Dogs on National Parks trails

[fochman]

The wife has been researching the do's & don'ts of visiting the National Parks in Utah and has read that no dogs are allowed on the trails in the parks. What do you do with your dog(s) while on the trails. Leave them in the TT at the campsite? or in the TV? Neither option seems like a good one. We were very surprised to find out that dogs are not allowed.

[Bassdogs]

Dogs are routinely prohibited from trails at National properties as well as many State Parks. For parks where dangerous predators roam, the justification is obvious. The no dogs rule exists almost everywhere.

[NewBlackDak]

The claim is it's for everyone's safety. Bears, cougars, and lots of small children.
The reality, is that disrespectful dog owners will let their animals trample the wildlife, and pinch a loaf in the middle of the trail while leaving it to step in.
If your dog is well behaved and you have electric with AC, I don't see why they can't stay in the TT.

[dewey02]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Dogs are routinely prohibited from trails at National properties as well as many State Parks. For parks where dangerous predators roam, the justification is obvious. The no dogs rule exists almost everywhere.

True for National Parks.
Not true for almost all National Forests and BLM lands, including NF Wilderness areas. The rule they have is that all dogs must be kept on a leash and under control. The reason for this is the safety of other visitors, avoiding wildlife harassment, and avoiding lost animals (dogs taking off after a rabbit, deer etc. and never coming back).

Lost dogs are a problem both in terms of becoming feral, and in terms of owners wanting the Rangers to "do something" even though the animal was clearly lost because the owners were not following the rules.

National Parks were established for the "benefit and enjoyment of the American People." Nothing about dogs in that establishment legislation. I doubt that dogs have an appreciation for the geologic history of the Grand Canyon, the cultural history of Chaco Canyon, or the breathtaking views of Yellowstone's lower falls.

[fochman]

Thanks for the response. Living in Indiana hadn't thought about the threat from predators for the dog.

[fochman]

Thanks for the reply. Our dog is well behaved and we would have A/C to leave him in the TT. We're just used to taking him along most of the time and hate to have to leave him back at the campsite.

[Bobx2]

That's the tough part about being a dog owner. I would never leave ours in the TV. She will just have to spend the day in the RV. It may mean having to return to camp to let her out, but leaving her in the hot truck is just not an option.