Hot Springs Dog Policy
Hot Springs National Park is Dog Friendly
Hot Springs was original established as a federal reserve by Congress on April 20, 1832—the oldest area managed by the National Park Service. Natural hot springs flow out of the Ouachita Mountains, providing opportunities for relaxation in a historic setting. Bathhouse Row preserves examples of 19th-century architecture. Hot Springs is the first national park in a city and was the smallest national park until 2018.[1]
Hot Springs National Park is dog friendly. Dogs are allowed on all the trails and at the campground. Please note that dogs should not be left unattended in vehicles.
Hot Springs National Park also runs the BARK Ranger Program, where you can earn a special dog tag by learning and following responsible practices (see the BARK Ranger section below).
- Website
- https://www.nps.gov/hosp/index.htm
- Pet Policy Details
- https://www.nps.gov/hosp/planyourvisit/pets.htm
- BARK Ranger
- Yes []
- Area
- 9 mi2
- Annual Visitors
- 1,348,215
Campground Policy
Dogs are allowed at the Gulpha Gorge Campground while on a 6' leash. The campground allows RVs and Tents, and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
| Campground | Dogs Allowed? | # Dog Friendly Sites | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulpha Gorge Campground | Yes | 44 | Reservations/Info | |
| Campground details from Recreation.gov | ||||
BARK Ranger
Bark Ranger is a really great program that some National Park Service destinations run. The Bark Ranger program teaches dog owners responsible behaviors with their dogs, and in return you get a special dog tag that’s different for each park (note: some parks require you to purchase the tag at the end). You start the program by going to a park office and picking up a checklist. When you complete the checklist (see the link below for more details), you can get your special dog tag.
B.A.R.K. is an acronym for:
- B: Bag your poop
- Help keep the park clean by bagging and picking up your dog poop, and properly disposing of it. Don’t leave your bagged poop on the side of the trail, hanging from branches, or throw it into the woods. Please note dog poop is not a natural fertilizer — it can carry disease that can spread to wildlife or other dogs.
- A: Always wear a leash
- Dogs must be restrained on a leash no longer than 6'. Retractable leashes that extend beyond 6' are not allowed. Not everyone appreciates a dog running up to them, and many people are scared or allergic to dogs — a leash prevents uncomfortable situations between your dog and others. Leashes also help protect your dog from running off if anything spooks them.
- R: Respect wildlife
- Dogs can chase or scare wildlife such as birds and turtles. They can also damage nesting areas. Some parks have wildlife, such as bears, coyotes, or wolves, that can threaten your dog. Please be respectful of wildlife with your dog, and if you do encounter wildlife, keep dog at distance to protect both your dog and the wildlife.
- K: Know where to go
- Know which trails allow dogs, and which don’t. Don’t leave dogs unattended in vehicles while you go off to hike. See the link below for more details.
For more information on the Bark Ranger program, please see: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/be-a-hot-springs-bark-ranger.htm
We also have a list of all parks that run the BARK Ranger program.
Location & Map
Have a photo of your dog here?
Note: Policies can change -- please make sure to check official dog/pet policies prior to making plans or booking travel.
Please tell us if you think there’s anything we should add or change on this page.
Credits
[1] Overview text from the Wikipedia article List of national parks of the United States, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
All other text and images, except where noted, copyright ASR Concepts, LLC, all rights reserved.