10 Stunning National Parks to Explore with Your Dog

This post may contain affiliate links which means we may get a commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please read our disclosure for details.

There’s no better place to adventure with your furry best friend than the great outdoors, and traveling with your dog can make any trip even more special. The good news is that many national parks in the U.S. are dog-friendly.

Going to a national park with your dog means more than just getting some fresh air and getting out of the house, it’s about making memories to last a lifetime and spending time in and with nature. These 10 amazing national parks are dog approved!

Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia National Park
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Acadia has rocky shores and dense forests and has a range of dog-friendly trails for you and your pup. With the park permitting dogs on nearly 100 miles of trails and carriage roads, it is a doggie paradise if your dog loves to explore. Explore the park’s Cadillac Mountain and bask in the amazing views. There is one rule though: Your dog must be on a leash.

Virginia, Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park waterfall
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Shenandoah is a great dog friendly adventure nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you and your pup are looking for a place to hit the trail, this park has more than 200 miles of trails for you to choose from. There are also plenty of streams and waterfalls along the way to keep your dog entertained!

Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park

Grand-Canyon-Arizona
Photo Credit: KeYang via pixabay

Most people think of the Grand Canyon as a place for epic views, but it’s also a great place for dog lovers. All the park’s paved trails along the South Rim, including the famous Rim Trail, are open to dogs and offer jaw-dropping views of the canyon. But remember that dogs are not allowed below the rim.

Ohio – Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Photo Credit: Ashley Marie Best/Shutterstock

Cuyahoga Valley, near Cleveland, is a hidden gem that’s also extremely dog-friendly. There are over 100 miles of trails in the park, and most are open to dogs. Beautiful rolling hills and woodlands, along with waterfalls, make this park a pup lover’s paradise, and your pup will love exploring. If you don’t mind a flat, scenic walk with your dog, don’t miss the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

Washington: Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Olympic National Park is mostly wild and rugged, but there are some dog friendly areas to see incredible views. A few trails, including the Peabody Creek Trail, and a few beaches along the coast, such as Rialto Beach, allow leashed dogs. It is a great place to take your pup because of the sea breeze and forest scents, as well as misty forests and dramatic coastline.

Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Have you ever wanted to take your dog to a place that looks like another planet? You can at Great Sand Dunes National Park! Dogs are allowed on the sand dunes where they’ll love running up and down the huge hills of sand. Just take care with the heat, as the sand can get very hot in the summer, so it may be best in the early morning or late afternoon for your furry friend.

California’s Yosemite National Park

Photo Credit: Uwe Nassal/Wikimedia Commons

For outdoor lovers, Yosemite is a dream come true, and the best news is that you can take your dog along for the ride, at least in some spots. Paved trails like the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail and the Bridalveil Fall area allow dogs. And they’re welcome in developed areas and campgrounds, so you can treat your pup to some of the park’s signature views.

Zion National Park, Utah

Zion National Park, Utah
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Most of Zion’s famous trails are off limits to dogs, but the Pa’rus Trail is an exception. With this scenic trail following the Virgin River and the towering cliffs of Zion, you get some incredible views. The path is paved, dog-friendly, and perfect for an easy stroll. If you and your dog love camping, you can make a whole weekend of it.

Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park

Photo Credit: EWY Media/Shutterstock

You might not think of Petrified Forest as the first dog-friendly park, but it’s one of the best. Your furry friend can accompany you as you explore the unique fossilized trees and painted desert on all park trails. If you want a different experience with your dog, this is the park for you.

Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park

Photo Credit: Margaret.Wiktor/Shutterstock

Even though there are some restrictions for dogs in Rocky Mountain National Park you’ll still find plenty of places where you and your pup can take in the breathtaking mountain scenery. Dogs are welcome in the developed areas of the park (campgrounds, picnic areas) and there are nearby trails to hike just outside the park boundaries for a real Rocky Mountain experience.

Start saving your ideas

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights

Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights

How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro

Image Credit: Shutterstock

How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro

10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience

Best African photo safari

Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.

But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.

10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience

Start saving your ideas

Similar Posts