Dogs in National Parks

Thanks to all who have responded to our query about dogs in Big Bend NP.

You've all been helpful. We will take our pooch, but be prepared to leave him for short periods in our RV.

Thanks again.

Oh...thanks, that is good to know. I thought they were just not allowed to walk on the trails.

Francesca Knowles wrote:

GizmosMom wrote:
How small is he? Smudge is 12 pounds and I have a frontal dog carrier that I put him in when we visit touristy towns in Colorado. I wear it on my chest and he enjoys "our" walk.

I would, however, ask the Ranger if that is acceptable first. I always poke my head into stores and ask if it is okay if I come in wearing him. The shop owners have all let us in.

:?

I'm pretty sure that in National Parks, "dogs not allowed" means just that, regardless of whether one's carrying it/them.

Yes, it does, at least at all of the NP's we have ever been to.

GizmosMom wrote:
How small is he? Smudge is 12 pounds and I have a frontal dog carrier that I put him in when we visit touristy towns in Colorado. I wear it on my chest and he enjoys "our" walk.

I would, however, ask the Ranger if that is acceptable first. I always poke my head into stores and ask if it is okay if I come in wearing him. The shop owners have all let us in.

:?

I'm pretty sure that in National Parks, "dogs not allowed" means just that, regardless of whether one's carrying it/them.

How small is he? Smudge is 12 pounds and I have a frontal dog carrier that I put him in when we visit touristy towns in Colorado. I wear it on my chest and he enjoys "our" walk.

I would, however, ask the Ranger if that is acceptable first. I always poke my head into stores and ask if it is okay if I come in wearing him. The shop owners have all let us in.

How restricting it is depends a lot on what you want to do while there. No problem at all if you just want to drive around and sight see. Your dog will have free run of your own vehicle of course and there are plenty of places he can get out for 'nature calls'. What he will NOT be able to do is walk with you on hiking trails or visit any of the parks buildings (visitor centers etc. restaurants) but campgrounds should be no issue. The park has never been very busy during winter months either of the times I visited then making it a nice time to visit.

you can take the dog with you in the car. just don't leave him outside the rv alone and don't take him on trails.
weather is fine in BB in Nov through Jan, but will be busy, especially during Xmas college break.

whiteys29 wrote:
We have read the rules on dogs in Big Bend National Park. Our small Havanese dog goes practically everywhere with us. Have members found it at all feasible to visit Big Bend National Park with a dog between November January? How restricting is it? Also, how busy is the park during those months? Thanks.

Not sure what you mean- if you've read the rules, don't they say how restrictive they are?

If you're asking whether there's some sort of wintertime loophole allowing your dog to "go everywhere with you" (including perhaps on the trails?), the answer is no.

We have visited BBNP many many times always with 2 dogs. Dogs are NOT allowed on any trail in BBNP and with good reason. The area abounds with dangerous animals, like mountain lions, bear, javelinas, coyotes, bob cats, etc. Everyone of these animals have been known to attack dogs and if the owner is there, it may or may not be a deterrent. We always left our dogs in the RV and never had a problem.

Don't know from Big Bend NP, but usually, the parks don't have an issue (especially with a small well behaved dog like a Havanese (we have a Papanese:)...half Papillon, half Havanese).
I guess the best thing to do, is to call the Ranger, to see what they say. Remember to ask their name, so that you can use it, if there is a problem down the road.
Lots of people travel with their dogs.

Happy Camping:)