Our Favorite Dog-Friendly National Parks and Lodges
Traveling with a dog isn’t always easy, but with the right prep and mindset, it’s incredibly rewarding. Our dog Kodi is a registered service animal, and she’s been by our side through every mile of our Wild West van adventure.
She wears her service vest, knows when she’s on duty, and unless there’s a squirrel or marmot—keeps it professional. Kodi performs a life-saving service: when I have a seizure or get dizzy, she responds instantly she licks my face and alerts my husband. This is more than a pet thing—it’s a real medical partnership.
Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Pets
It’s worth clearing up a common mix-up:
Service animals are trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities.
Support animals offer emotional help and may require different documentation.
Most places—lodges, parks, hotel, will ask about your dog’s service status. You may need to sign a form or clarify what the dog does. In our experience, budget-friendly spots are usually less picky, but all require that your dog is leashed, under control, and not disruptive. And no, you can't just leave your dog behind in a room or tent—unless it's explicitly allowed (and it rarely is).
When we book, I let them know we have a handicapped-accessible van, a service dog, and a mobility concern (my husband’s had several back surgeries). Sometimes we get a room close to parking, sometimes not—you take what you can get.
Kodi's Road Life
Kodi goes everywhere with us. On boardwalks, scenic overlooks, and plenty of mellow trails. She knows when she has to wait in the van and does it calmly. If it’s hot, we keep the air running or open the roof vent. We even have a sign that says:
"Don’t worry! My owners will be back soon. I’m chillin’. The A/C is on."
Apps like BringFido help us find dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, and patios. Breweries and distilleries tend to be more welcoming, and many places will offer a water bowl—or even a dog menu. Kodi’s all-time favorite? Baked salmon skin in Santa Barbara. Fancy dog, fancy life.
Pet Etiquette on the Road
Only one person ever gave us trouble—at Bryce Canyon—saying, “Dogs aren’t allowed here.” It turned into a bit of a squabble, but hey, I’m more feisty than Kodi. She handled it better than I did.
In general, we follow these rules:
Accept the dog bowl—they’ll know where to chill
Keep your dog off furniture, on leash, and close by
Don’t assume they’re allowed somewhere—ask
If your pup gets anxious or overstimulated, retreat immediately
Don’t bring your dog on intense hikes unless you’re 100% sure it’s safe for both of you
For longer hikes, I leave Kodi with my husband, set a return time, and have a backup meetup plan in case something delays me.
National Parks That Welcome Dogs 🐾
Here’s a quick rundown of where your pup is welcome and where the rules are stricter. Always double-check before you go—policies can change.
🏞️ Dog-Friendly Parks (with Restrictions)
Grand Canyon (South Rim) – Paved trails only
Yosemite – Roads, sidewalks, bike paths, campgrounds
Bryce Canyon – Paved surfaces and campgrounds
Rocky Mountain – Roads and picnic areas only
Zion – Only the Pa’rus Trail
Glacier – Developed areas, roads, parking lots
Crater Lake – Designated trails and picnic spots
Capitol Reef – Certain areas on a leash
Mesa Verde – Paved roads and campgrounds
Gateway Arch – Grounds only, not inside
Black Canyon of the Gunnison – Some trails and overlooks
North Cascades – All 26 miles of trail (leashed)
🌄 Super Dog-Friendly Parks
White Sands – All trails, dunes, and areas
Great Sand Dunes – Entire park
Petrified Forest – Paved trails in both front and back country
Mount Whitney – Dogs allowed on trail (be warned: steep and high altitude!)
Tools for Safer Travel
For peace of mind when leaving your dog in the van, many travelers use a Waggle pet monitor to track temperature and motion. We don’t use one, but we often come back to find people taking photos of Kodi through the van window or chatting with her. She loves the attention—and those people love to hear about how they can travel with their pets.
Final Thoughts
Traveling with a dog, especially a service animal—is doable, fulfilling, and (mostly) welcomed with open arms. You’ll meet great people, discover pet-friendly places you never expected, and build amazing memories together.
And for us, there’s no adventure worth taking without Kodi by our side.