Zion Dog Policy
Zion National Park is Somewhat Dog Friendly
Located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert, this park contains sandstone features such as mesas, rock towers, and canyons, including the Virgin River Narrows. The various sandstone formations and the forks of the Virgin River create a wilderness divided into four ecosystems: desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous forest.[1]
Zion National Park is a somewhat dog friendly national park. While dogs are only allowed on one trail, and not allowed on most trails, or in the back-country, they are allowed along developed roads and developed campgrounds. Bringing a dog to Zion means you won't be able to take advantage of everything the park has to offer, unless you have someone to watch your dog while you see all the sights. Also, Dogs cannot be left unattended -- it gets very hot at Zion.
Zion National Park also runs the BARK Ranger Program, where you can earn the opportunity to purchase a special dog tag by learning and following responsible practices (see the BARK Ranger section below).
- Website
- https://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm
- Pet Policy Details
- https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/pets.htm
- BARK Ranger
- Yes []
- Area
- 230 mi2
- Annual Visitors
- 3,591,254
Trail Policy
Dogs are only allowed on one trail at Zion: the paved Pa’rus Trail, which begins across from the visitor center, and is 3.5 miles round-trip. Dogs are not allowed on any other trails or in wilderness areas.
Campground Policy
Dogs are allowed in developed campgrounds while on a leash no longer than 6'. Here are the details on the campgrounds at Zion:
Road Policy
Dogs area allowed along developed roads and parking lots while they're on leashes of up to 6'.
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/zionbarkranger.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.