Best Dog Friendly National Parks – Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase something, a small portion of the proceeds will support me and Juno. Thank you!
When I first drove through Zion National Park, I cried. (Don’t worry, they’re tears of joy.)
Best Dog Friendly National Parks
“It’s like red Yosemite!” I yelled out the taxi window to see bighorn sheep perched on the crimson walls.
Best Dog Friendly National Parks
I didn’t know Juneau on that first visit, but soon we would visit Zion together many times. At least once a year from 2016 to 2020. Here are some of the best dog-friendly activities in and around Zion National Park.
Like most national parks, Zion does not allow dogs on the trails. But they can access campgrounds, trails and paved overlooks.
One exception to the “no dogs on trails” rule is the Paroz Trail, a partially paved trail near the visitor center.
As I first wrote about on Instagram , the Pallas Trail is Zion’s most scenic trail, crossing the Virgin River and past crowded shuttle stops and campground bathrooms. But really, it’s like saying “the worst beach in Hawaii” or “Sunday is the worst day of the weekend”: “the worst” is still beautiful.
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If you live near Zion National Park and need quality dog boarding or sitting services, I highly recommend Doggy Dude Ranch. As their website says, “It’s fun at 30,000 feet for your best friends!”
I have left Juno in their care twice, once for dog sitting and once as an overnight boarding, both times it was a great experience. As of October 2020, doggy daycare costs $30 per day and overnight doggy boarding is only $40.
Be sure to book as far in advance as possible, especially in the summer, as Doggy Dude Ranch is often fully booked!
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While the Paros Trail is the only dog-friendly trail in Zion National Park, there are plenty of dog-friendly adventures nearby.
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Nearby dog-friendly areas include Snow Canyon State Park, Coral Pink Dunes State Park, and the Red Canyon portion of Dixie National Forest. Stay tuned for longer posts on each area and check them out on AllTrails too!
The last time Juno and I stayed overnight near Zion, we stayed in these adorable cabins on Airbnb. The park is less than a mile away and they allow dogs at no extra charge!
Traveling to Utah with your dog and want a real adventure? Check out my dog friendly guide to Bryce Canyon National Park!
I’m a writer wandering the Wild West with my dog Juno. When I’m not telling stories around the campfire, I’m sometimes here telling stories.
Pets. Please Follow The Rules Of Bark!
When you purchase through the links below, a small portion will be used to support Becky and Juno at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your cooperation! With over 100 miles of trails to sniff, roads to explore, and a free pet-friendly shuttle, visiting Acadia National Park with your dog is a real treat for the whole family!
Traveling to Acadia National Park requires a commitment. Located in the northeast corner of the United States, this is not the place to be. The nearest major city is Boston, 250 miles away!
But, like most things that require effort, the rewards of Acadia far outweigh the investment. For those traveling with pets, this is a national park that won’t disappoint!
Over thousands of years, glaciers have carved this beautiful landscape. Rounded peaks and deep valleys now house freshwater lakes and ponds. The surface on the Icegroundway is constantly advancing and receding, and the pink granite makes this area very special.
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Now you and your dog can embody these immense powers while enjoying Acadia’s breathtaking beauty.
No matter your preference or ability level, you can find fun ways to explore Acadia National Park with your dog. For those who enjoy hiking, there are 100 miles of pet-friendly trails – from downhill to hikes.
If you prefer walking or biking, 45 miles of historic roads await you and your pup.
If you enjoy driving, the 27-mile Scenic Loop offers stunning scenery. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs while walking.
Visiting Acadia National Park With Dogs
Acadia is one of the most pet-friendly national parks in the country, so plan to experience it with your best friend! In addition to most trails and all roads, pets are welcome in most public areas and on free shuttles throughout the park and around the island.
Acadia National Park’s pet policy requires that pets be leashed at all times and that all waste must be properly cleaned up and disposed of. At Isle au Haut, pets are allowed on day hikes, in public buildings, ranger-led activities, Duck Harbor Campground, Acadia Wild Gardens, beaches (June 15-September 8), and Echo Lake . Beaches (May 15-September 15) Pets are not allowed on some trails due to difficult terrain. Most of the lakes in the park are on public water supply. Pets and people are not allowed to swim in it. Let your dog become a barking ranger
Dogs have the opportunity to become a barking ranger in Acadia National Park. The program teaches dog owners the importance of following the B.A.R.K. rules. When visiting Arcadia.
Dogs who complete this brief program can be sworn in as barking rangers. Their owners are entitled to purchase a special bark ranger collar tag as a souvenir of their visit. Tags can be purchased from the Eastern Nations Bookstore at the Hull Bay Visitor Centre.
Planning To Take Pup To A National Park?
With so much to explore in Acadia, here are some highlights you won’t want to miss.
Once you arrive in Acadia, taking the Park Loop Road is a great way to get your bearings. Although it’s only 27 miles, plan to spend two to three hours, stopping to enjoy the scenery and maybe take a short walk to a few attractions.
Here you’ll get some of the best views of the rugged coastline and steep cliffs, so allow plenty of time to take it all in.
The Jordan Pond House restaurant is located on the west side of Park Loop Road across from Jordan Pond in Seal Harbor. Dogs are welcome to join you for lunch, tea or dinner on the porch or at the picnic table on the lawn. The kitchen here is known for grilled popcorn, homemade ice cream, and fresh Maine seafood!
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If you like popcorn ice cream sundaes (which I recommend you do!), the trails around Jordan Pond offer the chance to burn off some calories.
The road goes around the lake. The west side is rocky and the east side is easy to walk. But the good news is that both sides, the North and South Bubbles, offer spectacular views in the background.
The 45-mile road built between 1913 and 1940 cuts through the heart of Acadia. John D. Rockefeller Jr. financed and oversaw the creation of the park so that he and others could enjoy it on a car-free trail. Originally built to accommodate horses and carriages, these trails are now preferred by pedestrians and cyclists.
The park office will provide you with a vehicle route map highlighting the 17 stone-faced bridges. Each bridge is unique in design and spans streams, waterfalls, roads and hills.
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We chose the six mile route around Eagle Lake. This is a great way to experience the serenity of the park with Buster and Ty.
Would you like to watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain? Rising more than 1,500 feet above sea level, it overlooks island-dotted bays and the vast Atlantic Ocean beyond. But to get there in the morning, you need to plan ahead!
From late May to late October, a vehicle reservation is required to summit Cadillac Mountain. Sunrise passes open at 10am two days before the visit date and sell out quickly. Day reservations can be made up to three months in advance and are easy to obtain.
Please note that vehicle reservations on Cadillac Summit Road are not included with your park admission. Luckily, you can purchase both of these products on Recreation.gov before you leave home.
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In addition to being one of the most pet-friendly national parks, Acadia ranks among the top ten most popular national parks. More than 4 million visitors visit the park each year. If there are too many people in a place, it will cause crowding. If you want to take a break from the crowds, plan to spend a day exploring these areas outside the park.
Little Long Pond is a 1,000-acre park located just outside the Acadian border. Land and gardens previously owned by the Rockefeller family were donated.
