Ah, the great outdoors. The sun on your face, the wind at your back, and (hopefully) a space to explore with your furry pal. While a walk in the park might seem like the most obvious place in the world to bring a dog, most U.S. national parks have strict rules regarding if and where pets are allowed. Guidelines can vary greatly, so we’ve compiled a list of each one, ranking them from most to least dog-friendly, to help you plan where to take your next parks adventure with your canine companion.
First, a few universal guidelines: keep your pet on a six-foot (or shorter) leash at all times, always bag and throw away your dog’s waste, and never leave an animal unattended in a locked vehicle.