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Feature Article: September
2002
In Search of the Best National Parks
for Dogs
(continued)
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Top 10 National Parks
(Ratings based on number of visitors per year. Ratings are NOT based
on dog-friendliness.)
1. Great Smoky Mountains
National Park, Tennessee, 865-436-1200
Pets must be leashed or restrained at all times and are
not allowed on hiking trails. They can accompany you in your car and
at lookouts and stops near the road. However, there is one trail from
the park headquarters to the city of Gatlinburg that allows leashed
dogs. It is a nice 2 mile long dirt trail that follows a creek. There
are spots along the way where your dog can take a dip in the water.
If you want a longer hike, try the nearby dog-friendly Pisgah
National Forest or the Nantahala
National Forest. Both are in North Caorlina, and they are located
about a two hour drive from the national park.
2. Grand Canyon National
Park, Arizona, 928-638-7888
This is one of the best national parks to exercise and
sightsee with your pooch. Leashed pets are allowed on South Rim trails
throughout the developed areas in the park. Dogs are not allowed on
any trails below the rim. But do not feel too left out, as the majority
of all visitors to the Grand Canyon never go on trails below the rim.
One of the dog-friendly South Rim trails is about 2.7 miles long, follows
the edge of the Grand Canyon, and offers excellent, awe-inspiring views
of the Grand Canyon. Well-behaved dogs are even allowed on the Geology
Walk, a one hour park ranger guided tour which consists of a leisurely
walk along a 3/4 mile paved rim trail. The following is the rest of
the park's doggie regulations. Dogs are not allowed in park lodging,
or on park buses. Pets are not permitted at all on North Rim trails
with the exception of a bridle path which connects the lodge with the
North Kaibab Trail. If you are looking to stay near the canyon, pet-friendly
lodging is available one hour away in Williams,
Arizona.
3. Olympic National
Park, Washington, 360-565-3130
Pets are not permitted on park trails, meadows, beaches
or in any undeveloped area of the park. There is one exception.
Dogs are allowed on leash, during daytime hours only, on Kalaloch
Beach along the Pacific Ocean and from Rialto Beach north to Ellen
Creek. For those folks and dogs who want to hike on a trail, try the
adjacent dog-friendly Olympic
National Forest. Leashed dogs are allowed on the national forest
trails. Of particular interest is the Mt. Mueller Trail which offers
great views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the mountains. Maps for
this 13 mile loop trail and other trails can be picked up for free at
a Forest Ranger Station including the one located at 551 Forks Avenue
South, Forks, Washington.
4. Grand Teton National
Park, Wyoming, 307-739-3300
Pets are only allowed in your car, on roads and road shoulders,
campgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots, etc. Dogs must be leashed.
Dogs are not allowed on any park trails or in the backcountry. With
national parks like this, it is very nice to have an adjacent national
forest that allows dogs on trails. The Bridger-Teton
National Forest offers miles of trails
for you and your pooch to enjoy.
5. Yellowstone National
Park, Wyoming, 307-344-7381
While this national park is not dog-friendly, you will
still be able to see, in a limited fashion, some of the major attractions.
Dogs are allowed in parking areas, campgrounds and within 100 feet of
roads. Pets must be on a 6 foot or less leash or crated or caged at
all times. Pets are not allowed on the trails, boardwalks, or in thermal
areas where the geysers, including Old Faithful, are located. While
dogs are not allowed next to the Old Faithful Geyser, you and your pooch
will be able to view its large eruptions from about 200 feet back. And
if you drive the Grand Loop Road, you will be able to view some points
of interest and perhaps see some wildlife including black bears, grizzly
bears, bison and elk. If you are looking for some hiking trails, there
are numerous dog-friendly trails
in the nearby Shoshone National
Forest, located between the town of Cody and Yellowstone National
Park.
6. Yosemite National
Park, California, 209-372-0200
This national park offers a fair amount of dog-friendly
walking areas and sights to see with your dog. Leashed dogs are allowed
on the approximately 2 miles of paved trails located on the floor of
the Yosemite Valley. Dogs are not allowed on any other trails in Yosemite.
