There are several types of pet friendly parks. There are those in public city, state parks and national parks. Below we have sorted out some of the most prominent types according possible travel destinations.
Nearly every city has at least one pet friendly park. Some, such as New York City, has at least 40+ pet friendly parks. Public parks often allow pooches on six-foot leashes. State parks also often allow pets as long as they are leashed properly. Please remember to clean up after your pet, leaving the pet friendly parks as clean as when you got there.
Dogs are allowed throughout most of the park, and on hiking trails and carriage roads. They must remain on a six-foot leash or less at all times. However, there is an area in the parks that is privately owned called Little Long Pond. It is located near Seal Harbor. Here, dogs are allowed to run off-leash.
This a wonderful pet friendly national park to visit with your pooch, as there is so much to explore. Dogs are allowed on South Rim trails throughout the park’s developed areas. However, they cannot roam below the rim. Most never traverse below the rim anyway, as the South Rim offers much area to explore. Click here to read about the top pet friendly trails on the South Rim. Dogs that are well-mannered are allowed on the Geology Walk, guided by a park ranger. This walk will take you on a 3/4 easy walk along the paved rim trail. Where pets are not allowed:
The park itself is not pet friendly, however, much of your sightseeing may be experienced from or near your car. Dogs are allowed in campgrounds, parking areas and within 100 feet of the roads. Pets must remain crated or on a six-foot or less leash at all times. One of the more fun drives is the Grand Loop Road, which includes points of interest and a good chance of sighting some elk, bison, grizzly bears or black bears. If you are serious about hiking with your pooch, there are many dog friendly trails in Shoshone National Forest, which is just outside of Yellowstone National Park between Yellowstone and Cody. Where pets are not allowed:
This is more of a “drive-through” park when traveling with pest. The only place dogs are permitted (on leash) and during specified daytime hours are at Kalaloch Beach. This is a nice area that runs along the Pacific coast shoreline from North Rialto Beach to Ellen Creek. There is the nearby Olympic National Forest that is just outside of the park, where there are plenty of national forest trails that permit dogs on leashes. Where pets are not allowed:
Pets are not allowed on hiking trails. They may travel through the park in your car and walks to lookouts and stops along the roadway as long as they remain leashed. There is a trail from the park’s headquarters to Gaitlinburg that permits leashed dogs. It’s a wonderful two-mile hike along a creek where your pooch can jump in and splash around. Nearby dog-friendly parks include Pisgah National Forest and Nanthala National Forest. Be sure to stop by the Nanthala River Lodge and say “hi” to our pet loving friends who own the lodge. Guaranteed, you’ll want to book a room there. Where pets are not allowed:
There are several areas and sites to visit with your pooch in this spectacular national parks. There are about two miles of paved trails on the valley floor where dogs can walk on leash. They are not allowed on other trails, however. The good news is, you can see many of the park’s most spectacular sights from the two miles that are dog friendly including Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan and Half Dome. Where pets are not allowed:
This park is better for driving though if you are with your pet, as only the Pa’rus Trial allows pets on leash. This 1.5 mile stretch runs between the South Campground to Canyon Junction. However, you may enjoy a wonderful 12-mile drive through the park on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Pets are allowed in the campgrounds as long as they are leashed or restrained from wandering. They also are allowed along the roadways. Where pets are not allowed:
This is another drive-through park if you have a pet with you. Pets are allowed in your car, in parking lots, at picnic areas, along the roadways and in the campgrounds. If you travel to the nearby Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, you will find numerous pet-friendly hiking trails of various levels of difficulty. Trails there range from 2.5 to 4.5 miles or more. Top rated are Round Mountain Trail, Lions Gulch Trail/Homestead Meadows Trail and North Fork Trail. Where pets are not allowed:
This is a super pet friendly park. Dogs are allowed on the park’s 70 plus miles of hiking trails. This national park is a dog’s delight with plenty of rivers, streams, lakes, walks around the lake and hidden waterfalls. Pets are permitted at the Woodland Cottages. Where pets are not allowed:
