Pets At Parks

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

29 Aug 2006 12:48 PM

Looking for an excursion to take with your pets? Think about your nearest state or county park! Rules may vary from park to park, but in general, pets are permitted while on leash or in a cage or crate.

Why are pets regulated or restricted at parks?

• A loose pet can frighten or injure wild animals. A wild animal that is frightened may react aggressively towards pets or people.
• A loose pet may become prey for wild predators like bears, coyotes, or owls.
• A loose pet may harass or frighten other park visitors.
• Domestic animals and wild animals may carry diseases into and out of the park.
• Pets (even when on leash and on marked trails) may trample, damage, or dig up wild vegetation.
• Dog and cat waste can pollute water.
• Domestic pets (especially dogs) can leave behind scents that disrupt the behavior of native/wild animals.

Check with the park before you visit to make sure your pets are welcome! The National Parks Service is a great place to start.

Places your pet may not be permitted:

• Inside buildings
• On beaches
• In swimming areas
• In sanitary facilities

Your pets are welcome at many parks across the United States! Alaska's Denali National Park welcomes pets on a leash on roadways and in campgrounds. Your leashed pet is also welcome to check out the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Redwood National Park in California, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, Acadia National Park in Maine, and many more National Parks across the country.

Planning a camping trip? Your pet is welcome to join you at parks like California's Joshua Tree National Park and Yosemite National Park, Florida's Everglades, and Montana's Glacier National Park. When you make your camping reservations, ask about pet policies; you may find some parks permit pets on trains and some do not.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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