, etc.) in their natural states. They're not required to allow your unfettered use. Nor do they have to allow ATVs, mountain bikes, 4 wheeling, boating, horseback riding, da building or anything else they deem could hurt the park and curtail enjoyment by future generations.

The forest service, BLM and other federal agencies have different mandates, allowing logging, allowing pets, allowing management of resources for government profit, etc. That's why the NFS fights wildfires -they'd rather sell the trees, not burn them. But the NPS let's natural wildfires burn because it's part of the natural way.

 

Plus, as I've mentioned to others, I've yet to see a national park that bans dogs everywhere. They're still allowed on interpretive trails, in camogrounds, on short trails connecting exhibits, etc. Just ask at the national park you're interested in, and they'll no doubt have several trails to recommend to you.


Wilderness areas are different than national parks. And remember, dogs smell like predators to wildlife, horses smell like prey.


 

Rarely visit national parks these days, since I can't take my dog along. Meanwhile, the parks are jam packed full of huge numbers of tourists driving their over-sized vehicles and suvs, belching exhaust and crowding the roads and trails. Oh well, the adjacent national forest and wilderness areas are usually much less crowded and are places where you can see actual nature,  without the over-developed  feeling of the national parks.

 


I just can't believe that pet owners are being discriminated against.  I have seen a lot more distruction by humans than dogs.  I fell that if the dog is on a leash then they should be allowed on hiking trails.  The owners know how there dogs act around other people and wildlife.  Most owners will make sure that there dog is safe.  For many people that dog is like a child to them.


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