Dog-Friendly National and State Parks to Visit This Summer

If you are looking for a national or state park to visit with your favorite animal friend, you aren’t alone. According to a report commissioned by the campsite-finding website/app The Dyrt, about half those surveyed in 2024 camped with dogs, with nearly 5 percent reporting camping with cats. Some even said they camped with horses, rabbits, parrots, a bearded dragon, a mini pig, and a fish.

Regardless of what creature(s) you plan to bring, there are several important considerations to keep in mind to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit—for both your pet and the park. Here is what to know and where to go for the perfect pet-friendly park visit this summer.

Check pet policies before you go

Every park—be it local, county, state, or national—has its own rules regarding pets. While many state parks are generally dog-friendly, rules can differ between parks, even within the same state. On the other hand, national parks tend to be more restrictive, and dogs are often limited to campgrounds, picnic areas, and paved roads or trails.

One of the most universal rules in both national and state parks is the leash requirement. Most parks mandate that dogs be kept on a leash no longer than six feet at all times so they can’t stray too far off. This rule is not only to protect wildlife and other visitors (some of whom may not be comfortable around dogs), but also to keep your dog safe from hazards like cliffs, snakes, and rapidly moving rivers. Even if your dog is well-trained, leashing is essential in public natural areas.

Planning a pet-friendly trip

While many campgrounds and cabins in state and national parks are welcoming to dogs, you can also find hotels and motels that will welcome your four-footed friend. Note that some “dog-friendly” hotels actually may have breed-specific restrictions. For instance, they may not allow certain breeds like pit bulls. Some hotel chains, like Kimpton (which has a hotel near Montana’s Glacier National Park), have no breed restrictions and stock rooms with pet-friendly amenities.

Many state parks prioritize accessibility in a way that national parks haven’t yet. So, if you or someone in your group uses a wheelchair or wants to rent a motorized all-terrain wheelchair, you may want to plan your pet-friendly trip to a state park.

Keeping your pet safe in the park

One of the main dangers facing pets (and people) in parks in the summer is extreme heat. Beth Hudick, the public information officer at Saguaro National Park, says that “desert heat can be very dangerous to dogs, particularly ones who aren’t used to this environment.” She adds that “so many of our native plants have spines and thorns that can become embedded in paws,” posing additional dangers. 

Even in nondesert environments, temperatures can soar and thorns abound, so it’s crucial to check the weather, plan accordingly, and know your and your pet’s limits so you can both hike safely in the heat.

According to Ambika Vaid, an integrative veterinarian, the most common injuries she sees among park-visiting pets are heat stroke and injuries to the paw pads from the ground. “Typically, long hikes in the summertime on hot days can lead to some dogs sloughing their paw pads (the outermost layer of the paw pad burns off and leaves ulcers behind), and it is very painful.”

Vaid says that pets that are not on flea and tick prevention are prone to fleas and ticks in most hiking locations. If your pet gets a tick embedded in their skin, it’s important to bring them into a vet hospital. Having a professional remove the tick is best because if the tick’s head is not removed properly, it can get left behind in the skin.

For a bit of inspiration, here are some especially pet-friendly places to consider. 

American Prairie, Montana

American Prairie is a nonprofit in Montana working to build the largest wildlife preserve in the country. Currently, about 500,000 acres (800 square miles) are being protected or managed (including both land they own and leased public lands), but their goal is 3.2 million acres (5,000 square miles). Designated as one of the three "quiet parks" in the continental US, American Prairie is a vast wilderness where dogs are welcome anywhere and everywhere. Hike, fish, camp, paddle, spot bison, or stargaze anywhere in the park without having to worry about pet-prohibited areas. As long as pets are leashed, they’re welcome in the park.

Tucson, Arizona

Saguaro National Park’s towering cacti offer one of the most distinct national landscapes in the country, and the park also has one of the most unique layouts. Here, two separate sections (known as eastern and western “districts”) surround much of the city of Tucson, and pets are allowed on trails in both sections. 

Pet-friendly trails in Saguaro include the 1.4-mile out-and-back Mica View Trail, the .3-mile Desert Ecology Trail, and the 8-mile Cactus Forest Loop scenic paved road in the east. While the saguaros are more abundant in the national park, you can find similar scenery and far more pet-friendly trails at nearby Catalina State Park.

Monterey County, California

Seaside Monterey County, California, is a dream for park-loving travelers with pets seeking the best of land and water experiences. Three dog-friendly state parks are sprinkled along the water offering California coastline views ranging from sandy beaches and rocky outcrops to plunging cliffs. 

Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach and on trails like the .75-mile Asilomar Coast Trail boardwalk at Asilomar State Beach, an accessible park that also offers free walkers and beach wheelchair rentals. Nearby Fort Ord Dunes State Park and Garrapata State Park also allow dogs in certain areas, and all three parks are a short drive to Carmel-by-the-Sea, which is consistently ranked as one of the most pet-friendly towns in America.

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

South Carolina’s Congaree National Park is the rare national park that allows pets on all trails, both forest and boardwalk, and at all the campgrounds. Considering that some of the best views are from wheelchair- and walker-friendly boardwalk trails (which also have ample benches to rest on), it’s also a great option for travelers with limited mobility.

Grand Junction, Colorado

The appeal of Grand Junction is that it positions you right in the middle of so many outdoor adventures and pet-friendly businesses. Spend the day river paddling with your pup at Grand Mesa National Forest, mountain biking at Lunch Loops Recreation Area, or hiking together at Mica Mine and Rough Canyon Trailhead. And, if you don’t want to be confined to camp food, pets are welcome at Spoons Bistro & Bakery and at Whitewater Hill Vineyards winery.