Yellowstone Dog Policy

Situated on the Yellowstone Caldera, the park has an expansive network of geothermal areas including boiling mud pots, vividly colored hot springs such as Grand Prismatic Spring, and regularly erupting geysers, the best-known being Old Faithful. The yellow-hued Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River contains several high waterfalls, and four mountain ranges traverse the park. More than 60 mammal species including timber wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, lynxes, bison, and elk make this park one of the best wildlife viewing spots in the country.^[1]

Yellowstone National Park is not a very dog-friendly national park. Dogs are not allowed on any trails, and in the most attractive areas of the park. Dogs are allowed along roads and in the campgrounds, however. Dogs may not be left unattended except in some campgrounds in RVs.

Bringing a dog to Yellowstone typically means missing out on most of the park, unless you have multiple people, and can have someone stay behind to watch your dog.

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Website

https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm

Pet Policy Details

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/pets.htm

Area

3468 mi²

Annual Visitors

3,806,306

Trail Policy

Dogs are not allowed on trails, boardwalks, or in the backcountry.

Campground Policy

Dogs are allowed at front-country campgrounds on a leash no longer than 6'. Dogs can be left unattended in RVs as long as they're quiet. Dogs cannot be left unattended in tents.

In addition to the the campgrounds in the table below that are reservable on recreation.gov, Yellowstone has the following campgrounds that allow dogs:

• Fishing Bridge RV Park
• Madison Campground
• Grant Village Campground
• Canyon Campground
• Bridge Bay Campground
• Indian Creek Campground (First come, first served)
• Lewis Lake Campground (First come, first served)
• Norris Campground
• Tower Fall Campground (First come, first served)

Road Policy

Dogs are allowed along established roads while on a 6' leash.