Best Dog Friendly Cities In Us – Want to walk your dog in a US national park? We share what we think are the five best dog-friendly US national parks.
America’s national parks offer a variety of valuable services and experiences. Roaming free with your four-legged best friend isn’t always one of them! But there are parks that can enjoy with you. In this article, we share five dog-friendly US national parks for hiking with your pup.
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I am a national park junkie, dog lover, and love to take my “main” with me everywhere. I also prefer going to places where he can join me. (Except for an annual trip abroad to somewhere like Greece, Patagonia or Costa Rica!)
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Dogs are welcome in almost all national parks in the United States, but what they can and cannot do there varies widely. I’ve been very fortunate to have the dog-free opportunity to visit almost every national park in the US (56/63 is my tally at the time of writing with all that remains in Alaska and Samoa). Cotopaxi and I like to go everywhere together. So I began to research, discover and experience the American National Parks where you are not only allowed to join me; but those who are legally allowed to leave the car and ride with me!
Cotopaxi and I southwest of Maine Harbor in Acadia National Park on one of the many dog trails.
It is a privilege to bring your dog to a national park. Please tie them up, clean them up and follow along. Most bear encounters on the Appalachian Trail are due to loose dogs, a ranger told me when I hiked the trail in 2023. And while we’re at it… Don’t track down and pack 10 essentials :)!
Cotopaxi is a B.A.R.K. Rank, and if you choose to bring the best companions in the world to one, consider the same.
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We spent 10 days in this long, narrow Virginia National Park while hiking the 110 miles of the Appalachian Trail. The AT grades are relatively less steep in this park than most of the AT and are ideal for dog walking. Big Meadows Lodge has pet-friendly rooms, and all three of our campsites had lots of dogs. Campgrounds in the park also provide access to Waysides, which were much shorter trips when we weren’t on the AT. This park is generally available in DC, Baltimore and a few other East Coast cities. You can feel good about getting to know your dog and you can get out and explore. Of the dog-friendly US national parks I’ve visited, this might be the best.
From the Endless Wall Trail to Long Point to Kaymoor Miners, this West Virginia national park, famous for rafting and rock climbing/mountain biking, is close by. It also offers excellent walking trails for dogs.
The city of Fayetteville is a fun little town full of makers, artists, breweries and coffee shops. We stayed at this Sasquatch themed airbnb with a HUGE fenced yard that is also pet friendly.
Cotopaxi probably won’t be rafting the New River anytime soon (his canoeing and kayaking experiences are patchy at best). However, he loves hiking in NRG and this newest national park is great to visit.
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The first Cotopaxi National Park was also his first tent camping experience and our first road trip with him. The national park and state park border each other and we did the 3 Dune Challenge which is technically within the state park. According to their website, “Leashed pets are allowed inside national and state parks. Dogs are welcome on all beaches except supervised swimming areas at West Beach and the state park. They are also allowed on all trails except the Pinhook Bog Trail and the Glenwood Dunes Trail System.
This is an often overlooked US national park. It is close to Chicago and accessible to much of the Great Lakes region. We camped at Dunewood Campground and from there you can walk and bike along Lake Michigan past Beverly Shores. Be sure to get some good food at Goblin and the Grocer (just a short walk from the campground).
We lived in two different towns in northern Michigan for a summer bordering this wonderful national lake on Lake Michigan.
And that involved trail maintenance, cleaning and a few other things. This allowed Cotopaxi and I to walk the trails continuously. From Pyramid Point to Empire Bluff to the Platte River trails to Alligator Hill, we had a LOT of dog trail options. The only two routes I did that weren’t dog friendly are the Dune Climb and Sleeping Bear Point.
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The uphill and downhill grades are also suitable for dogs. The small towns around Sleeping Bear (Franklin, Interlochen, Empire, Leelanau, Leland, Northport and more) were also very dog friendly.
The only adventure I did that my partner and Cotopaxi stayed home for was a ferry ride and excursion to the Manitou Islands. I wrote about visiting the Manitou Islands on my website HERE!
Cotopaxi in Joshua Tree National Park and one of the MANY dirt roads where few cars drive, perfect for walking among the Yucca!
For example, we currently live in the town of Joshua Tree California, next to the national park. Dogs can walk/walk on the gravel paths there (as we often do), but not on the paths. The reason for this is the endangered sheep’s water sources on the paths. Resources are essential to their survival, and they see dogs as threats. Sheep will not go to water sources if they smell/see/perceive dogs nearby. Death Valley and Saguaro are two other parks he has visited, but he is not allowed to hike the trails. Then there are parks like the Grand Canyon. There are many trails that you don’t have access to, but you can hike or walk the entire Rim Trail. The Grand Canyon is a great place, you know, the Rim Trail is all it takes. IT’S FAR.
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Super friendly like the ones on our list, limited but possible like the Grand Canyon and then you have to get creative or leave them at home like Joshua Tree.
If you insist on walking your dog and don’t want to do hubs, the national forests are your place! It’s much less strict about where and when your dog can roam (still on a leash with poop bags, of course), but you and your dogs can manage.
Visiting the national parks and being able to bring your dog is an unforgettable experience. Depending on how you want to spend your time there, you should think when deciding which park to visit with them. And whether you should leave them at home or with a friend!
Good routes and good walks for you and your dogs! Thank you for reading and supporting the Happy People Hike. Comment below with questions or your favorite dog-friendly US national parks to take your pups for a hike.
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Nomad, Death Dad, Planet Lover. Hashtag59 & Happy People Hike Lead Intern. Freelance writer and content creator. Health and wellness heals. The American road trip…it’s iconic! And there’s no better way to see some of the country’s most special places. But what if you want to include your pet in the fun? Here are 49 amazing attractions you’ll love exploring together on a pet-friendly American road trip!
Road breaking is as American as apple pie. However, planning to see the “best” America has to offer can be overwhelming. Your tour can focus on cultural sites, national parks, capitals, scenic landmarks or sporting venues.
American road trip? Visit the best pet-friendly attraction in every state and collect precious memories with your best friend along the way!
The hardest part of planning an epic road trip is choosing the stops. From beaches to mountain peaks, bustling cities to secluded retreats, you’ll see the best places in the country.
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We traveled full-time with our dogs for twelve years, spending time in all of the lower 48 states. And we’re happy to share what we’ve learned!
Whether you plan to see the entire country in one trip, or visit one region at a time, the itinerary we’ve created for your US pet trip will give you a good idea of what each state is all about. And a safe stop will be fun for you and your pet! Click on each place name for more details and photos.
This itinerary covers almost 15,000 miles and will take at least a few months to complete. If you can do it all at once, it’s definitely the trip of a lifetime!
If you’re looking for shorter trips, pick one or two regions and go for it
