Is Yellowstone Pet Friendly?

[KeninAZ]

Just getting back into RVing again. We will travel with our Pug, useless as he is.
I know that some parks welcome dogs along trails and others don't want them.
How is Yellowstone?

[a_flyfisher]

A lot of campgrounds outside Yellowstone won't let you leave your dog unattended in your RV either. Ever stay next to one that barked all day when the owner's were away?

In addition, I've seen eagles near Yellowstone carry off small pets that were left outside.

[Atlee]

I understand it's better to leave the dog behind, and for you it's pretty easy to do that. Put the dog in a kennel for a week, and make a quick run to Yellowstone.

Unfortunately, for me, it is not that easy. I can't leave my dog in a kennel for a month and 182. That's how long we will be away from home on our trip this year, which includes a week in Yellowstone.

We must leave our dog in the trailer. I also understand it limits the amount of time we can stay away during the day.

Army11Bravo wrote:
Do yourself a favor, don't take dogs into Yellowstone. If left at camp, they will be alone for most of the day. If brought in a vehicle to explore, they won't be allowed on the trails and will hinder your ability to see the attractions - even the easy roadside ones.

We camp in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks often and leave our dogs at home. It makes for a more pleasant experience. Like when we leave our teenagers at home!

[Army11Bravo]

Do yourself a favor, don't take dogs into Yellowstone. If left at camp, they will be alone for most of the day. If brought in a vehicle to explore, they won't be allowed on the trails and will hinder your ability to see the attractions - even the easy roadside ones.

We camp in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks often and leave our dogs at home. It makes for a more pleasant experience. Like when we leave our teenagers at home!

[toedtoes]

The Park Service manages more than just the "National Parks". Fort Caroline is part of an Ecological and Historic Preserve. There are different rules for preserves, historic sites, etc., than there are for national parks.

[DownTheAvenue]

agesilaus wrote:
No national park, to my knowledge, is pet 'friendly'. They all follow the above rules.

Not true. Many National Parks allow pets on the trails and everywhere except in the buildings. Even found several visitor centers with water bowls and treats. Fort Caroline National Memorial in Jacksonville, FL is one example!

[Oakman]

Yellowstone has rules for some very good reasons including the fact that you are in a wilderness area and the animals are wild and a cougar or bear might decide your “pet” looks mighty tasty.

Here’s another good reason. Back in July 1981, David Kirwan was driving through Yellowstone’s Fountain Paint Pot thermal area with his friend Ronald Ratliff and Ratliff’s dog Moosie. At about 1:00 P.M. they parked their truck to get out and take a closer look at the hot springs; Moosie escaped from the truck, ran towards nearby Celestine Pool (a thermal spring with a temperature at times of 200 degrees), jumped in, and began yelping.

Kirwan and Ratliff rushed over to the pool to aid the terrified dog, and Kirwan’s attitude indicated he was about to go into the spring after it. According to bystanders, several people tried to warn Kirwan off by yelling at him not to jump in, but he shouted “Like hell I won’t!” back at them, took two steps into the pool, and then dove head-first into the boiling spring.

Kirwan swam out to the dog and attempted to take it to shore; he then disappeared underwater, let go of the dog, and tried to climb out of the pool. Ratliff helped pull Kirwan out of the hot spring (resulting in second-degree burns to his own feet), and another visitor led Kirwan to the sidewalk as he reportedly muttered, “That was stupid. How bad am I? That was a stupid thing I did.”

Kirwan received 3rd degree burns over 100% of his body and died the next day. This is a true story and not an urban myth.

This is just one of the many ways people and animals can die in Yellowstone NP. It’s also one of the many reasons for the strict rules in Yellowstone. There is a book titled, Death in Yellowstone that is a great read before visiting the park.

[RPreeb]

We don't take the dog anywhere if we expect to be away from camp a lot sightseeing, unless most of the sights are seen from the vehicle. He loves to ride and go camping in the forest, but we don't take him if we are planning on using RV parks or State or National parks.

We have a very good boarding kennel here in town where he gets to spend a fair amount of his day playing with a lot of other dogs. He has a much better time than he would being locked in a trailer.

[evanrem]

Just did Yellowstone last year. Not pet friendly, can't take dogs on any of the trails and you will be gone from camp all day long. Not sure about leaving them in cars. We left our dog behind and glad we did.

[toedtoes]

downtheroad wrote:
We have found that National Parks and most all Calif. State Parks are not at all pet friendly....pretty much not allowed anywhere outside of the parking lots.

Oregon and Washington State Parks and beaches are very pet friendly.

I've found the same thing. It's my number 1 pet peeve (pun intended) with California State Parks. They actually had (don't know if it's still out there) a flyer that says they ban dogs from the trails for their own safety - because if a dog goes to check out a boulder or downed tree, they might get bit by a rattlesnake (guess they don't care about your little kids checking out that downed tree or boulder).

National Forests are usually the most dog-friendly overall. They have very few limits on where you can walk the dog.

[downtheroad]

We have found that National Parks and most all Calif. State Parks are not at all pet friendly....pretty much not allowed anywhere outside of the parking lots.

Oregon and Washington State Parks and beaches are very pet friendly.

[agesilaus]

No national park, to my knowledge, is pet 'friendly'. They all follow the above rules.

[enblethen]

Here is info from Park Service.
Yellowstone pet rules

[DougE]

Yes. The wildlife finds them quite tasty!

[rv2go]

From the parks website:
">> Pets are limited to travel in Yellowstone National Park within your car, at a front country campground or within 100 feet of roads and parking lots. They must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and owners must clean up and dispose of all pet waste.

>> Pets are never to be left unattended outside. While you may leave them in vehicles, this is not recommended without proper ventilation and temperature control. They also may join you in a tent overnight, but all food and water dishes must be put away.

>> Pets are not allowed in any hotels within Yellowstone National Park, but some cabins can accommodate pets. Check with the park’s lodging concessioner — Xanterra Parks & Resorts at 307-344-7901.

>> Pets are not allowed on boardwalks, trails, or in the backcountry. This can severely limit your experience in the park."

[Lwiddis]

>> Pets are limited to travel in Yellowstone National Park within your car, at a front country campground or within 100 feet of roads and parking lots. They must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and owners must clean up and dispose of all pet waste.
>> Pets are never to be left unattended outside. While you may leave them in vehicles, this is not recommended without proper ventilation and temperature control. They also may join you in a tent overnight, but all food and water dishes must be put away.
>> Pets are not allowed in any hotels within Yellowstone National Park, but some cabins can accommodate pets. Check with the park’s lodging concessioner — Xanterra Parks & Resorts at 307-344-7901.
>> Pets are not allowed on boardwalks, trails, or in the backcountry. This can severely limit your experience in the park.