However, there are many sights to see from the dog-friendly paved trails
in the valley. Yosemite Valley is world famous for its impressive waterfalls,
cliffs and unusual rock formations. From the paved trails, you can see
El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. You can
pick up more trail information from the Visitors Center in the Yosemite
Village area. The park's website also offers an online map
which shows the paved trail path (green dots). Other pet rules are as
follows: Pets are only allowed in developed areas, on roads and on paved
trails (like the trails in Yosemite Valley). Dogs are not allowed on
other trails, in wilderness areas, or on the shuttle buses. Owners must
clean up after their pets.
7. Rocky Mountain National
Park, Colorado, 970-586-1206
Dogs cannot really do much in this park, but as you drive
through the park, you will find some spectacular scenery and possibly
some sightings of wildlife. Pets are not allowed on trails, or in the
backcountry. Pets are allowed in your car, along the road, in parking
lots, at picnic areas and campgrounds. Dogs must be on a 6 foot or less
leash. You can still take your dog for a hike, not in the national park,
but in the adjacent Arapaho-Roosevelt
National Forest. There are numerous trails in this national forest
that allow dogs. Some of the trails are located off Highway 34 or Highway
36, near Estes Park. The trails, rated easy to difficult, are over 2.5
miles to 4.5 miles or more in length. Some of the dog-friendly trails
include the North
Fork Trail, the Lions
Gulch Trail/Homestead Meadows Trail, and the Round
Mountain Trail.
8. Acadia National Park,
Maine, 207-288-3338
This national park ranks high on the tail wagging meter.
In this park, dogs are allowed in the majority of the park. Dogs are
allowed on most of the hiking trails and carriage roads. Pets are also
allowed at the campgrounds, but must be attended at all times. They
are not allowed on sand beaches or on the steeper hiking trails. Pets
must be on a 6 foot or less leash at all times. There is one exception
to the leash rule. There is an area in the park that is privately owned
where dogs are allowed to run leash-free. It is called Little Long Pond
and is located near Seal Harbor. Overall, this is a pretty popular national
park for dogs and their dog-loving owners.
9. Zion National Park,
Utah, 435-772-3256
Dogs are allowed on one walking trail at this national
park. Dogs on a 6 foot or less leash are allowed on the Pa'rus Trail
which is a 1.5 mile long trail that runs from the South Campground to
Canyon Junction. You and your pooch can also enjoy a 10-12 mile scenic
drive on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway which goes through the park.
If you are there from November through March, you can also take your
car on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. If you arrive during the summer
months, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed and only allows park
shuttle buses. Other pet rules include no pets on shuttle buses, in
the backcountry, or in public buildings. Pets are allowed in the campgrounds
and along roadways.
10. Mammoth Cave National
Park, Kentucky, 270-758-2251
At this national park, leashed dogs are allowed on hiking
trails and in campgrounds. There are over 70 miles of hiking trails
which go through valleys, up into hills, and next to rivers, lakes and
waterfalls. However, dogs are not allowed in the cave, which is the
main attraction at this park. The park does offer kennels that are located
near the Mammoth Cave Hotel. The kennels are outdoor and not heated
or air-conditioned. I have not been to this park, so I am not sure about
the condition of the kennels, except to say that outdoor kennels at
some national parks can be less than desirable. For example, when I
visited Yosemite, the kennels were in a remote, overgrown area. If you
want to try the kennels at Mammoth Cave, be sure to check them out first.
You will need to make a reservation for the kennels and there is a $5
key deposit fee for the cage lock and a $2.50 fee for half a day or
a $5.00 fee for the entire day. To make kennel reservations, call the
Mammoth Cave Hotel directly at 270-758-2225.
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Top 10 National Parks
(Based on visitors per year, NOT based on dog-friendliness.)
1. Great Smoky Mtns, TN
2. Grand Canyon, AZ
3. Olympic, WA
4. Grand Teton, WY
5. Yellowstone, WY
6. Yosemite, CA
7. Rocky Mountain,
CO
8. Acadia, ME
9. Zion, UT
10. Mammoth Cave,
KY
Source: NPS
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