Best Dog Friendly National Parks – If you haven’t noticed by now, my faithful pup Ruby joined me on my epic road trip through the Pacific Northwest. Read on to see how we got my dog to join us on dog hikes in Redwood National and State Parks, and how we stayed at the Beach House where dogs can run on the beach.
Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links, which means that at no cost to you, I receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Best Dog Friendly National Parks
Is Redwoods the Best Dog Park? I’ve put together a guide to my top 10 dog-friendly national parks in the United States. Check out my other favorite dog parks.
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Since I no longer had a solid dog owner in Seattle, traveling without one for two weeks was definitely not an option. Not only did bringing him make the trip easier, but I was surprised at how many dog-friendly activities we were able to do. Surprisingly, we have had particular success with dog tours in Redwood National and State Parks.
In Washington, where we live, state parks and trails always allow dogs. However, in California, the state parks we visited did not allow any dogs. Most national parks allow dogs where cars can go (paved roads, parking lots, picnic areas, etc.), and Redwood National and State Parks follow the same rules.
After leaving Oregon Caverns and Cave Junction, we headed an hour south on the Redwood Highway to Crescent City, California. The temperature started to rise as we headed south, and soon it was sunny and warm enough to change into tanks and shorts. This weather won’t last, so we should spend more time near CC instead of continuing south.
Our first stop was at the Hyochi Visitor Center to get a park passport stamp and map. Their information center is set up as a one-way loop through a small visitor’s center and gift shop, we walk the dog out and another gets his ring and talks to the rangers. The rangers at Hyochi were very helpful – not only did they go out of their way to welcome Ruby, but they had a photocopier list (below) of hikes and dog walks through the redwoods. At any park, I recommend taking the time to ask questions and hear stories from the rangers, especially here at Hyochi.
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The first hike he recommends is Walker Road, a ten-minute walk to the Smith River. Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park is the northernmost part of the Redwood State Park and National Park complex and has some of the oldest growth trees in the park. The Walker Road Trail is a 1.5 mile round trip (three miles total) on a paved/ruddy road leading to the Smith River. As the ranger told us, there is plenty of parking “near the crosswalk sign.” When you see the pedestrian sign you can exit on US-199 or if you turn right onto Walker Road, there is additional parking. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park charges a parking fee, but if you have an America the Beautiful Pass, you can use it to park for free at any of the Redwoods State Parks.
We enjoyed a leisurely stroll along Walker Road, stopping every five meters to photograph another large tree. There was little traffic on the track as there were small groves along the main track. While the Simpson-Reed Trail is not the main trail, it is a nice little addition. This was our first hike/walk through the redwoods and it was a great way to start this part of our trip with Ruby.
Another dog race we found was when we lived in Eureka. The Elk River Corridor Trail is an 11-mile hike through old growth and new forest. I found this trail online at AllTrails, and I admit I did a bit of explaining online, I think we’ll end up with an unexplained trail, probably a beat up RV shared by many (this happened to Ruby and me in Leavenworth). Anywhere sketchy I was ready to pack up and leave. Don’t panic, don’t worry – it’s a very large, free parking lot that leads to a paved path.
The first mile of the trail is an old logging road, paved and ADA accessible. We saw several families walking together with strollers and children’s bicycles. The trail runs through the former paper mill grounds and includes several interpretive signs and activities for children. After completing the paved section, the trail leaves the old growth section and continues for another two miles through newer, more open forest and grassland. The path continues for another three kilometers, up the reserve. After about two kilometers we turned around and did not reach the windward side. Dogs are allowed to hang out on the trail, although I am mindful of the number of children on the first stretch of the trail.
The 12 Most Dog Friendly National Parks In The Us
Surprisingly, Redwood Coast beaches are dog friendly. Moonstone, Clam Beach, Luffenholtz, Mad River and Samoa Dunes allow dogs to run and play. Gold Bluffs and Crescent Beach are the most popular dog beaches and dogs are allowed on leashes. We stayed at the King Salmon in Eureka and Ruby loved walking to the beach across from our house. The map below shows dozens of dog-friendly beaches. Be aware that there may be seals or sea lions on the beaches and some moose are also frequent.
The kind rangers at Hyochi gave us this impression of the proposed bark! Ranger walks or dog walks in the Redwood National and State Park system. I downloaded the list and added others I found online. The strip runs north to south along the California coast.
I want to get a good deal on a vacation near the redwoods. We stayed in Eureka, CA (I’m sure I’ll talk more about that in the next post) and while our accommodations were great for the dog, it was a long way from the redwoods we wanted to hike. An asterisk* indicates an affiliate link.
Check out the test ride I took of Ruby here. Want to read more about my road trip? Here are all my Epic PNW Parks 2K1 road trip posts (still looking for a name). With summer just around the corner, it’s time to get outside and get active with your furry best friend. So, check out our list of the 15 most dog-friendly national parks.
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Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Americans have been flying less and less and turning to traditional road trips and RVs to explore America’s great outdoors. We are lucky to have so many amazing national parks of such amazing beauty. But if you’re traveling with your fur, you might wonder which national parks are the most dog-friendly.
Take your dog to all national parks. Due to wildlife activity, some parks do not allow dogs. Others allow them in campgrounds and developed picnic areas, but not beyond. Fear not: There are still plenty of national parks for dogs this summer. And if you’re worried about your dog getting lost in parks, check out the Fi GPS Smart Collar. But before we get to the list, let’s talk about some important things you need to know when visiting national parks with your dog.
Although many national parks allow your pets to accompany you, they have some rules about pet etiquette to make the experience enjoyable for everyone. This is your B.A.R.K. Policy for dogs.
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This helps keep the trail clean, but your dog’s waste is a “non-native element” in the park’s ecosystem.
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Sorry, pets must be on a leash at all times, maximum leash length 6 feet. This is to protect everyone, including your pet.
Do not allow your dog to approach any wild animal – it is very dangerous. Make sure your dog is well behaved and listens to you. Depending on the park, you may encounter things like grizzly bears, mountain lions, or moose.
Before you start, stop by the visitor center and ask the rangers where dogs are and aren’t allowed. And don’t forget to grab a trail map.
We’ve got a list of the 15 most dog-friendly national parks to visit this summer. Check out what they offer, where they are and get ready to start your adventure.
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Acadia has over 100 miles of dog trails and most campgrounds are dog friendly. Also, Bar Harbor is a neat little neighborhood with lots of pet-friendly places.
Congeree allows dogs in all campgrounds and on any park trails. You can enjoy swamps and wetlands
